Zumaia Flysch & Itzurun Beach
Itzurun hondartza, Zumaia
The heart of the Basque Coast Geopark, with flysch cliffs like tilted layers of cake running along the coast; the filming location for Dragonstone in Game of Thrones.
Zumaia lies about 30 kilometres west of San Sebastián. The Itzurun Beach beside the town is surrounded by towering flysch cliffs: layers of marine sedimentary rock thrust almost vertically into the sea, recording some 60 million years of geological history. They include the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary, which marks the extinction of the dinosaurs. The area is part of the Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark.
Above the beach, the Ermita de San Telmo (San Telmo Chapel) is a popular viewpoint, and the Dragonstone scenes from Season 7 of Game of Thrones were filmed nearby. At low tide you can walk on the rock platforms. The geopark visitor centre offers guided hikes and boat trips to view the cliffs (reservation required).
From San Sebastián, a bus or Euskotren takes about an hour, and it can be combined with neighbouring Getaria for a day trip. Outside low tide, the rocks are slippery, so return before the tide comes in.
Opening hours
Open all day; visitor center and tours per the geopark's official website
Nearby sights
- Getaria
- Zarautz
- Sanctuary of Loyola
- Monte Igueldo
- Lekeitio
- Peine del Viento (Comb of the Wind)
- Ondarreta Beach
- Miramar Palace