{"id":184540,"date":"2025-02-17T14:09:51","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T13:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/donostia-san-sebastian-sights-highlights-for-the-elegant-coastal-town\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T20:45:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T18:45:47","slug":"san-sebastian-sehenwuerdigkeiten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/san-sebastian-sehenwuerdigkeiten\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Things to Do in Donostia-San Sebasti\u00e1n"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Donostia \/ San Sebasti\u00e1n really is a special destination: with 180,000 inhabitants, it is the third largest city in the Basque Country<\/a>, but exudes the elegant charm of a wealthy spa town from days gone by. The old town of San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/strong> is not only picturesque, but also a foodie’s dream come true: Pretty much every visitor falls for the refreshing txakoli<\/strong> and elaborate pintxos<\/strong> in no time. And don’t even get me started on the breathtaking beaches<\/strong>. Find out what else you can experience in San Sebasti\u00e1n in this article. <\/p>\n\n

\"Historical<\/figure>\n\n

What you must see in San Sebasti\u00e1n: The most important sights<\/h2>\n\n

San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/strong>, or Donostia<\/strong> as it is known in Basque (officially it is also called Donostia-San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/strong>), 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 Sebasti\u00e1n as her summer residence<\/strong> at the end of the 19th century, laying the foundations for the social boom. Numerous buildings from this period still adorn San Sebasti\u00e1n today and make it one of the most beautiful cities in Spain<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

\"Historical<\/figure>\n\n

1. Old Town (Parte Vieja)<\/h3>\n\n

The Old Town<\/strong> is the heart of San Sebasti\u00e1n. Narrow streets, historic buildings and countless pintxo bars<\/strong> give it its charm. In the middle of it you will find the impressive Basilica de Santa Mar\u00eda del Coro<\/strong> and, somewhat hidden, the central Plaza de la Constituci\u00f3n<\/strong>, which is surrounded by arcades and small restaurants. <\/p>\n\n

\"Historical<\/figure>\n\n
\"Yellow<\/figure>\n\n
\"Busy<\/figure>\n\n

2. Playa de la Concha & Ondarreta<\/h3>\n\n

With the Playa de la Concha<\/strong>, San Sebasti\u00e1n 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<\/strong>. As a beach fan, La Concha has long been on my bucket list and I was not disappointed. <\/p>\n\n

\"Coastal<\/figure>\n\n
\"White<\/figure>\n\n

San Sebasti\u00e1n was the summer residence<\/strong> 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<\/strong> like in the old days. The elaborately decorated railing<\/strong> of the promenade with its filigree floral pattern is now one of the city’s landmarks. <\/p>\n\n

\"White<\/figure>\n\n
\"Ornate<\/figure>\n\n

A little further away from the Old Town is the Playa Ondarreta<\/strong>. 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. <\/p>\n\n

\"Beach<\/figure>\n\n
\"Beach<\/figure>\n\n

3. Monte Urgull<\/h3>\n\n

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<\/strong> and the Statue of the Sacred Heart<\/strong>. The ascent is pleasant and you can stop again and again along the way to enjoy the view. <\/p>\n\n

\"Historical<\/figure>\n\n

4. Monte Igueldo<\/h3>\n\n

For an even more spectacular view, you can take the historic funicular<\/strong> to Monte Igueldo<\/a>. Once at the top, a small amusement park<\/strong> and a view over the entire coast<\/strong> await you. <\/p>\n\n

\"Empty<\/figure>\n\n
\"Red<\/figure>\n\n

The funicular is really well preserved, and you should definitely take a ride on it on your trip to San Sebasti\u00e1n. And the view from Monte Igueldo is fantastic anyway. <\/p>\n\n

\"Beach<\/figure>\n\n
\"Panoramic<\/figure>\n\n

5. Peine del Viento<\/h3>\n\n

The modern sculpture “Peine del Viento<\/strong>” by the Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n

\"Waves<\/figure>\n\n
\"Artwork<\/figure>\n\n
\"People<\/figure>\n\n

6. Chillida-Leku Sculpture Park<\/h3>\n\n

A little outside of San Sebasti\u00e1n is the sculpture park and museum Chillida-Leku<\/a>, which is dedicated to the work of Eduardo Chillida. In a beautiful, spacious park you can admire his impressive sculptures in the midst of nature: A place of peace and inspiration. <\/p>\n\n

You can book your ticket for the Chillida Leku in advance here<\/a>*<\/p>\n\n

\"Person<\/figure>\n\n
\"Quiet<\/figure>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
\"Rusty<\/figure>\n\n

7. San Telmo Museoa<\/h3>\n\n

The San Telmo Museoa<\/a> is a museum for Basque culture and history<\/strong> and is located in an old Dominican monastery<\/strong> and offers an exciting exhibition that ranges from prehistory to the modern age. A visit is worthwhile to get a deeper insight into the regional culture. <\/p>\n\n

