Questions re going to a beach town in Europe

[Anonymous]

We are spending a few days at a beach town in Spain at the end of our vacation. I’ve never really done a beach trip in Europe. Should we pack beach towels or do hotels supply them? What about beach chairs? Is it a rent on the beach situation for the chairs? Is there anything else I should think of bringing? I thought a cover up at least for me. Are there issues with people stealing your stuff when you are in swimming? I figured I’d bring a waterproof swim pouch for credit card and phone but I guess we’d leave things like the coverups and towels on the beach?

I’m sorry these questions sound idiotic butt I’m used to American or carribean beach resorts that are right on the beach so all I need to bring is my room card and things are pretty well patrolled.

[Anonymous]

We went to a "beach town" in northern Spain. We stayed at an airbnb and I can't remember what we did for towels: maybe the house had some, or maybe we improvised.

No chairs. I think there were some cafes nearby or adjoining the beach for drinks and things. We always had someone stay on the beach with our stuff, which is how we would operate most places. I would not have felt secure leavinganything unattended. I'm sure it depends on your set-up, but even though the town had a nice beach, it wasn't like being at the Jersey shore where we'd traipse over and spend the day. It was more of a long walk to get to the beach and I think only the kids swam. Getting the sand off the kids was a pain. We didn't really have facilities for that. Do bring some kind of tote bag or backpack for the stuff you want to bring with you.

[Anonymous]

Totally depends on the beach whether there will be facilities, etc. Why not name the beach/town?

FWIW, I always pack an oversized tablecloth in a summer print to use as a beach blanket. You don’t need a towel if it’s hot/sunny enough…you just need a beach blanket and some time.

You should research ahead of time to find a beach that suits your needs. FYI: plenty of beach clubs with chairs/facilities cost a lot and require reservations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went to a "beach town" in northern Spain. We stayed at an airbnb and I can't remember what we did for towels: maybe the house had some, or maybe we improvised.

No chairs. I think there were some cafes nearby or adjoining the beach for drinks and things. We always had someone stay on the beach with our stuff, which is how we would operate most places. I would not have felt secure leavinganything unattended. I'm sure it depends on your set-up, but even though the town had a nice beach, it wasn't like being at the Jersey shore where we'd traipse over and spend the day. It was more of a long walk to get to the beach and I think only the kids swam. Getting the sand off the kids was a pain. We didn't really have facilities for that. Do bring some kind of tote bag or backpack for the stuff you want to bring with you.

We have been to a beach town northeast of Barcelona, and our rental was within a block of the beach. Water warm in August. Everything was within 2 blocks, it was super easy. Just took towels and swim stuff down with key to rental.

[Anonymous]

There are some thin microfiber towels that fold up small and dry quickly. We pack them for almost every trip because it’s just good to have towels on hand. We bought some years ago from amazon and they’ve helped up really well.

[Anonymous]

If you are at a resort, especially one catering to Brits, they will have towels, chairs, etc. Paradors tend to be well supplied too. If it’s just a beach you more likely need your own stuff. Take a look at the beach photos where you are going. If all the chairs and towels are the same it’s supplied. If not you need your own supplies. If you are at an airbnb it lists what they have.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. We are gojng yo San Sebastián, if that helps. It’s just me and and older teen so we won’t have ability to really leave one person on the sand to watch stuff. I’m thinking maybe just run the risk with our towels and cover ups, unless there’s sort of the situation where when you rent chairs it comes with a guy to watch them? We are staying in hotels but the hotels don’t seem to say anything on the website about whether they provide towels, etc., so I didn’t know if there was some norm here that I’m unaware of.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know about Spain, but in Italy it’s common to “rent” chairs for the day at a beach club. It’s inexpensive and I never worried about my stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. We are gojng yo San Sebastián, if that helps. It’s just me and and older teen so we won’t have ability to really leave one person on the sand to watch stuff. I’m thinking maybe just run the risk with our towels and cover ups, unless there’s sort of the situation where when you rent chairs it comes with a guy to watch them? We are staying in hotels but the hotels don’t seem to say anything on the website about whether they provide towels, etc., so I didn’t know if there was some norm here that I’m unaware of.

