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Where Should You Go Surfing In Europe & Africa?
-
By
Matt
- Updated | September 15, 2026
Europe and Africa are packed with surf.
Big Atlantic swells. Warm water. Rugged coastlines. Classic beach towns.
You can chase winter waves in France, find sunshine in Morocco, or spend a week moving between Portugal’s surf towns.
And you don’t need to drive everywhere.
Some places are compact and easy to walk around. Others have trains, buses, taxis or surf transfers to get you where you need to go.
The key is choosing the right base.
Stay close to the beach. Keep transport simple. Spend less time worrying about getting around and more time surfing.
This guide covers the best places to surf across Europe and Africa, with a focus on destinations where you can leave the rental car behind.
Jump Straight To A Europe & Africa Destination
Can You Surf Europe & Africa Without A Car?
Yes. But some places are much easier than others.
The biggest factor? Where you stay.
Choose a town where the beach, surf shops, cafés and accommodation are close. You can walk most places and use local transport when you want to explore further.
Portugal is particularly easy, with trains, buses, taxis and surf transfers connecting many popular surf towns.
Morocco works well too. Shared taxis, buses and surf camps can get you between towns and out to different breaks.
Pick the right base and you may barely need a car at all.
That’s what this guide focuses on. Great surf destinations where you can stay, surf and explore without relying on your own wheels.
In This Guide
Surfing Europe & Africa
There is no one way to surf Europe and Africa.
Chase long point breaks in Portugal. Hunt powerful waves in Spain. Head to Morocco for warm water and laid-back surf villages.
Want something colder? Look north for wild coastlines, rugged beaches and proper Atlantic swells.
Plenty of choice.
Start with the kind of surf trip you want, then find the destination that fits.
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are a strong option if you want reliable sunshine with your surfing.
Caleta de Famara is one of the easiest places to settle into island surf life. The village sits right beside a huge beach, with surf schools, board hire, restaurants and accommodation close by.
Over on Fuerteventura, Corralejo gives you a livelier base with plenty happening away from the water.
Want something completely different?
Playa de las Americas puts you in the middle of Tenerife’s busy south coast, with several breaks and a huge choice of accommodation, restaurants and nightlife.
The islands also give you something that mainland Europe cannot. Winter sun.
Best for: Warm-weather surfing, beginners, winter escapes and island surf trips.
France
France has serious surf credentials.
The southwest is where most surfers head, and there are plenty of ways to experience it.
Biarritz is the obvious all-rounder. Surf beaches sit alongside a proper French town, so you get plenty to do when you’re out of the water.
Further north, Hossegor is a different proposition. The waves can be powerful, fast and world class. Then there’s Lacanau, a laid-back Atlantic resort with long sandy beaches and a strong surf scene.
France works particularly well if you want surfing without giving up the rest of the holiday. Good food. Beach towns. Cafés. Plenty of surf.
Best for: Atlantic waves, surf culture, beach towns and experienced surfers.
Morocco
Morocco has become one of Europe’s easiest winter surf escapes.
The main attraction is the stretch of coast around Taghazout. Taghazout is the classic choice. It’s compact, social and surrounded by famous point breaks.
A little further south, Tamraght offers a quieter base while keeping several breaks within easy reach.
For something more remote, head to Imsouane. The town is small, relaxed and famous for its long, mellow waves.
Then there is Essaouira, where surfing comes with a much bigger dose of Moroccan culture. Explore the medina, eat seafood and head to the beach when the wind and swell line up.
Morocco is hard to beat when you want warm water and a very different travel experience.
Best for: Winter sun, warm water, surf camps, point breaks and affordable travel.
Portugal
Portugal belongs near the top of the list.
The country has an excellent combination of surf, transport and towns that work well without a car.
Ericeira is one of the best-known options. There are waves in several directions, and the town itself has plenty of places to eat, sleep and hang out.
Peniche is another standout. The peninsula gives you access to a huge range of breaks, while the town has everything you need for a surf-focused trip.
Down south, Lagos combines surfing with a lively Portuguese holiday atmosphere.
Portugal is one of those places where you can genuinely build a surf trip around public transport.
Best for: Car-free travel, surf camps, beginners, variety and longer surf trips.
South Africa
South Africa is made for adventurous surf trips. There’s a lot of coastline to explore, but you don’t need to see all of it.
Jeffreys Bay is the famous name. The waves are world class, particularly for experienced surfers chasing long, powerful point breaks.
