San Sebastian (Donostia) travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat pintxos in San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain.
Accommodation overview
San Sebastian is compact and walkable, so the choice of area is mostly about atmosphere, beach access and price. The Parte Vieja (old town) is the pintxo-bar heart of the city, with pensions, hostels and a few small hotels; it is lively until late, so light sleepers should ask for a quiet inner room. The Centro and Área Romántica, between the Boulevard, the Buen Pastor cathedral and the Urumea river, hold the grand Belle Époque addresses such as Hotel María Cristina and the shopping streets, and they are a 5 to 10 minute walk from both the old town and La Concha beach. The streets just behind La Concha bay around Zubieta, San Martín and Plaza de Zaragoza have Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, Villa Favorita and several mid-range hotels with the shortest walk to the sand. Gros, across the Urumea river and beside Zurriola beach and the Kursaal, is the younger surf and bar district with cheaper pensions and hostels. Antiguo and Ondarreta, at the western end of La Concha bay, are quieter and residential, with the Peine del Viento sculptures, Ondarreta beach and the Monte Igueldo funicular nearby. Further out, Monte Igueldo, Igeldo and Aiete offer views and quiet but need a taxi or bus, and Miramon and Amara are business districts with newer hotels and lower prices.
Hotels by budget
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Budget-friendly
Hotel Parma
Hotel Parma is at Salamanca pasealekua 10 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a two-star hotel at the edge of the Parte Vieja, close to the Alderdi Eder gardens and the harbour. It is about 0.2 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Hotel Ezeiza is at Satrustegi hiribidea 13 in Antiguo, San Sebastián. It is a two-star hotel in the Antiguo district near the university area. It is about 1.9 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Hotel Leku Eder is at Kristobal Balenziaga pasealekua 2 in Igeldo, San Sebastián. It is a two-star hotel on the road to Monte Igueldo, at the western end of the Ondarreta bay. It is about 2.7 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Hotel Terminus is at Frantzia pasealekua 21 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a hotel on the Paseo de Francia, close to the main railway station. It is about 0.9 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Zaragoza Plaza
Hotel Zaragoza Plaza is at Zaragoza plaza 3 in Centro (La Concha), San Sebastián. It is a small hotel on Plaza de Zaragoza, two blocks from La Concha beach. It is about 0.8 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Hotel Anoeta is at Anoeta pasealekua 30 in Anoeta, San Sebastián. It is a hotel in the Anoeta district beside the Anoeta stadium, about 2 km from the Parte Vieja. It is about 2.6 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comLetoh Letoh
Letoh Letoh is at Matia kalea 18 in Antiguo, San Sebastián. It is a small hotel in the Antiguo district, close to Ondarreta beach. It is about 1.8 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comDon Cecilio Guesthouse Boulevard
Don Cecilio Guesthouse Boulevard is at Legazpi kalea 6 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a guesthouse a block from the Boulevard, between the Parte Vieja and the Centro. It is about 0.2 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comCasa Nicolasa
Casa Nicolasa is at Aldamar kalea 4 in Parte Vieja, San Sebastián. It is a small lodging on Aldamar street at the edge of the Parte Vieja, near the Bretxa market. It is about 0.2 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comPensión Peñaflorida
Pensión Peñaflorida is at Peñaflorida kalea 1A in Parte Vieja, San Sebastián. It is a pension a few steps from the Boulevard and the Bretxa market. It is about 0.3 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Pensión Sarriegi is at Sarriegi plaza 1 in Parte Vieja, San Sebastián. It is a pension on the small Sarriegi square inside the Parte Vieja. It is inside the Parte Vieja.
