Beaches & Isla de Santa Clara

Fulfilling almost every idea of how a perfect city beach should be formed, Playa de la Concha and its westerly extension, Playa de Ondarreta, are easily among the best city beaches in Europe. Throughout the long summer months a fiesta atmosphere prevails, with thousands of tanned and toned bodies spread across the sands. The swimming is almost always safe. The Isla de Santa Clara, about 700m from the beach, is accessible by boats that run every half-hour from June to September from the fishing port. At low tide the island gains its own tiny beach.

Less popular, but just as showy, Playa de Gros (Playa de la Zurriola), east of Río Urumea, is the city's main surf beach. Though swimming here is more dangerous than at Playa de la Concha, it has more of a local vibe.