
While one might imagine scenes of summer heat and excitement when picturing days at the beach in Spain, the majority of surfers come to enjoy the northern coastline from October onwards when the surf season begins. The Atlantic certainly gets rather cold at this time of the year but, if you’re interested in surfing in Spain and want to enjoy both the best possible waves and the wonderful cuisine, attractions, culture, and landscape of the area at the same time, then it is the only time to plan your visit.
There are lots of famous surf towns in the country but if you find a villa in Cantabria, you will discover plenty of great options along the coast of the region and a distinctly fascinating part of Spain to explore. Known as, “Green Spain,” this area is full of unbelievable natural beauty and boasts over 60 sandy beaches, endless stunning churches and abbeys along the old Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, several extraordinary nature reserves, pretty towns, top-notch spas, and a unique gastronomy. Add to this the excellent surf spots and you have a recipe for a perfect autumn getaway in Spain full of invigorating days in the ocean or wandering the mountains that are blanketed in trees in astounding shades of gold and russet or warming up with some delicious seasonal specialities.
There are lots of famous surf towns in the country but if you find a villa in Cantabria, you will discover plenty of great options along the coast of the region and a distinctly fascinating part of Spain to explore. Known as, “Green Spain,” this area is full of unbelievable natural beauty and boasts over 60 sandy beaches, endless stunning churches and abbeys along the old Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, several extraordinary nature reserves, pretty towns, top-notch spas, and a unique gastronomy. Add to this the excellent surf spots and you have a recipe for a perfect autumn getaway in Spain full of invigorating days in the ocean or wandering the mountains that are blanketed in trees in astounding shades of gold and russet or warming up with some delicious seasonal specialities.

Once you have found your vacation rental in Cantabria and you are planning your days out on the water, you may be wondering about the best places to surf in the region. There are quite a few different options to choose from but Playa De Somo is probably the most famous among them. Fronting the town of Somo, located across the bay from the regional capital of Santander, Playa de Somo is one of the longest beaches in all of Spain and is a peaceful but active surfing hotspot. Boasting an array of surf shops, bars, and other amenities and facilities, as well as consistently perfect small-to-medium waves suitable for all levels, this is a great place to learn to surf or to polish up your skills. Official schools and lessons can be sought out or, if you’ve had the instruction before and just need to put in your 10,000 hours now, you can easily just rent a board and any other equipment that you might need for an absolute steal! The peaceful atmosphere, utterly picturesque surroundings, and friendly local surfers all make this a wonderfully relaxing place to enjoy surfing during a vacation in Spain.
Laredo is another spot that is great for beginners and the waves can get really big midwinter, making it an ideal place for intermediate surfers looking for more of a challenge. El Brusco, meanwhile, is the best of the beaches on the eastern coast of Cantabria for surfing. However, its the west where you’ll find all of the best surfing and most consistent waves in Cantabria. This is where Playa de Somo is located and where other key hotpots such as Santander and Los Locos can be found. The best surf spot of all in Cantabria, arguably, is Liencres, however. Though, once again, it is very much a place for more experienced surfers when the waves get big in fall and winter. So, basically, no matter your level of experience or preferences when it comes to surfing, you’re sure to find somewhere perfect to surf if you find a holiday rental in Cantabria and begin exploring her lovely and varied coastline. At its best in the autumn and going into winter, this is the place to plan a fall getaway in Spain if you’re looking for excellent surf while on vacation!
Photo credits
Picture 2: Julio César Cerletti García / CC BY-SA 2.0;
Picture 2: Julio César Cerletti García / CC BY-SA 2.0;