Anyone who’s already had the pleasure of visiting, will most likely agree that San Sebastian is not just worth a visit, but should be top of any list of Spanish city break destinations. For this wonderful Basque enclave is the perfect escape for anyone who longs for a coastal city that oozes with urban charm and sophistication. But with so much on offer here, how does the first time visitor decide where to stay, and what to do? Well, they follow my recommendations of course, that’s how! This is my guide on getting there, where to stay, and on things to do in San Sebastian. So, no matter what you’re into, or how many times you may have visited this delightful corner of Northern Spain, you’ll be fully loaded with ideas on how to make the most of your San Sebastian city break. So grab yourself a cheeky glass of Rioja, sit back and let’s start planning…
Is a San Sebastian city break worth the effort and cost?
Before we get into all that there is to do on a San Sebastian city break, let’s first get the obvious question out of the way – yes, without a shadow of a doubt, San Sebastián, known as Donostia in Basque, is worth visiting! It is one of the highlights of northern Spain, as it is equally famous for its beautiful beaches as well as its world-class food scene. Founded back in 1180 by Sancho VI of Navarre, San Sebastian was a low key fishing village for much of its existence until it became a favourite summer retreat for Spanish royalty in the 19th century. This spurred its development into the luxurious seaside resort which we know today. Sitting almost on the border with France, and located on the western edge of the Pyrenees, San Sebastian is a city blessed with some truly gorgeous natural landscapes in all directions. Because of all this though, and its rather modest size, accommodation and other amenities have become rather pricey, obviously a lot less so in winter, but do be aware of that.
1. how to get to san sebastian
1.1 Ferry to San Sebastian
There is no direct ferry from the UK to San Sebastian. The closest you can get to is Bilbao, which is only an hour and a quarter drive away. Other ferry services to Santander are also pretty close by – just 2hrs 20 minutes driving along the coast. Brittany ferries offers all of the routes; from Portsmouth to Bilbao; Portsmouth to Santander; and Plymouth to Santander. From Ireland they also offer Rosslare to Bilbao and Santander. For full details check out my guides to ferries to Spain from UK and from Ireland.
1.2 Getting to San Sebastian from other Spanish cities
Best way is by train – there are five direct trains from Madrid to San Sebastian each day. Travel times vary depending on the service you choose, but you can do the journey in as little as 4 hrs 55 mins. Check out Omio for full details and to book tickets.
There is only one direct train from Barcelona to San Sebastian each day, and it departs at 14:32 from Barcelona Sants. The journey takes 6 hrs 21 mins in total. This route is very popular and is often sold out, so book early if you plan to visit via Barcelona.
The Spanish train network along its northern coast isn’t great, especially when compared with the rest of the country. Trains from Bilbao to San Sebastian would take at least five hours, and they require changes, so the much better way of doing this is by bus. Routes are operated by ALSA, and take just over an hour!
Again, the rail connections along the north coast are so poor that buses are by far the best way to travel on public transport. Journeys with ALSA take around 2hrs 50mins and come in very cheap, at around 20 EUR per person.
2. Accommodation in San Sebastian
2.1 San Sebastian Hotels
San Sebastian gets pretty expensive pretty quickly. This is, after all, a coastal city that was popularized by the Spanish royal family’s summer visits, and one which now carries a reputation as a mecca for Michellin starred restaurants. The Basque Country is also one of Spain’s richest regions, with a strong independence movement, fuelled by a general disgruntlement for paying for the rest of Spain. San Sebastian is also pretty small, so hotel prices naturally rise sharply in the summer months. As is the case across most of Europe, if you want to stay somewhere fancy, but don’t particularly wanna pay through the nose for it, then travelling in the off-season (between October to March) certainly makes sense here too.
2.1.2 Budget hotels in San Sebastian
Given all of the above, and in such a well-heeled place, the hotels and accommodation options cater largely to its well-to-do visitors, or those who just fancy splurging and treating themselves. For the rest of us, let’s explore the options for cheap hotels in San Sebastian…
1. Cristina Enea Rooms have rooms for less than 50 EUR a night in the off season, but prices more than double in the high summer months.
2. The wonderful Casa Nicolasa Pension is also worth considering, as it is beautifully appointed, and located in the Old Town, close by to both La Concha and Zurriola beaches.
3. Indeed, if you prefer the cosiness, and comfort of a Pension, then also consider Pension Balerdi, as it is partially constructed from the old defensive city walls, and is located plum in the old town among some of the city’s best Pinxto bars.
