Portugal in February

[RobSF]

I’ve been waiting to make a query like this for years. We’re going to be in Lisbon and Porto this February. God, that sounds so . . . cosmopolitan. Anyway, I won’t have my board, no wetsuit. If anyone has suggestions about the most forgiving winter surf beaches for old men, with good rentals in these two towns, please let me know. I’m in the water through the winter in Northern California, so I don’t expect the weather to deter me (though if rentals aren’t available in the off season, I’ll be bummed).

Am trying to get my wife to take a detour to Nazare, too. We’ll see. To watch, alas, not surf. (But don’t tell my friends, because the only photo they’ve seen of me on a board is a Photoshop job with a Mavericks wave, and I want to augment the legend.)

[BaNZ]

Peniche is the place you want to be. Lovely little surf town with so many breaks. It's also close to Nazare.

[surferbee]

I can't vouch for the conditions when you're there - you'll have to wait and see what's friendly and what's not. But, Ericeira is your closest, best bet to Lisbon with a bunch of breaks within a really short stretch (it's a World Surfing Reserve). The more popular breaks - like Ribeira or Foz - will have rental shops right on the beach where you can get what you need. But there are plenty of rental spots scattered throughout Ericeira. Plus, it's gorgeous there. I haven't been to Peniche or Porto but I imagine you can't really go wrong there, either. Have fun!

[jaffa1949]

Peniche, Baleal both have heaps of rental shops as does the Enciera area! Wetsuits and all everything from beaters to quality boards!
With a little luck you might see Nazare enraged.
Somewhere under the rainbow is about where the wave breaks

Lagide at Baleal ,can look like this

[billie_morini]

Rob, sounds pretty neat. Hope you both enjoy this trip.
billie

[Raiz]

+1 for Peniche!

Ive been there last November and it's a great little surf town with many shops and schools/rentals. There are a few breaks on walking distance (mostly beach, one small reef break). There are some protected breaks as well, depending on wind direction. I also went to Nazare (by car) because the Big Wave Challenge was on. Awesome experience to watch, so much more real than on video's!

A starting point can be Peniche Surfcamp (google them), I think they're open all year long. Enjoy!

[Lennart]

Santa Cruz! Much more quiet than Peniche and Ericeira and good accommodation and rentals!

[RobSF]

Rob, sounds pretty neat. Hope you both enjoy this trip.
billie

Definitely expecting to overall, whether I get in the water or not. Have never been before, and I hear nothing but good things.

[RobSF]

Santa Cruz! Much more quiet than Peniche and Ericeira and good accommodation and rentals!

Wait. There’s a Santa Cruz, Portugal? Because I surf Pleasure Point now and then, but that’s only 90 minutes away from home.

[surferbee]

Yeah, just north of Ericeira. I had planned on going there but didn't make it. I've heard it's got a cool, mellow vibe though.

[jaffa1949]

All the area in Caixias is suitable for you plus it is not far from Lisbon. You can check prices on property for rent in Portugal and see which district will be more suitable. The sunsets in this area are just fantastic! Plus there is a castle that your wife can visit, lots of shops and restaurants and surfers from all around the world for you to enjoy your time.

[paaliner]

well you have plenty to choose from ! basically the whole coast is full of surf spots haha

I mostly know the spots around Lisbon but ask the locals for Porto, Portuguese people are really nice, i'm sure they'll help you.

The closest to Lisbon would be Cascais since its only a short train ride but it's usually quite crowded and you can find better waves for sure.
Then you have Ericeira, a nice typical town located in the north of Lisbon. Its a Surfing Reserve so you'll have plenty of spots to choose from but you have to go to Ribeira d'Ilhas (is the most famous one). Though beware of some locals they can be aggressive in the water from time to time. Oh and don't forget to walk around the town, its really pretty and you have to visit the Surfing Reserve building, its free and you learn a lot of stuff.

My favorite has to be Peniche, its where i learned how to surf ! Again you have plenty of spots around like Praia do Baleal, Lagide, Cantinho do Baia or the famous Supertubos. Once in Peniche you have two possibilities : walk or bike around to go to the "well known" spots or rent a car and go explore : there are plenty of secrets spots around and when the swell is good you can find some really good waves !
Plus there are plenty of surf shop or surfcamps around so you can fin a wetsuit and a board for a cheap price. Peniche is located in the north of Ericeira, about an hour drive from Lisbon. Its also in the south of Nazaré, if you go to Peniche, go to Nazaré you won't regret it ! Also there are plenty of spots on the way ! Aaaand if your wife or you get bored, there is a castle next to peniche in Obidos, i never visited it but it seems pretty cool and everybody talks about it !

You can also go to Santa Cruz (yes in portugal) the beach is pretty big and the waves are usually pretty good.

There are so many spots in Portugal, do your researches and you can find some amazing gems ! (don't forget to check the swell daily cause it can change pretty quickly so if it changes, just change of spot)
Oh and btw, it can get really foggy and cold in Peniche, there is this weird microclimate but if it does get cold you can always get to Ericeira usually when one is cold is other is better (just something i learned with the years).

Good luck for planning, Sounds like a nice trip tho
Hope you'll have a good time !
If you got any questions, I know Peniche like my back pocket so ask me !

[surferbee]

BTW, I just remembered that there's a free beach cam app for Portugal called ...wait for it... Beachcam (by MEO). I only learned about it half way through my trip and wished I knew about it sooner since I was doing a lot of dawn patrol and getting up early to drive from break to break only to stare at perfect conditions ...for snorkeling or skipping rocks .

[RobSF]

Ok, six months later . . .

Thanks to all for the cornucopia of recommendations. Lisbon was amazing. We fell in love with Portugal. In fact, we’re learning Portuguese so we can go back. Retiring in three years or so, and we want to stay a couple months instead of three days. And . . .

surf. Because I didn’t this time. In the end, it was too short a time. And for whatever reasons, I don’t regret missing it. I was having too good a time just wandering around the city. But definitely going to go for it if/when I get back. Will have no excuses.

Also will have no excuses when I follow my wife along to Honolulu in October for a weekend conference. First time in Hawaii.

[BaNZ]

Lisbon is beautiful. We love'd it there too. There's so much culture and I did not feel unsafe even when I was walking/living in the poorer side of the city.

I think if you purchase a property that is 500-600k euro. You can get citizenship!

[RobSF]

Not citizenship, but a fast-track visa. And we’ve certainly been talking about it. Actually, there’s a lot of pushback on that from the locals, who are seeing their city become hostage to speculators, which makes me feel sad.

Still, we came back and immediately tiled our kitchen with azulejos, started playing fado on the stereo, and are trying to pick up some Portuguese. Going back, and next time with a wetsuit.

[BaNZ]

Part of the negative feedback is that it does not help the average joe. Lots of money laundering and Chinese/Russians buying up the properties.

Fast track to a citizen 5-6 years with no long term requirements to stay in the country is such a bad policy. 500k euro to buy a property is really easy to get in.

But yeah it's a wonderful country, food is great and amazing surf! Only thing I didn't like was too many people smoking cannabis while driving.

[Shredder15]

Ericeira is where you want to go. That place rocks!