Karma Surf Retreat (Malveira da Serra, Portugal) ★★★

The Lisbon area, with the river delta of the River Tagus, offers good surfing conditions for beginners and advanced surfers the whole year round. The beaches facing west to northwest like Costa da Caparica, Praia do Guincho, Praia Grande and Praia das Maçãs take on the swells primarily from western, northwestern and sometimes northern directions serving almost always good waves. Mostly during winter, when the waves are more likely to get big, the south-facing beaches at the so called “Linha” offer good conditions for all levels.

Guincho beach is our home spot. Only 5 minutes by car, it is one of the most beautiful and most impressive beaches in Lisbon area. Not only because of the picturesque mountains of the Serra de Sintra with its reddish cliffs in the background. Due to its length, Praia do Guincho offers numerous breaks for all levels of surfers.

Praia Grande is located on the other side of the Sintra mountains and can be reached in 20 minutes by car. Likewise, a great and large idyllic sandy beach, it gets a little less windy and also less crowdy.

Carcavelos, at the southern coast of Lisbon is also a long and sandy beach to be reached in just 20 minutes by car. On very big days, when most of the west coast is out of control, it offers perfect conditions for surfing. In addition, you will find more good surfing spots along the coastline in direction of Cascais, of which some are reef breaks with a consistent peeling waves when (north)westerly swells rise over 3m.

Cascais itself has some nice little hidden and picturesque beaches offering good swimming conditions in more calm waters, connected by a beach promenade.

The Costa Caparica is about 35 minutes from the Karma Surf Retreat south of Lisbon on the other side of the bridge of the 25th April. An endless sandy beach, which also gets good waves from the north-west or west swells. Near Lisbon there are numerous spots, which are a bit more protected. Further away, you will find more and more uncrowded spots.

The average water temperature varies between 19°C in summer and 15° C in winter. In summer, a 3/2 wetsuit is recommended, but also a shorty or no wetsuit at all work on really hot days, too. For all other seasons, a 4/3 wetsuit gives the most comfort while surfing. Of course, we will provide you with just the right gear during your surfing lessons.

In Summer, the average air temperature varies between 28° C and 15° C in winter. In general, the climate here on the Atlantic coast is very mild. Sometimes a gentle breeze from the Atlantic is great on hot days to cool off.

The specific location of the Praia do Guincho and the Serra de Sintra, especially in the summer months of June, July and August, provide thermal fall winds (sideshore) from the Serra de Sintra, thus excellent windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions. Surfers find better waveriding conditions with less wind either on the other side of the mountains, at the Linha or also at Costa da Caparica.

Thank god, we have waves all year long! The biggest swells arrive in autumn and winter. Especially the more experienced surfers know and appreciate this. But also in summer there are always good waves at the local beaches. Don’t worry. With us you will always find something to surf.

The spots real close to Lisbon are, like at the surf surfing strongholds in the southern Algarve, Ericeira or Peniche, generally a bit more crowded at peak times. But the size of these beaches offers always enough room to find a nice break for yourself. Surfers independently traveling by car always have more options to find nice spots nearby with less surfing “buddies”.

In general "localism" is not over-present. Most surfers in Portugal are friendly and with good Karma.

The golden principles in dealing with crowds and locals also apply to most spots around here: Beginners should surf a little off the crowds and always respect the locals and rather give way. This way you avoid most discussions. Other than that, like probably everywhere, the best advice for having a hassle free and empty surf spot is to get up early and hit the water together with first rays of sunlight. ;-)

The region west of Lisbon is in our opinion one of the best combinations of nature, beaches and waves, as well as city-life and culture. The area is enchantingly beautiful and the mountainous forests of Sintra offer enough space for hiking or mountain biking, cooling off and adventure, as well as retreats for meditation. You will find many beaches for sunbathing or exercising any kind of water sports. Those who prefer culture or shopping, will be satisfied in Lisbon and surroundings to large extent. The best: We have around 260 days of sunshine per year!

In the water: surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding, diving, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, etc.

At land: Tours on the road bike, mountain bike (MTB), quad (4WD), Segway riding, sightseeing, hiking, climbing, tennis, golf, jogging, etc.

In the air: parachuting, flying light aircraft, helicopter, or aerobatic glider.

In Lisbon you can of course also shop to your heart's desire and visit many restaurants, bars and also discos – in addition you will also find some nice shops, several restaurants and even a few bars in the nearby towns of Sintra and Cascais. In Estoril there is also a famous casino.

In summer, there are numerous events and concerts. Some of them are open air at the beach promenade in the lovely fishing village of Cascais. There are even numerous sporting events (sailing regattas, races, etc.) throughout the year. So why not relax a week at our place .after you ran the Lisbon Marathon ;-)

Journey

The nearest airport is Lisbon. Of course, also destination of numerous bus and train connections, in case you have got a cheap flight to Faro or Porto and continue traveling by train/bus to Lisbon.

From Lisbon, we can pick you up (extra cost) in case you don’t rent a car anyways. From there it’s only 35 minutes by car on the highway to the Karma Surf Retreat.

Recommendable, although if twice as long, is arriving by car using the coastal road "Marginal", which connects Lisbon and Cascais along the "Linha". Following the roads further west and then north you will be directed right up to Malveira da Serra, also passing by Praia do Guincho. It’s good to tune into the area and enjoy first oceanic impressions.

If you should opt for a taxi, you will have to count with about 55 EUR (one way).

Of course it is also possible to use public transportation and take the Airport Express bus to Cais do Sodré (train station). Then you take the train also running along the Linha (great views) to Cascais. From there you can take a bus to Malveira da Serra. We'll also be able to pick up there and bring you and your luggage to the villa. For the public transportation system you will have to count with approximately 7 EUR per person and a travelling time of 1.5 hours.

- costs for bus transfer/public transport

- travelling times of public transport