The 10 Best Basque Country Hotels for Beach Lovers
With more than one hundred miles of coastline in the Basque Country, it is no wonder this is one of the premiere beach destinations in Europe. The rugged, rocky coastal geography between Bilbao and Zarautz has created a series of striking islets, cliff-side coves, and hidden gems of seaside fishing villages to explore. Those wane into the white sand beaches to the east, which has resulted in some of the most stunning resort towns on the continent. Today, the region is the epicenter of European surfing. Whether you’re looking to ride some waves, have a swim, or soak up the sun, below are the best hotels in the Basque Country for hitting the beach.
Hotel Iturregi
Why it made the list
Guests can escape the crowds at this secluded luxury rural house in the hills above the colorful fishing village of Getaria. Within minutes you can find yourself along the scenic winding coastal road connecting the little seaside towns in the region. The beaches of Getaria below the hotel are a quiet alternative to the more popular Playa de Zarautz, also just a fifteen-minute drive away.
Villa Soro
Why it made the list
Easy access to the beach is an essential quality for making this list. At Villa Soro not only are guests just a ten-minute walk to the surfer-favorite Playa de Zurriola in San Sebastián but the hotel also offers complimentary beach bags to guests on their way, complete with towels and water and sunscreen. Free bikes are also available that speed up the otherwise long walk to the city’s other beach, the famed La Concha bay.
Hotel Atalaya
Why it made the list
The serene beach town of Mundaka, just 45-minutes from Bilbao, is famous for its waves that break here in the winter and for its calm, friendly beaches in the summer. Hotel Atalaya overlooks the main square with views of the ocean beyond and is just a five-minute walk from the town’s main beach.
Hotel Arrizul Congress
Why it made the list
San Sebastián dominates this list and for good reason: the resort destination is considered one of the most beautiful beach towns in the entire world. And we have to agree with that. Hotel Arrizul Congress is just five blocks off of the Playa de Zurriola boardwalk. The castle and statue of Jesus atop Monte Urgoll overlook the long beach, which is a favorite of surfers but also provides great swimming and tons of space to find your own little parcel of sand to relax on.
Hotel Parma
Why it made the list
Enviously located in the Old Town of San Sebastián where the ramparts meet the sea, the simple hotel boasts a number of rooms with views of the ocean and the Playa de Zurriola in the distance. It’s a quick walk to both the beaches of Zurriola and La Concha.
Legazpi Doce
Why it made the list
This boutique San Sebastián hotel has a spectacular location equidistant to Playa de Zurriola and the utterly enchanting La Concha bay, each less than a five-minute walk away. While we wouldn’t advertise this as an ocean view property, you actually can see a nice sliver of La Concha Bay from the balconies of the rooms that overlook Plaza Gipuzkoa.
Saiaz Getaria Hotel
Why it made the list
You never have to take your eyes off of the ocean at this grand medieval tower turned elegant hotel in Getaria. The property at the top of the charming fishing village towers over a rugged cove and secluded beach below. Sea-view rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and waves rolling into the cove lull guests to sleep every night. At the base of town, next to the little harbor, is a protected beach for sunbathers and swimmers. The beach town of Zarautz, with its sprawling playa and boardwalk and seaside bars, is just a six-minute drive away.
Hotel Zubieta
Why it made the list
The splendid seaside town of Lekeitio is one of the region’s best-kept secrets. The beaches here are a favorite summer destination for residents of Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and the other inland cities of the Basque Country, but few people outside of that know to venture here. Just a five-minute-walk to the beach but tucked away in a rustic corner of town is Hotel Zubieta, the perfect residence for beach lovers who want the experience of a resort town without the tourist crowds.
Hotel María Cristina
Why it made the list
The most esteemed hotel in all the Basque Country also boasts mesmerizing views of the San Sebastián estuary as it empties into the sea. The hotel is well located right between both the city’s main beaches, and towels are provided to all guests. It’s a quick walk to both the surfer-preferred beach of Zurriola and the more swimmer friendly La Concha bay.
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
Why it made the list
This historic luxury hotel sprawls along the boardwalk of San Sebastián’s picturesque playa de La Concha, a long, crescent-moon-shaped bay in the center of the city and reminiscent of a shell, with a pearl of an islet rising out of the water where the bay meets the open waters of the ocean beyond. Queen Isabel II was so impressed by its beauty that she had her entire court relocated to this promenade every summer. The bay has remained the crème de le crème beach to sunbath and swim since then (even a favorite of Ernest Hemingway), as evident by the hoards of Spanish and international vacationers that now descend on the bay every peak season. Oceanfront rooms at the hotel provide some of the best beach views imaginable.
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