Ondarreta Beach
A wide, golden-sand beach in San Sebastián, offering a relaxed vibe, water sports, and views of Miramar Palace.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, pleasant sun
Ondarreta Beach
Best Time
Fewer crowds, pleasant sun
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A wide, golden-sand beach in San Sebastián, offering a relaxed vibe, water sports, and views of Miramar Palace.
"The place, wow wow wow I loved and I gonna to visit it more and more."
Bring your beach essentials
Save on rentals by bringing your own towel, umbrella, and beach shoes.
Check wave conditions
Ondarreta is great for surfing on rougher days. Ask locals for the best times.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Golden Sands
The main stretch of the beach
Wide, inviting golden sands perfect for sunbathing and relaxation.
Miramar Palace Views
Overlooking the beach
Enjoy the picturesque backdrop of the historic royal summer residence.
Surfing & Bodyboarding Waves
The water's edge on choppier days
Catch some waves when the conditions are right for water sports.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Local Vibe
Best for Active Days
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Bring your beach essentials
Save on rentals by bringing your own towel, umbrella, and beach shoes.
Check wave conditions
Ondarreta is great for surfing on rougher days. Ask locals for the best times.
Explore nearby
Combine your beach visit with a stroll through Miramar Palace gardens.
Family-friendly waters
Shallow waters make it ideal for kids to play safely.
Tips
from all over the internet
Bring your beach essentials
Save on rentals by bringing your own towel, umbrella, and beach shoes.
Check wave conditions
Ondarreta is great for surfing on rougher days. Ask locals for the best times.
Explore nearby
Combine your beach visit with a stroll through Miramar Palace gardens.
Family-friendly waters
Shallow waters make it ideal for kids to play safely.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Ondarreta Beach is praised for its spacious golden sands and picturesque setting, offering a more relaxed alternative to La Concha. Visitors appreciate its family-friendly shallow waters and suitability for surfing on choppier days. However, some find the water quite cold and the beach can get very crowded in August.
"Ondarreta Beach, located in San Sebastián's Antiguo neighborhood, offers a serene seaside experience distinct from the bustling La Concha Beach.
Nestled between Mount Igeldo and the Miramar Palace gardens, Ondarreta Beach provides a picturesque setting within La Concha Bay. Its golden sands stretch approximately 600 meters in length and 100 meters in width, offering ample space for relaxation and recreation.
The beach is well-equipped with facilities catering to various interests:
• Sports: Visitors can enjoy activities such as volleyball, beach tennis, and football. On stormy days, the waters attract surfers and bodyboarders seeking thrilling waves.
• Family-Friendly Environment: The shallow waters and gentle waves make it an ideal spot for families with children.
• Services: Amenities include sunshade and sun lounger rentals, ensuring a comfortable beach experience.
Ondarreta Beach is easily accessible by foot or car, with nearby parking facilities. Its urban location ensures proximity to various services and attractions, enhancing the convenience for visitors.
The beach exudes a genteel atmosphere, characterized by blue-and-white-striped canvas beach cabanas that add to its charm. Overlooked by the historic Miramar Palace, once a royal summer residence, Ondarreta offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage."
Zoran Jovanovic
"Wide beach, packed with people in August. Don't really like it. The water is dead cold and not so clean. We had a coffee and a quick swim and back to the old town."
Effie Lazaridou
"Visited for a walk after hotel check in. Many people enjoyed sun tunning, running, walking and relaxing. I wish I could visit again with beech goods like half pants, beech shoes and towel. It looks like facility has shower and lockers etc."
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What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Ondarreta Beach is easily accessible in San Sebastián. You can walk from the city center, take a local bus, or drive and use nearby parking facilities. It's a pleasant stroll along the bay.
Yes, there are parking facilities available near Ondarreta Beach, though they can fill up quickly during peak season. Consider public transport or walking if possible.
Absolutely! Ondarreta Beach is just a short, scenic walk from La Concha Beach, passing by the Miramar Palace. It's a lovely coastal path.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Ondarreta Beach is a public beach, so there is no entrance fee to access the sand and water. You only pay for optional services like sunbed rentals.
Ondarreta Beach is open 24/7 as it's a public space. However, facilities like restrooms and refreshment stands will have specific operating hours, typically during daylight and early evening.
You don't need to book anything to visit Ondarreta Beach itself. If you plan to rent sunbeds or umbrellas, you can usually do so on arrival, but booking might be wise during the busiest times.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Ondarreta Beach offers showers, restrooms, and sunshade/sun lounger rentals. There's also a refreshment stand for snacks and drinks.
Yes, Ondarreta Beach is very family-friendly due to its shallow waters and gentle waves, making it a safe place for children to play.
Ondarreta Beach is popular with surfers and bodyboarders, especially on days with choppier seas. It's a great spot for catching waves.
The water at Ondarreta Beach, like much of the Cantabrian Sea, is quite cold year-round. Visitors often find it bracing but refreshing.
While not explicitly mentioned in all reviews, some visitors suggest lockers might be available. It's best to confirm on-site or with local tourist information if this is a priority.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there's a refreshment stand directly on Ondarreta Beach for quick bites. For a wider selection of pintxos and meals, the nearby Antiguo neighborhood and San Sebastián's Old Town are excellent choices.
The refreshment stand typically offers snacks, drinks, and light options suitable for a beach day. For more substantial meals, explore the surrounding areas.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the beach with the Miramar Palace in the background for a classic shot. The wide expanse of sand and the bay offer many picturesque angles, especially during sunrise or sunset.
Ondarreta Beach is highly photogenic, offering beautiful golden sands, the elegant Miramar Palace, and views across La Concha Bay. The unique blue-and-white striped cabanas also add charm.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Beyond the water, the beach is well-equipped with facilities like restrooms and showers, which are always a plus with little ones. You can also rent sunbeds and umbrellas for added comfort. Consider packing beach toys and snacks, though there is a refreshment stand available for convenience. The proximity to the Miramar Palace gardens also offers a nice change of scenery for a family stroll.
🏄♀️ Surfers and Water Sports Enthusiasts
Even if you don't surf, watching the action from the shore can be entertaining. On days with good swell, the beach comes alive with water sports enthusiasts. It's a refreshing contrast to the calmer waters of La Concha and offers a more dynamic beach experience.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Ondarreta vs. La Concha: Choosing Your Beach
Ondarreta Beach, situated at the western end of the bay, offers a slightly more relaxed and spacious feel. It's backed by the beautiful gardens of the Miramar Palace and has a more local vibe. While still popular, it tends to be less packed than La Concha, especially outside of peak August days. Ondarreta is also the go-to spot for surfing and bodyboarding when the sea conditions are right, adding an active element not as prominent on La Concha.
If you're looking for the quintessential San Sebastián beach experience with easy access to city amenities and a bustling atmosphere, La Concha is your pick. For a more laid-back day, a bit more space, and a chance to catch some waves, Ondarreta is the ideal choice. Many visitors enjoy walking between the two, experiencing the best of both worlds.
Surfing and Water Sports at Ondarreta
When the waves are up, you'll see a mix of locals and visitors enjoying the water. It's common to see people with surfboards and bodyboards heading into the water, especially during the autumn and winter months, but also on choppier days in summer. If you're interested in trying surfing, you might find surf schools or rental shops nearby that cater to Ondarreta's conditions. Always check the local forecast and be aware of the currents.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit