Surfing as a beginner in San Sebastián (Donostia), Spain

When you think of San Sebastián, most people imagine pintxos, Michelin-star meals and sunsets over La Concha, but this Basque gem is also an underrated destination for beginner surfers.

During our recent trip in June, we spent three days learning to surf at Zurriola Beach with Pukas Surf Eskola, and we loved it.

If you’re thinking about surfing in San Sebastián as a beginner, here’s what to expect, what we paid, and why we’d recommend you give it a go!

Where We Surfed: Zurriola Beach

Forget needing a rental car or stressing about finding the right spot. San Sebastián is small, walkable and well set up for surfing. Zurriola Beach, located in the Gros district (just across the river from the Old Town), is where most of the action happens — and for good reason. It's wide, open, and known for its consistent waves, especially in the winter months, like most surf locations.

There’s a real surf culture around this part of the city, and it’s not unusual to see people heading out for a quick session before breakfast or after work. It gives the whole area a laid-back, beachy feel, perfect for anyone wanting to dip their toes in (literally).

The Surf School: Pukas Surf Eskola

We booked private lessons with Pukas Surf Eskola, one of the most popular and well-established schools in town. Their setup is sleek: two buildings situated right by the beach, one serving as a shop and the other as the surf school. There are lockers, changing rooms and showers, so everything feels easy and well-organised.

We took three lessons over three days in June, with each session lasting 1.5 hours (so 4.5 hours of surfing in total). The cost was €161 per person for the full course, which felt totally fair given the quality of teaching and convenience of the location. Boards and summer wetsuits were included too.

Our instructor was calm, encouraging and genuinely fun to learn with. He explained the basics clearly, stayed close during the tougher waves, and always gave constructive feedback after each attempt. He also chatted to us about local culture and gave us his recommendations for Pinxtos bars.

What It’s Like to Surf in San Sebastián as a Beginner

Let’s be honest, we wiped out a lot. But that’s part of the fun. By the third day, we were up and riding more waves. The waves in June were manageable, with enough size to feel the thrill without being intimidating. If you’re nervous about surfing or trying it for the first time, this is a great place to do it.

If you want to try somewhere else, Ondarreta Beach (next to La Concha) is an option but there is much less space and the surfers we watched there seemed to know what they were doing. Our advice would be to just follow the advice of your instructor who has seen your ability.

After Your Surf: Coffee & Food in Gros

After your lesson, you can relax on Zurriola beach, it’s very spacious with lovely sand, or you can head into the city for food.

The Gros neighbourhood is full of little cafés, bakeries and bars, perfect for a post-surf bite or a flat white to warm up after the cold water.

• Gerald’s Bar - We loved it in here for lunch (recommended by our instructor)

• Bar Bergara - Pinxtos (recommended by our instructor)

• Bodega Donostiarra - For lunch or dinner

• Simona Speciality Coffee Club - For specialty coffee and brunch

• The Loaf - A bakery and coffee shop that serves incredible Basque Cheesecake

• La Consentida - Wine bar

When to Surf in San Sebastián

While we went in summer, which is great for learning, more experienced surfers might want to come between September and December when the swells pick up and the crowds thin out.

• Summer (June to August): Smaller waves, great for beginners and warm beach days.

• September to December: Bigger swells and fewer people. Ideal for those looking to progress or catch something more powerful.

• Winter (Jan–March): More advanced conditions, cold water, but very consistent surf.

If you’re even slightly tempted to give surfing a go while in San Sebastián, do it. With friendly instructors, beginner-friendly waves, and a city full of food and culture to enjoy in between sessions, it’s the perfect blend of fun, active travel and local experience.

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