8. Palacio de Miramar<\/h3>\n\n

The royal palace<\/strong> 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 Sebasti\u00e1n was an exclusive spa resort for nobles and the wealthy. The surrounding park<\/strong> is perfect for a relaxing walk. <\/p>\n\n

\"Historical<\/figure>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
\"Sea<\/figure>\n\n

9. Catedral del Buen Pastor<\/h3>\n\n

The neo-Gothic cathedral<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n

10. Plaza Gipuzkoa<\/h3>\n\n

The centrally located Plaza Gipuzkoa<\/strong> is the green heart of the city. The well-tended gardens are the perfect place to take a break from sightseeing. <\/p>\n\n

\"Historical<\/figure>\n\n

It’s best to grab a coffee at the adjacent Syra Coffee<\/a> (unfortunately only to go) and enjoy the charming city life of San Sebasti\u00e1n on one of the park benches. Or you can go a few meters further to the casual Koh Tao<\/a>, where you can sit for longer. <\/p>\n\n

\"Coffee<\/figure>\n\n

11. Kursaal Congress Center<\/h3>\n\n

The Kursaal<\/strong> is located just outside the actual center of San Sebasti\u00e1n, but is still within walking distance. It regularly hosts major events and congresses, as well as events as part of the world-famous San Sebasti\u00e1n Film Festival<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

\"Green<\/figure>\n\n
\"Bridge<\/figure>\n\n

Would you like to go south?You can find even more great travel destinations in Spain here<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Food & Drink in San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/h2>\n\n

San Sebasti\u00e1n is an absolute paradise for gourmets<\/strong>. The city has the highest density of Michelin stars per square meter in Europe<\/strong>. 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 Sebasti\u00e1n is considered the cradle of the Pintxo tradition<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

\"Tapas<\/figure>\n\n

On a pintxos tour through the Old Town<\/h3>\n\n

Pintxos<\/strong> 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 Sebasti\u00e1n<\/strong>, there are many restaurants that have almost elevated their pintxos to an art form, the canap\u00e9s are so elaborately assembled and presented. <\/p>\n\n

Tip<\/strong>: If you don’t know where to start because of all the offers, I recommend a food tour<\/strong> through the old town!<\/p>\n\n

You can book a food tour through the Old Town of San Sebasti\u00e1n here<\/a>*<\/p>\n\n

\"Dish<\/figure>\n\n
\"Wine<\/figure>\n\n

Txakoli: The perfect wine accompaniment<\/h3>\n\n

Pintxos are perfectly accompanied by a glass of Txakoli<\/strong> (pronounced: Chak-ko-lee); this is a very light, fruity white wine<\/strong> 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! <\/p>\n\n

Cidre: The sparkling cider with show effect<\/h3>\n\n

Incidentally, cider<\/strong>, a sparkling wine made from apples, is also popular in the region. Like Txakoli, cider is super refreshing, but has a lower alcohol content. I personally like Txakoli much better. The cider I tried everywhere in San Sebasti\u00e1n was too tart for me. But as always, it’s a matter of taste – it’s best to see for yourself and try both! <\/p>\n\n

\"Large<\/figure>\n\n

You can get cider in many pubs in the city. But it’s also worth taking a trip to a traditional sidreria<\/strong> such as Petritegi<\/a>. 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. <\/p>\n\n

Tip<\/strong>: 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! <\/p>\n\n

You can book a tour to a Sidreria here<\/a>*<\/p>\n\n

\"Landscape<\/figure>\n\n

Do you feel like visiting the Basque Country?Find more articles here<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Food locations in San Sebasti\u00e1n: My tips<\/h3>\n\n

Here are a few food tips that you shouldn’t miss out on:<\/p>\n\n

Bar La Cepa<\/a> This traditional pintxo bar in the Old Town is a classic. Be sure to try the Jam\u00f3n Ib\u00e9rico and the delicious Bacalao pintxos (cod snacks). <\/p>\n\n

La Vi\u00f1a<\/a> Here you get the best cheesecake in town. Maybe you’ve already heard of San Sebasti\u00e1n Cheesecake? It is world famous and literally melts on the tongue. Personally, it is far too creamy and buttery for me, but you should definitely try it. <\/p>\n\n

Mercado de la Bretxa<\/a> If you love fresh, local products, 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. <\/p>\n\n

But there are so many more great food locations to discover in San Sebasti\u00e1n! More tips will therefore soon be available in my San Sebasti\u00e1n Food Guide. <\/p>\n\n

\"Gourmet<\/figure>\n\n
\"Chocolate<\/figure>\n\n

Staying in San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/h2>\n\n

Finding a pretty hotel in San Sebasti\u00e1n is not difficult. However, I would rather advise against choosing a place to stay in the middle of the Old Town.<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n

