Praia do Guincho is Portugal's most legendary kitesurf spot — a stunning 800m beach just 30 minutes from Lisbon and 10 minutes from Cascais, within the Serra de Sintra UNESCO Natural Park.

Guincho has some of the most reliable and powerful wind in all of Portugal. The northerly Sintra mountains funnel and accelerate the Nortada thermal wind, regularly reaching 25-40+ knots on summer afternoons. Former stage of the kitesurfing world championship in the 1990s.

This is a pure wave spot for advanced and expert riders. Waves regularly exceed 1-1.5m, getting much bigger during strong swell. The flat sand bottom creates beautiful clean wave faces separated by rideable channels. A scene from the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was filmed here.

Despite its intensity, the beach is spacious and the community respectful. Season: April to October, with July-August being the peak months. Water around 17-18°C — 3/2 wetsuit minimum.