Barra

Praia da Barra sits where the Ria de Aveiro lagoon meets the Atlantic, in Gafanha da Nazaré in the municipality of Ílhavo. A breakwater runs about 500 metres out to sea to guard the Aveiro port entrance, and behind the beach stands the Barra lighthouse. It is Aveiro's beach: close to a lively small city, with the striped houses of Costa Nova just down the coast.

The wave

An exposed beach break with lefts and rights. The breakwater helps organise the swell and the sandbars, and it needs a bit more swell than the beaches around it. It works best on a moderate W swell with an E wind, and the wall can keep it surfable in a light north wind when other spots are blown out.

Who it is for

Intermediates, and improvers on small days with the surf school on the beach. It gets crowded when it is good. Rip currents run along the breakwater, so stay well clear of the wall and the channel.

When to go

Winter is the season for quality waves. Summer is smaller and suits lessons, with lifeguards on the beach. Spring and autumn are a good middle ground.

Water and gear

A 4/3 wetsuit for most of the year, a 3/2 in high summer.

Getting there

Aveiro is on the main Lisbon to Porto railway, and local buses run from near the station out to Barra and Costa Nova. By car it is a short drive across the lagoon from the city centre. There is free parking by the beach, plus a surf shop.