Amado Surf Camp, located in the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vincentina, Portugal, is the place to go when learning to surf in Europe. Just outside the relaxed village of Carrapateira, this Atlantic destination is the home of rocking bars, plentiful restaurants, a small supermarket, and even a Lidl. This surf camp is full service, and even lays claim to a nightclub tent, complete with a DJ. The camp goes out of its way to make sure that campers are satisfied. The camp workers are more than happy to drive guests to Sagres area nightclubs and restaurants.

According to their website, Amado starts the day at around 9 AM, kicking off the morning with a hearty breakfast of cereal, fruit, bread, various pastries, and tea and coffee to drink. Somewhere between 10:30 and 11:00 AM, campers hit the Amado beach kiosk, where the staff checks surfing conditions. If conditions are favorable on Amado beach, the instructors dole out boards and wetsuits and assign surfers to a group with a similar surfing level. If the surf is looking a little rough, there are always plenty of other locations to visit.

With three hours of lessons per day, most of the day is open for practice. After enjoying the sunset on the beach, it’s time for dinner, either barbecued by the camp chef, cooked by yourself in the fully-stocked kitchen, or, as mentioned above, in whichever local restaurant you choose.

The surf instructors at Amado are unrivaled in their “contagious passion” for surfing and teaching others to surf. All the instructors at Amado are Portuguese Federation of Surf certified, and many have first-aid training. The camp has insurance coverage across the board.

Amado’s business model works: their surf packages are both luxurious and affordable. Accommodations range from the rugged tent to bungalows, surfhouses, and private apartments. Even the most cushy package is under €550, a steal for the value the packages offer.

It is difficult to convey the beauty of the surf camp through text alone, so prospective campers should visit the site’s gallery to see the exquisite allure of the camp and a view of what happens at Amado every day.