Póvoa de Varzim

Póvoa de Varzim is a seaside city just north of Porto, with around 12 km of beaches broken up by rocky outcrops. It is a real town with its own life, which makes it an easy surf base: beds, food and a metro line back to Porto.

Where to surf

Aguçadoura, a fishing village on the coast north of the city, is the main beach break. Lefts and rights over sand, usually 50 to 150 metres long, with banks that suit every level on the right day: beginners on the small days, intermediates and up when a solid swell fills in. Crowds are moderate.

The town's own break, further south, is a different animal: a shallow reef that is much more serious. Look before you go out.

When to go

A W to NW swell of at least 2 feet with an E or SE wind gets Aguçadoura going, best from low to mid tide. Locals tend to skip it at full tide. Autumn and spring bring the most consistent surf. Summer is smaller, good for lessons, and the afternoon north wind often blows it out, so go early.

Water and gear

This is the cold north. A 4/3 wetsuit covers most of the year; a 3/2 is enough only in late summer.

Getting there

Póvoa is the end of line B of the Porto Metro, about an hour from Trindade in central Porto. From the airport, take line E to Verdes and change to line B towards Póvoa. The metro station is on the south-east side of town, a short walk from the nearest beach. Aguçadoura is a few kilometres further north, easiest by car or bike.