Europe

Let’s face it when you think of best surfing towns in Europe does not jump to mind as a hot surfing destination, you’d probably think of Hawaii, South Africa and California but believe it or not Europe does have some worthwhile surfing towns.

Best Surfing Towns in Europe

Bundoran, Ireland

This surf town made it onto the National Geographic’s list of top 20 surfing towns in the world!

The water may be cold and it may rain a lot but seasoned surfers love to take on the challenge of this surf town’s sea. Surfers call it “Europe’s cold-water Indonesia” and a “surfer’s paradise”.

Swells come in from the North Atlantic and crash onto the beaches, reefs and rocks of this ancient fishing village’s rugged coastline.

One of the waves that swells here even has a name – The Peak and the coast offers stretches of beach suitable for experienced, intermediate and beginner surfers.

Mundaka, Spain

Situated in the Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai at the foot of Mount Katillotxu, Mundaka in an ancient port town in the Basque country.

The town is renowned for its surfing as high waves roll in from the Bay of Biscay and hit the town’s rocky coastline.

Many surfers and travelers take ferries from UK to Bilbao, and either base themselves in Bilbao and take daytrips to Mundaka, or continue from Bilbao with the bus to Mundaka.

There is a direct car ferry between Bilbao and Portsmouth, and here are the Bilbao Ferry Timetables and Prices.

There is a natural sandbar that is formed by the estuary of the Errekatxu stream flowing into the sea, this makes hollow waves, perfect for adventurous surfers.

The World Championship Tour of Surfing has been held here and world names in the surfing world have surfed here like Bobby Martinez and Kelly Slater.

Biarritz, France

Another town which is on the National Geographic list and often called the “birth place of European surfing”. In the South West of France the water is thought to be the warmest in Europe and there are two favorite surfing beaches – La Cote des Basques and La Grande Plage.

There are a number of annual surf competitions here as well as the Biarritz Surf Festival. The quaint town has a blend of French elite culture and laid back surf culture.

The town is famous for Napoleon III’s visit in 1854 and the palace he subsequently had built here. Today the palace is a fancy hotel facing the sea.

September to November are the best months to surf here when the swells rush in from the Atlantic but the surf is more suited to intermediate surfers rather than experienced pros.

San Sebastian, Spain

Another surf town on the National Geographic list of top surf towns of the world.

The romantic town has many cozy restaurants and bars, it is in the heart of the Basque country and has a reputation for cultural events and venues. There is a beautiful Old Town and a gourmet food culture.

The town at the mouth of the River Urumea is surrounded inland by mountains and forests. The best time to visit is from June to November when the water is warmest and the waves high.

Within convenient distance from northern Spain’s ferry ports, you can easily reach San Sebastian by taking one of the many ferries to Santander or Bilbao, and then continue by bus to the surf city.

There are many benefits with ferries to Spain – book a ferry to Spain and chances are you can bring more surf boards along than if you fly, sometimes without any extra cost!

San Sebastian’s best known beaches are the centrally located 2km long Concha Beach in Concha Bay; La Zurriola is the most popular with surfers and Zarautz Beach which is a long stretch of golden sand.

Newquay, England

The famous beaches of Newquay are at the foot of rugged cliffs, there are eight beaches within walking distance of the town.

Watergate Bay Beach gets large swells rolling in on the 2 mile long beach; Mawgan Porth Beach is wide and popular with families and surfers; Holywell Bay Beach can reach a mile long at low tide; Towan Beach is centrally located and is best for beginner surfers, these are only a few of the many beaches in the area.

There are world class waves at Little Fistral near Pentire Head and North Fistral has some of the best waves in the country.

Not-So-Touristy Surf Spots Around The World

Taking a vacation to a beautiful and semi-remote surf spot seems dreamy and often out of reach for most of us inland boarders.

While it may seem more possible to take frequent trips to the local coast to catch weekend waves during the season, there are actually a few lesser-known “swell” spots that are more accessible now than ever before. 

Trade in a couple of regular weekend road trips for a week or two at one of these outstanding and affordable vacation wonderlands.

Check out these three not-so-touristy wave rider dream destinations for a peek at new culture, new terrain and most importantly, new adventures for you and your board…

Hongo Reef, Nicaragua

Hongo Reef, also called Puma Reef, is a short ride from the town of Gigante.

