Where to windsurf in Europe

There are plenty of fantastic windsurfing spots in Greece, but our favourite has to be Vassiliki on the beautiful island of Lefkas. This quiet fishing village is surrounded by a stunning coastline with the shallow waters of the warm Ionian Sea making the perfect windsurfing playground.

The local thermal wind is so famous they’ve named it ‘Eric’, and he puts in a consistent appearance almost every afternoon. So, while the light on-shore morning winds are great for beginners, once Eric arrives experienced windsurfers can enjoy fast cross-shore winds with little fetch. 

Holidays in our Cosmos Beachclub, situated at the windward end of Vassiliki Bay, tend to revolve around windsurfing (although the cycling is also excellent), it’s also where we hold our popular Peter Hart windsurf clinics. If you eat, sleep, and breathe windsurfing, this is the place for you.  

Sitting in the heart of the Mediterranean, the Italian island of Sardinia is all about sun-drenched sandy beaches to rival the Caribbean, rugged mountains and laid-back island living. It also happens to be an awesome windsurfing destination. 

Sardinia’s wild north-east coast is home to the island’s most popular windsurfing destination, Porto Pollo, as well as our Baia dei Mori Beachclub. With crystal-clear waters and the steady summer Poniente winds blowing in from the south-east, it’s ideal for all abilities. Beginners can stick to the coast’s sheltered bays, while more experienced windsurfers can head further out for stronger winds and great waves.

Less than 20 miles from Amsterdam, this incredible Dutch windsurfing spot on the North Sea coast is close enough for a weekend break (although you’ll want to stay longer). Being on the North Sea, you’ll certainly need a wetsuit, but the wide-open beaches and top-class waves at Wijk aan Zee make it a popular place all year round.

It may not have a Hawaiian climate, but there’s a fun aloha vibe to the beach bars and cafés that line the beaches.

The sunshine coast surrounding the Croatian city of Zadar is a lovely windsurfing destination, offering warm weather and light to moderate summer winds that blow stronger during spring and autumn. The majority of beaches are pebbly, and that means the emerald waters of the Adriatic are gorgeously clear. 

Venture out to the island of Brač, especially Bol beach on the island’s south side, and you’ll find plenty of fellow windsurfers harnessing the beach’s perfect wave conditions. Or, head down to the village of Vijanj in the Pelješac Peninsula for winds of increasing strength throughout the day. With Croatia’s stunning backdrop of mountains and rugged coastline, you can’t go wrong. 

With over 300 days of sun per year and the warmest European climate, the Algarve is a dream setting for a holiday. Throw in The Nortada (a strong, summer wind that mainly occurs between June and September) and you’ve got the ideal conditions for a windsurfing holiday.

Take the Sagres area, which offers those with a little more experience the opportunity to tackle extreme winds. Here, the bay of Martinhal is a prime spot – it’s tucked away but boasts some seriously strong winds for such a flat bay. It does get gusty, so be prepared for your skills to be seriously tested.

Most of Spain’s windsurfing destinations are located in the Canary Islands, found in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the African continent.

Did you know that Fuerteventura literally means “strong wind?” The second-largest of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura is also the least developed. For water sports enthusiasts and adventure lovers, these two can be translated into uncrowded surfing and windsurfing spots!

Blessed with reliable trade winds that offer excellent conditions for slalom, Fuerteventura is home to the Windsurfing World Championships, held each year in July on Sotavento Beach. 

Other excellent spots for windsurfing in Fuerteventura are found near Corralejo, to the north of the island, where Flag Beach and El Cotillo have plenty of surfing and windsurfing schools for beginners and advanced windsurfers.

Windsurfing arrived in Spain in the 1980s and was an instant hit. On the southern tip of Atlantic Spain, Tarifa is exposed to strong winds passing through the Strait of Gibraltar, choppy water and some neat waves that are just begging to be ridden. Add to that the 300+ days of wind a year, year-round friendly climate, an impressive number of schools and rental shops, and it’s no wonder Tarifa is considered the European capital of windsurfing.

At Tarifa, 11km (7 miles) of fine sand beaches await water sports lovers. Water temperatures average between 55°F (13°C) and 68°F (20°C), meaning that you will need a full wetsuit during autumn and winter. Here, Valdevaqueros Beach is ideal for intermediate and advanced windsurfers. To the west, Las Dunas is more suitable for beginners, especially in the morning when the winds are lighter.