Gipuzkoa Coast

Fact Box

Dramatic Cliffs and Sandy Beaches

Hondarribia
Look across the bay to France
Charles V Castle
Plaza de Armas
Colourful Marina
Pintxos & Seafood

San Sebastian
Spain’s stylish city & resort

Zarautz
Gipuzkoa’s surf capital
Longest beach in Gipuzkoa
Lively bars and cafés
Drink, eat, see and be seen.

Getaria
The ‘kitchen of Gipuzkoa’
Home of Txakoli wine
Excellent seafood restaurants
Medieval walled town
15th century San Salvador church

Zumaia
Marina for leisure sailors
Medieval centre full of bars, restaurants and shops
Gothic church of San Pedro
Spectacular rock formations

Visit
Aiako Harria Natural Park
Pagoeta Natural Park
Chillida-Leku sculpture garden and museum

Stretching from the French border in the east to one of the oldest fishing ports in the Bay of Biscay at Mutriku in the west, the Gipuzkoa coastline is a mix of dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches and traditional fishing ports.

The fortified town of Hondarribia is one of Gipuzkoa’s most popular tourist destinations. Along the ocean promenade look across the bay to Hendaye in France and walk amongst the historic buildings in the old town; Charles V Castle (now a hotel), Plaza de Armas and the many houses emblazoned with carved eaves and coats of arms. The marina is characterised by colourful fishermen’s cottages and restaurants and bars serving pintxos (local tapas dishes) and excellent seafood.

Gipuzkoa’s capital is the delightful resort of San Sebastian which combines historic architecture seamlessly with a modern, contemporary style. Surfers, holidaymakers, sailors and relaxed locals mix effortlessly to give San Sebastian a unique vibe.

Zarautz has the longest beach, 2.5 km of fine sand popular amongst sun worshippers and surfers. Zarautz frequently plays host to international surf contests. The lively streets of the old town are packed with shops, bars and cafés in which to drink, eat, see and be seen.

Getaria, the ‘kitchen of Gipuzkoa’, is situated on a fertile hillside where the vines for the Basque white wine Txakoli are grown. Mont San Anton juts out into the sea protecting the fishing port and creates the ideal setting for the many delightful restaurants. Enjoy the fresh seafood with a bottle of Txakoli as the perfect accompaniment. The walled town has preserved its medieval centre around the magnificent 15th century San Salvador church. Juan Sebastian Elcano, the first man to sail around the world was born here in 1487, captaining the only ship in Magellan's fleet to make it home.

Zumaia is often used by leisure sailors resting on their way down the Cantabrian coast. The promenade on the new marina follows the western breakwater jutting out to sea contrasting the medieval narrow streets of the old town with its bars, restaurants and shops surrounding the Gothic church of San Pedro. The spectacular sea cliffs nearby reveal 50 million years of history in the rock formations and are well worth the guided tour before relaxing on the local beaches of Itzurun or Santiago.

Other notable stops include the Natural Parks just inland at Aiako Harria and Pagoeta as well as the Chillida-Leku sculpture garden and museum devoted to Eduardo Chillida, Spain’s most famous contemporary artist.

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