When most people think of surfing, their mind almost always turns to Australia and Bondi Beach. However, Europe boasts some unknown gems when it comes to surfing destinations.
The Mediterranean towns along the southern Spanish and French borders are home to excellent surfing conditions as well as up market beaches, popular with a wealthier crowd. Here you can see some true professionals in action while soaking up the sun.
Surfing in the UK has become increasingly popular over the last few years with Cornwall being a premier destination. The coastal town of Newquay is a surfer’s paradise with the entire town focused on the sport.
The Algarve, Portugal: If you are a keen surfer, but don’t have the time or money to make it to Australia, the Algarve offers year-round perfect surf conditions. The world-class surf here matches most other top destinations and is very good value.
Bude – Cornwall, England: Cornwall is the centre of surfing in the UK, with Bude being one of the top spots. There are many beaches in this area offering excellent surfing conditions. The best beaches in Bude for surfing include: Summerleaze and Crooklets beaches; Widemouth Bay and Sandymouth Beach.
Newquay – Cornwall, England: If Cornwall is the center of British surfing, Newquay lies at the core of this center. It is in fact the surfing capital of Britain and not only boasts excellent waves, but a surfing culture unlike anywhere else in the UK. People travel from far and wide to surf at Newquay. The best beach is Fistral Beach, offering some of the best beach-breaks in Cornwall.
Porto Pollo, Sardinia: Porto Pollo can be found north of Palau and is popular with both surfers and windsurfers. There is a separate area for beginners, making it ideal for the whole family. It is used by many Italian surfers for training and hosts a number of annual competitions.
Mundaka, Spain: Mundaka is a town located in the province of Biscay. It is one of the best places in the country for surfing and is well-known throughout the world.
Llantwit Major, Wales: Llantwit Major is a very popular spot on the Welsh coast for surfing. It is a stunning beach with many historical remains and while the majority of it is rocky, there are some sandy areas which are perfect for chilling out after hitting the waves.
Biarritz, France : This town lies on the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic coast and is a popular resort town with tourists and surfers. It is rather pricey, so not ideal if you are on a budget, but it boasts one of the best beaches in Europe and has won a number of awards for its surfing conditions and standards. There is a very prominent surfing culture here and people from all across the world visit every year to make the most of the breaks.
Anglet, France: This small coastal town can be found in southern France in the Aquitaine region. The local beaches are home to a number of surfing competitions throughout the year for both men and women, and it is also home to some fantastic waves.
Conil de la Frontera, Spain: This is a very small town on the Atlantic coast, but despite its size, still boasts six beaches. It is a popular tourist destination and especially popular with local surfers and keen surfers from throughout Europe.
Spanish Point, Ireland: This is a popular destination for people who like to spend the summer months in Ireland. There are many holiday homes here and throughout the summer months, families make their way to the beach. People of all ages can be seen donning their surfing gear and hitting the waves.