Discover Donostia-San Sebastian in Basque Country
San Sebastián is a resort town on the Bay of Biscay in Spain’s mountainous Basque Country. It’s known for Playa de la Concha and Playa de Ondarreta, beaches framed by a picturesque bayfront promenade, and world-renowned restaurants helmed by innovative chefs. In its cobblestoned old town (Parte Vieja), upscale shops neighbour vibrant pintxo bars pairing local wines with bite-size regional specialties.
Disvover a dozen terrific experiences in San Sebastián:
1. AQUARIUM
The San Sebastián Aquarium boasts one of the best oceanariums in Europe, consisting of a spectacular shark tunnel with a 360-degree view and a dozen aquariums which are home to jellyfish, seahorses and a variety of fish species. It also has a tactile aquarium, in which visitors can try to touch the species which live there. The Gipuzkoa Oceanographic Society was founded in 1908 and, while its most visible work is that related to the Aquarium, for more than a century it has carried out scientific research work both in the Basque marine environment and in the rest of the world.
2. BASILICA DE NUESTRA SENORA DEL CORO
The Basilica of Saint Mary of Coro is a baroque Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica completed in 1774 and located in the "Parte Vieja" of the city.
3. GOOD SHEPHERD OF SAN SEBASTIAN CATHEDRAL
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The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is the seat of the suffragan Diocese of San Sebastián and the most remarkable religious building of San Sebastián. Its construction took place in the last years of the 19th century in a Historicist Neo-Gothic style. The church, dedicated to the Good Shepherd, has held the rank of cathedral since 1953.
4. ISLA DE SANTA CLARA
Santa Clara Island is located in the middle of the bay of Donostia between the two most important mountains of the city, Urgull and Igueldo. It measures 400 metres across, and rises to a height of 48 metres, with steep sides.
5. JAZZALDIA
Jazzaldia, more commonly known as the San Sebastian Jazz Festival, is a jazz festival held every year in San Sebastian during July or August and lasting for five days. The festival was founded in 1966, as the first jazz festival in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe.
6. LA CONCHA BEACH
The Beach of La Concha (“cone shell beach”) is named after its remarkably regular shape. The scenic setting in the Bay of La Concha and the 19th century elegance of fashionable seaside resorts have made the site very popular, as it is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful and the most famous urban beaches in Europe.
With over 100 years of history, the Funicular is the most popular way to get to the top of Monte Igueldo. The lookout of Monte Igueldo offers the best views of Donostia-San Sebastián, the famous view from Monte Igueldo is possibly the most extended image of the city, you can’t miss it. You can also enjoy the views while you eat a “pintxo” on the Gastro-Bar Karrusel’s terrace. The Monte Igueldo Amusement Park is a place of fun and enjoyment for kids and adults with a total of 20 attractions.
The Miramar Palace is a late 19th-century palace located on the La Concha Bay. It was built in 1893, commissioned by the Spanish Royal Family and based on an 1889 project by English architect Selden Wornum.
9. PARTE VIEJA
Tapas and pintxo bars line the narrow streets of Donostia-San Sebastian's Old Town, a lively neighborhood bounded by Mount Urgull, the Urumea River, and Concha Bay. Its heart is the Plaza de la Constitución, a former bullring where the Tamborrada drum festival is held. The 16th-century Gothic San Vicente Church features a Romanesque altarpiece, while stalls with fresh produce fill the traditional La Bretxa Market.
10. PLAYA DE ONDARRETA
Playa de Ondarreta is the least crowded of San Sebastián’s beaches. It’s more than 500 metres long and has a children’s playpark right on the sand. It is the perfect place for family fun, water sports or simply relaxing at the water’s edge. The beach sits below the Palacio de Miramar, right in front of Monte Igueldo and looks out onto La Concha Bay.
11. SAN TELMO MUSEUM
San Telmo Museoa is a museum of the Basque society located in Donostia-San Sebastián, addressing old and contemporary Basque culture, arts and history in a European, global context. It moved to its current location in 1932, Zuloaga plaza in the old town, at the foot of the hill Urgull.
