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Beach · San Sebastián, Basque Country
Playa de Zurriola
An open-sea beach in the Gros neighbourhood, popular with surfers, with the Kursaal — Rafael Moneo’s glass cubes — at one end.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Playa de Zurriola
Zurriola Beach is in the Gros neighbourhood, on the other side of the Urumea river mouth, east of Monte Urgull. Unlike La Concha, it is open to the Cantabrian Sea, with constant waves that make it San Sebastián’s surf beach.
The beach is about 800 meters long and was redeveloped in the 1990s, with the construction of a breakwater that widened the sand. Surf schools rent boards and wetsuits, and championships are often held in summer. The promenade has bars and restaurants with a younger vibe than La Concha.
At the river end stands the Kursaal, a congress centre and auditorium designed by Rafael Moneo and inaugurated in 1999: two tilted translucent glass cubes that light up like lanterns at night. The city’s international film festival takes place there.
At the other end, the beach finishes at the foot of Monte Ulía, with coastal trails to Pasaia.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1 hour to half a day.
Best time
At late afternoon, to watch the surfers in low light. For swimming in summer, pay attention to the flags: the sea usually has waves and currents.
How to get there
It is in the Gros neighbourhood, a 10-minute walk from the Parte Vieja across the Zurriola bridge, near the Kursaal.
Tip
If you want to learn to surf, look for one of the schools along the promenade. Afterwards, have pintxos for dinner in the Gros neighbourhood, on the streets behind the beach.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Playa de Zurriola
Is Zurriola good for surfing?
Yes. It faces the open sea, with waves for most of the year, and has schools and board rental.
What is the Kursaal?
The Rafael Moneo conference center and auditorium, with two glass cubes, where the film festival takes place.
Is Zurriola good for children?
With caution: it often has waves and currents. For small children, La Concha is calmer.