Zarautz Beach (Gipuzkoa)

Zarautz beach is a 2.5 km sweep of golden sand in the town of Zarautz, Gipuzkoa, about 15 km west of San Sebastián: the longest beach in Gipuzkoa and on the whole Basque coast. It lies right in front of the town, with a promenade of bars along it and Euskotren stations about 1 km away, so you can arrive by train. It is open to the Bay of Biscay and is one of the main surf beaches in Spain, with several schools for beginners. It suits surfers, families who want a town beach with lifeguards, and walkers; skip it if you want a small, sheltered cove with calm water.

Quick facts

• Names: Zarautz beach; Zarauzko hondartza in Basque, playa de Zarauz in Spanish.
• Where: Zarautz, Urola-Kosta, Gipuzkoa (Basque Country), between Getaria to the west and San Sebastián to the east.
• Coordinates: 43.2900, -2.1609 (middle of the beach).
• Length: 2.5 km, golden sand, framed by the Santa Bárbara and Mollarri cliffs (Tourism Euskadi).
• Type: open, exposed town beach with surf; lifeguards in season.
• Town: 22,658 inhabitants (Tourism Euskadi).
• Entry: free.

Access and parking

By train: Zarautz has two Euskotren stations with trains to San Sebastián and Bilbao. On OpenStreetMap, Zarautz station is about 1 km from the middle of the beach and San Pelaio station about 0.7 km. This is the easiest way in summer.

By car: the town is on the A-8 motorway. Most street parking near the beach is permit or paid. OpenStreetMap shows the municipal Kortazar car park (unpaved, about 170 spaces, paid) about 600 m from the middle of the beach, and the Mitxelena car park (about 50 spaces, paid) about 900 m away. Tourism Euskadi lists parking among the beach services.

On foot: the promenade runs the length of the beach, so you can join it anywhere from the town centre.

What to expect

This is the beach Zarautz lives on: bright beach awnings, a promenade lined with bars, cafés and restaurants, and modern sculptures along the seafront (spain.info). Behind it is a real town with an old quarter, not a purpose-built resort. Zarautz was a whaling settlement before it became a fashionable seaside town in the 19th century.

Surf: Tourism Euskadi calls Zarautz one of the best breeding grounds for surfers in Europe. The beach has several peaks. From west to east: the port area, which only breaks when waves are over about 6 ft; the central area including Argiñano, the heart of the beach; and El Canal at the eastern tip. There are more than five surf schools and an active surf club, and the town holds several competitions a year. Wikipedia lists Zarautz as a stop on the World Surf League Qualifying Series.

Dunes: at the eastern end, past the promenade by the Iñurritza estuary, is the largest dune area on the Gipuzkoa coast, a protected biotope reached by a footbridge and a refuge for birds (Tourism Euskadi).

The town: the old quarter has the church of Santa María la Real, the Luzea tower, the Narros palace by the beach and Portu house, now the town hall. There is a photography museum and an art and history museum. Food leans on fish, pintxos and txakoli white wine from the Getaria area.

Practical details

• Lifeguards: 10:00–20:00 in season (Tourism Euskadi; season dates not given).
• Services: public toilets, showers, drinking fountains, changing rooms, children’s facilities, sports areas, bars and parking. Tourism Euskadi also lists a camping site and a nudist area.
• Activities listed: surf courses, canoeing, fishing, diving, kite flying, beach football, triathlon and outdoor concerts.
• Festivals: San Pelaio in June, then the Semana Grande, with the Euskal Jaiak in September closing the summer.

Accessibility and safety

Best time to visit

July and August are the busiest months, with Basque families on the sand and the lifeguards on duty. Outside July and August the beach and the line-ups are quieter, but lifeguard cover is seasonal. June brings the San Pelaio festivals, and September the Euskal Jaiak, which marks the end of summer. Come by train on hot weekends; parking near the beach fills.

Nearby alternatives

• Getaria, 3.8 km: the fishing village next door, home of Getaria txakoli.
• Zumaia Flysch (Itzurun Beach), 8.2 km: the tilted cliffs of the Basque Coast Geopark.
• Flysch Route: Zumaia to Deba, 8.2 km: the coastal walk along those cliffs.
• Monte Igueldo, 12.7 km: the viewpoint at the west end of San Sebastián’s bay.
• Mundaka, 45 km: the river-mouth wave in Urdaibai, for experienced surfers.

Distances are in a straight line from the middle of the beach.

FAQ

How long is Zarautz beach?

2.5 km, according to Tourism Euskadi. It is the longest beach in Gipuzkoa and on the Basque coast.

Is Zarautz good for beginner surfers?

Yes. Tourism Euskadi calls it ideal for complete beginners, with more than five surf schools. Stay inside the lesson areas and away from the bigger port peak.

Can I get to Zarautz by train?

Yes. Euskotren trains link Zarautz with San Sebastián and Bilbao. Zarautz and San Pelaio stations are both within about 1 km of the beach.

Is there parking at Zarautz beach?

Yes, but it is mostly paid. The municipal Kortazar car park (about 170 spaces) is about 600 m from the middle of the beach.

Are there lifeguards at Zarautz?

Yes, in season, from 10:00 to 20:00.

Sources and freshness