12. ZURRIOLA BEACH
Located on the other side of Monte Urgull, Zurriola Beach is an action-packed surfing spot and numerous local and international surfing competitions are held here. The best time for surfing in San Sebastian is during fall and winter. Even if you're not a surfer, you can still enjoy Zurriola Beach. The beach features plenty of space to stretch your legs and is completely safe for swimming.
EAT PINXTOS
Pintxos are small finger foods served at bars and taverns throughout the Basque Country. They are quintessential Basque and form the backbone of the local food culture. While similar to tapas, pintxos are generally smaller, come served on a small slice of bread and have a toothpick piercing them through the middle.
EAT BURNT CHEESECAKE
San Sebastian cheesecake (also known as Basque burnt cheesecake) is a famous cheesecake originating from Spain. It’s a delicious relevation with a burnt top and a rich, creamy interior.
SLEEP @ SANSEBAY HOTEL
Opened in spring 2017, SANSEbay HOTEL sits in a privileged spot, on the edge of San Sebastián’s old town beside the port, with impressive sea views, only moments from the beach, at the entrance to Mount Urgull and right in the city centre.
SLEEP @ VILLA FAVORITA
At the end of the 19th century, gradually and with the warmth of the court, La Concha Bay was surrounded with elegant villas of European style, like a diamond tiara. And time, one by one, also took them away. All of them, except one. The last villa in the bay. The last gem in the tiara. The most special one. La Favorita.
EAT @ LA TXULETERIA DEL IRAETA
Visit La Txuleteria for traditional spanish cuisine - including their star dish, ribeye with tomatoes and peppers, tapas and pinchos. The wine list is diverse and try their cheesecakes, fruitcake and parfait.
EAT @ MENDAUR BERRIA
You cannot leave San Sebastian without visiting Mendaur Berria, a place where every pintxo is an explosion of your senses. Small plates with a lot of flavor, finest produce and service.
EAT @ MUXUMARTIN
Muxumartin is not a coincidence. It is a deliberate use of traditional recipes and seasonal products from the surrounding orchards, from the mountains that surround us and from the sea that bathes us.
PLAY @ AUPA HI!
Aupa Hi! Organize custom Basque experiences of happiness in private or open groups. Surf, eat, live & more... Best tours for no tour lovers !
PLAY @ DONOSTIA SAN SEBASTIAN SAILING
Donostia San Sebastian Sailing wants to share with you their passion for the sea , nature and sail navigation. Enjoy one of the most beautiful coastline and cities in the world from an exclusive point of view, put yourself into local experts hands, relax and and enjoy the most fantastic experience of your holidays.
PLAY @ EXPERIENCE SAN SEBASTIAN TOURS
Based in San Sebastian they are the active tour specialists in the Basque Country providing incredible outdoor experiences and fantastic gastronomic trips. They offer hiking, mountain biking and city bike tours, surfing lessons, sailing trips, stand up paddle board tours, sightseeing and authentic food and wine trips for private groups, families and corporate team building days.
PLAY @ GO LOCAL SAN SEBASTIAN
Go Local was born aiming to offer the visitor the chance of feeling like another local and to experience the city of San Sebastian.
PLAY @ IKUSNAHI TOURS
Ikusnahi is a Basque word that combines the verb 'to see' (ikusi) with 'to want' or 'wish' (nahi). It means 'curiosity', the desire to see, to know or to experience something. Ikusnahi offers local tours of the Basque Country, its surroundings and the Catalan Pyrenees.
PLAY @ LOCAL EXPERT TOURS
Discover the Basque Country. Local Experts Tours offers food tours and activities from the city of your choice. Tell them where you are staying so that they can offer you their activities adapted to each city.
EAT & PLAY @ MIMO BITE THE EXPERIENCE
Mimo Bite the Experience is a space designed for the enjoyment of gastronomy. They provide a variety of gastronomic food experiences in San Sebastián including: cooking classes, gastronomic tours, private dinners, team building workshops and conferences.
WHEN TO GO: The best time to visit San Sebastian is from May to August. While the majority of this time period falls during peak tourist season, these months offer the best temperatures.
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