The Spanish town of San Sebastián, or Donostia as the locals call it, is one of Spain’s best-kept secrets. Set along the country’s northern coast, this beautiful city combines pristine white-sand beaches right in the center, elegant historic landmarks, and a renowned food scene. It is a rare mix you will not find anywhere else in Spain. Despite everything it has to offer, surprisingly few international travelers have discovered it yet, and it is time to change that.
If you have landed on this blog, chances are you are already thinking about visiting this charming Basque coastal gem. Take it from us: it is absolutely worth the trip. To help you make the most of your visit, we have collected our best insider tips, from must-see sights to cozy places to stay and all the hotspots you should not miss.
How To Get to San Sebastian?
San Sebastián sits in the far northeast of Spain, just below the French border and right on the Bay of Biscay. It is one of the larger cities in the Basque Country, a region with its own language, culture, and celebrated cuisine. If you are road-tripping through northern Spain, there is a good chance you will pass right by it, and you should absolutely plan to stop. It is also easy to combine a visit here with a wider Basque Country itinerary or even a detour into the Spanish Pyrenees.
If you are planning a weekend getaway or a city break, San Sebastián does have its own airport with flights from several European cities, although fares can be expensive. A more budget-friendly option is to fly into Bilbao, the Basque capital, which has many more connections. From there, you can rent a car or continue by public transport, which makes it easy to reach San Sebastián and explore the surrounding region.
Where To Stay in San Sebastian?
We visited San Sebastián in our self-built camper van and parked at a beautiful spot right on the coast, within walking distance of the city center. This paid day-and-night parking area sits at the foot of Monte Urgull, conveniently close to public restrooms (find it here on the map).
If you are not bringing your own home on wheels, you will want a comfortable place to stay in the city center. The Old Town is the perfect area, tucked behind the small harbor and the sheltered bay. Some great options in San Sebastián’s Old Town include:
- Room Mate Gorka – a stylish, trendy hotel in the heart of the Old Town
- Zenit Convento San Martin – a historic former convent with a rooftop pool
- Lasala Plaza Hotel – a sleek modern hotel right on the beach
- Hotel Boutique Villa Favorite – offering luxury rooms with stunning sea views
- Hotel Trueba – a budget-friendly yet stylish choice
The 10 Best Places to Visit in San Sebastian
#1 The old town of San Sebastian: Parte Vieja
San Sebastián’s historic center is the city’s most atmospheric quarter. Narrow lanes wind between tall townhouses and open onto grand avenues lined with ornate buildings. You will wander past leafy parks, under elegant colonnades, and over elaborate bridges as the Urumea River flows into the sea. The best way to experience the Old Town is to simply get lost in it and let each corner surprise you.
If you prefer a route to follow, make sure to include these highlights:
- The old city gate at the harbor end of Portu Kalea
- The underground Mercado de la Bretxa market
- Gipuzkoa Plaza, a peaceful park with bridges, fountains, and statues
- The striking modern Kursaal congress center
- The scenic banks of the Urumea River
- The ornate María Cristina Bridge with its white and gold sculptures
- The Miramar Palace gardens
#2 The City Beaches: Playa de Ondarreta, Playa de la Concha and Playa de Zurriola
San Sebastián is famous for its beaches right in the middle of the city. Lining the sweeping curve of La Concha Bay are three golden-sand beaches just steps from the Old Town: Playa de Ondarreta, Playa de la Concha and Playa de Zurriola. In summer, they are perfect for sunbathing and swimming, and even during our sunny November visit, a few locals were still braving the water or lounging on the sand.
Leave your beach towel behind for a stroll along the seaside promenade. This elegant boulevard traces the arc of the bay, perfect for a leisurely walk from the harbor and Old Town near Monte Urgull to the far end at Monte Igueldo. Along the way you will enjoy spectacular views of the beaches and bay. Be sure to pause at the Balcón del Bicentenario viewpoint, just below the Miramar Palace, which sits on the rocky outcrop between La Concha’s two main beaches and offers a breathtaking panorama.
#3 The cable car to Monte Igueldo
Earlier we mentioned the two hilltops that frame San Sebastián’s bay. Monte Igueldo is the southern one, and at its peak, 180 meters above sea level, you will find a small amusement park. The park itself is quite modest and not particularly worth visiting, but the view from the top is unforgettable. To reach the highest point of the hill, you can climb the old lighthouse. This tower was built in 1854, but it never fully served its purpose because the hill is often covered in mist. Today, the lighthouse is mainly used as a viewpoint and as an exhibition space.
If climbing to the top feels like too much effort, there is an easier way to enjoy the view. From the promenade along the bay, a cable car runs straight to the summit. A return ticket costs €3.75 for adults, making it a simple and convenient way to take in the breathtaking panorama from Monte Igueldo.
#4 The Basque pinxtos and hotspots of San Sebastian
One of the highlights of visiting San Sebastián is discovering the local Basque cuisine. The city is especially famous for pintxos, a type of tapa served on a small slice of bread, often held together with a skewer. The word “pincho” actually means skewer. Pintxos are unique to this region and an absolute must during your visit. They are hard to miss, as the Old Town is full of pintxos bars. Many of them display their creations on the counter, and most also offer a menu with even more tempting options.