Call or email the hotel to ask. I think a couple of beaches have cabanas and umbrellas to rent but the main beach (in all the pictures) doesn’t. But double check, we were there 10 years ago so it could have changed.

[Anonymous]

Just to add, I wouldn’t worry about a towel or cover up but wouldn’t leave a phone or wallet, same as any public beach here.

[Anonymous]

When you say San Sebastian, do you mean the actual city? The city tourism website has good info about each beach. click on accessibility and it will give you the deets on each individual beach in terms of showers/towel rental, lifeguards, etc. go early because people tend to camp out all day (there is a big controversy in Spanish beaches about people "reserving" free chairs/spots by getting up at the crack of dawn, putting all their stuff there, and then strolling in at 10 am). also, if you're going to be at the beach at dawn/dusk, put on bug spray because it can get very buggy/mosquito-y if you're walking along the waves.

https://www.sansebastianturismoa.eus/en/to-do/beach-parks/let-s-go-to-the-beach

The best part of Spanish beaches are "chiringuitos"* which are little seasonal seafood restaurants on the sand, incredibly fresh seafood--like, they will have the shrimps wiggling in a bucket in the restaurant kitchen. It's also common to bring a cooler with food and there are people walking around selling food on the beach, too, like ice creams, cans of cold beer, etc.

Bring hand sanitizer or soap for washing your hands. there are also lots of shops to buy anything you might need near beaches like towels, umbrellas, swimsuits, flip flops, etc. No need to lug a big beach towel from the States, just buy one when you get there. Hotels usually also provide beach towels upon request.

*probably they have a different name in euskara

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. We are gojng yo San Sebastián, if that helps. It’s just me and and older teen so we won’t have ability to really leave one person on the sand to watch stuff. I’m thinking maybe just run the risk with our towels and cover ups, unless there’s sort of the situation where when you rent chairs it comes with a guy to watch them? We are staying in hotels but the hotels don’t seem to say anything on the website about whether they provide towels, etc., so I didn’t know if there was some norm here that I’m unaware of.

It’s been a long time since I have been in San Sebastián/Donostia, but the beaches are right in the middle of the city. It’s not like “going to the shore” and definitely not like a resort. The Paseo along the main beach is pretty fancy so you’re not going to want to walk from your hotel to there in your swimsuit. Think - this is more like Central Park in NYC than a beach vacation. I’d probably bring a nice bag, a big scarf to sit on, smallish towels, and wear a cover up that looks nice (like guaze pants and a shirt). leave everything of value in the hotel room and get some kind of swim shorts with a pocket for your room key and a credit card.

The sea there is gorgeous and the unique thing about it is that it’s right there to enjoy without it being a “beach day.” You can just kick off your shoes after dinner and stroll on the beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you say San Sebastian, do you mean the actual city? The city tourism website has good info about each beach. click on accessibility and it will give you the deets on each individual beach in terms of showers/towel rental, lifeguards, etc. go early because people tend to camp out all day (there is a big controversy in Spanish beaches about people "reserving" free chairs/spots by getting up at the crack of dawn, putting all their stuff there, and then strolling in at 10 am). also, if you're going to be at the beach at dawn/dusk, put on bug spray because it can get very buggy/mosquito-y if you're walking along the waves.

https://www.sansebastianturismoa.eus/en/to-do/beach-parks/let-s-go-to-the-beach

The best part of Spanish beaches are "chiringuitos"* which are little seasonal seafood restaurants on the sand, incredibly fresh seafood--like, they will have the shrimps wiggling in a bucket in the restaurant kitchen. It's also common to bring a cooler with food and there are people walking around selling food on the beach, too, like ice creams, cans of cold beer, etc.

Bring hand sanitizer or soap for washing your hands. there are also lots of shops to buy anything you might need near beaches like towels, umbrellas, swimsuits, flip flops, etc. No need to lug a big beach towel from the States, just buy one when you get there. Hotels usually also provide beach towels upon request.

*probably they have a different name in euskara

don’t forget the bags of tiny snails people eat with little pins!

[Anonymous]

San Sebastián is not really a “beach town.” It’s a city with beautiful shorelines and beaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:San Sebastián is not really a “beach town.” It’s a city with beautiful shorelines and beaches.

Like Benidorm