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Pensión Joakina is at Camino kalea 4 in Parte Vieja, San Sebastián. It is a pension on Camino street at the edge of the Parte Vieja, near the Boulevard. It is about 0.4 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Pensión Régil is at Easo kalea 9 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a pension on Easo street, near the Buen Pastor cathedral and the Centro shops. It is about 0.7 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Pensión San Martín is at San Martín kalea 10 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a pension on San Martín street, close to the Centro and the Buen Pastor cathedral. It is about 0.7 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Pensión Donostiarra is at San Martín kalea 6 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a pension at the Boulevard end of San Martín street. It is about 0.7 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Pensión Alemana is at San Martín kalea 53 in Centro (La Concha), San Sebastián. It is a pension on San Martín street, a few minutes on foot from La Concha beach. It is about 0.9 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Pensión Urumea is at Getaria kalea 14 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a two-star pension on Getaria street, close to the Centro and the Urumea river. It is about 0.7 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Pensión Urkia is at Urbieta kalea 12 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a pension on Urbieta street in the Centro district. It is about 0.7 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Pensión Aida is at Iztueta kalea 9 in Gros, San Sebastián. It is a pension in the Gros district, a short walk from Zurriola beach and the Kursaal. It is about 0.8 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Okako is at Iztueta kalea 7 in Gros, San Sebastián. It is a small lodging in the Gros district, a short walk from Zurriola beach. It is about 0.8 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Welcome Gros is at Iparragirre kalea 3 in Gros, San Sebastián. It is a small lodging in the Gros district, one street from the Gros market area and a short walk from the surf beach. It is about 0.8 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Downtown River Hostel is at San Martín kalea 2 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a hostel in the Centro district, a short walk from the Urumea river and the Buen Pastor cathedral. It is about 0.7 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Colo Colo Hostel San Sebastián is at Arrasate kalea 3 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a hostel on Arrasate street in the Centro district. It is about 0.6 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comRoger's House
Roger's House is at Juan de Bilbao kalea 13 in Parte Vieja, San Sebastián. It is a hostel in the heart of the Parte Vieja, close to the pintxo bars. It is inside the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comKoba Hostel
Koba Hostel is at Karkizano kalea 5 in Gros, San Sebastián. It is a hostel in the Gros district, near Zurriola surf beach. It is about 0.9 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comAlbergue Juvenil Ondarreta
Albergue Juvenil Ondarreta is at Igeldo pasealekua 25 in Ondarreta, San Sebastián. It is the municipal youth hostel beside Ondarreta beach, the cheapest beachfront bed in the city. It is about 2.2 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Hotel Villa Soro
Hotel Villa Soro is at Ategorrietako Galtzada Zaharra in Ategorrieta, San Sebastián. It is a small villa-style boutique hotel in the Ategorrieta district, east of the Urumea river and a short walk from Zurriola beach. It is about 1.7 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comMercure San Sebastián Monte Igueldo
Mercure San Sebastián Monte Igueldo is at Itsasargiko pasealekua 134 in Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián. It stands on top of Monte Igueldo beside the funicular and viewpoint, with views over La Concha bay. It is about 2.1 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comGudamendi Hotel
Gudamendi Hotel is at Gudamendiko bidea 26 in Igeldo, San Sebastián. It is a four-star hotel in a wooded setting on the Igeldo side of the city, about 2.7 km west of the Parte Vieja. It is about 3.4 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comSilken Amara Plaza
Silken Amara Plaza is at Pío XII plaza 7 in Amara, San Sebastián. It is a tall four-star hotel in the Amara district beside the Pío XII square, a 15-minute walk from the Kursaal and the centre. It is about 1.8 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comZinema 7 Hotel
Zinema 7 Hotel is at Familia Santua kalea 1 in Amara, San Sebastián. It is a cinema-themed four-star hotel in the Amara district. It is about 1.8 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comNH Collection San Sebastián Aránzazu
NH Collection San Sebastián Aránzazu is at Vitoria-Gasteiz kalea 1 in Antiguo, San Sebastián. It is a chain four-star hotel in the Antiguo district near Ondarreta beach and the Miramar gardens. It is about 2.2 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Ilunion San Sebastián
Hotel Ilunion San Sebastián is at Zumalakarregi hiribidea 20 in Ondarreta, San Sebastián. It is a four-star chain hotel on the Zumalakarregi avenue, a short walk from Ondarreta beach. It is about 2.0 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Hotel Catalonia Donosti is at San Bartolome Gaina kalea 9 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a four-star hotel with a spa (minimum age 16, extra access fee reported near €20) on a hillside street above the Centro district. It is about 0.9 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comabba San Sebastián Hotel
abba San Sebastián Hotel is at Frantzia pasealekua 4 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a chain hotel on the Paseo de Francia beside the Urumea river, between the centre and the Gros district. It is about 0.7 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel One Shot Tabakalera House
Hotel One Shot Tabakalera House is at Mandasko Dukearen pasealekua 52 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a design hotel next to the Tabakalera culture centre and the Donostia railway station area. It is about 1.1 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comAxel Hotel San Sebastián
Axel Hotel San Sebastián is at Amara kalea 26 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is the San Sebastián branch of the Axel hotel brand, in the Centro district. It is about 1.1 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Barceló Costa Vasca
Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca is at Pío Baroja pasealekua 15 in Ondarreta, San Sebastián. It is a large resort-style chain hotel on the southern edge of the Antiguo and Ondarreta area, with a hotel spa and a longer walk to the sea. It is about 1.6 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comLeonardo Boutique Hotel San Sebastián
