Traveling to Europe is usually associated with visiting historical sights, walking through the narrow streets of old cities, with parks and cathedrals, as well as leisurely breakfasts on open terraces and hearty dinners with inexpensive but tasty wine. However, we often forget that Europe is full of seaside resorts and certainly overlook the Atlantic coast, where you can not only soak up the sun, but also go surfing – a sport that is gaining increasing popularity and has already earned a place in the hearts of thousands of fans from Russia. The ocean washes the shores of France, Spain and Portugal, making the climate in the coastal cities of these countries soft and comfortable at any time of the year, and depending on the season, it brings either large or small waves, which are suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers. Today we have prepared for you a review of the five best cities where you can go surfing and enjoy other delights of traveling to Europe.
Osgor
The city of Sort-Hossegor is located in the South-West of France in the region called Aquitaine. The central and busiest part of this relatively small resort is located between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Hossegor. Thus, you have two coasts at your disposal at once – long sandy beaches with ocean waves and a picturesque forest belt that stretches along the calm surface of the lake, where you can have picnics and jogging. In the city itself you will find restaurants with cozy patios, here you can taste the juiciest oysters in all of Europe, not to mention the fact that Bordeaux, a world-famous wine-making center, is very close by. As for surfing, you can surf in Hossegor all year round; the biggest waves come in September and October. At this time, the largest surfing competition in Europe is being held in Hossegor. In the summer months, on the contrary, the waves are smaller and are good for the first steps in learning.
Biarritz
The French city of Biarizz is located closer to the border with Spain. Historically, we associate this name with luxury resort vacations, dinners in expensive restaurants and trips to casinos. Well, all this, of course, still exists in Biarritz, but there are also entertainments here for those who like a more active holiday. First of all, you will find fascinating excursions to historical and natural attractions, from the citadel of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to the Oxocelian Caves, which are notable for their clusters of stalactites and stalagmites and prehistoric rock art. Surfing in Biarritz is also special, as the ocean offers stunning views of the palaces. In summer, the waters of the Bay of Biscay warm up to 20-25˚C, so surfing here does not always require a wetsuit. The biggest waves, again, are in the autumn months.
San Sebastian
San Sebastian is the largest city and administrative center of the province of Guipuzcoa in the Basque Country. In Basque, its name sounds like Donostia. The proximity to France had a strong influence on the architecture of the city, but the historical center has retained its authenticity and is a landmark in itself. Among the immediate surroundings, it is worth noting Mount Igueldo, which can be reached by cable car – from its top there is a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the coast. The gastronomic component of the trip will also not leave any gourmet indifferent. In addition to homemade cafes with traditional cuisine and famous Spanish tapas bars, San Sebastian is home to several of the country’s best restaurants, awarded Michelin stars. San Sebastian is the capital of surfing in Spain. People ride the waves here all year round, and in the summer and autumn a number of local and international competitions are held, which attract world stars of this sport. By the way, there are fewer and fewer hotels available for booking every day.
Penichet
The town of Peniche is a fishing port in western Portugal. In the 16th century, Peniche was located on an island, but this island eventually connected with the neighboring island of Baleal and with the mainland. The relatively small town combines a fishing harbor and a military complex of the 17th century, which has now become an architectural monument. In addition, Peniche is famous for its lacemakers, festivals and fairs with goods from all over the world; From here you can bring a lot of souvenirs. Less than an hour’s drive from Peniche is the Berlengas group of islands with picturesque grottoes and coves, a 17th-century fort and a nature reserve. In the city itself, the most popular entertainment is sitting in cafes on the ocean shore, the terraces of which offer wonderful views of the sunset. Tourists in Peniche should definitely try such traditional dishes as rice with shrimp “arozh de marisco” and charcoal-grilled sardines, which are always served with wines from the Western Region. When it comes to surfing, Peniche is known as the Portuguese wave capital and offers perhaps the best conditions in all of Europe. Thanks to the unique topography of the peninsula, there are coasts that are washed by the ocean on both the northern and southern sides, therefore, no matter which direction the wind blows, you can always find a bay with absolutely smooth water and high-quality waves. You can also surf all year round, with the biggest waves coming in the autumn months. Every October, the Supertubosh spot hosts a stage of the World Surfing Championship.
Ericeira
Ericeira is a small but stylish fishing village with cozy narrow streets and houses painted white and blue. The coastline in Ericeira is a continuous series of sandy beaches that literally go beyond the horizon. Very close to the city is the Mafra National Park, created by order of King Don João V, where you can observe fallow deer, deer and wild boar in their natural habitat. The basis of traditional cuisine is seafood. Lobsters, which are bred in marine nurseries in Ericeira, are especially good and available here. Today, Ericeira is the only world surfing reserve in Europe, which means that the shores and beaches are under the protection of an international association. And in general, the culture of this friendly city contributes to the growth of its popularity among surfers from all over the world. Ericeira hosts participants in major world championships and hospitably welcomes tourists who want to get acquainted with surfing.
This article was prepared with the support of the HAKULA team (hakula.ru),
which offers on its resource beginners and advanced surfers a wide selection of travel destinations: group and individual surf trips around the world with training and information support.
More on the topic: 6 best places for a beginner surfer
