The compact old town rebuilt after the 1813 fire, packed with pintxo bars on Calle 31 de Agosto, Calle Fermin Calbeton and Calle Mayor.
The Parte Vieja is the old quarter of San Sebastian, tucked between the Boulevard and Monte Urgull. Most of it was rebuilt after the fire of 31 August 1813, giving a neat grid of narrow pedestrian streets around the Plaza de la Constitucion, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro and the San Telmo Museum. It is the best place in the city for pintxos, the Basque bar snacks displayed along the counter. Calle 31 de Agosto, Calle Fermin Calbeton, Calle Mayor and Calle Puerto hold the densest cluster of bars. The local habit is to take one or two pintxos and a small drink at each bar, then move on. Ask for a hot pintxo from the kitchen board as well as the cold ones on the counter, and pay at the end when the bar tells you the total. Busy bars are loud and crowded, particularly on weekend evenings and during the Semana Grande in August, and the quieter mornings are best for photographing the facades and the harbour. The quarter is entirely on foot and connects directly to the port, Monte Urgull and La Concha.
| Admission | Free to enter; pintxos are paid individually |
|---|---|
| Hours | Streets open at all times; most bars open about 12:00-15:30 and 19:00-23:00 and many close one weekday; confirm each bar |
| Typical visit | 2-4 hours |
| Best time | Evening from about 19:00 for the pintxo crawl; mornings for photography |
| Getting there | Walk from La Concha in 10 minutes; Dbus buses stop at Alderdi Eder and the Boulevard; the Euskotren Amara station is about 15 minutes' walk away |
| Address | Calle 31 de Agosto, 20003 Donostia / San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain |
Location
Calle 31 de Agosto, 20003 Donostia / San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
43.3235, -1.9835 View on map
Highlights
- Pintxo crawl along Calle 31 de Agosto and Calle Fermin Calbeton
- Plaza de la Constitucion with its numbered balconies
- Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro and San Telmo Museum
- Harbour and fishing quarter at the foot of Urgull
Tips for visiting
- Start after 19:00 when the counters are full, and limit yourself to one or two pintxos per bar.
- Look for the hot specials on the blackboard, which are cooked to order.
- Many bars close one weekday and in mid-afternoon; check before you walk across town.
- Carry some cash, though most bars accept cards.
- Watch bags in crowded bars, especially during Semana Grande.
When to visit
Weekday evenings are lively but easier than Friday and Saturday; mornings are quiet for walking.
Accessibility
The streets are flat and pedestrianised but cobbled in places; many bars have narrow doors and step-up entrances.
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Frequently asked questions
Do visitors pay at the counter or at the end?
Most bars add up what was eaten and drunk when you ask for the bill at the end; ask the bar staff how they prefer to do it.
How much does a pintxo crawl cost?
A pintxo typically costs about EUR 2-5 (about USD 2.30-5.75), so an evening of six to eight pintxos with drinks usually costs EUR 25-40 (about USD 28.75-46).
Is the Parte Vieja safe at night?
It is busy and well populated, but pickpocketing happens in crowded bars, so keep bags closed and in front of you.