San Sebastián's 4 beaches: an urban paradise

1. Playa de la Concha: la joya de San Sebastián

La Concha is one of the most emblematic beaches not only in San Sebastian but in the world. In 2024, La Concha was chosen as the third best beach in the world by TripAdvisor readers, an accolade that highlights its undeniable beauty and appeal.

Flanked by Mount Urgull and Mount Igueldo, this beach offers breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere. Strolling along its promenade, known as the Paseo de La Concha, is a common practice for locals and tourists alike. Here, visitors can enjoy the sea breeze and panoramic views of the bay.

La Concha Beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and practicing water sports such as kayaking or stand up paddleboarding. It is also an ideal place for families thanks to its calm waters. Near the beach, there are several points of interest such as the Miramar Palace, which offers a historical and cultural perspective of the city.

How to get to La Concha:

• On foot: La Concha beach is located, literally, in the center of San Sebastian, so getting around it in search of your favorite spot will not take more than 5-10 minutes on foot.
• By bus: practically any bus line can be used to get to the vicinity. Some of them are lines 5, 13, 16, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 28, 31, 33, 40, 45, 46...
• By car: there are several pay car parks in the vicinity of the beach. The nearest one is La Concha.

2. Ondarreta: for families

Ondarreta is the westernmost beach in San Sebastian, located between La Concha and the Peine del Viento, a famous sculpture by Eduardo Chillida.

With its quiet and family-friendly atmosphere, Ondarreta is the perfect beach for those seeking a relaxed experience. The beach is known for its wide expanse of sand and shallow waters. In addition, it has a wide range of services, such as restaurants, a children's playground, beach bars, showers, and toilets.

The beach offers the possibility of renting umbrellas and awnings, typical of San Sebastian beaches, which guarantees a comfortable and pleasant stay.

How to get to Ondarreta:

• On foot: from the center of San Sebastian, the walk to Ondarreta takes about 15-20 minutes.
• By bus: lines 5, 16, 24, 25, 33, 35, 40, 45, 47 take you to the beach.
• By car: there is paid parking next to the beach.

3. Zurriola: surfer's paradise

La Zurriola, located in the Gros district, is the ideal beach for surfers. It is known for being the preferred destination for surfers and young people. Its waves are perfect for practicing this sport, and there are several surf schools where you can learn or improve your technique. In addition, Zurriola can also be enjoyed for other water sports such as bodyboarding.

Zurriola is also a cultural center, where numerous events and concerts are held during the summer. Its proximity to the Kursaal Congress Center adds additional cultural value, making this beach a vibrant and active meeting point.

In addition, it will soon see the opening of ZMare, a project that will include gastronomy, lifesaving training, and will serve as a fully equipped storage facility for surfers.

How to get to Zurriola:

• On foot: from the center of San Sebastian, the walk to Zurriola takes about 10-15 minutes.
• By bus: lines 8, 13, 14, 17, 29, 31, 33, 37, 40, 41, 46 leave you on streets close to the beach.
• By car: there is parking and paid car parks next to the beach. For example, the Kursaal car park.