The Best Things to Do in Donostia-San Sebastián

Donostia / San Sebastián really is a special destination: with 180,000 inhabitants, it is the third largest city in the Basque Country, but exudes the elegant charm of a wealthy spa town from days gone by. The old town of San Sebastián is not only picturesque, but also a foodie’s dream come true: Pretty much every visitor falls for the refreshing txakoli and elaborate pintxos in no time. And don’t even get me started on the breathtaking beaches. Find out what else you can experience in San Sebastián in this article.

What you must see in San Sebastián: The most important sights

San Sebastián, or Donostia as it is known in Basque (officially it is also called Donostia-San Sebastián), has some real highlights to offer. You might even be reminded of one or two spas: No wonder, as the Queen of Spain chose San Sebastián as her summer residence at the end of the 19th century, laying the foundations for the social boom. Numerous buildings from this period still adorn San Sebastián today and make it one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

1. Old Town (Parte Vieja)

The Old Town is the heart of San Sebastián. Narrow streets, historic buildings and countless pintxo bars give it its charm. In the middle of it you will find the impressive Basilica de Santa María del Coro and, somewhat hidden, the central Plaza de la Constitución, which is surrounded by arcades and small restaurants.

2. Playa de la Concha & Ondarreta

With the Playa de la Concha, San Sebastián has an impressive city beach. According to various beach rankings, the crescent-shaped bay of La Concha with its fine sand and turquoise blue water is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. As a beach fan, La Concha has long been on my bucket list and I was not disappointed.

San Sebastián was the summer residence of the Spanish Queen Maria Christina from the end of the 19th century, and especially along the beach promenade you still have the feeling of being in an elegant spa town like in the old days. The elaborately decorated railing of the promenade with its filigree floral pattern is now one of the city’s landmarks.

A little further away from the Old Town is the Playa Ondarreta. The beach here is also wide and beautiful, and the buildings around it are not as high and massive as on the Playa de la Concha. Perfect for chilling out for a few hours and enjoying the unique landscape.

3. Monte Urgull

This hill offers you not only a fantastic view over the city and the bay, but also a piece of history. On the summit is the Castillo de la Mota and the Statue of the Sacred Heart. The ascent is pleasant and you can stop again and again along the way to enjoy the view.

4. Monte Igueldo

For an even more spectacular view, you can take the historic funicular up Monte Igueldo. Once you reach the top, a small amusement park and a view over the entire coast await you.

The funicular is really well preserved, and you should definitely take a ride on it on your trip to San Sebastián. And the view from Monte Igueldo is fantastic anyway.

5. Peine del Viento

The modern sculpture “Peine del Viento” by the Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida is located at the western end of the bay of La Concha. The three gigantic steel sculptures are integrated directly into the rocks and offer a fascinating sight, especially when the waves crash against them.

6. Chillida-Leku Sculpture Park

Just outside San Sebastián is the Chillida-Leku Sculpture Park and Museum, which is dedicated to the work of Eduardo Chillida. In a beautiful, spacious park, you can admire its impressive sculptures surrounded by nature: A place of peace and inspiration.

You can book your ticket for the Chillida Leku in advance here*

7. San Telmo Museoa

The San Telmo Museoa is a museum of Basque culture and history located in an old Dominican monastery and offers an exciting exhibition that ranges from prehistory to modern times. It is well worth a visit to gain a deeper insight into the regional culture.

8. Palacio de Miramar

The royal palace Palacio de Miramar was built at the end of the 19th century for the Spanish royal family. From here you have a wonderful view of the bay of La Concha and feel a bit transported back to the glory days when San Sebastián was an exclusive spa resort for nobles and the wealthy. The surrounding park is perfect for a relaxing walk.

9. Catedral del Buen Pastor

The neo-Gothic cathedral is the largest religious building in the city. With its high tower and beautiful stained glass windows, it is really striking and is one of the most eye-catching sights in the city.

10. Plaza Gipuzkoa

The centrally located Plaza Gipuzkoa is the green heart of the city. The well-tended gardens are the perfect place to take a break from sightseeing.

Grab a coffee at the adjacent Syra Coffee (unfortunately only to go) and enjoy the charming city life of San Sebastián on one of the park benches. Or you can go a few meters further to the laid-back Koh Tao, where you can sit for longer.

11. Kursaal Congress Center

The Kursaal is located just outside the actual center of San Sebastián, but is still within walking distance. It regularly hosts major events and congresses, as well as events as part of the world-famous San Sebastián Film Festival.

Would you like to go south?
You can find even more great travel destinations in Spain here

Food & Drink in San Sebastián

San Sebastián is an absolute paradise for gourmets. The city has the highest density of Michelin stars per square meter in Europe. If your budget doesn’t stretch to star-rated cuisine, you don’t need to worry. Even with a normal wallet you will be able to sample the local specialties fantastically: San Sebastián is considered the cradle of the Pintxo tradition.

