Surfing in Europe has never been more exciting — and the 2025 Surf Index proves it.
From legendary breaks that have drawn wave chasers for decades to little-known coastal gems quietly building a cult following, this year’s list is packed with variety.
Whether you’re a seasoned surfer chasing world-class swells or a beginner looking for your first ride, these European surf spots offer the perfect mix of challenge, beauty, and local charm…
Where to paddle out first: Europe’s beginner havens
Spain
Hundreds of mellow sand-bottom peaks stretch from Somo (Cantabria) to El Palmar (Andalusia). Most beaches are patrolled in high season, water hovers around 18 °C in autumn, and every resort town has at least one ISA-certified school with soft-top rentals.
Portugal
Peniche’s Baía and the Algarve’s Arrifana reel off waist-high rides through most of the year. Lessons average €23 for two hours, coaches speak multiple languages, and a dense bus/train network links Lisbon and Porto to the main breaks—ideal for travellers without a car.
Italy
Warm Mediterranean water (≈ 23 °C in October) meets forgiving reefs and beaches in Liguria, Tuscany and Sardinia. Levanto and Viareggio offer sheltered bays, easy paddle-outs and cafés that rent boards by the hour, turning a city break into a hassle-free surf weekend.
France
Long, sloping banks at Lacanau, Vieux-Boucau and Hendaye make pop-ups easier than Hossegor’s famous punchy peaks. Over a thousand licensed instructors operate May-Oct, camps offer board and wetsuit packages—and night trains from Paris drop you 500 m from the sand.
Morocco
Winter swells wrap gently into Taghazout Bay and Imsouane’s two-minute right-hander. Water rarely dips below 19 °C, accommodation ranges from €15 hostels to boutique riads, and lessons (≈ €29) include board hire, transport to spots and a post-session mint tea.
For the committed: Europe’s advanced surf playgrounds
Spain, Portugal, France and Morocco top both leaderboards thanks to a rare combo of punchy waves and year-round logistics—think Mundaka’s tidal cylinder, Supertubos’ ruler-edge tubes, La Gravière’s sand-bar barrels and Morocco’s hundreds-of-metres point-break walls.
Hungry for a change of scenery? Seasoned surfers should have these dark-horse surf destinations on their radar:
United Kingdom
Chase Cornwall beach-break barrels at sunrise, then drive six hours north to paddle Thurso East under the midnight sun. Cold? Sure—14 °C in autumn—but 4/3 mm rentals and repair shops abound.
Ireland
Raw Atlantic energy detonates on Mullaghmore’s outer reef and Bundoran Peak. Expect 13 °C water, shoreline drives counted in minutes, and local shapers laminating boards sturdy enough for double-overhead caves.
Greece
When north Aegean lows swing south, reefs on Tinos, Naxos and the Peloponnese weld together steep take-offs and open, rippable walls. Water holds 18–20 °C well into November, inter-island ferries double as surf taxis, and beachside shacks rent boards and wetsuits on the spot—turning a quick island hop into a carve-heavy winter escape.
Denmark
Klitmøller’s “Cold Hawaii” sand points switch from skate-ramp fun to roaring down-the-line walls on the same tide. Sauna trucks, 5/4 mm rentals and a rising microbrewery scene sweeten the sub-17 °C deal.
Iceland
In the far-north dusk, Unstad’s glacial right peels along a pebble point with mechanical precision, while the Reykjanes peninsula and Sandvík beach hide slabby peaks that light up under winter auroras. Water hovers around 7 °C, so trips run with guides who supply 6 / 5 / 4 mm suits, 4×4 access, and a mandatory thaw in nearby geothermal pools—turning every frigid session into a surf-and-hot-spring double feature.
Whether you’re chasing towering barrels or gentle rollers, Europe’s 2025 Surf Index has a spot that’s perfect for your next wave. From iconic classics to surprising new favourites, the continent’s coastline is bursting with opportunity for every surfer. So pack your board, grab your wetsuit, and get ready to discover your next great surf adventure. The waves are waiting.
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