Otherwise known as Donostia, San Sebastián is a stunning coastal city neighboring the Bay of Biscay, just around twenty kilometers from the French border. Maintaining a captivating and genteel face by day, San Sebastián still serves a lively atmosphere by night. It’s true that Michelin stars are abundant among its restaurants, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be needing to empty your wallet at every meal. The city possesses a tapas, known locally as pintxos, culture unlike any other. San Sebastián is packed with unassuming, hole-in-the-wall pintxos bars that will leave you yearning for more. If you’re looking for first-rate battered prawns, wine, and a native atmosphere, take a trip to Paco Bueno, an old-school pintxos bar that will only cost...
Inarguably one of the best locations for surfing in Europe, this seaside city rests upon a peak surrounded by sea in all different directions. Peniche’s unique setting with distinctly differing breaks and beaches are the birthplace of the supertubos, radically fast barrels of breaking waves referred to by some as the European Pipeline. At this location, there’s a wave for every surfer on every skill level. Peniche has since ancient times been an important working port, providing a somewhat more rugged character than its neighboring resort municipalities. Historical landmarks such as the seaside fort where political prisoners were jailed during the rule of Salazar’s regime may also pique your interest. In the way of nightlife, Peniche doesn’t have much to...
The heavy, dizzying beachbreak currents that rhythmically beat down on the shores of Nazaré’s sandy beaches are a big-wave Mecca, recently put under the spotlight thanks to the American surfer Garrett McNamara. Currently holding the world record for the largest wave ever surfed in recent history, Nazaré is terrestrially blessed by virtue of a deep undersea canyon that creates the showstopping upsurges like the 78-foot tall record-breaker. During the summer, the quiet picturesque town is flush with tourists after foreign eyes were opened to its surfing promise. Choice beaches, authentic city center, and aura that makes you feel as though time itself has come to a halt, paired with the resident pride that induces the traditions of yore to live...
A spectacular spot favoured by experienced surfers, Honolua Bay on the northwest shore of Maui lives up to it’s popularity by delivering world-renowned surf breaks above coral reefs and strong, hollow waves consistently, reaching a seasonal peak during the winter high surf period. By car, the beach can comfortably be accessed by driving towards Kapalua and taking the North Shore highway. Keep in mind that when visiting this beach you most definitely won’t be alone as thousands of pros flock to the bay every day for a chance to surf it’s swells. But the world-class ride and possibility of spotting a whale from your board are often convincing enough to make the trip a must-do. Plus, the biggest crowds can...
A peaceful, charming village situated atop characteristic broad sand dunes and mountainous limestone cliffs between two beaches, Praia da Bordeira to the north and Praia do Amado to the south. Because of the village’s barren, steep location, Carrapateira doesn’t support a particularly large amount of inhabitants. On that account there aren’t very many visitors, though the more popular of the two beaches is Praia do Amado, where there are bodyboarding and surfing schools. Excellent left-hand, beach-break type waves that can reach a height of up to three meters during high water providing a pleasant cover from the rocks offers a choice experience for adept surfers. Despite that, it should be noted that rips and undertows can be hazardous. While Carrapateira doesn’t...
