Are they the 6 coolest destinations for stand-up paddle boarding in Europe?

SUP, Stand-up paddle boarding, has been exploding in our lives for several years. Glide gracefully across the water for a miniature adventure while working for your physical and mental health.

Since SUP isn't a weight-bearing activity, it's good for your joints, allows you to practice balance and coordination, and helps strengthen your core. This versatile sport combines social distancing and outdoor activities. It can be done on a lake, sea, river, lake, canal or ocean as long as the water is flat and fairly still.

No matter where you travel this summer, you can rest assured that an amazing SUP spot is at your fingertips.

To help you out, we've rounded up six of the best SUP places in Europe to get you involved in one of the coolest summer events of the year.

6. Lisbon Coast, Portugal

Portugal is a paddle surfing paradise and is often referred to as the capital of Europe by SUP enthusiasts.

The waters on the coast are crystal clear and the climate is just right all year round. If waking up at dawn is not a daunting prospect, then morning SUPing will provide peace and tranquility to the mind.

But to guarantee calm at any time of the day, nature lovers might want to head to the Western Algarve. You'll be rewarded with spectacular coastlines, explore cave systems and paddle under naturally shaped arches.

5. Greek Islands

When we say there's no shortage of SUP places wherever you travel this year, the islands of Greece have you covered.

With 6,000 islands, 60 lakes and 12,000 kilometers of fantastic coastline, this place is a SUP lover's dream. Gliding over Greek waters offers a unique perspective of the island, and places like Santorini and its whitewashed villages look more magical than on foot.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam may be synonymous with bike city, but there's no reason you can't paddle its endless canals. With the Amstel River and over 100 kilometers of canals (which happen to be over 400 years old), you can delve into the city's rich culture and enjoy the beautiful scenery on a paddleboard.

The Canal is home to numerous historical sites, with no less than 1,550 monuments to explore within its borders. Nervous about your navigation skills? Take advantage of the many guided tours this charming city has to offer.

3. Norway

Norway's sporty people are involved in all kinds of outdoor activities, and they certainly aren't far behind when it comes to SUP. Not many people know about it, but this pristine and somewhat secluded country has some incredible paddle boarding spots.

Not surprisingly, you can easily find rental SUP boards. If you have a soft spot for picturesque fishing towns, the Lofoten Islands are not to be missed, as seeing them from the water is another story.

But be sure to keep your wetsuit warm, as a SUP adventure in the Arctic is a little different than catching light from a sunny climate.

2. Spain

Speaking of sunny climates, you can't go wrong riding a SUP in Spain. The country is full of spectacular places for paddle lovers who can also immerse themselves in Spanish culture - as well as food and drink.

One of the places to go for a paddle is Zurriola Beach in San Sebastian. The area has some of the most popular beaches and amazing paddle spots, along with a thriving nightlife.

If you're an adventurous person, Mondaka has big waves and is considered one of the best spots for paddle surfing in Europe. Surrounded by mountains and forests, Mondaka is a magical and mysterious place.

1. Lake Bled, Slovenia

If you love Instagram posts of beautiful lakes and landscapes as much as we do, you will no doubt stumble upon photos of this delightful Slovenian lake on social media.

Instead of the majestic Julian Alps, Lake Bled is full of thrilling adventures for visitors to take part in. But you don't have to be a thrill seeker to explore this beautiful lake on a SUP. Instead, you'll get a unique SUP peaceful experience, with the option to stop at the island in the middle at your leisure.

What's more, you can also avoid the crowds that often crowd the boat just to see Bled Island.