Because of current economic conditions, U.S. visitors can find flights to this area of Central America for very low rates.

This reef is for experienced surfers and SUP boarders only, so amateurs beware.

You can live or vacation here for about 10 U.S. dollars per day, if you plan and budget carefully, and spend most of the day riding beautiful swells and eating homemade Nicaraguan cuisine.

Water in this area is swimmer-friendly year-round, so venture here when your local water is too cold. Spanish skills are a major plus!

Bundoran, Ireland

This is Ireland’s surf Mecca. Your most serious expense here will be a plane ticket (unless you live in Europe); however, it is a small price to pay for cheap lodging, cheaper surf and SUP equipment and a chance to ride some of the greatest year-round waves in the world.

The best boarders visit Bundoran because, while it may not be a palm-tree-typical tourist paradise, the wave conditions are supreme.

And if you already speak English, you will be able to communicate with the locals.

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

This North Coast surf spot is best from September through March.

The water is warm and you can find plane tickets to the Dominican Republic during these months for as low as $100.

A-frame reef waves range from 100-300 meters, so more experienced boarders can feel free to bring their novice riders along to learn on the smaller waves.

Vacationing in the Dominican Republic can range from super-budget hostel living to full-service resort accommodations, depending on your budget and style.

Also enjoyable and nearby are Sosúa and El Batey, short rides from Puerto Plata, for more intermediate-level waves.

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to travel with your board is to purchase an inflatable SUP board.

These boards are made for traveling, are lightweight, and can roll up into a compact bag, not to mention extremely durable.

Treat yourself and take a trip to some of the world’s most breathtaking spots with your best board at your side.

3 of Ireland’s best surfing destinations

When it is time to choose a surfing destination, the mind often wanders to faraway lands, often in the distant southern hemisphere. However, you don’t actually need to travel that far in Europe to enjoy great surfing conditions, not even in places that feel a world away from surfing.

Here are 3 of Ireland’s best surfing destinations, which, depending on where you live in Europe, could be just under an hour away by plane.

Bundoran

The best surfing in Ireland can be found in and around the north western coast – after all, last year’s Eurosurf competition was held in the area, and for very good reasons.

Bundoran is the country’s prime surfing sport – at Bundoran’s beaches, waves are consistent, offshore wind conditions are excellent, and the swell height is almost always over a metre high.

The average sea temperature stands at 10°C, so you would need a full-body wet-suit to last more than a few minutes!

Bundoran is a laid-back town geared towards surfers, where those looking to take lessons can choose from a surf academy and a considerable number of schools offering everything from beginner lessons to improver weekend courses.

If you want to stay in Bundoran during your surfing trip you can reduce your accommodation expenses by taking advantage of the many surf lodges in town that offer discounted “surf and stay” packages.

Easkey

Located in the north west of Ireland, the village of Easkey is blessed with some dramatic geological features, and is a stunning place to stop for any reason, but particularly popular for surfing in Ireland.

Easkey is also unique in that it has two reef breaks: Easkey Right and Easkey Left, just under a mile apart from each other.

The waves break over the rocks at both, providing surfers with a swift sea surf. Nonetheless, most people agree that Easkey Right is more challenging.

Easkey’s fully exposed beaches and continuous offshore winds create the perfect conditions for a demanding yet rewarding surfing practice.

Swell heights easily reach 2 metres (7 feet), and heights of 3 metres (10 feet) are not unusual.

The Irish Surfing Association recently chose Easkey as its permanent base, so if you happen to be in town, pop into their premises and check the many events they organize throughout the year, they also offer surfing instructor courses, typically during the spring months.

Inishowen

Close to the border with Northern Ireland lies the peninsula of Inishowen. Since the peninsula is encircled by the Atlantic Ocean, the existence of appealing surfing spots is guaranteed.

Buncrana, the largest town in the peninsula, is home to a fully insured surfing school that makes the most of Inishowen’s superbly consistent waves.

Buncrana’s main beach is Lisfannon beach, a 3 mile-long stretch of sand which has blue flag status.

Twenty miles to the west of Buncrana you will find Culdaff beach, a favourite among surfers and other water sports lovers.

Here you can expect wave periods of up to 16 seconds, and an average swell height of 1,5 metres (5 feet) – these conditions make of Culdaff an ideal beach for beginners looking to go surfing in Ireland.

