Gipuzkoa, The Basque Country
Where ancient heritage, the high life and the full force of the Atlantic collide
Gipuzloka lies West of the Spanish-French border, taking in San Sebastian and Zarautz.
San Sebastian is the capital city, full of culture, nightlife and a sensational surf scene along with satellite towns Irun and Zarautz.
The Gipuzkoa coast is peppered with 5/6 beaches along the 86km stretch. Autumn is the best time of year, with consistent long-period swells accompanied by offshore winds and warm water temps.
Regards gear, wetsuits, you can trunk it during the summer, a 3/2mm is sufficient for Autumn and a 4/3mm with booties for Winter. Anything from a fish to a gun surfboard could serve you well.
The best types of swell are long-period pulses from the North-West, although a powerful Westerly swell can also light up the coast. The best spots along the coast are big waves breaking on rock bottom, like Roca Puta and Deba. Before entering the water take your time and talk to some of the locals, who’ll give you invaluable advice.
Campsites in San Sebastian are ideal to set your base and from there integrate into local Basque society. San Sebastian nightlife is epic with drinking holes in the old part of town ‘la parte vieja’ followed by the infamous Bataplan nightclub, female folly. Hop down to Reyes Catolicos district, where you’ll find good music and interesting people. Also, Zarautz has a good nightlife in the summer where you can flirt with El Marmol, local Pablo Garcia’s El Dada or El Sausalito’s drinking dens.
Admire the local surf talent with a beer, trek on over to Zarautz where you’ll spot the up-coming surfers over a cold beer in the Arginano seafront restaurant. The Basque food is world renowned, tuck into pintxos. Calle 31 de Agosto will treat your belly.
Tips
Visit San Sebastian
Munch on some pintxos at a local bar before hitting up a cider house for dinner – bloody veal chop is a speciality.
Catch the funicular to the top of Mt Igueldo and get tickets to the Swiss Mountain ride.
Explore the satellite Basque villages and markets