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.
[caption id="attachment_14514" align="aligncenter" width="900"]Peniche_Portugal_kitesurf_spot Kitesurf Spot: Peniche, Portugal[/caption]

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).
On the Atlantic coast, we can consider that there is no wind from Biarritz to Lacanau. The wind really starts to blow from La Rochelle. And this on all the Atlantic coast according to the evolution of the disturbances. We like to go to the Quiberon area of Brittany and also just down the road in theVendée, with its long beaches of Les Sables-d'Olonne. The nearest airport is Nantes, but this is not always well served. Otherwise, Finistère with its sometimes rough conditions is mythical. [caption id="attachment_14520" align="aligncenter" width="900"]France kitesurf spot Lacanau Kitesurf spot: Lacanau, France[/caption]

KITESURFING SPOT IN NETHERLANDS

This is a great option, because the wind is right on the Dutch coast. In the south, theZeeland Brouwersdam is the best known area. But if you fly in, there is also theIjsselmeer, which is a great place to start. Amsterdam airport is very well connected, with low-cost flights from all over Europe. It is an ideal weekend destination. Be sure to bring a good wetsuit, as the water is not very warm.

KITESURFING SPOT IN ITALY

In Italy, there are lots of really cool spots on the lakes in the northern region with thermals (these winds blow regularly on the northern tips of these lakes). Lake Como with its "Gerra Lario" and "Colico " spots is less than an hour from Milan, one of Europe's major airports. Also beautiful is the "Lake Garda" or "Lago Di Garda" to the west of Venice where many kitesurfers and water sports enthusiasts meet. Take a wetsuit just in case! Further south you should not forget Sicily with the "Lagoa de Stagionne" and the nearby airport of Trapani. The water is warm and incredibly turquoise. There is also Sardinia with its 2'000km of coastline and sandy beaches. In the south you will find the Poetto beach near the town of Cagliari, known for its constant wind and very close to an airport. This small selection of our favourites for a kitesurfing weekend in Europe with friends is not exhaustive. If you want to see the interactive map of the best kitesurfing spots in Europe, it's here.