4. A little further to the west, and a 5 minute walk to Ondaretta beach is Uma Suites Ondaretta, in the Antiguo part of town. Great if you prefer to be a little outside of the tourist hussle & bussle, in an arguably more authentic part of town, with great local bakeries and bars nearby too.
5. For a budget hotel that is literally steps away from Zurriola beach in the Gros district, and just a short walk to the Old Town, then Leonardo Boutique Hotel San Sebastian is a great choice. With prices hovering around 50 EUR per night in the off season, this is one of the best value beach hotels in San Sebastian, by far, even when prices rise to over double that in peak season.
2.1.3 Mid-range Boutique Hotels in San Sebastian
1. Zenit Convento San Martin offers a wonderfully atmospheric lobby, adapted from a chapel, and comfortable rooms right in the heart of San Sebastian. The breakfast buffet is particularly noteworthy, as is the rather quirky location of the hotel bar, which allows you to people watch as locals come in to pray in the old convent!
2. With a selection of classy and stylish rooms, Intelier Villa Katalina Hotel is a 5 minute walk to the old town and La Concha beach, and located right next to San Sebastian cathedral in a quiet part of town.
3. A five minute walk from San Sebastian bus and train stations is the very stylishly adorned Hotel Arbaso. Rooms are moody and perfectly lit, and don’t forget to eat at least once at the in-house hotel restaurant, Narru, a place which has also become popular among the locals – so it must be good!
4. With several rooms overlooking the pretty Gipuzkoa Plaza, Room Mate Gorka Hotel is perfectly located in between the beach, the old town and the Gros neighbourhood
2.1.4 Luxury and 5 star hotels in San Sebastian
1. Hotel Maria Cristina is the reason why people think that hotels in San Sebastian are so expensive. However, located on the doorstep to the old town, in a lovely green city park along Republica Argentina, this place is undeniably a gem! Part of the Marriot Bonvoy groups of hotels, if you are a Marriot member and can afford to splurge a few points on Maria Cristina Hotel then go ahead and do it – you only live once, right?!
2. Arguably the best located hotel in all of San Sebastian, the Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra is literally right on La Concha beach. I stayed here in the winter and found it to be very pleasant indeed. A little old school in its furnishings, it is a throwback to a more sedate time, when San Sebastian was flourishing into what is today, with visits from royals and a prestigious reputation to uphold. With balconies overlooking La Concha, and pastel colours dominating the rooms, there is something undeniably breezy, homely and grand about this hotel that will make you feel right at home. The room and bed was incredibly comfortable, and the feeling of waking up at the beach in real comfort is totally worth the money!
3. Hotel Bidaïa is a smaller hotel with just 17 rooms, located in Gros, around a 20 mkinute walk east of La Concha beach and the old town. Raised up with expansive hill views over Mount Ulia, this early 20th century villa has been tastefully and meticulously converted into one of San Sebastian’s premier hotels. The in-house restaurant is a particular highlight, pairing local specialities with Txakoli wines beautifully.
3. things to do in San Sebastian
For history buffs, there are options for walking tours of San Sebastian which will give you a great overview of the town’s rich history.
- For the lazy, er, I mean, less labour intensive among you, there is a small-group e-bike tour around San Sebastian, which gives you access to areas that you wouldn’t be able to see on a typical walking tour, including views from the top of Monte Igueldo, and some of the city’s lesser known districts. Small-group in this case means max 6 participants.
- Take a half-day small-group walking tour of San Sebastian with Devour Tours, which includes a boat ride across La Concha bay, and a tasting of one of the city’s most famous desserts. Learn about Basque history and culture, and discover how San Sebastian evolved from a humble port to become a city adored by Spanish royalty.
- If you prefer your history without the riff raff blocking your views, then you may want to consider this private walking tour of San Sebastian instead. The tour covers all the main cultural icons of the town, including San Vicente Church and Plaza de la Constitución, but as it is private, your guide will be able to tailor it more to your specific interests.
4. Outdoor activities in San Sebastian
San Sebastián is blessed with a gorgeous Costa Verde coastal landscape, with the renowned crescent-shaped La Concha beach at its heart. The city’s geography is marked by two prominent hills, Monte Igueldo and Monte Urgull, providing expansive views over the bay and the city itself. The Urumea River also flows through San Sebastián, while the region’s maritime climate brings mild, rainy winters and warm summers. This gives San Sebastian a pleasant greenness that you often don’t see elsewhere in Spain. For people who adore nature and who prefer outdoor activities over walking tours, then this coastal paradise is the ideal playground…
- If you want to experience something super unique, then consider a tandem paragliding flight over the Basque coastline. This area is a mecca for paragliding enthusiasts as the thermal wind currents rolling off the sea hit these cliffs to create magical conditions.