Leonardo Boutique Hotel San Sebastián is at Colón pasealekua 14 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a boutique hotel on Paseo de Colón, close to the Kursaal and the Urumea river. It is about 0.6 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Hotel Tres Reyes San Sebastián is at Dulce María Loynaz kalea 7 in Miramon, San Sebastián. It is a hotel in the Miramon area south of the centre, suited to guests with a car. It is about 3.9 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Hotel Distrito Oeste is at Zarautz kalea 82 in Antiguo, San Sebastián. It is a hotel on the western edge of the Antiguo district, away from the sea and the tourist centre. It is about 2.6 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comLeonardo Hotel San Sebastián
Leonardo Hotel San Sebastián is at Berabera pasealekua 87 in Aiete, San Sebastián. It is a chain hotel in the Aiete district, south-west of the centre. It is about 2.4 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Codina
Hotel Codina is at Zumalakarregi hiribidea 21 in Ondarreta, San Sebastián. It is a three-star hotel on the Zumalakarregi avenue, a short walk from Ondarreta beach. It is about 2.0 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Hotel Niza is at Zubieta kalea 56 in Centro (La Concha), San Sebastián. It is a three-star hotel on Zubieta street, one block from the La Concha promenade. It is about 1.0 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Avenida
Hotel Avenida is at Igeldo pasealekua 55 in Ondarreta, San Sebastián. It is a hotel on the Igeldo avenue near the Monte Igueldo funicular, a short walk from Ondarreta beach. It is about 2.5 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Sercotel Europa
Hotel Sercotel Europa is at San Martín kalea 52 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a Sercotel chain hotel on San Martín street, between the Centro shops and La Concha beach. It is about 0.8 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel San Sebastián Orly by Meliá
Hotel San Sebastián Orly by Meliá is at Zaragoza plaza 4 in Centro (La Concha), San Sebastián. It is a Meliá-managed hotel on Plaza de Zaragoza, two blocks from La Concha beach. It is about 0.8 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comZenit Convento San Martín
Zenit Convento San Martín is at San Martín kalea 45 in Centro (La Concha), San Sebastián. It is a Zenit hotel in a converted convent building on San Martín street. It is about 0.9 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Arbaso
Hotel Arbaso is at Hondarribia kalea 24 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a hotel in the Centro district, a short walk from the Boulevard and the Parte Vieja. It is about 0.7 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comLasala Plaza Hotel
Lasala Plaza Hotel is at Lasala plaza in Parte Vieja, San Sebastián. It is a hotel on the Plaza Lasala at the edge of the Parte Vieja. It is about 0.3 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comSANSEbay Hotel
SANSEbay Hotel is at Mari kalea 21 in Parte Vieja, San Sebastián. It is a small hotel in the Parte Vieja, in the quieter western part of the old town near the port. It is about 0.3 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Atari
Hotel Atari is at Kale Nagusia 18 in Parte Vieja, San Sebastián. It is a hotel on Calle Mayor, the main street of the Parte Vieja, so the pintxo bars are on the doorstep. It is about 0.2 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comLegazpi Doce
Legazpi Doce is at Legazpi kalea 12 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a small hotel near the Boulevard and the Bretxa market, between the Parte Vieja and the Centro. It is about 0.3 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comT5 Donostia Suites
T5 Donostia Suites is at Tolosa hiribidea 5 in Antiguo, San Sebastián. It offers suite-style apartment rooms in the Antiguo district, useful for longer stays. It is about 2.1 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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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.comHotel Palacio Bellas Artes, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hotel Palacio Bellas Artes, Curio Collection by Hilton is at Urbieta kalea 61 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a Hilton Curio Collection property in the Centro district, about 1 km from La Concha beach. It is about 1.1 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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Hotel Palacio de Aiete is at Goiko Galtzada Berria 27 in Aiete, San Sebastián. It is a four-star hotel in the green Aiete hills above the city, quieter than the centre and best reached by taxi or bus. It is about 2.2 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comArima Hotel & Spa
Arima Hotel & Spa is at Miramon pasealekua 162 in Miramon, San Sebastián. This design hotel in the Miramon technology-park district, south of the centre, includes the Foresta Wellness hydrotherapy circuit, which room packages open to adult guests for 90 minutes a day. It is about 3.6 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
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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.comHotel Villa Soro
Hotel Villa Soro is at Ategorrietako Galtzada Zaharra in Ategorrieta, San Sebastián. It is a small villa-style boutique hotel in the Ategorrieta district, east of the Urumea river and a short walk from Zurriola beach. It is about 1.7 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Palacio Bellas Artes, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hotel Palacio Bellas Artes, Curio Collection by Hilton is at Urbieta kalea 61 in Centro, San Sebastián. It is a Hilton Curio Collection property in the Centro district, about 1 km from La Concha beach. It is about 1.1 km in a straight line from the Parte Vieja.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book August (Semana Grande), late July (Jazzaldia), late September (the Zinemaldia film festival), Easter and the Tamborrada weekend early, as central rooms sell out and prices rise sharply.
The Parte Vieja is the most atmospheric base but is noisy on Friday and Saturday nights, so ask for a room away from the street.
Many central hotels have no private parking and the old town is largely closed to cars, so travellers with a hire car should confirm parking fees in advance or choose Amara, Miramon or Aiete.
Check the current status of any municipal tourist tax before a stay, as local rules can change.
Donostia airport (EAS) is in Hondarribia, about 20 km east; Bilbao airport (BIO) is roughly 100 km away, with direct coach services.
Euskotren and Renfe trains arrive at the stations on Paseo de Francia and in Amara, and the Dbus city buses cover the centre.
Pensions and hostels often ask for payment on arrival, so carry a card and some euros.
Prices on this page are typical seasonal bands (1 EUR = 1.15 USD used throughout), not live rates, and the star classes shown are those listed in public sources.
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.