\"Modern<\/figure>\n\n

I can recommend The Social Hub San Sebasti\u00e1n*<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n

Here you will find more accommodations in San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/a>*<\/p>\n\n

Events and activities: What you can do in San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/h2>\n\n

San Sebasti\u00e1n International Film Festival<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n

Tamborrada:<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n

Water sports:<\/strong> San Sebasti\u00e1n 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<\/a>* <\/p>\n\n

Or you can try your hand at the Basque national sport, rowing! <\/p>\n\n

\"Rowers<\/figure>\n\n
\"Small<\/figure>\n\n

Around San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/h2>\n\n

In general, the Basque Country is a super exciting region and it’s worth spending more time here. San Sebasti\u00e1n, for example, can easily be incorporated into a road trip through the Basque Country and the French Atlantic coast<\/strong> with Saint-Jean-de-Luz<\/strong> and Biarritz<\/strong> is also not far away. <\/p>\n\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n\n

\"Historical<\/figure>\n\n

Getting to San Sebasti\u00e1n <\/h2>\n\n

San Sebasti\u00e1n has its own airport. However, it is very small and is usually only served by Spanish airlines that connect San Sebasti\u00e1n with other domestic destinations. <\/p>\n\n

It is more practical to travel via Bilbao airport<\/strong>. From there, there is a regular bus service<\/strong> (approximately every hour) to the bus station in San Sebasti\u00e1n. Although this is not directly in the city center, it is still easily accessible by public transport. <\/p>\n\n

Check flight connections to Bilbao (BIO) here<\/a>*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Donostia-San Sebasti\u00e1n is not just a real highlight for foodies: the cradle of the famous cheesecake and artistic pintxos has a lot more to offer. Find out why you should definitely put the Basque coastal city on your bucket list here. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":178683,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"The Best Things to Do in Donostia-San Sebasti\u00e1n","_seopress_titles_desc":"What to do in San Sebasti\u00e1n: Insider tips for the elegant coastal town in the Basque Country.","_seopress_robots_index":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2424,2293],"tags":[4170,4201],"class_list":["post-184540","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-city-trips","category-spain","tag-basque-country","tag-city-trips-europe"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2424,"label":"City trips"},{"value":2293,"label":"Spain"}],"post_tag":[{"value":4170,"label":"Basque Country"},{"value":4201,"label":"City breaks in Europe"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/donostia-san-sebastian-172-1200x800.jpg",1200,800,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Tatiana","author_link":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/author\/tatit\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2424,"name":"City trips","slug":"city-trips","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2426,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":78,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2424,"category_count":78,"category_description":"","cat_name":"City trips","category_nicename":"city-trips","category_parent":0},{"term_id":2293,"name":"Spain","slug":"spain","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2295,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Not without reason, Spain is one of the most popular vacation destinations. On my blog, I'll show interesting places and everything you need to know for your trip to Spain!\n\nMallorca<\/a> | Catalonia<\/a>","parent":1144,"count":20,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2293,"category_count":20,"category_description":"Not without reason, Spain is one of the most popular vacation destinations. On my blog, I'll show interesting places and everything you need to know for your trip to Spain!\n\nMallorca<\/a> | Catalonia<\/a>","cat_name":"Spain","category_nicename":"spain","category_parent":1144}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":4170,"name":"Basque Country","slug":"basque-country","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":3365,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"Outdoors lovers will find the Basque Country particularly appealing: evergreen mountains, spectacular coastal landscapes and plenty of hiking opportunities make it a popular travel destination. But also urban explorers like me get their money's worth here with cities such as the historic Bilbao and the sophisticated San Sebasti\u00e1n. ","parent":0,"count":4,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":4201,"name":"City breaks in Europe","slug":"city-trips-europe","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":3396,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"Looking for ideas for a weekend getaway? Or do you just want to explore another city? City breaks are super convenient within Europe. Many destinations can be reached quickly and cheaply by train, plane, bus or car. \n\nHere on the blog you will find lots of tips and unusual locations for an eventful city trip.\n\nPalma de Mallorca<\/a> | Berlin<\/a> | Dresden<\/a> | Nuremberg<\/a> | Graz<\/a> | Salzburg<\/a> | Rome<\/a> | Venice<\/a> | Naples<\/a> | Barcelona<\/a> | Porto<\/a> | Lisbon<\/a> | Aberdeen<\/a> | Zagreb<\/a> | Tirana<\/a> | Gdansk<\/a> | Wroclaw<\/a>","parent":0,"count":53,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184540","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=184540"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184540\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":186713,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184540\/revisions\/186713"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/178683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=184540"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=184540"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=184540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}