- Take a surf lesson just over the border in Hendaye in France. You can choose anything from an introductory two hour lesson for beginners to a 3-day surf camp.
- Do a half-day white water rafting trip down the Nive river in Bidarray, near Biarittz.
- For all maritime petrol heads, take a Jetski excursion from Hendaye back to the bay of San Sebastian or elsewhere along either the Spanish or French Basque coastlines.
- And if all this adrenaline sounds like your idea of hell, then just chill out on La Concha Beach instead, as it’s one of the most famous urban beaches in Europe.
5. San Sebastian food tours
San Sebastián is renowned for its exceptional cuisine, often considered among the best in the world! The city is famous for its “pintxos,” the Basque version of tapas, which are small, flavorful dishes typically enjoyed with a drink in the many bars lining the old town’s narrow streets. San Sebastián also boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants, making it a global hot spot for gourmet dining. The local cuisine emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients, particularly seafood from the nearby Bay of Biscay. Traditional Basque dishes, such as bacalao a la pil-pil (salted cod in garlic sauce) and txangurro (spider crab), highlight the region’s culinary heritage. Local food culture is also celebrated during annual events like the San Sebastián Gastronomika, a prestigious culinary conference.
- With San Sebastian home to more Michellin stars than the average tire factory, it’s the ideal place to take your cooking skills to the next level with a Basque cooking class. From a renowned restaurant in the old town, you’ll learn how to prepare four traditional Basque dishes, including the famous Basque burnt cheesecake.
- Sample pinxtos and drink Basque cider and local wines on a food tour through San Sebastian’s beautiful old town.
- If you’re more of a night owl and you wanna continue with the party once the tour has ended then join this Evening Pintxos Food Tour with Discover San Sebastian.
6. Day trips from San Sebastian
San Sebastian in incredibly well-located to explore several European highlights, including Biarritz just over the border in southern France, Pamplona – the world famous location of the ‘running of the bulls’, and of course, Bilbao…
1. Take a private guided tour to explore the French Basque Country, including visits to beautiful coastal villages and towns, including French surf hub, Biarritz, St Jean de Luz and Hondarribia.
2. Go visit Pamplona, the town that so enchanted Earnest Hemingway, with its running of the bulls through the narrow city streets. You don’t have to take part, of course, but you can bear witness to this spectacular event which is known the world over on this private San Fermin Pamplona bull run tour from San Sebastian.
3. If you’ve made it to San Sebastian without first coming from Bilbao, then this day trip takes you there for a city tour which includes entrance into the famous Guggenheim museum as well as a private tour through it, a visit to the 10th century fortress of Gaztelugatxe, and a stop for lunch which is included. Additionally, the tour price includes hotel pick up and drop off in San Sebastian.
7. Wine tours from San Sebastian
Naturally, with such a strong connection to world class cuisine, the Basque Country needs world class booze to pair with it. Serendipitously (although probably not) San Sebastian is located just to the north of both the Basque wine region, and also La Rioja…
- Take a half-day tour to visit a traditional Basque cider house to sample the rich tradition of Basque cider making, with lunch included. If drinking drinking from large wooden barrels full of cider and wandering around centuries old cellars sounds like your thing, then get involved.
- Visit Spain’s most famous wine region, La Rioja, on a private full-day wine tour, with a five course lunch and exclusive winery visits to two local producers. Hotel pick up and drop in San Sebastian. Alternatively, there is also a small-group option, which takes in one winery, and includes a two course lunch, a cellar tour at the winery, and a visit to the pretty village of Laguardia en route, as well as hotel pick up and drop off in San Sebastian.
- Visit a Basque winery from San Sebastian: Take a private tour of a family run txakoli winery and take the gorgeous Basque coastal route to discover remote and picturesque coastal towns and villages with a local guide.
Is San Sebastian worth visiting for a city break?
Whatever you’re into, San Sebastian has an activity for you. It truly is a culinary mecca, so foodies and winos are sorted with the huge selection of food tours in San Sebastian and the neighbouring wine regions. Outdoor activity enthusiasts can play for hours along the beautiful Basque coastline and nearby rivers, and history buffs will no doubt learn all about its rich history and culture by joining a San Sebastian walking tour. If you think there are more unmissable things to do in San Sebastian that I need to include, then do please let me know in the comments below, as I’m always learning too! For those of you interested in visiting Spain by different means, then do also check out my post on ferries to Spain.
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