Practising SUP is easy and practical. The hardest part is finding the place you like best to go for a Stand Up Paddle in the midst of so many places available in Portugal.
Paddle tennis is a sport you can do in many places. You just need to have the necessary equipment or book a trip with an agency.
All you need to do is practise your balance and movements on the board before setting off.
If you want to SUP, but don’t know where to go, or want to know the best places to practise or take a Stand Up Paddle tour, then read on.
The most amazing places to SUP
Where in Portugal do you want to SUP? We’ve made a selection of the best tours divided by region. Click on your preferred region to see the easy, medium and high difficulty tours:
1. SUP tours in the north of Portugal
2. Tours in the Centre of Portugal
3. SUP in the South of Portugal
We recommend our article on the benefits of doing SUP
Sightseeing in Northern Portugal
1.Douro River – Inha River
(Medium Difficulty Route)
Credits: Vitor Oliveira , CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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This route is incredible and a little more challenging. Beautiful scenery is guaranteed, have fun on this ride and challenge some friends to go with you!
On the Inha River, you can paddle until you get tired or finish the course.
On the outward journey, the route is easy and calm. On the way back, be careful: the route becomes a little more demanding.
Warning: don’t go down the ramp! It’s very slippery and dangerous.
2. Pedorido River Beach – Castelo de Paiva
(Easy Route)
Praia Fluvial do Pedorido is known for its warm waters.
Just 40 minutes away from Oporto (right here), it’s worth doing this beautiful Stand Up Paddle in these calm, warm waters. The ideal combination.
3. Touvedo Reservoir – Ponte da Barca
(Easy Route)
41.8100,-8.3673
Touvedo Dam
The Touvedo Reservoir is one of the largest protected areas in our country, located in the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Calm waters without currents, suitable for any age and any level, from beginners to professionals.
A relaxing SUP tour, if you need peace and harmony this is the tour for you.
Tours in the Centre of Portugal
4. Route in Peniche
(Medium Difficulty Route)
Credits: Vitor Oliveira via Flickr
A SUP tour of Peniche is a great idea, from Molhe Leste Beach to Supertubos Beach.
This tour is 5.18 kilometres long, i.e. about 1.5 hours including a few stops.
It’s a medium-difficulty route, as on the way back the
5. Rebolim River Beach – Palheiros and Zorro River Beach
(Medium Difficulty Route)
This route starts off calm, but the current increases along the way.
Be careful around the rapids at the Palheiros and Zorro river beaches.
It’s a mostly relaxing walk, with incredible views of the Mondego.
6. Ria de Aveiro
(Easy Route)
Credits: Vitor Oliveira via Flickr
The route goes from the Aveiro estuary to the Voga River, about 20 kilometres. It’s a calm and peaceful walk to do alone or with the family.
We recommend this walk for anyone who wants to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle.
7. Ferreira Zêzere
(Easy Route)
Discover the famous Blue Lake, located in the Castelo do Bode reservoir.
It’s a walk along calm waters. The route starts at the Castanheira River Beach.
Enjoy this walk around the blue lake!
8. Lagoa Comprida – Serra da Estrela
(Easy Route)
Credits: jfcfar via Wikimedia Commons
This SUP tour is known for being the highest in Portugal. Stand Up Paddle at 1600 metres above sea level.
Lagoa Comprida is located in the heart of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park and Geopark. It’s an easy 2-hour walk.
Venture out and take this SUP trip in the Serra da Estrela.
9. Óbidos Lagoon
(Easy Route)
The walk around Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos is super relaxing.
This lagoon is known for its calm, clear and shallow waters.
This route is suitable for all ages.
10. Fagilde Dam reservoir, Mangualde
(Easy Route)
A tour that passes through Viseu and Mangualde.
This reservoir covers an area of 7.5 hectares, full of colour, smells and views of nature.
Enjoy a walk totally connected to nature.
11. Duquesa Beach – Cascais
(Medium Difficulty Route)
Credits: Mandi Keighran via Culture Trips
Take a Sup Tour in Cascais, at Praia da Duquesa.
This beach offers a magnificent view of several palaces.
A walk in the sea where the waters are rougher.
12. Praia da Cova do Vapor — Costa da Caparica
(Medium Difficulty Route)
The beaches of Costa da Caparica are known for their currents and rough waters, but Praia da Cova do Vapor is known by fishermen as the beach with the calmest waters in the region. Even so, we recommend that you get information and advice from local professionals so that you can choose the day that best suits you.
SUP in southern Portugal
13. Walk along the Odeceixe estuary
(Easy Route)
The Odeceixe estuary is the border between the Algarve and the Alentejo.
This estuary offers a beautiful view of the surrounding nature and calm, warm waters.
The walk takes approximately 2 hours. To help you get back, we recommend that you start the walk when the tide is out.
14. Vila Nova de Milfontes
(Easy Route)
37.721970, -8.788077
Franchise Beach
The route starts at Franquia beach and continues along the river, passing the bridge, local fauna and flora.
This tour requires no experience, so anyone can do it.
It’s a quiet and very pleasant walk.
This tour is even more incredible at sunset! Take this walk with your family or friends.
15. Guadiana River
(Easy Route)
A peaceful stroll along Mértola Quay. This is a freer route, with no set time or kilometres, it all depends on your motivation.
This walk gives you a magnificent view of the Guadiana Valley Natural Park.
16. Pessegueiro Island Beach – Porto Côvo
(Easy Route)
Credits: Luciano Closs via Flickr
For this trip, go to Ilha do Pessegueiro beach and take the Stand Up Paddle trip to the island.
Check before you go that the waters are calm.
Enjoy the ride. Once there, there’s plenty more to enjoy.
Go on an adventure with friends and discover Peach Tree Island.
17. Ponta da Piedade — Lagos
(Medium Difficulty Route)
Start this tour at Praia do Barranco do Martinho, a very famous SUP tour with incredible views of the rocks and all the natural beauty around you.
This tour is also very popular at sunrise and sunset.
18. Benagil — Faro
(Easy Route)
Finally, one of the most beautiful and popular walks in the Algarve, Benagil.
The famous Benagil Cave is difficult to access, and the best way to get there and have the chance to appreciate everything and reach the sand is by SUP.
This tour can have several starting points, but we recommend that you start in Albufeira, where most of the tours that go to Benagil Cave are located (as indicated on the map).
37.0816,-8.3153
Albufeira Surf and SUP
Enjoy this breathtaking rock formation on a magnificent and unforgettable Sup tour.
Please note: as it’s a long distance and on the high seas, we recommend that you be accompanied by professionals.
Read more: How to visit Benagil Cave