8 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room
- 1 Bed in shared room
Hotel · San Sebastian · Basque Country
Surfing Etxea - Surf Hostel - San Sebastian
A surf-focused hostel minutes from La Zurriola beach, with a sociable bar, free lockers, and a laid-back community feel.
- 2-minute walk to the surf
- Free lockable storage under beds
- In-house bar with local beers
8.6
Great
175 reviews
Booking.com 8.6 · 175 reviews
About
Surfing Etxea - Surf Hostel - San Sebastian
Surfing Etxea is a surf hostel in San Sebastian's Gros neighbourhood, a short walk from La Zurriola beach. It’s a social, community-driven spot with a bar downstairs, a sun terrace, and organised activities like surf lessons and yoga. The hostel keeps things simple and clean, with a focus on meeting people and getting in the water.
The rooms are dormitories with lockers, bed lights, and charging stations, and there’s plenty of common space to hang out. Staff are consistently praised for their friendliness and local recommendations. Note that it’s adults-only and alcohol isn’t allowed in the dorm areas — the bar downstairs is the place to go.
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- No pets allowed
- Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
- 24-hour security
- Adults only
In brief
What works, what to weigh
+
Strengths
4 reasons to book- Prime surf location — Just a two-minute walk from La Zurriola beach, with easy access to the breaks and the local surf scene.
- Social, community atmosphere — Guests consistently mention the friendly vibe and how easy it is to meet people, helped by a communal layout and an on-site bar.
- Clean and practical dorms — Beds come with lights, charging stations, and large lockable storage drawers, and rooms are cleaned daily.
- Supportive, knowledgeable staff — Staff are repeatedly praised for their friendliness, local recommendations, and flexibility — like letting guests shower after check-out.
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Worth weighing
4 to weigh- No alcohol in the hostel — Alcohol isn’t allowed in the dorms or common areas — guests head to the hostel’s own bar downstairs for drinks.
- Strict check-in window — Check-in is only between 14:00 and 23:00, so if you arrive late, you’ll need to plan ahead.
- Adults only — This hostel doesn’t accept children, so it’s not suitable for family stays.
- Check-out starts early — Check-out begins at 06:00, which may mean an early start, though the beds are comfortable enough for a short night.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
Food & Drink
- Coffee shop
- Snack bar
- Bar/ Lounge area
Activities
- Hiking
- Yoga class
- Live entertainment
- Beach access
Facilities
- Terrace
- Sun terrace
- Leisure/ TV room
Services
- Paid shuttle service
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Luggage storage
- 24-hour security
Comfort
- Heating
- Wi-Fi
- Lift
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 8.6/10 from 175 reviews
Booking.com · 8.6 · 175 reviews
8.6Verified guest“We had a brilliant stay — the staff were warm and made us feel welcome from the start. The hostel has a great social buzz and a real community feel. The location is spot on, just a short stroll to the beach and old town. The lockers were big enough for our things, and the surf lesson was a real highlight. A wonderful experience.”
8.6Verified guest“Friendly staff, spotless rooms, and a chilled atmosphere. The central bar is handy, the showers are good, and each bed has a locker underneath. Perfect location, two minutes from the surf. Plenty of space to relax during the day and a decent private bar with street food. The staff share local knowledge and great tips. Ideal for surfers and making friends.”
8.6Verified guest“Unbeatable value — spacious, comfy rooms with balconies. The location is perfect, just a few minutes from the beach, bars, and restaurants.”
8.6Verified guest“The staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome and even let us use the showers after check-out, which was a huge help after our race. Rooms, showers, and living areas were all clean and spacious. The central location made it easy to explore the city and enjoy the old town nightlife. Their friendliness, helpfulness, and flexibility made the stay exceptional. We can't wait to return.”
8.6Verified guest“Rooms came with bed lights, charging points, and large lockers. The staff were friendly and set a good tone. There was storage for boards and wetsuits, and the beach was a short walk away. The bar had a great selection of drinks and food.”
8.6Verified guest“We loved it. The location was perfect, just a quick walk to the beach. Staff gave us great tips for local restaurants. Surfing was a bonus, but we would have enjoyed the hostel anyway. Clean facilities and comfy beds. A fantastic stay — definitely recommend it.”
04 — Location
Getting around San Sebastian
The property sits in San Sebastian.
La Zurriola Beach: The hostel is a short walk from La Zurriola, a popular surf beach in the Gros neighbourhood. It’s the main draw for guests and easy to reach on foot.
Old Town: San Sebastian’s old town, with its bars and pintxos spots, is within walking distance — guests often head there for nightlife and food.
Basque Maritime Museum: The museum, Euskal Itsas Museoa, is about a 20-minute walk away, offering a look at the region’s seafaring history.
Zabaleta, 32, San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 14:00-23:00
- Check-out
- By 06:00-11:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Property
- 25 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 14:00 to 23:00, and check-out is from 06:00 to 11:00.
Is parking available?
There is public parking nearby, but the hostel doesn’t offer its own on-site parking.
Are pets allowed?
No, pets are not allowed at the hostel.
Is there a bar or place to get drinks?
Yes, the hostel has a bar with local beers and street food. Note that alcohol isn’t allowed in the hostel itself, but the bar is downstairs and owned by the hostel.
Are there lockers or storage for my belongings?
Yes, each bed in the dormitory has a large lockable storage drawer underneath, and there’s also a locker room for additional storage.
Is this hostel suitable for families?
No, it’s adults only, so children aren’t accepted.
The bottom line
If you’re in San Sebastian to surf, meet people, and keep things simple, Surfing Etxea delivers. It’s not a luxury stay — it’s a clean, social, well-run hostel with an unbeatable beach location and staff who genuinely care.
8.6Best for surfers and solo travellers who want a sociable base near the waves.
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