San Sebastian, Spain. The best of San Sebastian.
Where is San Sebastián?
San Sebastián (or Donostia in the Basque language) sits in northern Spain in the Basque Country, very close to the French border. It’s right on the Bay of Biscay, which explains those beautiful beaches you see in all the photos.
The city has a population of around 190,000 people, so it feels lively without being overwhelming.
Getting there is quite easy. Many travellers arrive from Madrid or Barcelona by train or bus, and the journey is very comfortable. It’s also close to Bilbao, which has a major airport and is only about an hour away.
Exploring the City on a Walking Tour
One of the best things we did was a self-guided tour with VoiceMap called “Sampling San Sebastián.”
It’s a relaxed walk that takes you through the city while telling stories about Basque culture, history and food.
The tour starts near the striking Kursaal Congress Centre and Auditorium, wanders along the river, and eventually leads you into the Old Town.
We love these tours because you can pause whenever you want, stop for a coffee or a photo, and explore at your own pace.
The Views from Monte Igueldo
At the western end of the bay is Monte Igueldo.
You can reach the top on the historic Monte Igueldo Funicular, which has been carrying visitors up the hill since 1912.
At the top there’s an old-fashioned little fairground, but the real highlight is the view. Looking back over La Concha Bay from here is easily one of the best views in the city.
La Concha – The Famous Bay
Then there’s the iconic La Concha Beach, which curves around the bay like a perfect crescent.
The promenade here is one of the nicest we’ve walked anywhere in Europe. The white railings and decorative latticework are almost a symbol of the city.
It’s the sort of place where people stroll, swim, sit on the sand or just watch the world go by.
Walking Up Monte Urgull
On the other side of the Old Town is Monte Urgull.
This hill is covered in leafy walking paths and old fortifications, and it’s a lovely place for a walk if you want a break from the busy streets below.
At the summit stands Castillo de la Mota and a large statue of the Sacred Heart, watching over the city.
Pintxos – The Food Culture San Sebastián is Famous For
You can’t talk about San Sebastián without talking about pintxos.
These small bites are the Basque version of tapas, and the city is famous for them. Bars display them along the counter, and locals move from bar to bar sampling different specialties.
We joined a food tour with Do Eat Better Experience, which turned out to be a great introduction to how the whole pintxos culture works.
Our guide explained how to order, what to try, and which places locals love. It’s a fantastic way to learn the etiquette before heading out on your own pintxos adventure.
Fun fact: the name “pintxo” comes from the Spanish word for “spike”, because the original snacks were often pinned to bread with a toothpick.
Zurriola Beach – The Surfer’s Side of Town
One of the first places you’ll notice is Zurriola Beach.
This beach sits on the eastern side of the city and has a very different feel from the main bay. It’s known for its surf culture, so you’ll see plenty of surfers out on the water and surf schools along the promenade.
It’s a fun, energetic area and feels a little younger and more modern than other parts of the city.
The Old Town and Calle 31 de Agosto
The Old Town, known locally as Parte Vieja, is one of the most enjoyable areas to wander around.
Narrow cobbled streets, lively squares and plenty of bars make it feel constantly buzzing.
One street that stands out is Calle 31 de Agosto. It’s the only street that survived the destruction of the city in 1813, so it has a special place in the city’s history.
You’ll also find beautiful churches here, including Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus, which sits at one end of the Old Town.
The River and the City’s Beautiful Bridges
Running through the city is the Urumea River, which adds another lovely element to the landscape.
Several elegant bridges cross the river, but the most impressive is Maria Cristina Bridge, with its decorative lamps and statues.
Walking along the river is another reminder of how easy San Sebastián is to explore on foot.
A Nighttime Experience at the Cathedral
One evening we did something a little different at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd of San Sebastián.
It’s called LUMINISCENCE, and it’s a visual and musical light show projected inside the cathedral.
The building becomes part of the performance, with lights and music telling stories connected to the region. It’s quite a unique experience and something a bit different to add to your time in the city.
Why We Love San Sebastián
For us, San Sebastián has everything we love in a Spanish city.
You’ve got beautiful beaches, a lively Old Town, amazing food, great walking areas and views from the surrounding hills. It’s busy, but it never feels overwhelming.
And of course there’s the pintxos culture, which is reason enough for many people to visit.
It’s one of those places we’d happily return to again and again… and knowing us, we probably will.