Lisbon Coast, Portugal

About Lisbon Coast

Few kitesurfing destinations let you finish a session and be at dinner in a European capital an hour later. The coast either side of Lisbon carries the Nortada — the north to north-north-westerly that blows down the Portuguese coast through the summer — and offers a genuinely wide range of conditions inside a short drive.

South of the Tagus, Costa da Caparica runs twenty kilometres down the coast, with Fonte da Telha along it: near-flat, around 20 knots on most afternoons from June to September, and forgiving at every level. Six kilometres further south, Lagoa de Albufeira is a lagoon that draws freestylers and beginners alike, best at high water when there is most room. West of the city, past Cascais, Guincho is the opposite — widely regarded as the finest and most demanding wave spot in Portugal, 15 to 25 knots and capable of touching 40, with rocks in the water and no margin for beginners.

The water is Atlantic and cool at 17 to 19°C through the summer, so a 3/2 or 4/3 is needed. Sintra, Cascais and Lisbon itself are all within the same half hour, which makes this an unusually easy trip to share with someone who has no intention of getting wet.

When to go

Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October.

Kite areas

4 distinct riding areas documented within this destination.

• Costa da Caparica

  Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October.

• Fonte da Telha

  Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October.

• Guincho

  Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October.

• Lagoa de Albufeira

  Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October.