Kitesurfing in Viana do Castelo, Portugal

In the north of Portugal you will find the beautiful town of Viana do Castelo directly on the River Lima. To the south of the harbour exit, which is also the mouth of the Lima River, there is an approx. 3 km long, crescent-shaped sandy beach that is ideal for surfing and kitesurfing. In the northern part it is called Praia do Cabedelo.

The mountain formation near Viana do Castelo and the river Lima ensure that the Nortada, the north/northeast wind, is increased by local thermals. That’s why you can often expect twice as many knots as predicted. This makes this spot relatively wind-safe from May to September and the conditions are often stronger.

A special feature is the pier that encloses the harbour. It makes for great flat water, ideal for kitefoiling or freestyling. In summer, the spot can get very crowded in good winds and you’ll meet lots of like-minded people. When the wind is lighter, you have a perfect kitefoil spot.

The Kitearea

The long sandy beach is better maintained in the north and becomes increasingly wild towards the south.
To get to the beach from the car park or campsite, you first have to walk a good distance over a wooden walkway or through the sand. You can also park a little further south and reach the beach via a walkway. Otherwise, the beach can only be reached on foot or by bike via a trail along the coast.

The kite beach is wide and offers enough space to set up and launch the kites. The beach can be narrower at high tide and wider at low tide. It consists of fine sand and only at the end of the first third of the bay are there rocks in the water, which you can recognise very well at low tide. Caution: at high tide the stones can disappear just under the water. In summer there are lots of bathers, which is why there are kite zones further north and you can still kitesurf well. The further south you are, the fewer people there are on the beach.
The kite spot is well known and popular for its strong, reliable wind, which is why there are always lots of kiters, wingfoil and windsurfers on the water. Except when there’s less wind, then you’ll drip onto more foilers.

One highlight is the long breakwater, which offers you super flat water at Nortada. The area is very popular, which is why it can be very crowded. When entering the harbour, always watch out for ships and make way for them. You can also kite inside the harbour entrance up to Praia do Coral. Nobody has really been able to tell us whether this is permitted or merely tolerated.

Wind and Waves

At this kite spot, the wind blows from the north and south. Both can blow all year round. However, from April to October the Nortada (north-east/north wind) prevails and often brings very good and strong conditions for kitesurfing. Because the wind comes over the sea, it is very constant and is strengthened by the special thermals on site and can sometimes be twice as strong as in the forecast. The river Lima and the surrounding mountains ensure this. The thermals work best near the mouth of the river and become weaker the further south you go. That’s why you have different conditions in the southern part of Nortada than in the north. If the wind is more northerly, then it is sideoff in the northern part. But as the beach is crescent-shaped, it’s difficult to get lost.

When the Nortada blows, it usually stays for several days, but there can always be a longer calm period afterwards. But then you can often still use the foil board because that’s when the thermals start. In winter, the grey south wind often blows. It always brings rain with it and offers strong, gusty conditions. If this doesn’t bother you, you’ll also get good waves. It is generally a very rainy region from October to March. It’s not called Costa Verde for nothing.

The best wave season is from October to May, so the spot is ideal for wave lovers from May to June, but without wind it is also ideal for surfing.

Suitable for

The kite spot is suitable for all skill levels, but it depends on the conditions. If the wind is strong, beginners and intermediates should not go out on the water. It is important to assess your skills correctly. If in doubt, ask your local kite school.
Good waves can form from October to May, some of which are only suitable for advanced or professional surfers.

Kitestation in Viana do Castelo

There are kite schools at this spot where you can get tips, book a course or hire equipment. You have a fixed station or are mobile. You will find the Duotone Pro Centre (dpc-viana.com) at this spot from north to south, which is connected to the Vianalocals shop. This is followed by the FeelViana Water Centre (feelviana.com) and KITE VOODOO (kitevoodoo.com) at the entrance to the Orbitur campsite. They all have a small station. A little further south is Modo Experto (modoexpertokite.com). It is a mobile school.
All of them offer courses and hire. Apart from that, they all have their own range of special tours and camps.

Best time in Viana do Castelo

The best time is from May to September, when the wind blows. Then you have many days with strong wind conditions and some cool light wind days. Always check the forecast for the next few days in advance and add 5 to 10 knots if north is indicated.

You can get out on the water at this spot all year round. There are two kite zones for setting up and launching and plenty of space further south with few or no bathers.
In summer it is very busy with water sports enthusiasts, as the spot is one of the most popular and best-known in Portugal.

Parking and accommodation at Viana do Castelo

Unfortunately, you won’t have your camper in sight in Viana do Castelo because all the parking facilities or campsites are behind the dune. You always have to walk over the wooden walkways or the sand to the beach with your equipment. The shortest route is from Camping Orbitur or the parking lot right next to it. We stayed at the camper parking lots in the north and at the Orbitur campsite and were not worried about a break-in. Portugal is very safe in this respect.

You can spend the night in the free camper parking lot next to the Lima. There are 12 places, so it can get crowded in summer.
Right behind the kite spot and a little further away you will find various campsites. The most popular and often full is Camping Orbitur, next to it is Camping INATEL, which is larger. You will find the Rio Lima campsite a little further away directly on the Lima. Further south behind Praia do Rodanho is the Quinta da Brejuinha, a good restaurant where you can spend the night in the parking lot free of charge.

Behind the dune of the kite spot you will find several different types of accommodation, from apartments and hotels to mobile homes at the campsite. So you’re sure to find the right one for you.

The surroundings

Viana do Castelo is one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal and is worth a visit for that reason alone. The beach is located in front of the Cabedelo district, which also gives the beach its name. The city center of Viana do Castelo is located on the other side of the Lima, but is easily accessible by boat or by car over the bridge.

In summer it can get crowded with tourists and water sports enthusiasts, in the low season it is less busy. The area is ideal for non-kiters and children, so nothing stands in the way of a family vacation. At the campsites and on the beach, you’ll meet like-minded families or solo travelers. Ideal for making new contacts and exchanging ideas.
If you’re looking for more of a party, the best way to get into the city is via Lima. There you will find several sights, a large shopping center and much more.

No wind

On windless days, the beach is still worth a visit, either simply for swimming, SUPing or surfing (learning), or for a long walk. You can also walk along the pier and still hope at the end if there is not enough wind for the foil.

There is also a cable park and two go-kart tracks. In addition, there are many beautiful hiking trails and cycle routes in the area past waterfalls or to beautiful landscapes and sights. Many tours and excursions are also offered to more distant destinations. There is also a wide range of sports on offer for rafting, paragliding, canyoning, climbing parks, bike parks and trails in the surrounding area. You can get more information online or on site from the locals, your campsite or the tourist center.

You should also definitely visit the beautiful town of Viana do Castelo on the other side of the Lima, with several sights and a great view from the Santuário do Santa Luzia. You can take a passenger ferry across the river from the camper parking lot and be right in the middle of the action in Viana do Castelo.

My tip

In Viana do Castelo you will find a very nice kitesurfing area with often more wind than forecast. But many others know this too, which is why it can get very crowded in summer. Nevertheless, there is enough space on the water, perhaps not always right next to the pier.

The area is also simply beautiful and invites you to stay longer. You can quickly reach the kite spots of Moledo and Esposende and are right in the beautiful, secret capital of Portugal, Porto. It is ideal for a family vacation with children and non-kiters will also get their money’s worth.

If there is no wind, which is only very few days with a foil board, there are plenty of leisure and sporting activities to choose from. For some, you may have to drive a little further, but never more than an hour.
The local kite schools are on hand to answer your kite questions and you will find a large kite community where you can make new friends and chat about your favorite sport.