"Lisbon offers the best of both worlds: a vibrant metropolis and golden sandy beaches. Hop in a car and you’ll soon be riding the Atlantic’s breaks in a nearby coastal town. A 20-minute drive west will take you to Estoril, where you’ll find Carcavelos, São Pedro and Azarujinha beaches; all have reliable swells that are suitable for beginners. Guincho in the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais offers barrels for the more seasoned surfer. Beyond that is Ericeira, a fishing village and Europe’s first World Surfing Reserve. It enjoys an array of great waves – beach breaks, point breaks and reef breaks – to suit all styles and abilities."