Praia Grande stretches out for almost one kilometer as a wide, open beach facing the Atlantic. It’s one of the most exposed beaches in the region of Lisbon, which means it picks up swell extremely well and offers surfable waves on most days of the year. Thanks to its size and shifting sandbanks, Praia Grande can produce multiple peaks along the beach, spreading surfers out and offering a variety of wave types depending on conditions.
Praia Grande is a high-energy beach break renowned for its powerful waves. While it can be playful and forgiving on smaller days, it quickly becomes demanding as the swell increases.
Praia Grande it’s been a training ground for countless Portuguese surfers, thanks to its consistency and challenging conditions. Its reputation as a powerful beach break has made it a place where surfers come to build strength, confidence, and wave-reading skills. Some local and Portuguese national surfing and bodyboarding competitions take place at Praia Grande.
Description of Praia Grande
Praia Grande is a fast, powerful beach break with shifting sandbanks that create peaks, A-frames, and occasional long walls. On small to medium swells, it’s accessible to confident intermediates, offering open faces ideal for turns and short rides. When the swell gets bigger, the wave becomes heavier, with steep take-offs and hollow sections that reward good positioning and quick reactions.
The beach works across a range of tides, but mid tide often provides the best conditions. Because it’s so exposed, Praia Grande is very sensitive to wind.
It handles size well and can produce serious barrels on bigger swells, making it attractive to advanced surfers and bodyboarders chasing beach break barrels.
If Praia Grande is too crowded, you may also try the nearby spot of Praia Pequena.
Entry and exit, and hazards
Entry and exit are straightforward, as this is a sandy beach with no reef to deal with. When large swells are on, wipeouts can be heavy, and the relentless sets and strong white water walls can exhaust less experienced surfers.
Crowds
Praia Grande is popular with locals and visiting surfers, especially because it works almost everyday. No matter when you go to Praia Grande, there will always be a wave to surf.
That said, the best peaks and best swells will always attract attention, particularly on clean, solid days. Expect a mixed line-up ranging from beginners and students from the local surf schools on small days to very skilled surfers when it’s heavy and pumping.
Access and services
Access to Praia Grande is easy, with a road leading you directly to the beach. There’s a parking area nearby, and another one on the hill before the beach.
The beach is well-served with cafés, a fancy 4-star hotel with an ocean pool, restaurants, surf schools, and seasonal beach bars.
