Cala de Santa Clara, Sandy beach on Santa Clara Island, San Sebastián, Spain
Cala de Santa Clara is a sand beach on the north side of Santa Clara Island with views across the bay toward the city. The shoreline features a gently sloping sandy bed and is lined with rocky points at both ends.
During the 1597 plague outbreak, this island served as a quarantine zone to isolate the sick from the city. A lighthouse now stands where a chapel once stood to serve those in isolation.
The island functions as a gathering place where locals come to spend afternoons by the water and walk the surrounding paths. You can see how residents use the space naturally, coming back again and again throughout the year.
The beach becomes submerged during high tide, so visiting at low tide gives you much more sand to walk on and explore. Plan your trip to align with the tidal schedule to make the most of the shoreline and water access.
A series of swimming platforms with slides and trampolines marks a playful water route between the mainland and this island. These platforms create an unexpected way for visitors to enter the water while enjoying an interactive experience.
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