The best kitesurfing spots in Europe for a weekend (2019)
Here are our top picks for kitesurfing spots for a long weekend in 2018. One of the criteria here is the distance of the spot from a well-connected airport in most European cities.
KITESURFING SPOT IN PORTUGAL
In Portugal in general, the water is cool, the wind is marine thermal and sets in around 14-15 hours depending on the season. The spots are generally aimed at experienced kiteboarders. However, there are also spots for beginners. Life is not too expensive and the Portuguese are friendly, with many flights to Lisbon or Porto. Both airports are well served from all over Europe. Here are a few spots:- North of Porto is Viana Do Castello which is less than an hour from the airport. The town is close to the spots. In the surrounding area there is a wide variety of spots to start with like Esposende which is further south or spots in the north of the city too. In the town there are restaurants and accommodation at attractive prices.
- Between Porto and Lisbon the lagoa de Obidos. The lagoon is big, but it is really crowded in the summer.
- There is also Peniche/Balearic Islands where you can surf and kite in the afternoon but the wind is usually light and the conditions completely on-shore.
- In the north, half an hour from Lisbon, there is Guincho. It is a wave spot with rather strong wind. The conditions require a good level of riding. So not for beginners.
- Costa Caparica is less than an hour south of Lisbon. The wind is much lighter than in Guincho and there are some nice downwinds along the huge beach. Then, 50km further south, the lagoa de Albufeira, a good place to start.
KITESURFING SPOT IN SPAIN
Of course it's vast! First of all the Mediterranean and then the Atlantic. The best known is of course Tarifajust across from Morocco. There are 3 ways to get there. By Malaga and then 2 hours drive, by Seville 2 to 3 hours drive and by Jerez de la Frontera, much less well served, but closer. The two prevailing winds are the Levante (east wind) and the Poniente (southwest wind). The small town of Tarifa is nice and there are many possibilities for eating, lodging and partying. The best spots in this area are Playa Chica, Balneario, Los Lances, La Peña, Valdevaqueros and Punta Paloma. The conditions are perfect: long sandy beaches, ever present wind, shallow bay for all skill levels, relaxed atmosphere and pleasant temperatures all year round There are also Rosas near Sant Pere Pescador in the north, about an hour and a half from Barcelona. It's really close to the border with France. So a good spot to go by van. Rosas is a destination for all, the summer months (June-September) are dominated by the thermal which blows side on shore starboard to offer perfect freeride and freestyle conditions. The wind picks up as the day progresses, leaving the youngest and beginners to enjoy themselves without fear in the morning.KITESURFING SPOT IN FRANCE
It is the country with the most coastline and beaches in Europe. It is best to go there by van or car for the weekend.- Hyères with the two wind directions: the marine at la Capte, la Bergerie, the mistral or the West on the beach of l'Almanarre. There are also some good spots west of Toulon.
- The South of the Bouches-du-Rhône department is a very windy area, as the tramontane and mistral winds as well as the east wind (Marin) are present. There is the infamous Beauduc beach, which is about to be closed to the public, and around it the beach of Napoleon or Piemanson by east wind. Then the Sainte-Marie de la Mer and Montpellier which is one of the high places of kite.
- The whole of the Languedoc region is also getting a rather strong wind with the Tram and the easterly gales (which are often better).