On a pintxos tour through the Old Town

Pintxos are small snacks that are served like tapas with a drink. You often choose your pintxos at the bar and then have them served at your table. In the old town of San Sebastián, there are many restaurants that have almost elevated their pintxos to an art form, the canapés are so elaborately assembled and presented.

Tip: If you don’t know where to start because of all the offers, I recommend a food tour through the old town!

You can book a food tour through the Old Town of San Sebastián here*

Txakoli: The perfect wine accompaniment

Pintxos are perfectly accompanied by a glass of Txakoli (pronounced: Chak-ko-lee); this is a very light, fruity white wine with some carbonation and typical from the Basque Country. Maybe your Txakoli will also be poured in the traditional way: For this, the bottle is stretched high and the wine is swung so vigorously in the glass that it foams up again. A real show!

Cidre: The sparkling cider with show effect

Incidentally, the Cidre, a sparkling wine made from apples, which is also popular in the region, is also poured with a swing. Like Txakoli, Cidre is super refreshing, but lower in alcohol content. Personally, I like Txakoli much better. The Cidre that I tried everywhere in San Sebastián was too sour for me. But as always, it’s a matter of taste, it’s best to get your own picture and try both!

You can get cider in many pubs in the city. But it’s also worth taking a trip to a traditional sidreria such as Petritegi. Here you can experience the entire production process, from growing and harvesting to maturing the cider. Particularly impressive are the large barrels in which the cider is stored and the traditional restaurant, where you can sample other Basque specialties in a rustic atmosphere.

Tip: These traditional sidrerias are located outside the city. If you are not traveling by car, you can also join a tour. It’s more relaxed anyway, because then you can try the cider at your leisure!

You can book a tour to a Sidreria here*

Do you feel like visiting the Basque Country?
Find more articles here

Food locations in San Sebastián: My tips

Here are a few food tips that you shouldn’t miss out on:

Bar La Cepa This traditional pintxo bar in the old town is a classic. Be sure to try the Jamón Ibérico and the delicious bacalao pintxos (codfish bites).

La Viña Here you can get the best cheesecake in town. Perhaps you’ve already heard of San Sebastián cheesecake? It is world-famous and literally melts in the mouth. Personally, I find it far too creamy and buttery, but you should definitely try it.

Mercado de la Bretxa If you love fresh, local produce, you should visit this market. Here you will find everything from fresh fish to Basque cheese specialties. Perfect for buying a few treats for a picnic on the beach.

But there are so many more great food locations to discover in San Sebastián! More tips will therefore soon be available in my San Sebastián Food Guide.

Staying in San Sebastián

Finding a pretty hotel in San Sebastián is not difficult. However, I would rather advise against choosing a place to stay in the middle of the Old Town. Especially in the season and on weekends it can get very loud here at night. In addition, the entire Old Town is car-free, so you have to carry all your luggage over cobblestones through the narrow streets to your accommodation.

I can recommend The Social Hub San Sebastián*. Although it is not directly in the city center, you can be in the middle of the city in 15 minutes by bus; you can simply buy contactless tickets on the bus when boarding. The rooms are super spacious and stylish, and you can work, read or just sit together in the lobby or restaurant. In summer, there’s also a great rooftop bar with a pool and a view; events are held regularly.

Here you will find more accommodations in San Sebastián*

Events and activities: What you can do in San Sebastián

San Sebastián International Film Festival The renowned film festival attracts film stars and cineastes from all over the world every year in September. A great opportunity to discover new films and maybe even meet a star or two.

Tamborrada: On January 20, the day of Saint Sebastian is celebrated. The whole city is in a festive mood and there are parades with drummers in traditional costumes. An experience you should not miss if you are in the city around this time.

Water sports: San Sebastián is perfect if you are into water sports. The Zurriola beach in the Gros neighborhood, for example, is particularly popular with surfers. Don’t feel like lugging around all the equipment? You can book a full-day surfing trip here*

Or you can try your hand at the Basque national sport, rowing!

Around San Sebastián

In general, the Basque Country is a super exciting region and it’s worth spending more time here. San Sebastián, for example, can easily be incorporated into a road trip through the Basque Country and the French Atlantic coast with Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz is also not far away.

Or you can combine your trip with a detour to Bilbao, the equally worth seeing Basque metropolis. Here you can find my guide to Bilbao

Getting to San Sebastián

San Sebastián has its own airport. However, it is very small and is usually only served by Spanish airlines that connect San Sebastián with other domestic destinations.

It is more practical to travel viaBilbao airport. From there, there is a regular bus service (approximately every hour) to the bus station in San Sebastián. Although this is not directly in the city center, it is still easily accessible by public transport.

Check flight connections to Bilbao (BIO) here*