A una ola de distancia

Those lucky enough to have surfed the waves of the Cantabrian Sea know that there are few places in Europe that compare. Discover a tour of the best places to surf in the Basque Country with Akelarre.

San Sebastian

We begin our tour of San Sebastian at Zurriola beach in the Gros district. Almost 900 metres long, this urban beach of sand and rough waves is a favourite destination for many surfers. Gros is the city’s young neighbourhood, where surfing is in the air at every turn.

Zarautz

In the Basque Country, Zarautz is the epicentre of surfing. Surrounded by txakoli vineyards, its beach is one of Europe’s main surfers’ quarries, with such figures as Aritz Aramburu, the first Spaniard to reach the world’s surfing elite. The beach, the longest in Guipúzcoa, offers several areas ideal for both experienced surfers and beginners.

Mundaka

Mundaka is home to the best left wave in Europe and one of the ten best in the world. Laidatxu beach is stunning, whether for surfing or watching the spectacle from the sand. Its waves, which can reach up to 5 metres, offer an endless ride, making it a surfer’s dream. Furthermore, Mundaka is located in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, a paradise of almost deserted beaches, lush nature and charming fishing villages.

Biarritz

It is precisely in this part of the French Basque Country that surfing arrived from the United States to Europe. It was the Californian crew of the production The Sun Also Rises, who fell in love with the waves of the Cantabrian Sea and took off with their boards, encouraging the locals to do the same. The Còte des Basques beach is a surfing hotspot, surrounded by cliffs and rough waves.

Belhara

If you love big waves, near Saint-Jean-de-Luz you will find the renowned Belharra wave, one of the most spectacular in the world. Nicknamed ‘the sleeping giant’ because of its infrequency, when it breaks it reaches 15 metres and its images travel the globe. Belharra is only active when a big storm hits the continent, usually between autumn and winter, offering epic surf sessions with renowned surfers such as Justine Dupont, Jaime Mitchell and Shane Dorian.

Enjoy the exciting world of waves in the Basque Country and discover some real gems on your next visit to Akelarre.