Best kitesurf spots in Europe
We want to give you a comprehensive list of the best kitesurf spots in Europe we have ourselves experienced over the years. The idea is not to give you a bucket list of dream kite spots, but rather, to let you know how we would rank the kite spots we actually have the first-hand experience of riding. After all, they say to write about what you know so... here we go!
Portugal
Why Portugal? Well, first of all, it's affordable and beautiful. Second of all, the people and the culture are amazing, with a fantastic sense of hospitality. The food is fresh, the wine is fairly cheap (not to mention locally sourced), and it's easy to get around by van and/or public transport. There is a range of accommodation for all budgets, as well as places to eat out and party. The kite spots are also not too far from each other so you can always find a good place to kitesurf depending on the wind direction and your level. It’s good for all different kinds of riding whether it’s freestyle, wave riding or foil.
Guincho beach
This is our favourite kite spot when it comes to strong wind and waves! It’s beautiful and only 45min from Lisbon city centre. Close to the beautiful town of Cascais. It’s an advanced rider spot due to the strong shore break and medium to big waves. The wind usually picks up to anything between 25 and 35 knots on sunny days. There is a clear section of rocks which split the beach in half. Stay north for cleaner waves and beware of the cliffs on the southern part. Keep your eyes open as you can find surfers despite the strong wind. You will also find a nice bar up the hill where you can enjoy a cold beer after your session!
Obidos Lagoon
Obidos is home to the largest lagoon in Portugal, making this one of the best kite spots in the country. There is a lot of space for both those looking to learn how to kitesurf and independent riders. It’s a wild and beautiful area surrounded by little hills where you will find hotels, restaurants and golf courses. Almost all wind directions are ride-able at the lagoon. With the light to moderate thermals, it’s an amazing place for learning and the freestyle/freeride addicts. The waves just outside of the lagoon mouth can be amazing too. Just keep in mind that they are often powerful and there may be a strong current. You should always make sure that you have strong enough wind to handle them, as being in large waves with light wind can be dangerous. The wind usually starts blowing before lunch until late afternoon. Beware of the restrictions applying between June 15th and September 15th. The estuary spot is then closed to water sports. Don’t worry though, there is still a lot of place available for kiting! The wind channels into the lagoon creating a Venturi effect, providing you with two or three other spots where to enjoy your session. The lagoon is surrounded by little towns which are totally worth a visit. Within 20min drive you can also find some of the best surf spots in Europe! Whether you are travelling in a van or looking for a nice place to stay, you will find what you need here. Even if you come with people who do not kite, you can be sure that they will find something to do in Obidos.
Costa de Caparica
A super long, sandy beach with plenty of space! When it’s too strong in Guincho, this is the place to go ride. This place has small to medium-sized waves and light to moderate thermal winds in the afternoon, make this an easy kite spot for riders of all levels. There are many different bars and restaurants along the beach, a few schools and it’s easy to access from Lisbon. Expect an average of 15/20 knots starting mid-afternoon. The locals are friendly and there is a good vibe!
Murtosa
This is a beautiful flat water spot close to Aveiro (which is also known as the Venice of Portugal) where the thermals get quite strong in the summer so, pack small kites! You can stand in the water here at high tide, and you can launch beside the road at the « Clube Nortada ». There are some tidal currents that you have to be aware of, but nothing too dangerous. All things considered, this is a good kite spot for pretty much everyone, a good option for both freestyle and freeride. Once a year, around June, the « Clube Nortada » organizes a good downwinder through the mangroves and channels.
Peniche
Peniche and its worldwide known « Supertubos » is THE surf spot in the area. There is a beach for literally any swell and wind directions. When the northwest wind is strong enough at the Óbidos Lagoon (over 20 knots) you will find good conditions for wave riding in the Peniche area. The big bay between Peniche town and Baleal is the main spot, safe and easy to access. There are a few great beach bars where you can have a beer after your session. Ten minutes drive south of the bay, you will find Supertubos and its powerful waves. With a good Northwest wind, you will find perfect conditions. It’s definitely for experts only as it will be side to side-off shore wind.
For more information about the best waves for kitesurfing in Portugal, check out our blog post!
Pounda, Paros (Greece)
Why Greece?
The food, the hot weather and the animated summer nights! The wind never stopped blowing while we were there. There are many little towns where you can find the typical « Tavernas ». Also, any day of the week is a party day on the island!
Pounda is located on the west side of Paros island (Cyclades archipelago) facing its neighbour Antiparos. Pounda is one of Greece’s most popular and best kite beaches. It offers perfect flat water, constant wind and a whole lot of facilities such as schools, bars and hotels. The best season is from June to September. The Meltemi is a reliable northerly wind covering large tracts of the Cyclades region.
El medano, Tenerife (Spain)
El Medano, at the south-eastern tip of the island, offers around 300 days of wind per year! How? The north-easterly wind gets strengthened due to the topography of this region: a wind-tunnel in the strait between Gran Canaria and Tenerife, further accelerated by the long south-east side of Tenerife and finally a thermal on the 3718m high Mount Teide. The best season is from May to September. The waves in El Medano break especially clean at low tide over the reef. They get up to 2m-high in the impact zone while the outside swell regularly pushes 3m to 4m-high hills toward you. Overall, the mood and the vibe is relaxed.
Fuerteventura (Spain)
We loved the wildness of this place! You can easily find good accommodations for a decent price. The north of the island offers amazing wave riding conditions. It’s also very famous for surfing during the winter (the less windy season). « Fuerte » also means endless sandy beaches and turquoise water with the finest of freestyle conditions. The south-east of the island is probably the comfiest spot the Canaries have to offer to kiters and windsurfers. You will find very constant winds with 70% to 95% reliability between April and September. Expect driving through gravel tracks to reach some of the best spots.
Tarifa, Spain
With almost 4500km of coastline, Spain offers almost the same variety of conditions as Portugal. Tarifa is the mainstream destination, with its incredible wind statistics and its chilled lifestyle. Two wind systems work alternately: Levante (from east) and Poniente (from west). Tarifa is one of the few genuinely all-year European kitesurf destinations. Anyone looking for nightlife should definitely visit in the summer. The kite community is huge and friendly in Tarifa!
Brouwersdam, Zeeland (The Netherlands)
This is our favourite spot up north. The 6,5km Brouwersdam connects Goeree with Schouwen Duiveland. This spot keeps the freestyle community stocked while you can find good wave spots like Ouddorp and Domburg. The wide-open beaches and dunes of Zeeland are spectacular and allow kiters and windsurfers to co-exist in harmony in most spots.
Punta Trettu, Sardinia (Italy)
Located at the south-west tip of the island, Punta Trettu offers amazing conditions to beginners and flat water enthusiasts. The spot is divided by a long sand bar and has shallow and sandy sea-beds. The best season is from April to October where the “Mistral” (wind from the northwest) and the “Scirocco” (wind from the southeast) work alternately. It’s a wild place but you can easily find some affordable BnB in the nearby towns. You will need a car to drive around and get to the kite spot.
Wissant, Pas-de-Calais (France)
Wissant is the region’s best wave spot in a south-westerly wind. The waves are best at high tide. The current can reach 11 knots so walking back upwind is a familiar sight. There is a real Atlantic vibe here and the location ranks amongst the top 5 high wind spots in the whole of France.
