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Best places to surf in Spain

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surfing in Spain

Razo, Northern Spain

Spain is well known for her calm Mediterranean waters and beautiful beaches, that make it a magnet for millions of European tourists each year. While the majority of tourists head south in summer, surfers should head to Northern Spain where warm weather and waves will welcome you all year round. Along the ragged northern coast of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country are some of the best surf spots in Spain, and arguably the whole of Europe.

Small coves concealed by steep cliffs, wild dunes and golden sandy beaches are encrusted into the lush emerald landscape. Thankfully some of the best beaches are also the best surf spots, they include Mundaka beach at Mundaka (Basque Country), Rodiles beach at Villaviciosa (Asturias), Tapia beach at Tapia de Casariego (Asturias), and Razo beach at Carballo (Galicia).

These amazing locations provide a diverse variety of quality wave formations that are frequent and suitable for surfers of all levels. Waves range from rolling beach breaks perfect for beginners, to powerful waves of over 5 meters for the more courageous surfers. So whatever your level of surfing, you’re guaranteed to find a special surf spot to suit you.

Razo (Galicia)

Razo spain

Razo surf check

Situated along the Atlantic coast, Razo has a fine white sandy beach where surfers can always enjoy consistent waves. Although experts recommend September and October as the best months, beginners and intermediate surfers enjoy the waves here all year round.

Galicia in the North West of Spain has a jagged coastline of rocky ridges and cliffs, which are softened by beautiful beaches. These beaches are some of the best for surfing in the country and enjoy a far lower tourist population than their Mediterranean counterparts. The very topography of the land often discourages the casual beach user who is reluctant to brave the rock face for the golden sands beneath. All year long, but during the autumn months especially, it is blessed with the best surf in Europe. Not so long ago, it was possible to be the only surfer out, with entire coves undisturbed by swimmers and sunbathers.

However, in recent times, surfing has exploded in Europe. Now surfers travel from all over Europe, happy to scale the rocky facades and grab some of the wildest Atlantic waves. Surfing is now a booming industry in Galicia, with many quality surf schools and shops popping up to help boost surfing’s popularity.

Mundaka (Euskadi)

mundaka spain

Legendary Mundaka

Mundaka is the original “mecca” for surfers in Spain. Local and travelling surfers have been making their pilgrimage to this longest of European lefthanders since the sixties. Nowadays Mundaka is now established on the pro tour map. This is one of Europe’s genuinely world class waves with long peeling lefts and divine tubes regularly up for grabs.

Playa de Rodiles (Asturias)

Playa de Rodiles

Playa de Rodiles

The beach of Rodiles is off the beaten track, it has an undiscovered and wild feel about it. To get there you need to navigate a forest of pine trees and undulating dunes. Rodiles, has similar waves to Mundaka – fast, strong and tubular. The waves begin to break at the Villaviciosa inlet and continue for at least 100 meters. Not for the faint hearted or inexperienced.

Culturally rich, geologically gorgeous and oceanically idyllic, the surf scene in Northern Spain is beyond superlatives.

This article was written by Sergio Alabau who is a local at Razo and helps out at Art Surf Camp.

A talented Spanish surfer called Xabier Merino has got in touch and recommended Menakoz, near Bilbao. Here’s his video to whet your appetite:

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Comments

  1. Alex says

    Good selection. Galicia and Asturias still have plenty of areas to be discovered, and have not really been on the surfer map (yet). Also stunning landscapes, but weird weather, it does get rainy easily if you compare it to more popular European spots such as the South Portugal. Definitely worth the trip though, even for the ones who don’t surf. If you are not Basque or from North Portugal, you will really feel in a different world !

    But for the inexperiences surfers, it is better to forget Mundaka. Localism there is very important, and when the wave is working (not every days) people come from all the neighbour areas to surf it. You have all the best Basque surfers from both sides of the border, plus all the best South West French surfers that usually have their home beach break too hairy when Mundaka is on. So good luck to take a wave if you are average ! That being said, if you don’t mind the crowd and have a level decent enough to enjoy it, that’s probably one of the most perfect waves in Europe… 😉

    • Andrew Norton says

      Thanks Alex, always good to share experiences. I haven’t had the pleasure of surfing in Spain yet, but it’s moving up the to do list.

      Will probably avoid Mundaka as I’ve heard similar tales and I prefer a less crowded, more friendly vibe with my surf. Thanks again.

      • Alex says

        I’ve been living in North Portugal and in South West of France, but didn’t get the opportunity to explore fully this area of Spain although the little part I saw was clearly tasty!

