San Sebastian (Donostia) travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat pintxos in San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Txapela and boina - the Basque beret, sold at Casa Ponsol (Calle Narrika 4), a hat maker founded in 1838 in the Parte Vieja
Idiazabal cheese - smoked or unsmoked sheep's milk cheese, sold in Mercado de la Bretxa and delicatessens
Txakoli - the dry, lightly sparkling white wine of Getaria (DO Getariako Txakolina), sold in wine shops
Cantabrian anchovies, bonito and tinned seafood, sold in delicatessens and the markets
Basque cider (sidra) and pacharan, the local sloe liqueur, sold in supermarkets and wine shops
Basque linen and kitchen textiles (Basque stripe), sold in Parte Vieja and Centro shops
Pastries from city pastry shops, which keep for several days when packed
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercado de la Bretxa
Working food market at the edge of the Parte Vieja, with fish and vegetable stalls.
Where: Parte Vieja edge, Boulevard Zumardia
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-20:00; closed Sunday (tablejourney.com; fresh stalls are mainly morning, confirm locally)
Mercado de San Martin
Market opened in 2005 on the site of the 1884 San Martin market.
Where: Centro
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-20:00 per tablejourney.com; another source suggests mornings to about 14:00 (sources differ; confirm locally)
Mercado de Gros
Local food market in Gros.
Where: Gros
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-14:00; closed Sunday (single listing; confirm locally)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Centro Romantico: Avenida de la Libertad and the Boulevard
Calle San Martin and the Ensanche side streets
Parte Vieja (Calle Narrika, Fermin Calbeton, Calle Mayor)
Gros
Antiguo
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Garbera (Westfield Garbera)
Large shopping centre on the eastern edge of the city.
Hours: Shopping centre 10:00-22:00 per the operator's 2026 schedule (westfield.com/es/spain/garbera); Eroski supermarket from 09:30
Centro Comercial San Martin
Central shopping centre beside the San Martin market.
Hours: Typically 10:00-22:00 (city tourism office; confirm per shop)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
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Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Custom
- VAT refund (tax-free shopping)
- Detail
- Visitors resident outside the EU can claim a refund of Spanish VAT (21%) on eligible goods at participating shops. Ask for the tax-free form at purchase, carry a passport, and have the form validated by Customs before leaving the EU, for example at DIVA kiosks at Bilbao or San Sebastian airports or at the airport of departure from the EU.
- Custom
- Siesta and shop hours
- Detail
- Smaller shops close for a midday break, roughly 14:00 to 16:30, and on Sundays; shopping centres stay open through the day.
- Custom
- Card and cash
- Detail
- Cards and contactless payment are accepted in most shops; carry some cash for market stalls and small purchases.