La Concha Beach and Promenade
San Sebastian's crescent city beach, framed by Monte Urgull, Monte Igueldo and the small island of Santa Clara, with a white balustraded promenade along its full length.
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About San Sebastian
San Sebastian, known in Basque as Donostia, is a coastal city and the capital of the province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country, with about 190,000 residents (official census, 1 January 2025). It sits on the Bay of Biscay about 20 km from the French border, around the shell-shaped La Concha Bay, which is closed by Monte Urgull to the east and Monte Igueldo to the west. The Parte Vieja (old town) holds the Buen Pastor Cathedral district, the San Telmo Museoa and dozens of pintxo bars on Calle 31 de Agosto and Calle Fermin Calbeton, while the Belle Epoque promenade of Playa de la Concha and Ondarreta leads to Eduardo Chillida's Peine del Viento sculptures. Across the Urumea river, Zurriola (Gros) beach is the surf beach beside the Kursaal, and the Tabakalera culture centre and the Basque Culinary Center add a modern layer. The Monte Igueldo funicular climbs to a city viewpoint. Donostia airport (EAS) lies at Hondarribia, Euskotren trains run to Hendaye on the French border, and Dbus city buses serve the centre. The city hosts the Jazzaldia jazz festival in July, the Semana Grande in August, the Zinemaldia film festival in September, and the Tamborrada drum festival on 20 January. Spanish and Basque are both official. The climate is mild and oceanic: August highs near 25 C (77 F), January highs near 12 C (54 F), and rain falls in every season.
- Capital
- San Sebastian is the capital of the province of Gipuzkoa; the Basque Country's government seat is Vitoria-Gasteiz
- Largest city
- San Sebastian
- Population
- Approximately 190,000 (Donostia/San Sebastian municipality, official census 1 January 2025)
- Languages
- Spanish (Castilian), Basque (Euskara)
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Time zone
- CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2) in summer (Europe/Madrid)
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Best places to visit in San Sebastian
The 16 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Monte Igueldo Funicular and Viewpoint
The funicular of 1912 climbs Monte Igueldo to the best panoramic viewpoint over La Concha bay, with a small old-style amusement park at the summit.
Parte Vieja (Old Town) and Pintxo Bars
The compact old town rebuilt after the 1813 fire, packed with pintxo bars on Calle 31 de Agosto, Calle Fermin Calbeton and Calle Mayor.
Monte Urgull and the Castle of La Mota
The wooded hill above the old town, crowned by the castle of La Mota, which has 12th-century origins, with the Sacred Heart statue, old cannons and sea views.
Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro
The old town's main church, a Baroque building with a decorated stone facade on the street of the pintxo bars.
San Telmo Museoa
A museum of Basque society and history in a 16th-century Dominican convent with a modern extension, beside the Urgull hill.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day San Sebastian Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in San Sebastian, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic San Sebastian
- Days 1-2San Sebastian city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate San Sebastian
- Days 1-3San Sebastian comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to San Sebastian, departure
Where to stay in San Sebastian
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget EUR 73-153 (about USD 83.95-175.95)/day
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range EUR 215-415 (about USD 247.25-477.25)/day
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury EUR 570-1300 (about USD 655.50-1495)/day
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Hotel María Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Hotel María Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel is at Paseo República Argentina 4 in Centro (Área Romántica), San Sebastián. It opened in 1912 and is the city's classic Belle Époque grand hotel, standing beside the María Cristina bridge on the Urumea river and long associated with the San Sebastián Film Festival. It is about 0.4 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comAkelarre Relais & Châteaux
Akelarre Relais & Châteaux is at Paseo del Padre Orkolaga 56 in Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián. Listings describe about 22 sea-view rooms and suites, an 800 m² spa and free parking, with a shuttle to the city on request; the on-site restaurant holds three Michelin stars. It is about 5.1 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra is at Zubieta kalea 2 in Centro (La Concha), San Sebastián. It is a long-established hotel facing La Concha bay on the Zubieta promenade, a few minutes on foot from the Parte Vieja. It is about 0.6 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Villa Favorita
Hotel Villa Favorita is at Zubieta kalea 26 in Centro (La Concha), San Sebastián. This adults-only boutique hotel opened in 2020 near La Concha beach and has about 23 to 25 rooms (sources differ); the Amelia restaurant by Paulo Airaudo, with two Michelin stars, is attached. It is about 0.8 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in San Sebastian
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Gandarias
Large 31 de Agosto Kalea bar and restaurant known for grilled sirloin pintxos and jamon iberico.
Bar Nestor
Tiny Parte Vieja bar where the tortilla de patatas is made in two batches a day and the txuleta is the other draw.
La Cuchara de San Telmo
Narrow bar by the San Telmo Museum serving hot, cooked-to-order pintxos from a chalkboard menu.
Borda Berri
Small, crowded Fermin Calbeton bar with a short seasonal chalkboard of hot pintxos.
Ganbara
Parte Vieja bar with pintxos displayed on the counter, known for wild mushrooms and spider crab.