For something quieter, Victoria Bay is a small surf community tucked into a beautiful stretch of coastline.
Both destinations put surfing front and centre. Expect bigger landscapes. Cooler water. And waves that can demand respect.
Best for: Point breaks, experienced surfers, dramatic scenery and dedicated surf trips.
Spain
Spain has far more surf than many people realise. You can chase waves along the northern Atlantic coast, explore Andalusia or head west towards some of Europe’s most famous breaks.
Cadiz gives you sunshine, history and access to beaches around the city. On the northern coast, Zarautz is a proper surf town with a long beach and plenty of Basque character.
Then there’s Mundaka, famous for one of Europe’s most celebrated left-hand waves. Further south, El Palmar offers a much more relaxed beach-town experience with a strong local surf scene.
Spain is a great choice when you want to combine surfing with food, culture and plenty of time outside the water.
Best for: Variety, Spanish culture, Atlantic surf and beach towns.
United Kingdom
Yes, you can surf in the UK. You just need the right wetsuit.
Newquay is the obvious starting point. It’s one of Britain’s best-known surf towns, with several beaches and plenty of surf infrastructure.
Croyde Bay offers another classic option, with a beautiful sandy beach and a strong reputation among UK surfers.
Further south, Bantham is smaller and more peaceful. It’s a good choice if you want a quieter coastal escape.
The UK won’t give you tropical water. It does give you dramatic scenery, proper Atlantic swells and a very different kind of surf adventure.
Best for: UK surf trips, Atlantic swells, beach towns and cooler-weather surfing.
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Find Your Type Of Surf Trip
Want warm water?
Morocco, the Canary Islands or southern Portugal
Want beginner-friendly waves?
Lagos, Ericeira, Biarritz or Caleta de Famara
Want powerful surf?
Hossegor, Mundaka, Jeffreys Bay or Peniche
Want a lively surf town?
Ericeira, Taghazout, Biarritz or Newquay
Want somewhere more relaxed?
Tamraght, Imsouane, Arrifana or Victoria Bay
Want an easy trip without a car?
Ericeira, Peniche, Lagos, Taghazout or Biarritz
There’s no perfect destination for everyone. Maybe you want warm water. Maybe you want a big wave.
Or maybe you just want somewhere you can walk from your room to the beach with a board under your arm. Start there.
Want A Surf Camp?
A surf camp can make a car-free trip much easier.
Accommodation, lessons and boards are often included. Many camps also organise transport to different breaks, so you don’t have to work out every surf session yourself.
Portugal is a great place to start. Surf Camps In Portugal covers some of the best options for different surf levels and travel styles.
Morocco is another favourite, especially if you want warm water, surf villages and a more relaxed pace. Take a look at Best Surf & Yoga Retreats In Morocco.
The Canary Islands are worth considering too. With year-round sunshine and plenty of surf towns, 5 Top Canary Islands Surf Camps is a good place to explore your options.
Surf camps are also an easy way to meet people. Arrive alone, and you can quickly find yourself surfing with the same group each day.
Less planning. More time in the water.
Not Sure Where To Go Next?
Not sure which destination suits you best?
Think about the kind of trip you want to take first. Your surf level, the water temperature, who you’re travelling with and how you want to spend your time can all help narrow down the choices.
Going On Your First Surf Trip?
Looking for easy waves, friendly surf towns and plenty of places to learn? Best Places For Your First Surf Trip brings together destinations that make those first sessions a little less daunting.
Chasing Warm Water?
Sunshine, boardshorts and no freezing mornings. Warm Water Surf Destinations highlights places where you can combine tropical weather with great surf.
Travelling Solo?
Solo surf trips can be incredibly social when you choose the right destination. Solo Surf Trips Without A Car focuses on places with easy transport, surf camps and plenty of opportunities to meet other travellers.
Want To Mix Surfing With Yoga?
Some trips are about more than waves. Surf and Yoga Destinations Without A Car looks at places where you can surf, practise yoga and slow the pace down between sessions.
Ready To Explore Europe & Africa?
You don’t have to plan a huge European surf road trip.
Pick a coastline. Find a town that works without a car. Stay close to the beach. Then let the trip unfold.
Spend your mornings in the water. Find a local café afterwards. Explore the town. Take a train or bus when you fancy a change of scenery.
Portugal. Morocco. Spain. France. South Africa. The UK.
Different countries. Different waves. Very different experiences. You just need to choose where to start