Before you decide on where to go surfing in Ireland, remember that having comprehensive insurance during your surfing adventure is as important as choosing a location – shop around for an insurance provider that guarantees medical cover, board damage and personal liability.

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Planning For the Perfect European Trip? Look at it this way: You like going on trips, and you’ve decided that this time around, Europe is your destination of choice.

You want to go for a European trip.

However, there are a few things that you really need to consider and keep in mind as you get down to planning for this trip.

Here’s a simple list that you’ll find very helpful:

You Can’t go on a European Trip Without Valid Travel Documents

For you to travel in Europe, you need a passport to enter the various countries in the continent.

You also need a valid visa.

All those documents should be legally issued.

In most cases, you can be allowed entry to a European country only if your visa is valid and indicating an expiry date of between 3-6 months from your date of entry into the country.

Also, be smart enough to get your train and bus tickets validated before you hop into any trains or buses.

You don’t want the train police to run into you and find you with a ticket that’s not validated. You risk a heavy fine for that.

You Should Notify Your Credit Card Company Before Departing

If a credit company finds out that a card is being used outside the country without their knowledge, they could block or suspend it with immediate effect to avoid a bad case of fraud or identity theft.

You avoid this by letting the company know that you’re going for a trip outside the country so they know you’re the one using the card out there.

In addition, you need to load your card to ensure you have enough money to finance your full trip.

It’s also smart to pay for expenses using the local currency.

This will go a long way in lowering the charges added when you swipe your card to pay in dollars in a foreign country.

Downloading The Appropriate Apps Can Be Very Useful

If you really need the best experience during your European trip check out this website Routeperfect find the best and most helpful apps and download them before you start your trip.

For example, Google Maps will help you find your way around tricky streets and highways.

Google Translate will help you translate the local dialects and save you the pains of language barrier.

In fact, Google Translate has been synchronized with Word Lens.

You can now translate streets signs and other texts by just training your camera on them. That’s great!

You Need to Mind the Time Zones

The best way to cope with the time differences during your European trip is to try to adapt to the time zone of your intended destination even before you get there.

You start taking your naps and food at the time that it’s done at the destination.

That way, you’ll have a better chance of adapting fully and faster once you get there.

You don’t want the time zones messing up your good mood for the trip, do you?

Ready Your Travel Accessories And Footwear

If you’re planning a great European trip, chances are that you’ll be moving around a lot, and that means that you need to be well-equipped for the adventure.

To that end, you’ll need good shoes as well as USB adapters and portable chargers.

You don’t want all your electronic accessories getting power-drained and shutting down in the middle of Europe.

Don’t forget to carry a water bottle too. You can always refill it at the public water fountains.

You also need a small, portable medical kit or medicine bag where you put some emergency basic medications like pills for stomach ache or headache.

Remember to carry a watch too so you can keep good track of time.

Decide on When And Where to Visit

You realize that the whole world goes by seasons, and Europe is no exception when it comes to the warm and cold seasons.

Before you embark on your European trip, first make sure you’re targeting to catch the season of your choice there.

Do you want to enjoy winter or summer in Europe?

Make your choice, and while at it, decide on which fun activities attract you and are active during that particular season.

Also, you need to know where exactly to go to catch the action of the season.

You’re not going for a European trip just to traverse the continent with no fun activities to join in.

That would be both funny and somewhat crazy.

Make Your Reservations Early

The good thing about planning for your reservations early enough is that you get to find the most appropriate places with the most affordable rates.

With a trip planner, you can accomplish this.

A trip planner map can also map your chosen destinations and tourist sites on a map and help you come up with the best and most appropriate route to use during your European trip.

Have A Credible Budget

The worst you can do is go on a European trip without a clear budget.

That’s a sure way of tossing yourself into a financial hole.

First, you need to come up with an estimate of how much you want to spend on your trip, and you do that by doing a rough estimate of the total of the various expenses you expect to incur, and then add some extra money as an emergency fund.

Once you have decided how much you can spare for the trip, you can then set about allocating and reallocating funds to the various activities that you want to engage in while on the trip.

That’s how you come up with a good budget.

Anyone who wants to go for a European trip would surely find the above great points most helpful in their planning.

If you can keep these things in mind, you can expect to enjoy the best trip of your life.