        For the people who like chill vibe/culture, good waves, good food and lonely landscapes it can be a wonderful road/surf trip to go down (or up depending where you start!) from North West Spain to North Portugal !

      • Alex says

        I’ve been living in North Portugal and in South West of France, but didn’t get the opportunity to explore fully this area of Spain although the little part I saw was clearly tasty!

        For the people who like chill vibe/culture, good waves, good food and lonely landscapes it can be a wonderful road/surf trip to go down (or up depending where you start!) from North West Spain to North Portugal !

    • Andrew Norton says

      Thanks Alex, always good to share experiences. I haven’t had the pleasure of surfing in Spain yet, but it’s moving up the to do list.

      Will probably avoid Mundaka as I’ve heard similar tales and I prefer a less crowded, more friendly vibe with my surf. Thanks again.

  2. Alex says

    Good selection. Galicia and Asturias still have plenty of areas to be discovered, and have not really been on the surfer map (yet). Also stunning landscapes, but weird weather, it does get rainy easily if you compare it to more popular European spots such as the South Portugal. Definitely worth the trip though, even for the ones who don’t surf. If you are not Basque or from North Portugal, you will really feel in a different world !

    But for the inexperiences surfers, it is better to forget Mundaka. Localism there is very important, and when the wave is working (not every days) people come from all the neighbour areas to surf it. You have all the best Basque surfers from both sides of the border, plus all the best South West French surfers that usually have their home beach break too hairy when Mundaka is on. So good luck to take a wave if you are average ! That being said, if you don’t mind the crowd and have a level decent enough to enjoy it, that’s probably one of the most perfect waves in Europe… 😉

  3. Hollie says

    Love it Surfer Dad. I’m hoping to get to all of these soon. Next I’m going on Van Surfari Spain & France to hit all the best spots of Northern Spain & Southern France (fingers crossed Mundaka!).

  4. Hollie says

    Love it Surfer Dad. I’m hoping to get to all of these soon. Next I’m going on Van Surfari Spain & France to hit all the best spots of Northern Spain & Southern France (fingers crossed Mundaka!).

  5. Another surfer dad says

    Hello surfer dad,

    I am taking my 9 year old son to do some surfing and trekking in Asturia as well.
    Do you have a suggestion on the best place to base ourselves from ? We will be depending on public transportation to do stuff. Also, want to rent some fish / hard boards.

    Thanks in advance !

    • Andrew Norton says

      Hiya,

      Hello there fellow Surfer Dad,

      Gijón is possibly the best place to be based as it’s a big town with public transport, surf shops and beaches. You’ll certainly be able to hire some boards and walk to the beach here.

      Or for somewhere a little less urban you could try Playa de Rodiles near Selorio. I know Rodiles Surf School hire surfboards and equipment.

      Sounds like a great adventure, let me know how you get on. I reckon it’s time I take my daughter on her first surf trip this summer.

    • Andrew Norton says

      Hiya,

      Hello there fellow Surfer Dad,

      Gijón is possibly the best place to be based as it’s a big town with public transport, surf shops and beaches. You’ll certainly be able to hire some boards and walk to the beach here.

      Or for somewhere a little less urban you could try Playa de Rodiles near Selorio. I know Rodiles Surf School hire surfboards and equipment.

      Sounds like a great adventure, let me know how you get on. I reckon it’s time I take my daughter on her first surf trip this summer.

  6. Another surfer dad says

    Hello surfer dad,

    I am taking my 9 year old son to do some surfing and trekking in Asturia as well.
    Do you have a suggestion on the best place to base ourselves from ? We will be depending on public transportation to do stuff. Also, want to rent some fish / hard boards.

    Thanks in advance !

  7. Mitch Simmons says

    I love surfing in Spain, particularly in Galicia and the Ferrol region. Mundaka in the Basque country is still on my list. The trouble is that it only seems to work on a really big swell.

    • Andrew Norton says

      Hi Mitch,

      I’ve not surfed Spain much, but I really want to. I guess I’ll have to go in Spring or Autumn to get some decent swell then.

    • Andrew Norton says

      Hi Mitch,

      I’ve not surfed Spain much, but I really want to. I guess I’ll have to go in Spring or Autumn to get some decent swell then.

  8. Mitch Simmons says

    I love surfing in Spain, particularly in Galicia and the Ferrol region. Mundaka in the Basque country is still on my list. The trouble is that it only seems to work on a really big swell.