Bar Txepetxa
Family-run bar that specialises in marinated anchovies with many toppings.
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Getting around San Sebastian
San Sebastian is compact and mostly flat around La Concha Bay, so the Parte Vieja, the Centro (Cuarto Romano), Playa de la Concha, Zurriola and the Kursaal are all within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other. Dbus city buses cover the neighbourhoods and the Igueldo and Ulia hills, the Euskotren Topo line (E2) links Amara, Loiola, Herrera, Errenteria, Irun and Hendaye, and the Mugi card works across Dbus, Lurraldebus intercity buses and Euskotren in Gipuzkoa. The Monte Igueldo funicular climbs to a city viewpoint, and a seasonal boat crosses to Santa Clara island.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 40-80 (about USD 46-92)/night hostel dorm or basic guesthouse | EUR 130-250 (about USD 149.50-287.50)/night 3-4-star hotel | EUR 350-700 (about USD 402.50-805)/night 5-star hotel or suite |
| Food (per day) | EUR 30-45 (about USD 34.50-51.75)/day using pintxos and a menu del dia | EUR 60-100 (about USD 69-115)/day pintxo crawl and restaurant dinners | EUR 130-300 (about USD 149.50-345)/day tasting menus and wine |
| Transportation | EUR 3-8 (about USD 3.45-9.20)/day on Dbus with a Mugi card | EUR 5-15 (about USD 5.75-17.25)/day Dbus, Euskotren and occasional taxi | EUR 30-100 (about USD 34.50-115)/day private transfers and taxis |
| Activities | EUR 0-20 (about USD 0-23)/day on free beaches and viewpoints | EUR 20-50 (about USD 23-57.50)/day funicular, a museum and a day trip | EUR 60-200 (about USD 69-230)/day private tours and guided visits |
| Daily total | EUR 73-153 (about USD 83.95-175.95)/day | EUR 215-415 (about USD 247.25-477.25)/day | EUR 570-1300 (about USD 655.50-1495)/day |
Best time to visit San Sebastian
Weather through the year in Basque Country
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Basque Country.
June and September combine warm days, long light and a warm sea with fewer crowds than August. Winter is mild but wet, and the city works well for food and museum visits. Playa de la Concha is busiest from late June to early September. A rain jacket is advisable in every season. These are long-term normals; confirm the forecast at aemet.es.
Essential travel tips
- Order pintxos at the bar and pay at the end; ask for the bill with 'la cuenta, por favor'
- Buy a Mugi card at kiosks and shops to cut Dbus fares
- Book restaurants and festival-week hotels well ahead; Semana Grande and the film festival sell out
- Lunch is served from about 13:30 and dinner from about 21:00; the main shops close from about 14:00 to 17:00
- Beaches have tide changes: La Concha shrinks at high tide, so check the tide table before laying out a towel
Safety information
Keep wallet and phone in front pockets or zipped bags in the Parte Vieja, on buses and at festivals
Carry ID or a copy of the passport; Spanish law requires identification to be carried
Use the official taxi ranks or a radio taxi and check the meter is running
Never leave bags or phones on a bar counter while ordering pintxos
Wear shoes with grip, because wet pavements are slippery, and carry an umbrella
Swim only at beaches with a lifeguard and a green flag; avoid Zurriola in big surf
Report theft on 112 or online at denuncias.policia.es and keep the report for insurance claims
Follow Euskalmet alerts for storms and heavy surf
Late at night, stay on busy streets and avoid isolated stretches of the promenade
Frequently asked questions
Is San Sebastian safe to visit in 2026?
San Sebastian is a clean, orderly Basque city with a visible police presence from the Ertzaintza (Basque regional police) and the Policia Municipal. The realistic risks are opportunistic theft in the Parte Vieja pintxo bars, on La Concha promenade and beach, at the bus and railway stations and durin
What is the best time to visit San Sebastian?
The best time to visit San Sebastian is June and September. San Sebastian has an oceanic climate with mild winters, warm but rarely hot summers, and rain in every season. Annual rainfall is roughly 1,400 to 1,500 mm (more than 130 rainy days), and the wettest
Do I need a visa to visit San Sebastian?
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: no visa. US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens: visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days under Schengen rules. Check the current status of the EU ETIAS travel authorisation before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check with your nearest embassy or the official immigration website before traveling.
What currency is used in San Sebastian?
The currency in San Sebastian is the Euro (EUR) (EUR). ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants, but carry cash for markets and smaller establishments.
What language is spoken in San Sebastian?
The main language(s) spoken in San Sebastian: Spanish (Castilian), Basque (Euskara). In tourist areas, English is generally understood. Learning a few basic phrases in the local language is appreciated by locals.
What are the top attractions in San Sebastian?
The top attractions in San Sebastian include La Concha Beach and Promenade, Monte Igueldo Funicular and Viewpoint, Parte Vieja (Old Town) and Pintxo Bars, Monte Urgull and the Castle of La Mota, and Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro. Each offers a unique experience, from historic landmarks to natural wonders.