Surf Camp San Sebastian Partyhostel

The facilities are basic, but I always had a clean room and a hot shower, and the surf house has a great beach feel. The food was lovely too, especially on BBQ and bolognese nights. I’m really into the sea but had never surfed before, and that was no problem. They set me up with a great beginner lesson and all the equipment I needed. The Stoke workers and volunteers were so friendly. Thanks especially to Anna, James, Akira, and Maddie. They’ll help with anything, and even if you’re travelling alone, they make sure you don’t feel on your own. A fun spot for anyone who loves the beach and wants to surf and party. Thanks, team 😎

The people are what made this feel like a community instead of just a hostel. The hosts were brilliant at making everyone feel at home, and Zeo, the social secretary, was great at bringing guests together and keeping things fun. It was easy to meet people from around the world in the cozy rooms and communal spaces. After surfing or exploring the coast, I loved unwinding at the open bar with beer and sangria. The food was fresh and delicious every time, too. The hostel was spotless, comfortable, and thoughtfully laid out, with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere from the moment I arrived. Between the surf, sunsets, drinks, meals, and people, it was a stay full of great memories. Honestly, it was better than plenty of hotels I’ve tried. If you’re heading to San Sebastián and want good vibes and good company, I’d recommend it.

The house was huge, with a big shared space where guests and volunteers hung out, got silly, and found all sorts of things to do together. There was always something happening, so it was easy to find people to share new experiences with. The volunteers were the nicest, coolest, most fun crew I’ve met, and the other guests were great too. Live music, time on the beach, or just relaxing after surfing, it was all a blast. I spent 10 days at Stoked Surf Hostel San Sebastian in September. The house sits up in the hills with an unreal view over Zarautz and Aia. The walk down to the ocean is short and easy to find, and there’s a shuttle from Zarautz that goes to the beach or various events. The surf instructor really knows how to teach you to read a wave and pop up. I didn’t get past the whitewater myself, but that’s on me, not him. When he was with another group and I wanted a relaxed session, the volunteers were happy to help. They surf too and are genuinely keen to share what they know. Beginners and people who’ve been on two or three surf trips will get a lot out of it, with plenty of beach time, a proper introduction, and helpful people around. More advanced surfers are welcome as well, though beginners seem especially well looked after. Food was next level. The kitchen is open, so you can watch the chef cook with real passion and dedication, with help from the volunteers. It’s genuinely delicious, three times a day, for a ridiculously small budget. There’s beer and sangria at the bar, both great on their own, but you have to try them together. We called it 'Bangria' and stand by that. 10/10 would recommend. The hostel activities were a lot of fun. Beer Olympics involved a frankly concerning amount of alcohol, and I had a massive time, though I weirdly can’t remember how the night ended 😅. Paintball was insanely fun, and our so-called pub quiz was a riot. There was always volleyball at the beach, too. I skipped yoga this time, but I’m 100% catching up on that next year. The rooms were great, with loads of bathrooms, a huge plus. The whole place gets cleaned every day while everyone’s at the beach, so you come back from surfing to a spotless house. Pure magic. You can book little extras from the volunteers, like shuttle rides and laundry service, for a small fee. Bring some cash so you can give them a few bills as a thank you. We had so much fun on the outings. We explored Getaria’s historic old town, castles, and beautiful architecture, then surfed, shopped, and ate our way around Zarautz. We went to San Sebastián for an epic, very German-style intense bar tour with mad dancing and partying, and spent time in Orio, including at a beach bar with live music and an unbeatable atmosphere. I went in September and got lucky with the weather: mostly sunny and warm, with maybe one or two rainy moments and one cloudy beach day. Otherwise, pure gold. If you’re on the fence, just book it. Come for the surf, stay for the Bangria, and leave with new friends. 🌊🏄‍♂️

We had wonderful views, and buses run down to connect with Zarautz and Orio. San Sebastián is an easy day trip if you want to visit the museum or try local dishes. The crew were so friendly and made us feel incredibly welcome. Anna, Tommy, Zoe, James, Lisa, Megan, Benjy, and all the other staff seemed ready to meet every need and keep the atmosphere at 10/10. Reuben’s scran was delicious and nutritious, a real treat at every meal. Genuinely the best hostel I’ve stayed in, and I’d definitely recommend it.