Destination Surf: Basque Country

As far as the eye can see, The Basque Country offers 200km of pristine coastline that will take your breath away. It’s this magical place in Europe where some of the best European surfers hail from and where world-class surf events used to take place. If you’re thinking about travelling to The Basque Country, explore its endless coastline during the fall to winter, when the swell is at its peak.

Photo Credit: Oldyoungsea.com

Mundaka

Located in the UNESCO Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, Mundaka is a world-class surf break. Considered to have the best left-hand wave in the world, surfers flock here when the swell is up.

Zurriola

Surf schools, board rental shops and big swells, Zurriola is a favourite among San Sebastian’s beaches. With a consistent, medium-quality beachbreak this break is best on small swell days. Located almost in the heart of the town centre, this is the place to be if you’re looking for a little bit of everything at a surf-break.

Photo Credit: Travel Basque Country

Zarautz

The ‘Queen of Beaches’ may always be crowded but has consistent waves that don’t require a huge swell to come in to be good. There’s a very high level of surfing here, so keep an eye out of pecking order here.

La Salvaje

Huge waves, a windswept beach and close by to Bilbao, La Salvaje, meaning ‘the wild one’, is home to pretty epic surf. This exposed beach and reef break is good at all tides with the optimum swell coming from the northwest.  

Photo Credit: Drift Surfing

Biarritz

Country hop across the border to France where a famous surf break lies. When the surf is good, or it’s the sweet summer, expect this beach to be jam-packed with surfers and tourists alike. The sandbanks are shaped by the rocks that trim the southerly wind.

From good food to historical places worth taking endless photographs of, The Basque Country is known for its beauty in and out of the water. Take to its shoreline and fall in love with the surf culture in this picturesque place.