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la concha beach in san sebastian

The Essential San Sebastian City Break Guide for First-Time Visitors

San Sebastian (or Donostia, as it’s known in Basque) might not be the easiest to get to, nor the cheapest city break destination, but it is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding. Once you arrive, you’ll find yourself in one of northern Spain’s most beautiful cities, a place with stunning urban beaches, world-class cuisine, and no shortage of cool things to do. Its transformation from humble fishing village to a summer playground for Spanish elites, as well as its stunning coastal location on the western edge of the Pyrenees and close to the French border, blesses San Sebastian with breathtaking landscapes, and a certain sophistication which attracts visitors from all over the world.

With that said, there are no direct international flights to the city, nor are there any direct ferry connections (more on that below). Equally, San Sebastian isn’t exactly a budget-friendly destination. But I want to show you that despite it being a bit posh, there’s no reason why this wonderful city shouldn’t be inclusive for all visitors coming here. So here’s my travel guide to San Sebastian, with tips and advice how to get there, accommodation options, the wonderful food, and other things to do. So pour yourself a cheeky glass of Rioja, and let’s get planning…

How To Get To San Sebastian

Ferry to San Sebastian

There is no direct ferry to San Sebastian from the UK or Ireland. There however to nearby ports like Bilbao and Santander. Bilbao is just a 1-hour 15-minute drive from San Sebastian, while Santander is about 2 hours 20 minutes further along the Costa Verde. Depart from from either Portsmouth or Plymouth in the UK, or Rosslare in Ireland. For full details, check out my posts on UK to Spain ferries and ferry routes from Ireland.

What is the nearest airport to San Sebastian?

San Sebastian’s domestic airport is tiny and doesn’t handle international flights. Instead, your best options are Biarritz Airport in France (25 miles away) and Bilbao Airport (47 miles away). Both airports offer direct flights from the UK: To Bilbao: London Gatwick (Vueling), & Bristol (EasyJet). To Biarritz: London Stansted (Ryanair) & London Gatwick (EasyJet).

Trains & Buses

Accommodation in San Sebastian

Hotels in San Sebastian can be expensive, especially during peak season, with demand high due to the city’s small size and pretty limited hotel stock. That said, there are plenty of options for every budget — from affordable pensions and boutique hotels to luxurious 5-star accommodations. As with many popular European cities, if you want to stay in a fancy hotel but avoid sky-high prices, consider visiting in off-season (October to March) when you’ll definitely get better rates.

Budget hotels in San Sebastian

Despite its reputation as a glamorous city, San Sebastian still offers several budget-friendly accommodation options without breaking the bank. Here are some top picks:

  1. Cristina Enea Rooms: Rates starting at under 50 EUR per night in the off-season, prices can more than double in summer, so booking in advance is a must.
  2. Casa Nicolasa Pension: This cozy pension is located in the Old Town, just a short walk from both La Concha and Zurriola beaches.
  3. Pension Balerdi: Nestled in the heart of the Old Town, Pension Balerdi is constructed from parts of San Sebastian’s historic city walls. It’s also surrounded by some of the best pintxos bars in the city.
  4. Uma Suites Ondaretta: Located in the Antiguo district, a 5-minute walk from Ondarreta beach, this is an solid choice for those wanting to stay outside the hustle and bustle of the main tourist areas while still being within easy walking distance. Lots of good local bakeries and bars nearby.
  5. Leonardo Boutique Hotel San Sebastian: This budget-friendly hotel is just steps from Zurriola Beach in the vibrant Gros district. Rates around 50 EUR per night in the off-season, it remains decent value even during peak season.

Boutique hotels in San Sebastian

If you’re looking for something a bit more stylish without necessarily splurging, San Sebastian has a fantastic selection of mid-range boutique hotels offering both charm and comfort.

  1. Zenit Convento San Martin: This unique hotel, housed in a former chapel, offers an atmospheric stay right in the heart of the city. The quirky hotel bar is a great spot for people-watching, and the breakfast buffet is a highlight.
  2. Intelier Villa Katalina Hotel: Just a short walk from La Concha beach and the Old Town, this hotel offers stylish rooms with modern touches and a quiet location next to San Sebastian Cathedral.
  3. Hotel Arbaso: A 5-minute walk from the bus and train stations, this stylish hotel offers moody, well-lit rooms and a trendy in-house restaurant, Narru, which is popular with locals, which must be a good sign!
  4. Room Mate Gorka Hotel: Perfectly located between the beach, Old Town, and Gros neighborhood, Room Mate Gorka offers chic, modern rooms with views of the beautiful Gipuzkoa Plaza. Ideal for those looking to explore the best of San Sebastian.

Luxury and 5 star hotels in San Sebastian

For those who want to experience the height of luxury, San Sebastian has several 5-star hotels. These establishments offer world-class service, stunning views, and prime locations.

1. One of the most iconic hotels in San Sebastian, the Hotel Maria Cristina is a luxury landmark located on the doorstep of the Old Town, in a lovely green park along Republica Argentina. If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can redeem points for a stay here.

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, as well as great value. 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.

3. A more intimate option, Hotel Bidaïa features just 17 rooms. Situated in Gros, with sweeping views of Mount Ulia, the hotel is a 20-minute walk from La Concha Beach and Old Town. Its in-house restaurant, serving local specialties paired with Txakoli wine, is a standout feature.

Things To Do In San Sebastian

Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or just looking to eat and relax, there’s something for everyone to do, so here are some of the best things to do in San Sebastian:

1. Walking tours of San Sebastian

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

2. Small-group e-bike tour

For the lazy, er, I mean, more relaxed 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.

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…

is san sebastian worth visiting?
No better way appreciate the beautiful Basque coastline!
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Do a half-day white water rafting trip down the Nive river in Bidarray, near Biarittz.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

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 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) are typical. Local food culture is also celebrated during annual events like the San Sebastián Gastronomika, a prestigious culinary conference.

  1. 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.
  2. Sample pinxtos and drink Basque cider and local wines on a food tour through San Sebastian’s beautiful old town.
  3. If you’re more of a night owl then consider joining this Evening Pintxos Food Tour with Discover San Sebastian.
next level pintxos found during san sebastian food tours in the basque country
Next level pintxos on San Sebastian food tours

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.

day trips from san sebastian to bilbao
The Guggenheim museum in Bilbao

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…

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.
wine tours from san sebastian to la rioja
The stunning La Rioja wine region is easily reachable from San Sebastian

San Sebastian Destination Guide: Outro

Whatever you’re into, there is such a variety of things to do in San Sebastian that will appeal to you. Foodies and winos are sorted with the huge selection of food tours 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 walking tour. Accommodation in San Sebastian is actually targeted to all budgets, but book early to find a good deal.

If you think we’ve missed anything here in our San Sebastian destination guide, then do please let us know in the comments below. And for those who can’t get enough of northern Spain, then also consider the often overlooked Santander for a city break instead.

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