It would be tragic to visit San Sebastian without at least taking a stroll along this spectacular urban beach. Two floating pontoons out in the bay are just the spot for sunbathing; beyond them, the small, rocky islet of Santa Clara has a tiny beach that is a prime picnic spot and can be reached by motorboat or hired canoe. The beach is backed by a promenade lined with hotels, seafood restaurants, bars, and a brightly painted carousel. Most city tours, including walking and cycling tours, often stop at the beach, and sailing excursions through the bay offer stellar views from the water.
La Concha Beach is within walking distance of San Sebastian’s old town. If you’re coming from further afield, plan to take a taxi or bus, as parking in the area can be difficult. Motorboats trundle back and forth to Santa Clara every half hour in the summer from El Muelle harbor at the east end of the beach.
The beach fills to bursting in the summer when the bumpy waters of the Bay of Biscay are calm and pleasantly warm to swim in. The Paseo Nuevo promenade that runs the length of La Concha comes alive at night when San Sebastian residents and tourists alike dress up and go out on the town.
While La Concha is San Sebastian’s most popular beach, it’s not the only place for a day of fun in the sun. Ondarreta Beach offers a wide swath of sand popular for volleyball and other beach sports, and on stormy days, the waves attract surfers and bodyboarders. Zurriola Beach ranks as the most popular with surfers in the area and brings in a decidedly young, lively crowd.