Zurriola Beach

Gros’s beach and San Sebastián’s surf beach: golden sand, open sea and strong waves. How to get there, where to surf, when lifeguards are on duty and what facilities there are, from official sources.

Information checked in October 2026.

A surfer raises an arm while riding a wave at Zurriola, with the rocks of the coast behind. — Zurriola Beach, two minutes from the shop.

Where it is

Zurriola Beach is in the Gros neighbourhood, east of the mouth of the Urumea river. It stretches between the Kursaal and Mount Ulía, with a promenade running along it from Sagüés to the Kursaal cubes.

It is a city beach of fine golden sand, fairly open to the sea and with strong waves. It was remodelled in 1994. It has three areas, Urumea, Centro and Ulía, and the Sagüés end has the most going on and the strongest surf vibe.

Length: 800 m on average
Width: 110 m on average
Area: 88,000 m²
Neighbourhood: Gros

Getting there

On foot: The beach is in Gros, east of the Urumea. The Zurriola promenade runs its full length, from the Kursaal cubes to Sagüés.
By bus: Dbus stop 25, “Zurriola”, served by lines 08, 17, 40 and 41. San Sebastián Turismo puts it about 250 m from the beach.
By train: Gros station on the Renfe commuter line (Cercanías), at Misericordia 7, close to the beach according to the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council.
By car: Nearby car parks listed by the City Council: Kursaal (300 spaces), Boulevard (385), Okendo (767), Plaza Cataluña (477) and Txofre (465).

How to get to the shop

Surfing at Zurriola

This is the city’s surf beach. Turismo Euskadi describes quality waves with punchy rights and lefts, highlighting the Monpas right and El Centro. It picks up a lot of swell and works at all stages of the tide.

It is a beach break with several peaks. Monpas is the most powerful wave, and San Sebastián Turismo considers the beach suitable for complete beginners. If you’re learning, check the sea on the camera first and pick a small day.

Wave type: Beach break with several peaks
Best-known peaks: The Monpas right (the most powerful) and El Centro
Tide: Works at all tides
Good wind: South, south-east and south-west
Swell: From the north and north-west
Level: Suitable for beginners, according to San Sebastián Turismo

Rules in the water

The city’s 2007 beach bylaw bans surfing in the areas of Zurriola marked with flags as reserved for bathers. During the season, check the flags when you arrive.
The blue-and-red flag marks the water sports zone.

Surf etiquette

Don’t drop in: the wave belongs to whoever is closest to where it breaks.
When paddling out, don’t cross where the waves are breaking: whoever is riding has right of way.
Never let go of your board: a loose board can hurt someone nearby.
Respect the beach and the sea: share the waves and leave no litter.

From San Sebastián Turismo’s surfing code of conduct.

INDIE is in the Kursaal building, at Zurriola Hiribidea 1, two minutes from the beach. Boards from €16 / 2 hours.

Book a board Surfboard rental on Zurriola Beach

Bathing season and lifeguards

Figures for the 2026 season. Dates and hours change every year: check the City Council’s notice.

2026 season: 1 June to 30 September.
Lifeguards: 15 June to 15 September, 10:00 to 20:00. 1–14 June and 16–30 September, 10:30 to 19:30.

Flags

Green: Swimming allowed
Yellow: Caution
Red: No swimming
White: Jellyfish
Black: Polluted water
Blue and red: Water sports zone

Each flag also carries a black symbol for colour-blind people.

Facilities

Communal changing rooms: With showers and lockers. Shower €1.60; locker with shower €2.50. 2026 hours: June and September, 9:00 to 20:00; July and August, 9:00 to 20:30.
Toilets: Public toilets nearby, at the Kursaal and in Sagüés.
Accessibility: Access ramps to the sand, although the boardwalk does not reach the water’s edge. 4 toilets, one of them adapted; 24 showers plus one for people with reduced mobility; accessible parking spaces on the street and in the Kursaal car park.
Dogs: Not allowed on the sand during the bathing season (in 2026, until 30 September). Guide dogs are allowed.
Water quality: The City Council publishes water analyses for each sampling point: Urumea, Centro and Ulía.

Tides and sea conditions

Check the sea before you head down. Our Zurriola page shows the beach’s public cameras and today’s Euskalmet forecast; for tides, Euskalmet publishes sea conditions for the Basque coast. The tide changes how the waves break, so what you see first thing may look different at noon.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Zurriola Beach?

In the Gros neighbourhood of San Sebastián, east of the mouth of the Urumea river, between the Kursaal and Mount Ulía.

How do I get to Zurriola by bus or train?

By bus, Dbus stop 25 “Zurriola” (lines 08, 17, 40 and 41), about 250 m from the beach. By train, Gros station on the Renfe commuter line is close to the beach.

Where can I park near Zurriola?

The nearby car parks listed by the City Council are Kursaal (300 spaces), Boulevard (385), Okendo (767), Plaza Cataluña (477) and Txofre (465).

Can you surf at Zurriola?

Yes, it is the city’s surf beach: a beach break with several peaks that works at all tides. During the season, surfing is not allowed in the areas flagged as reserved for bathers.

Is Zurriola good for learning to surf?

San Sebastián Turismo considers it suitable for complete beginners. Monpas is the most powerful wave, so if you’re starting out, check the sea before going in and pick a small day.

When is the bathing season?

In 2026, from 1 June to 30 September. The dates change every year.

Are there lifeguards at Zurriola?

Yes, during the bathing season. In 2026: 15 June to 15 September, 10:00 to 20:00; 1–14 June and 16–30 September, 10:30 to 19:30.

Can I bring my dog to Zurriola Beach?

Not during the bathing season: dogs are not allowed on the sand until 30 September. Guide dogs are allowed.

Are there showers and lockers at Zurriola?

Yes, in the municipal communal changing rooms: in 2026 a shower costs €1.60 and a locker with shower €2.50. There are public toilets at the Kursaal and in Sagüés.

Where can I rent a surfboard at Zurriola?

At INDIE Surf Shop, in the Kursaal building (Zurriola Hiribidea, 1), two minutes from the beach. Boards from €16 / 2 hours, VAT included; book on WhatsApp or by phone.

Sources

Checked in October 2026.