Sagres

Sagres sits at the wind-blasted south-western tip of Portugal, where the Algarve's south coast meets the wild west. This meeting of two coastlines is the town's great surf asset: when one side is stormy or blown out, the other is usually sheltered and clean.

The variety is exceptional. West-facing beaches such as Tonel pick up raw Atlantic groundswell and produce powerful, hollow beach-break peaks for experienced surfers, while the tucked-away south-coast bays like Mareta stay calm and gentle, perfect for beginners and small-swell longboard days. Reef and point set-ups nearby add further options for those willing to search.

Autumn through spring is prime, when north-west swells wrap around Cabo de São Vicente and the strong summer nortada wind eases. Even in winter the sheltered coves offer usable surf on the biggest days, making this one of the most reliable corners in the country.

Beyond the surf, Sagres carries real history as the promontory linked to Henry the Navigator and the age of Portuguese exploration, its clifftop fortress and lighthouse standing over the Atlantic. The small town is windswept and low-key, with hostels, fish restaurants and a strong traveller scene, and the surrounding coast lies within a protected natural park. Dirt tracks lead to many breaks, so a vehicle helps.