When it comes to surfing in Europe, Spain is a fantastic all-rounder. The country has three distinct coastlines to explore: the powerful Cantabrian Sea up north, the warmer Atlantic shores down south, and even some surprisingly fun waves along the Mediterranean coast. This means there’s a huge range of conditions to suit just about anyone looking for a sports holiday in Spain.
You can find everything from gentle, sandy beach breaks ideal for getting started to challenging reef breaks for more experienced surfers. Surfing in Spain means riding the waves along the mainland to the ever-reliable Canary Islands.
Where can I surf in Spain?
To find the best surf beaches in Spain, your first step should be deciding which part of the country to visit. The right region for you will depend on your experience level, your goals and the time of year you plan to go.
Best surf spots in Southern Spain
When you head down to Andalusia, you’ll find the water is warm and the general vibe is laid-back. The best time for waves is usually in the autumn and winter, as this is when the big Atlantic storms send swells wrapping around the coast of Portugal and into the Gulf of Cádiz.
Tarifa and the Cádiz Coast
The real heartland of surfing in the south is the Costa de la Luz in Cádiz. The most reliable spot here is El Palmar, a long, sandy beach break that picks up a surprising amount of swell. The waves are often fun and open-faced, making it a great place for intermediates or a relaxed session on a longboard. The towns along this coast, like Conil de la Frontera and the kitesurfing hub of Tarifa, have a wonderfully bohemian and surf-centric culture, with plenty of surf camps and schools to choose from.
Surfing on the Costa del Sol near Málaga
For Málaga and the Costa del Sol, you need to manage your expectations. The region may have some of the top Blue Flag beaches in Spain, but surfing here is a much more opportunistic affair. The Mediterranean doesn’t receive groundswells like the Atlantic, so you’re waiting for local wind swells, known as olas de viento. These tend to show up in the winter months when a strong easterly wind blows. Spots like Cabopino in Marbella or around Benalmádena can produce some fun, short-lived waves, but it’s very dependent on the weather. It’s a bonus if you’re living there, but not somewhere you’d plan a dedicated surf trip.
Island surfing: year-round waves in the Canary Islands
If you’re after waves pretty much any time of year, you need to look at the Canary Islands. People always ask which Spanish island has the best surfing, and the conversation usually comes down to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The weather is warm year-round, and they hoover up swell from the Atlantic. The volcanic landscape has created an incredible variety of waves, with everything from gentle beach breaks to some seriously powerful reef breaks that are for experts only.
Fuerteventura: the “Hawaii of Europe”
The North Shore, which runs along the coast from Corralejo, is legendary within the European surf scene. Here you’ll find a huge concentration of quality spots all within a short drive of each other, including the favourite El Cotillo surfing beach. There are more forgiving places, which are great for intermediates, and then you have heavy, shallow reef breaks like ‘The Bubble’ that should only be tackled by very confident surfers. The best part is the consistency and the strong international community it attracts, all drawn there by the promise of good waves, whatever the season.
Is there surfing in Valencia and the Costa Blanca?
Much like the Costa del Sol, the coastline of the Valencian Community is on the Mediterranean, which is generally known for its calm, flat waters. Surfing here is completely dependent on wind swells, usually created by a strong easterly storm, or a temporal de levante, as they call it locally. When these storms do roll in, you can sometimes see people out on the city beaches of Valencia, like La Patacona. Further south on the Costa Blanca, in areas around Torrevieja, surfing here is a similar story. However, Torrevieja has surf rentals, as well as paddleboards for hire. While beaches like La Mata might see some choppy wind-swell during a storm, it’s not a surfing destination by any stretch of the imagination.
Surfing in Northern Spain: best waves in the country
We can’t talk about surfing in Spain without mentioning the north. It’s rightly known as the country’s surfing capital, and the coastline stretching through the Basque Country, Cantabria, and Asturias is a world away from the south. The landscape is a stunning deep green, the water is cooler, and it’s home to some of the best surf spots in Spain and Europe, including the world-famous tube at Mundaka. The surfing scene in Northern Spain is world-class and offers a completely different, but equally incredible, experience.
Surfing in Spain for beginners
If you’re just starting out, Spain is a brilliant place to learn. The key is to pick the right spot where the waves are forgiving and you’ve got plenty of space. In the Canary Islands, Famara beach in Lanzarote is perfect. It’s a huge, sandy bay with gentle rolling waves, and it’s packed with excellent surf schools. Down in Southern Spain, El Palmar in Cádiz is another fantastic option on a smaller day. The sandy bottom and long lines of whitewater give you plenty of opportunity to practise standing up. What makes these places so good for learning is the sheer number of surf schools and rental shops, making it easy to find gear and get lessons.
Surf seasons and wetsuits in Spain
So, the big question: do you need a wetsuit to surf in Spain? The short answer is yes, for the most part. The water temperature varies massively depending on where and when you are, so your gear needs to match.
For the north coast, you’ll need a good quality full wetsuit pretty much all year round. In winter, that means a decent 4/3mm suit or even a 5/4mm if you really feel the cold. Down south in Andalusia, you can often get away with a 3/2mm full suit for the winter and spring, and you might even get into a shorty or just boardshorts in the peak of late summer. In the Canaries, it’s a bit of a happy medium; a 3/2mm or a 2/2mm wetsuit will cover you for most of the year, though you might brave boardshorts on the hottest days.
When to go surfing in Spain
For the most powerful and consistent waves up north, you’ll want to aim for autumn and winter, though you’ll need a decent wetsuit. The south of Spain and the Mediterranean coast work best in the spring and autumn when swells arrive. The Canary Islands are the big exception, offering great conditions and warm water almost all year round, making them a solid choice anytime.
Planning your trip
Surf towns in Spain
One of the best things about Spain is that its surf towns aren’t all cut from the same cloth. You can find pretty much any vibe you’re after, depending on the kind of trip you want. Some spots, like Zarautz in the Basque Country or El Palmar in the south, are buzzing with energy. They have loads of surf schools, bars and a really social atmosphere. Others, especially as you head into Galicia or parts of Asturias, are much quieter – think chill villages tucked into coves where it’s more about the waves and nature than the nightlife.
Surf camps in Spain
A surf camp experience in Spain can range from a basic hostel bed with daily lessons to a full-blown boutique wellness retreat. A good tip is to check the instructor qualifications (they should be certified) and the student-to-instructor ratio; you’ll learn much faster in a smaller group. Also, see what’s included in the price – board and wetsuit hire should be standard, but accommodation and food can vary.