Zurriola: surfing in the heart of the city
Unlike the elegant La Concha beach, Zurriola (Gros district) is open to the Cantabrian Sea and gets waves regularly. It is a city beach: you can surf in the morning and have pintxos in the Old Town at midday. That balance between wave and city is what makes it unique.
Wave level and who it’s for
- Beginners: on small days, Zurriola is ideal to start out, with several schools right on the sand.
- Intermediate: a powerful, fun beach break when the swell comes in.
- Advanced: with a good swell the wave gains power; and nearby there are benchmark spots along the Gipuzkoa coast.
Best season to surf
Autumn and winter bring the best Atlantic swells (September to March), with more consistent, bigger waves. Summer is gentler, perfect for learning and for combining surf with beach and sightseeing. The water temperature calls for a wetsuit almost all year.
Tip: if you travel with a board, a taxi saves you the hassle of carrying it on a bus or train. It fits at no cost in the vehicle; mention it when booking.
Schools and rentals
Zurriola has several surf schools and board/wetsuit rental shops along the promenade. You don’t need to bring gear: you can rent it right there and book lessons for all levels.
How to get there from Bilbao Airport with your board
From Bilbao Airport to San Sebastián it is about 100 km and 1h-1h15 via the AP-8. With a board and luggage, the taxi is the most practical option:
- Room for the board and luggage at no extra cost (for big boards or several, ask for a van).
- Door to door to your accommodation in Gros, next to the beach.
- Fixed price from €89 per vehicle, tolls included.
- No reliance on timetables with your gear in tow.
For groups of surfers, see the taxi van up to 7 seats; and for prices and times, Bilbao airport to San Sebastián taxi.
Combine surf and the city
- Pintxos in the Old Town after your session: pintxos guide.
- La Concha and Monte Igueldo for flat days.
- A full weekend: what to see in San Sebastián in a weekend.
Zurriola and other spots along the Gipuzkoa coast
Zurriola (approx. coordinates 43.325 N, -1.977 W), in the Gros district, is the city spot par excellence, but the Gipuzkoa coast hides benchmark waves nearby, all reachable by taxi from your accommodation:
| Spot | Where | Distance from Donostia |
|---|---|---|
| Zurriola | Central San Sebastián (Gros) | In the city |
| Zarautz | West, a long beach ideal for progressing | ~25 km · 25 min |
| Orrua / Zumaia | Flysch coast, west | ~35 km · 35 min |
| Mundaka (Bizkaia) | World-famous left-hand wave | ~55 km · 50 min |
Mundaka, in Bizkaia and on the way from the airport, is one of the best left-hand waves in the world: if you land at BIO and are after a serious swell, it is worth a stop.
What to bring and what to rent
The Cantabrian water calls for a wetsuit almost all year (3/2 mm in summer, 4/3 mm or more in winter). If you would rather not travel with a board, at Zurriola you will find board and wetsuit rental and schools with lessons for all levels. If you bring your own gear, the taxi carries it at no cost; for long boards or several, book a van.
A surf weekend plan from the airport
- Friday: fly into Bilbao Airport and a taxi to your accommodation in Gros, next to Zurriola.
- Saturday: morning session at Zurriola and pintxos in the Old Town at midday.
- Sunday: a taxi trip to Zarautz or Mundaka if the forecast promises a good swell.
- Return: taxi to the airport tuned to your flight, with your board and luggage hassle-free.
See also prices and times for the Bilbao airport to San Sebastián taxi to plan your transfers.