Praia do Guincho is certainly one of the most famous kitesurf spots of Portugal. It is well known as an excellent yet very difficult wave spot. Guincho is a large beach but with rocks right in the middle and cliffs and rocks on each side. It is located 35 minutes from Lisbon.
The cliffs on the sides accelerate the wind on the beach where it is usually a lot stronger than all other spots around which also makes the location difficult to ride. Guincho is probably the location in Portugal with the strongest winds and the most windy all year round. Waves can be big (up to 2 meters) and the shore-break can be very strong especially with big tides.
Guincho is loved by advanced and experienced riders who either want to surf big waves or go big.
For kitesurfing, you need to pick your poison: it is preferable to launch and ride on the south part of the beach where the wind is much less gusty and usually not as strong. The north part of the beach can have significantly stronger wind and it is generally extremely gusty. Always beware of the surfers which are present on both the north and south side of the beach.
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Guincho works all year and the water temperature is generally cold and a wetsuit is always best.
Best wind conditions are North-West and West winds to get side-on winds. When the wind is North or North-North-West, it is usually very gusty.
There is a Windguru live station indicating wind conditions: station 2762.
There is a live webcam in Praia do Guincho.
Waves are difficult in Guincho: they can be big and the shore-break can be very strong.
There are no kitesurf shops & schools in Guincho but there is a kitesurf shop in nearby Cascais (10 minutes away), called Guincho Wind Factory.
There is a Club that you can enter to have access to warm showers, lockers as well as storage for your gear. The club is owned by the Bar do Guincho.
There are two accesses to the beach: north and south. The south parking access usually is difficult to park and there is a good walk to the beach. The north has larger parking area but you have to pay during the summer season: if you do have to pay, then do not forget to go the Bar do Guincho to pay your parking ticket before you exit the parking.
There are showers available nearby the Bar do Guincho for non-members. And members have also access to warm showers, lockers and gear storage.
There are usually no lifeguards on the beach.
Be cautious and know your basic safety. Preferably go out with a group. Sometimes you will find other kitesurfers on this spot.