A stroll in Zumaia, a beautiful seaside town!

Come visit the city of Zumaia ! Located at the mouth of the Urola River, this attractive seaside town offers a multitude of activities, beautiful scenery, heritage sites, and excellent coastal hikes. Of course, we mustn't forget its beaches, which are perfect for relaxation or water sports and leisure activities, whichever you prefer! We visited at the end of the day, and you'll see that the sunsets are truly remarkable!

Zumaia, coastal town in Gipuzkoa

Park in the car parks outside Zumaia. We tell you this every time, but it's important because you might end up driving around looking for a spot when everything is set up to make your visit easier. There are car parks where you can stay for an hour or two, but we quickly moved the car to make the most of our time. Parking is good near the port !

Zumaia Bay is stunning and vibrant, where two rivers converge. The mouth is narrow but beautiful, ending in a lovely natural area and Santiago Beach, a perfect spot for sunset ! The town is easily explored on foot, but we opted for rollerblades! Be sure to pack shoes for climbing the hills ! Once you've parked near the port, a small ferry takes you to the other side of town; it's fun and only costs a few euros. You can also walk around the town by crossing the bridge and following the riverbanks along the Urola River. The Zumaia Tourist Information Center is located there.

Zumaia boasts a stunning panorama, as it's built near steep cliffs that plunge into the sea. Like much of the coastline in this area, it's covered in flysch, a striking geological formation of limestone and sandstone, which you can admire: these are rocky outcrops, sometimes almost horizontal, that resemble folds in the landscape! The marina is pleasant, and you often see boats heading out to sea; it's very idyllic.

The old town still retains a strong medieval character, including the Church of San Pedro (13^th century, Gothic style), whose altarpiece is remarkable. Beautiful palaces and noble houses are scattered across the hills; take a stroll through the narrow streets. Zumaia boasts several beaches, most notably Itzurun Beach, near the San Telmo Hermitage, a small chapel with a stunning view of the cliffs.

What to do and see around Zumaia?

• The patron saint festivals of San Telmo and San Pedro are the two highlights of the city.
• You can visit the Zuloaga Museum in Zumaia, which displays the works of a renowned painter (Ignacio Zuloaga) in a house and a small chapel.
• Visit other coastal villages in the surrounding area, for example: Getaria and Zarautz.

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