Special Summer plans verano
BEACHES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY
THE BEST BEACHES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY
Our location, next to San Sebastian and very close to the most charming villages of the Basque coast, makes us an ideal place to enjoy in summer some of the best beaches in the Basque Country. Below, we are going to recommend the best beaches that you can visit if you are staying at our hotel or if you are in the area, ranging from the beaches of San Sebastian to beaches in the French Basque Country or in the area of Urdaibai, in Viscaya.
This guide of the best beaches in the Basque Country is perfect as a complement to the guide of charming villages during the summer.
THE BEST BEACHES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY, IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF GIPUZKOA
BEACHES IN SAN SEBASTIAN
LA CONCHA BEACH
The most famous beach, the most visited and the most atmospheric. Located in the center of the city, this beach of San Sebastian is ideal both for walking along its promenade enjoying the magnificent views of the bay and the island of Santa Clara, and for bathing in the hottest months, being a beach of fine sand and with very good infrastructure and services.
This beach, a hallmark of the city of San Sebastian, is also a good place to practice sea sports or for thalassotherapy treatments. Undoubtedly, one of the best beaches in the Basque Country and one of the most famous.
ONDARRETA BEACH
This beach, one of the most elegant in Gipuzkoa, is located west of the city, right at the foot of Mount Igeldo and opposite the island of Santa Clara.
Its 600 meters long, makes this beach of San Sebastian an ideal place for summer, both for swimmers and for sports such as surfing, beach volleyball … In addition, near this beach ends the promenade that connects the 3 beaches of San Sebastian along 7 km., in the Peine del Viento, where you can see the famous steel sculptures of Eduardo Chillida.
ZURRIOLA BEACH
With 800 meters long, this beach with strong waves is the surfing beach of San Sebastian par excellence.
Located in the district of Gros and on the slope of Mount Ulía, this beach of Gipuzkoa always has a great youthful atmosphere derived from its important surfing movement. Championships are often held here and there are several companies that offer courses to learn to surf.
THE BEST BEACHES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY, IN VILLAGES
BEACHES IN CHARMING VILLAGES
ZARAUTZ BEACH
This is the longest beach in Gipuzkoa, with an extension of 2,500 metres. This sandy area is divided into 3 distinct parts: one part for families and bathers, another for surfers and a third part which is the dune area. It is a very touristy beach, especially in the summer months, but as it is so large there is usually enough space.
Its promenade connects with the neighbouring town of Getaria and is notable for the sculptures of artists that can be found along the route.
PLAYAS OF GUETARIA: MAIKORBE & GAZTETAPE
Malkorbe is the name given to this beautiful sandy beach located next to the marina and next to the town centre, with views of Mount San Antón. This beach in Gipuzkoa is ideal for families as it has little waves and very good infrastructures, apart from being in one of the most beautiful towns on the Basque Coast.
Gaztetape beach is also in Getaria. It is a beach that is more open to the sea and therefore has much more waves and is more recommended for sports such as surfing.
PLAYAS OF ZUMAIA: ITZURUN
This beach is famous for its spectacular nature, derived from the “flysch”, a formation of rocky layers of sedimentary origin with thousands of years of history. The enormous cliffs, up to 150 metres high, make this beach one of the most beautiful and impressive stretches of the entire north coast and one of the best beaches in the Basque Country. Itzuru is a 270-metre long beach with strong waves, located near the centre of Zumaia.
In recent years it has become even more famous because some scenes from the famous series “Game of Thrones” have been filmed there.
BEACHES OF HONDARRIBIA: FUENTERRABÍA
Fuenterrabía beach is one of the classics among the beaches of Gipuzkoa. 700 metres long, this beach, located near the centre of this beautiful town, is in the bay of Txingudi and next to the mouth of the Bidasoa river.
It is a beach with very good facilities and services, as it is in one of the most touristy towns in the area. It is probably one of the best beaches in the Basque Country for families and tourists in general, as it is possible to combine cultural and gastronomic tourism with beach tourism.
THE BEST BEACHES IN THE FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY ACROSS THE BORDER
BEACHES IN THE FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY
BEACHES IN HENDAYE
This border town, just opposite Hondarribia, separated only by the river, has no more and no less than 3 km of fine sandy beach. As it is so wide, Ondarraitz Beach is divided into several areas where bathers, surfers and even a nudist area coexist.
It also has a long promenade along which you can enjoy a beautiful village with houses and buildings in the neo-Basque style. In Hendaye you can also visit its spectacular castle, the Château Abbadia.
BEACHES IN SAN JUAN DE LA LUZ
Situated a little further north than Hendaye, this charming and quiet French town has a beautiful beach and a lovely promenade.
It is protected from the waves and this makes it a perfect beach to go with children. The most famous is “la gran plage” but there are also four other sandy beaches in the same municipality, some of them very popular with surfers.
BEACHES IN BIARRITZ
A little further from our hotel, 50 minutes away, you will find this town, one of the most touristic in the south of France.
Here, the most exclusive luxury tourism mixes with a more relaxed tourism, such as surfing. Along the 6 km of beaches, you can find more than 5 different beaches, some of which are quieter, such as Playa Grande, Miramar or Port Vieux, and others more open to the sea and therefore more suitable for surfing, such as Côte des Basques and Playa Marbella.
It is also an important centre for spas and thalassotherapy due to the good properties of its waters.
THE BEST BEACHES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY IN THE NEIGHBOURING PROVINCE OF BIZKAIA
BEACHES IN BIZKAIA
BEACHES IN LEKEITIO: ISUNTZA Y KARRASPIO
This town, just over an hour from our hotel, has several beaches, including Isuntza, the main beach, located in the centre of Lekeitio. It is a beach with calm waters and has the peculiarity that, at tide, it is possible to cross on foot to the island of San Nicolás.
Lekeitio has a privileged location and a natural environment worthy of admiration. Another beach you can find in this town is that of Karraspio, from which you can also cross to the island of San Nicolás and which is separated from that of Isuntza by the mouth of the river Lea.
BEACHES IN URDAIBAI: LAGA Y LAIDA
Urdaibai has been declared a Biosphere Park for being a natural space of great value due to its fauna, flora and spectacular landscapes and beaches. Among them, we can highlight those of Laida and Laga.
These two beaches, which are very close to each other, are fine sandy beaches surrounded by green hills, which makes them one of the best beaches in the Basque Country for nature lovers.
Laida is located inside the estuary and this makes it a quieter beach with shallow waters, more suitable for bathers and families, while Laga is a beach open to the sea.
Crossing the Urdaibai estuary, you have one of the most important towns on the Basque coast and a leading international surfing destination, Mundaka. And close to Mundaka, you also have another of the most visited places on the Basque coast, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.