How you order and pay for pintxos can vary from bar to bar. In some places you keep the skewers and pay at the end based on how many you have eaten. In other bars you simply point to what you want at the counter and pay right away. This is especially handy because not all pintxos today still come with the traditional skewer. If you, like us, follow a vegetarian diet, finding good pintxos can be more challenging. Most of them include some type of meat or, as you would expect in a coastal town, fish. We did not find a bar with a large variety of vegetarian pintxos, so it does take some effort to track them down.
That does not mean there are no vegetarian options at all. Some great places that serve mainly or exclusively vegetarian or vegan food include:
- Kafe Botanika, with its Instagram-worthy garden and terrace
- Mapa Verde, just outside the Old Town, offering mostly vegan options
- Km.0, near the María Cristina Bridge, serving modern vegan meals
As espresso lovers, we also had fun exploring the best coffee spots in San Sebastián. We enjoyed plenty of specialty coffee (or tea in Maartje’s case) at some of the trendiest cafés. Two favorites were the very popular Old Town Coffee near the cathedral and the stylish Koh Tao in the heart of the Old Town.
#5 The Sunset from the Promenade
We already suggested that you go beyond simply relaxing on the beach and take a walk along the boulevard that curves around La Concha Bay. The best time to do this is at sunset. As we walked from Monte Igueldo to Monte Urgull, the views were breathtaking. We watched the sun sink behind the hills while the sky lit up in shades of yellow, orange, and red. The walk from one end of the bay to the other takes about 40 minutes, which makes it a perfect way to end the day. Afterwards you can head back into the Old Town for a few more pintxos and drinks, rounding off the evening in true Basque style.
#6 The Statue of Jesus on Monte Urgull
We have already mentioned the view from Monte Igueldo, but with two hills in the city there is also a second spectacular viewpoint to enjoy. Monte Igueldo has the convenience of a cable car, while Monte Urgull is only reachable on foot. The good news is that this hill rises directly next to the Old Town, so you do not have to walk the entire promenade first.
At the top of Monte Urgull stands a large statue of Jesus that can be seen from many places in the city. Comparing it to Rio de Janeiro might be a bit of a stretch, but it is certainly one of San Sebastián’s most iconic sights. The hill rises to nearly 125 meters, and the statue adds another 30 meters. It stands on the highest point of the old castle ruins, which you can also explore while visiting Monte Urgull.
#7 The Cathedral of San Sebastián, the Santa Maria del Coro in the Church of San Vicente
In a country like Spain, it is no surprise to find countless churches in every old city center, and San Sebastián is no exception. The three we found most impressive are the Cathedral, Santa María del Coro and San Vicente. The Cathedral is the largest church in the city and stands on a spacious square. It is impossible to miss this monumental landmark while exploring the Old Town.
Less prominent but just as captivating is Santa María del Coro, located near the harbor and Monte Urgull. This church is tucked away on a side street, yet its ornate Baroque design makes it stand out. Step inside to admire the lavish architecture, where the rich decoration continues throughout the interior. A unique feature of this church is that its intricately decorated main entrance is positioned on the side of the building, allowing visitors to enter directly into the heart of the church rather than facing the altar at the far end, as is more common.
San Vicente lies not far from Santa María del Coro and is a more understated church built in an older Gothic style. Its pointed arches and stained-glass windows, hallmarks of Gothic architecture, make it well worth visiting as well. During our visit the morning sun shone through one of the windows, filling the church with a stunning display of colored light.
#8 The Park by Palacio de Miramar
The former royal palace of Miramar does not feel particularly Spanish and looks more like something you would find in England. It was built in 1893 and clearly reflects English architectural traditions. The palace was commissioned by Queen Maria Christina of Spain, who loved spending her summers in San Sebastián. In the 1970s the royal family sold the palace to the city, and unfortunately it is no longer open to visitors.
The surrounding gardens, however, are open to the public and are well worth a visit. One striking feature is how they stretch all the way down to the beach and the promenade, connected by a tunnel that crosses over the road and former tram tracks. The gardens are free to enter, although they have set opening hours, so it is worth checking ahead and planning your visit.
#9 Santa Clara Island
San Sebastián actually has not just two, but three hills. The third one rises from the middle of the bay as the small island of Santa Clara. In summer you can reach it easily by boat, or if you are feeling adventurous, you can swim or kayak across. The shortest distance from the beach to the island is about 400 meters. Along the way there are several floating platforms where you can rest if the swim becomes tiring.
Once on the island you will find a small beach, a lighthouse, a restaurant, and even public showers and toilets to make your visit comfortable. In the winter months, boats do not operate and swimming is not recommended.
#10 A Free Walking Tour
If you want to learn more about San Sebastián and make sure you do not miss any of its highlights, we highly recommend joining a free walking tour. Free walking tours are one of our favorite ways to explore a city, and San Sebastián has several excellent options. You might think we are being paid to say this because we mention them so often in our blogs. The concept is simple. The tour itself is free, and at the end you give your guide a tip based on what you can afford and how much you enjoyed it. Most guides do this as their full-time job and depend on these tips for their income.
