Why go
Come to understand the city's surf-facing coast and watch the changing sea from the shore. Zurriola's exposed position explains its association with surfing, while the river mouth and Ulia give the beach clear natural boundaries for a waterfront walk beside Gros.
The full story
Zurriola lies east of the Urumea, outside the shelter of La Concha Bay. Its exposure to stronger waves long set it apart from La Concha and Ondarreta. In 1994, coastal works including a breakwater reshaped the beach and enlarged the usable sand. The change helped establish Zurriola as a focus for surfing and other board sports. It has also served as an outdoor setting for cultural events, including jazz concerts, though event programmes change. The beach's story is best read through its position: the open sea, river mouth and Mount Ulia define a coastline very different from the curved, sheltered bay. A walk along the shore lets visitors compare the two sides of San Sebastián without assuming that sea conditions are the same on both.