At Zumaia the cliffs look like a stack of books tipped on their side: layer after layer of rock laid down on the sea floor over millions of years, now standing almost upright along the coast. It is called flysch, and this stretch, part of the Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark, is one of the best places in Europe to see it.
What to do
- Itzurun beach and San Telmo. Walk down from the small hermitage of San Telmo to Itzurun beach, below the cliffs. At low tide the rock platform (the *rasa*) opens up in front of the flysch; this is when to come.
- The coastal path to Deba. A spectacular walk of a few hours along the cliffs; part of the coastal GR route.
- Boat trips run from Zumaia's port in season and show the cliffs from the sea.
- The Geopark centre in town explains the geology and runs guided walks.
Tips
Check the tide tables before you go: the platform only shows at low tide, and the beach almost disappears at high tide. Take shoes with grip; the rock is slippery.
Getting there
Zumaia is on the coast road between San Sebastián and Bilbao. By Euskotren from San Sebastián in about 45 minutes, or by car; combine it with Getaria next door. Game of Thrones filmed here too, which explains the crowds on summer afternoons.
Staying connected
Tide tables, the train timetable and the path map are on your phone, and the cliffs have patchy coverage. A data eSIM for Spain gives you local data from the moment you land.