Zarautz: Beach, Coastal Trails and City History

Zarautz combines a 2,500-metre-long beach with a significant ensemble of monuments and a 1,200-year history. The beach is the longest in Gipuzkoa. When planning your trip, you can focus on different things: time by the sea, walks along the coast or a look at the area’s architectural and local history. Zarautz was once a whaling settlement and developed into an important tourist destination from the 19th century onwards. If you are looking for hotels in Zarautz, your preferred focus can help you tailor your trip to your own interests.

Beach, Waves and Promenade

There are waves at the beach all year round, and Zarautz has several surf schools. If you would like to plan a surf lesson, you can check the schools’ current schedules in advance. Beach facilities include showers, toilets, a lifeguard service, and parasols and chairs. For your travel dates, it is advisable to check the availability of these facilities in advance. The promenade offers a different experience: on a walk, you can discover sculptures by various artists and several children’s playgrounds.

Architecture and History in Zarautz

The Gothic Luzea Tower stands in the town centre. Narros Palace is a Renaissance palace; Portu Palace dates from the 16th century. Together, these buildings represent different architectural periods in Zarautz. The archaeological monument complex of Santa María la Real adds another perspective, with remains from the Romanisation period and a medieval necropolis. The latter can be seen through a glass floor. A necropolis is a burial ground, or a place for burials.

The Photomuseum, the Basque Museum of Photography and Film, offers a chronological tour through the techniques of photography and film, as well as art. This places architecture, archaeological evidence and visual culture side by side as different ways of exploring history. The Conjunto Monumental route invites you to enjoy a pleasant walk through Zarautz’s history along its monuments.

Maritime Heritage and Seaside Routes

The Maritime Heritage Trail presents Zarautz’s seafaring heritage through a variety of sites: watchtowers and hermitages on hilltops, as well as the pier, the old harbour and a former mineral-loading station. A coastal footpath also leads from Zarautz along the sea to Getaria. The two routes offer different perspectives: one conveys maritime history through its landmarks, while the other follows the sea towards Getaria.

Nature and Winemaking

Guided walks through the Iñurritza Biotope are offered in Zarautz. If you would like to plan one, check the current dates in advance. Zarautz also has vineyards and wineries belonging to the Txakoli de Getaria designation of origin.

Discover more destinations: Larraul, Abaltzisketa, Llodio, Condado De Treviño

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