Top 10 things to do in San Sebastian

San Sebastián ( Saint Sebastian in French, Donostia in Basque) is the major seaside resort in the Spanish Basque Country, about twenty kilometers from the French border. In a day or a weekend, you can easily explore the old town, beaches right in the center, pintxo bars, museums, and scenic walks, almost always on foot. Whether you're looking to party, stroll, sightsee, or relax with your family, here are our top recommendations and practical tips to help you make the most of your visit.

What to do and see in San Sebastián?

No. 1: Discover the old town, the Parte Vieja, through a tour

The Parte Vieja, the historic heart of San Sebastián, stretches out at the foot of Mount Urgull. Its pedestrian streets, colorful facades, and lively squares are easily explored on foot: allow two to three hours to see it all at a leisurely pace. If you appreciate old buildings, you'll be charmed.

• The Plaza de la Constitución occupies the site of the city's former bullring. The numbered balconies surrounding the square are a reminder of the time when locals watched performances there. It is the beating heart of the old town.
• The Basilica of Santa María del Coro is a jewel of 18th-century Baroque architecture, with its richly sculpted façade.
• The María Cristina Bridge, located slightly outside the old town, spans the Urumea River with its grand obelisks and sculptures. It connects the city center to the Gros district and offers a majestic and romantic feel, quite surprising for a bridge.

No. 2: Partying and enjoying pintxos in San Sebastian

San Sebastián is a friendly, lively, and festive city. Here, people go out first to eat: pintxos, those small bites served on a slice of bread, line the bar counters. The idea is simple: order one or two pintxos and a drink (a txakoli, the local white wine, or a zurito, a small beer), then head to a different bar. Here's a tour of the city for a night out :

• To start the evening, head to the Parte Vieja, where restaurants, friendly brasseries, and the famous pintxo bars stand side by side. Try the gilda, a skewer of olives, anchovies, and chili peppers—a local classic.
• In the Gros district, the evening is extended in trendy bars, jazz bars and pubs, with a more alternative atmosphere.
• On the port and bay side, a few places keep the evening going until the end of the night.

No. 3: Swimming and relaxing on the beaches of San Sebastián

The city center beaches line La Concha Bay, a shell-shaped bay offering exceptional views of Santa Clara Island. They are clean, well-maintained, and equipped with all amenities, but very crowded in summer: it's best to arrive early. Also, be sure to check the tide times, as La Concha narrows considerably at high tide.

• La Concha beach is the most central and liveliest, with its seaside promenade.
• Ondarreta beach, at the western end of the bay, is a little more secluded and therefore quieter in summer. At its end, Eduardo Chillida's steel sculptures, Peine del Viento, withstand the waves and sea spray.
• Zurriola beach, in the Gros district, is a favorite among surfers.

No. 4: Family fun in San Sebastián

San Sebastián offers many activities that will appeal to the whole family, from young children to teenagers. Our suggestions:

• The Mount Igueldo funicular whisks you to the summit in minutes, offering magnificent views of La Concha Bay. At the top, a small, old-fashioned amusement park will delight children.
• The Donostia Aquarium is a fun and educational visit to introduce children to the underwater world.
• The Eurêka Science Museum is the ideal place to have fun while learning: more than 170 scientific modules to manipulate!

No. 5: Take a gourmet break and a shopping spree to bring back souvenirs

San Sebastián boasts a wealth of local specialties. Chocolates, spices, pintxos and tapas, handicrafts… You're sure to find unique items and products to take home or give as gifts to loved ones. The best part is, you can even sample them before you buy.

No. 6: Enriching oneself in museums

Want to discover the history of Donostia, its artistic and cultural heritage? Here are our favorite museums:

• The San Telmo Museum is dedicated to Basque culture. Inaugurated in 1902, it is the oldest museum in the Basque Country : it presents the cultural, artistic and historical past of the Basque people and the evolution of their society, through more than 55,000 catalogued items.
• The Basque Maritime Museum, on the port, reveals San Sebastian’s special connection with the sea.
• The House of History in San Sebastian allows you to discover the soul of the city.
• The Chillida Leku Museum, in Hernani, on the outskirts of the city, combines art and nature around the work of Eduardo Chillida.

No. 7: Treat yourself to a moment of well-being

Who says holidays aren't for relaxing? During your stay in San Sebastián, take the opportunity to pamper yourself. Spa treatments, hydrotherapy, manicures, hairstyling, or massages—recharge your batteries and stay calm and comfortable at all times.

• La Perla is a comfortable thalassotherapy center with a restaurant, facing the bay of La Concha.
• The Catalonia Donosti hotel features a sauna and an indoor pool for a relaxing wellness stay.

No. 8: Try an unusual sport in San Sebastián

To combine discovering Basque culture in Spain with a sporting activity, try one of these sports:

• Surfing at Zurriola: it's THE beach for surfers! If you prefer to watch, competitions are held there regularly.
• Attending a regatta in the Bay of La Concha: these races of traineras, these long rowing boats, have punctuated the history of the city for more than a century, with a major event in September.

No. 9: Getting some fresh air in nature on the outskirts of the city

San Sebastián is a dynamic city, but it also has the advantage of being surrounded by nature. Its outskirts are calm and pleasant spaces for family outings.

• A hike on Mount Urgull offers several trails to suit different tastes. You'll see La Mota Castle, the Sacred Heart statue, and the English Cemetery. From the summit, the view of the sea is superb.
• A boat trip around Santa Clara Island: a ride of about 30 minutes to admire San Sebastian, the island and La Concha Bay from the water.
• A walk in the Cristina-Enea park: this large park is located in the Egia district, in the heart of the city, on the banks of the river.

No. 10: Try an unusual Basque activity

Looking to get off the beaten track? Here are two original ideas, deeply rooted in the region's traditions:

• Basque pelota: this tradition, deeply rooted in Basque culture, is played against a wall called a fronton. If you have the chance, watch a game: the atmosphere and the speed of the ball are impressive.
• La trontza, the sawing of trunks: as surprising as it may seem, sawing tree trunks is a real rural Basque sport! Strength and dexterity are required to cut logs as quickly as possible.

San Sebastián: practical information

• How to get to San Sebastián from the French Basque Country: By car, the city is about 30 minutes from Hendaye via the motorway, and generally less than an hour from Biarritz. By train, the Euskotren line connects Hendaye to San Sebastián in about 40 minutes. Parking is difficult in the city center: opt for underground car parks.
• How much time should I allow? One day is enough for the essentials (old town, beach, pintxos). To enjoy the museums, nature and evenings, plan a weekend.
• When to go? Summer for beaches and festivals, spring and autumn for quieter visits, winter for the festive atmosphere of January.

Your questions about San Sebastián

• How many days should you spend visiting San Sebastián? One day is enough to see the Parte Vieja (Old Town), La Concha beach, and sample the pintxos. Two days is ideal to add a museum visit, Mount Igueldo, or Mount Urgull.
• Which is the most beautiful beach in San Sebastian? La Concha is the most iconic and central, Ondarreta is quieter, and Zurriola is the surfers' favorite.
• What to do in San Sebastián when it rains? Visit the museums (San Telmo, Maritime Museum, Eurêka), take a stroll through the San Martín market, hop from pintxos bar to bar or treat yourself to a thalassotherapy break.
• What to eat in San Sebastian? Pintxos, of course, but also seafood and homemade hot chocolate. Pair it all with a glass of txakoli.
• How to get from Biarritz or Hendaye to San Sebastian? By car via the motorway, or from Hendaye by train with the Euskotren line.

This concludes our top 10 list of things to do in San Sebastián, but there are many more to discover there.

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