The Palace of Narros, located adjacent to Zarautz's 2.8 km (1.7 mi) long beach, is where Queen Isabella II and Fabiola of Belgium once spent their summer holidays.

At the end of the 19th century, and the beginning of the 20th century, the popularity of Zarautz as a luxury tourist destination grew, and many well-known people began to holiday there: Umberto II of Italy, Marlene Dietrich, Jackie Kennedy... A number of lavish houses and mansions sprang up, particularly along the beach.

Zarautz is home town of one of the most famous cooks in Spain, Karlos Arguiñano, whose hotel and restaurant can be found right in front of the beach.

Zarautz has two railway stations, and trains (Euskotren Trena) connect it with San Sebastian and Bilbao.

Santa Maria la Real is the main church, with a very interesting altar piece and a Romanesque structure.

Over the last few years, it has become incredibly popular among surfers, and even a number of surfing schools have been established (Zarautz, Pukas).

In recent times, the event has become a club competition in which the French champion Girondins de Bordeaux has won most of the top prizes.