BeachesFree
La Concha Beach
La Concha
A graceful shell-shaped bay of pale sand with a tiled promenade and old-fashioned bathing huts.
- Suggested time: 3 hrs
- No booking needed
Open access; lifeguards in season
San Sebastian
A graceful seaside city famous for its beaches and extraordinary food.
Overview
Why go to San Sebastian
San Sebastián (Donostia) has a shell-shaped bay, a beautiful old town and more Michelin-starred restaurants per head than almost anywhere. Surf beaches, hill viewpoints and a pintxo culture make it a favourite with food-lovers.
- Where
- Basque Country, Spain
- Recommended stay
- 2–4 nights
- Best time to go
- June–September for beach weather; the Film Festival in September is glamorous but busy.
- Approx. daily budget
- £70–140 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.
Things to Do
See all 9 Top picks in San Sebastian
9 places with prices, timings and booking advice.
Food & DrinkFree
Parte Vieja Pintxos
Parte Vieja
The old town’s bar-lined lanes, where you graze on bite-sized plates and cold local cider.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
Bars typically open lunchtime and evenings
Viewpoints~£2
Monte Igueldo
Igueldo
A funicular ride to a hilltop with a vintage amusement park and a bay-wide panorama.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
Daily in season; check winter hours
ViewpointsFree
Monte Urgull
Monte Urgull
A wooded hill above the old town with a castle, paths and a statue of Christ.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
Open daily; park closes at dusk
Museums~£6
San Telmo Museum
Parte Vieja
A museum of Basque society and history in a former convent, with a modern extension.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 10:00–20:00
BeachesFree
Zurriola Beach and Gros
Gros
A surf beach and relaxed neighbourhood with bars and pintxo spots across the river.
- Suggested time: 3 hrs
- No booking needed
Open access; lifeguards in season
Food & drink
What to eat and drink in San Sebastian
A few local favourites to look out for. Ask where locals go rather than following the menu with photos.
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Pintxos in the Parte Vieja
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Gilda
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Basque cheesecake
Day trips
Worth leaving San Sebastian for
Day Trips~£8
Getaria and Zarautz Coastal Trip
Getaria (25 km)
A fishing village famed for grilled turbot, and a long surf beach nearby.
- Suggested time: Full day
- Booking recommended
Trains and buses run daily; restaurants open for lunch
Where to stay
All hotels Hotels in San Sebastian
Sample data. Sample hotels with indicative prices, not live rates or availability. A live hotel provider will be connected in a later version.
Sample listing
Hotel Concha Bay
La Concha, San Sebastian
A grand seafront hotel overlooking the bay, with a spa and terrace bar.
£210–340per room / night · indicative
Sample price for two adults, not live. Availability is not checked.
Sample listing
Casa Parte Vieja
Parte Vieja, San Sebastian
A cosy townhouse hotel in the pintxo streets, with small but stylish rooms.
£90–140per room / night · indicative
Sample price for two adults, not live. Availability is not checked.
Sample listing
Gros Surf House
Gros, San Sebastian
A laid-back surfer hotel beside Zurriola beach, with bikes to borrow.
£75–120per room / night · indicative
Sample price for two adults, not live. Availability is not checked.
A suggested San Sebastian itinerary
3 nights Couple
San Sebastian · Highlights
San Sebastian in 3 nights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our San Sebastian picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
- Day 1 · La Concha Beach, Peine del Viento, Monte Urgull
- Day 2 · Getaria and Zarautz Coastal Trip, Monte Igueldo
- Day 3 · La Bretxa Market, San Telmo Museum, Parte Vieja Pintxos, Zurriola Beach and Gros
Plan San Sebastian your way
Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you enjoy. We’ll build a first draft you can edit.