Santiago Beach and the River Urola

A half-day plan in which you walk to Santiago Beach along one of Zumaia's numerous footpaths and then come back by boat along the river.

Photographer: L.M. Alkorta

Characteristics:

Half-day plan.
Ideal for children and families.
Get to know the natural area.
Discover new landscapes.
Come back by boat.
Learn about local industrial heritage.
Learn about local maritime heritage.

Description:

A pleasant plan for a morning or an afternoon, ideal for families with young children. In the past, Santiago Beach has always played second fiddle to Itzurun Beach, but recent efforts to make it more accessible have resulted in a spectacular rise in its popularity. A visit to the beach also affords an unbeatable opportunity to learn about the biodiversity of the protected wetland area, thanks to the information panels set up along the route. The plan is divided into two parts:

Start by walking towards Sanitago Beach along the path that also serves as a cycle track. Along the way you will have the chance to learn about the wetland area located between the Marina and 'Santiago Etxea house', which belongs to the family of the Basque painter Zuloaga, thanks to a panel which provides information about its biodiversity and the birds that nest there. After reaching Santiago Beach and going down to the dunes, you will find more information panels. Weather permitting, you may want to take a swim in the beach’s calm waters, and if the bar is open, why not have a drink or a snack while enjoying the magnificent view?
If you want, you can return to the town centre by boat. This service, which runs every half an hour during the summer months, offers a great opportunity to enjoy the delights of the River Urola. Out of summer, you can always walk back to the town by following the amazing route marked in green on the map of pedestrian itineraries in Zumaia (download the map here).
We recommend that you read the panels located at different points in Zumaia, in order to learn about the town's rich industrial (and sometimes maritime) heritage, which despite its importance is relatively little known (the location of these panels is marked on the 'tourist map' available from both the Tourist Information Centre and the website: www.zumaia.eus/turismo).

Please respect the environment at all times!
Whether you are on the beach, enjoying a walk in the countryside, going on a boat trip or engaging in some kind of outdoor activity, please respect all recommendations regarding nature and the environment, and try, whenever possible, to minimise the impact of other people's carelessness (for example, taking your own litter home with you and picking up that left by others).