Have you thought about doing something different during your holiday in Lisbon? Paddle surfing is the perfect mix of nature, exercise and fun. Paddle surf, Stand Up Paddle, SUP, or even Hoe'he Nalu in Hawaiian... This water sport has a wide range of names, but all refer to the same thing: a big board, a paddle and a wide territory to travel.

SUP is becoming increasingly fashionable and the coast of Lisbon was not going to be left behind. Here you will find numerous schools that offer tours, rentals and a wide variety of activities with this sport as the main axis. Discover the capital of Portugal and its surroundings in an original way. Lisbon is a city full of charm bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, what better than to explore its waters?

Where can I do SUP in Lisbon?

• Cascais. About 30 minutes from Lisbon, you will find the wonderful coastal landscapes of Cascais, one of the most charming fishing villages in the country. Here, the conditions for paddle surfing are perfect, both for its calm turquoise waters and its impressive beaches, you can enjoy the best views while you row.

• Carcavelos. This old district of Cascais has one of the best-known beaches in Lisbon for paddle surfing. Take the opportunity to paddle along the beach of Carcavelos and contemplate the fort of São Julião da Barra or the lighthouse of do Bugio, located in the middle of the sea.

• Oeiras. The Marina de Oeiras is located at the mouth of the Tagus, an ideal area to practice SUP with instructors or on your own. Enjoy incredible views of the beaches and fortresses of the area with a paddle surf route or rent the necessary material to explore freely, you will love it!

Who can do Stand-Up Paddle?

If you want to do Stand Up Paddle in Lisbon, you are in luck, because this activity is suitable for all audiences, no matter what level or age you have. Normally, the minimum age requested by companies in the Portuguese capital is 8 years. The marina of Oeiras has calm waters, ideal for everyone to come paddle surfing.

No matter if you are an athlete or if you train very late, the SUP will be so fun that you will hardly notice that you are exercising: you will work back, arms, legs and even abs, all at the same time. Did you know that an hour of paddle surfing can burn 700 calories?

What types of paddle surf can I practice in Lisbon?

- Tour in SUP. Paddle surfing is one of the best options to explore the coasts of Lisbon. Follow a guide as he shows you the most spectacular corners, watch seabirds flying over and a variety of fish swimming... all this while you paddle aboard your SUP board.

- Rental of SUP. If you have already tried the SUP before and you are one of those who prefer to go alone, we recommend renting the equipment to tour the coasts of Lisbon at your leisure. You will have your own SUP board, rowing and if you want also wetsuits to spend hours exploring. In Carcavelos and Cascais is where you will find more rentals.

- Big SUP. But if, on the other hand, you like to develop your team spirit, we recommend you come to Lisbon to do Big SUP, that is, paddle surf but in a big way. Instead of going alone, up to 8 people will share board, avoiding the fall and collaborating to move from one side to another.

- SUP yoga. Stand Up Paddle has become so popular that multiple variants have emerged, such as SUP yoga. Exercise while relaxing and connecting with the environment by practicing yoga on a paddle board surfing on the beaches of Lisbon. Thus, you not only exercise your body, but also your mind.

Is it easy to learn to do SUP?

¡It’s very easy! One of the reasons SUP is becoming so popular is how easy it is to learn. Just get on your knees or stand on a huge board and paddle with a paddle to move from one side of the coast to the other. It may be that if you linked SUP to surfing, you may have thought that learning paddle surfing is complicated, but nothing is further from reality. Unlike surfing, this sport does not need waves and has a much larger board, which will provide you with greater stability. While the goal of surfing is to catch waves, the SUP also consists of sailing and letting yourself be carried away by nature.

When is the best time to do Stand Up Paddle in Lisbon?

Although paddle surfing depends on sea conditions, this sport is practiced all year around on the shores of Lisbon. Being a water sport, it is usually much more practiced during the summer months, but if you want to come at another time of the year, you should just equip yourself with a wetsuit. For paddle surfing we recommend that you consider three main factors: the state of the sea, the direction of the wind and whether the tide is rising or falling.