Discover the allure of San Sebastian, a captivating coastal town located in the Basque Country of Spain. Stroll through its enchanting alleys, indulge in the local cuisine and immerse yourself in its vibrant culture. With a plethora of activities to choose from, San Sebastian is a must-visit destination when exploring the iconic landmarks of Spain. Meanwhile, don’t forget to embark on a scenic Andalucia road trip to experience the breathtaking beauty of the southern coastline, equally as stunning as its northern counterpart.
Take in the Scenic View from Mount Igueldo
Embark on a funicular cable car ride from Ondarreta Beach to the peak of Mount Igueldo, which offers panoramic views of the Bay of Biscay and the Riviera town. San Sebastian, located just 20 kilometers from the French border, has been a popular vacation destination for European aristocrats since the 19th century. Kids can enjoy a visit to the Mount Igueldo amusement park, which features exciting rides such as a roller coaster, water rides, and bumper cars. Additionally, there is a hotel and café where you can sip on a café solo while taking in the stunning views in a laid-back Spanish style. The Funikular Monte Igueldo is located at Funikular Plaza, 4, 20008 Donostia, Gipuzkoa.
Relax on La Concha Beach
San Sebastian’s primary beach, Playa de La Concha, gracefully curves along a protected waterfront. Indulge in a four-course meal at one of the numerous waterfront restaurants located along Paseo de la Concha, where you can appreciate magnificent ocean views without breaking the bank. La Perla restaurant (Paseo de la Concha, San Sebastian, tel: 943 46 24 84) provides indoor and outdoor dining, with an average price of around €20 for a four-course meal. After your meal, take a stroll along the beachfront, where rows of sun-kissed bodies bask in the last rays of summer.
Stroll Through Alderdi Eder Gardens
Experience the charm of Alderdi Eder gardens, located in front of the historic City Hall building, while watching children ride the French-style carousel. At the end of the bay lies the picturesque Monte Urgull area, which is filled with colorful boats. The Naval Museum and Aquarium is another popular San Sebastian attraction, and beyond the Aquarium is a stunning ocean-front cliff walk that offers rugged views.
Surf at La Zurriola
Situated next to the gleaming, space-age glass structure of the Kursaal Conference Centre and Auditorium, La Zurriola is a convenient surf beach located in the heart of San Sebastian. As you travel along the coastline, you’ll discover that this region has some of Spain’s finest surf beaches. Zarautz is the area’s longest surf beach, while Mundaka hosts international surfing competitions that attract surfers from all over the world.
Explore San Sebastian’s Old Town
Aside from the beaches, San Sebastian’s top attraction is its Old Town, also known as Parte Vieja. During medieval times, the city was a walled town limited to the Old Town area, with Plaza de la Constitucion as its historical center. Strolling through Parte Vieja is a wonderful way to immerse oneself in the local atmosphere, dine in pintxos bars, shop for souvenirs, and visit museums. San Sebastian’s Old Quarter is located at the foot of Mount Urgull near the harbor. Its narrow cobblestone streets are lined with tapas bars, restaurants, shops, and galleries. It’s also home to two churches, the Basilica de Santa Maria del Coro, and the Convent of San Telmo. The Basilica, built over the top of Roman ruins, is one of Spain’s finest examples of Baroque architecture.
Visit Basilica de Santa Maria del Coro
The 18th-century Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro was built atop an old temple and is the city’s oldest church. Completed in 1774, the beautiful Gothic Baroque building with Neo-classical elements is a Roman Catholic cathedral situated in the center of the Old Town. The Luis Boccia painting on the altar featuring the patron saint of San Sebastian, Virgen del Coro, is a sight to behold. Basilica de Santa Maria del Coro is located at 31 de Agosto Kalea, 46, 20003 Donostia, Gipuzkoa.
EXPLORE THE SAN TELMO MUSEUM
The San Telmo Museum is a renovated 16th-century Dominican convent that now showcases Basque culture through contemporary and historical art and history exhibitions. The museum’s architecture is a fusion of Gothic and Renaissance styles, making it a unique example of Gipuzkoa architecture. Visitors can enjoy both permanent and temporary exhibitions at the museum. The San Telmo Museum is located at Plaza Zuloaga, 1, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa.
VISIT PLAZA DE LA CONSTITUCION
Plaza de la Constitución, once a bullfighting ring, is now San Sebastián’s largest square. The neoclassical square is adorned with arcades that house bars and restaurants, offering a great place to sample pintxos. If you look up, you’ll notice numbered balconies where the city’s elite once watched bullfights.
ENJOY PINTXOS AND DRINKS IN SAN SEBASTIAN
San Sebastian is a haven for foodies and offers a vast array of pintxos bars, restaurants, and shops to explore.
Most bars will have plates of pintxo, the local version of tapas, displayed on the counter.
Order a small glass of the local wine, txakoli, or a beer and help yourself to the food.
When you are ready to move on to the next bar, inform the bartender of what you ate and pay on an honesty system.
The pintxo bars in the old town are lively and bustling with social activity, reflecting the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
ADMIRE SCULPTURES AT CHILLIDA LEKU
Eduardo Chillida, the most successful international sculptor from the Basque region, created an outdoor museum to showcase his contemporary iron and granite sculptures.
Chillida Leku’s artworks blend seamlessly with the surrounding greenery, blending iron and earth, stone and forest.
The museum is located amidst lush green fields, oak and birch trees, and a restored 16th-century farmhouse displaying smaller works, sketches, and early sculptures.
Chillida’s pieces are renowned worldwide and can be found in over 20 museums from Houston to Berlin, often placed in natural settings such as the San Sebastian seafront or the mountains of Japan.
Chillida Leku is situated at Jauregi Bailara, 66, 20120 Hernani, Gipuzkoa.
EXPLORE FOR CELEBRITIES IN SAN SEBASTIAN
Each September, the San Sebastian Film Festival brings Hollywood stars to the city, attracting film enthusiasts, paparazzi, and fans vying for autographs. Known officially as Donostia San Sebastian Nazioarteko Zinemaldia Festival Internacional De Cine and made famous by Gregory Peck, the festival features top Spanish-language films and a unique selection of international films that are hard to categorize. The last festival boasted the presence of famous names such as Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Costner, William Dafoe, and Anjelica Houston. If you can’t wait for the festival, you can check out Spanish shows on Netflix that feature many places around Spain.
ENJOY THE SAN SEBASTIAN JAZZ FESTIVAL
Every July, the city comes alive with one of Europe’s oldest jazz festivals, attracting a global lineup of jazz musicians such as Roberta Flack, Keith Jarrett, and Van Morrison. Open-air concerts are held all over the city, and Plaza de la Trinidad is usually filled with jazz fans enjoying the cool sounds that drift through the Old Quarter. At the end of each day, artists and jazz enthusiasts gather at pintxo bars until the early hours of the morning. The San Sebastian International Jazz Festival takes place in July.
HIKE LA RHUNE MOUNTAIN
San Sebastian is surrounded by nature reserves and only a two-hour drive from the Pyrenees, making hiking and paragliding popular activities.
The La Rhune Mountain, which is 905 metres high and located half in France and half in Spain, offers spectacular views.
You can either join a guided hiking tour or take a 30-minute ride on the six-kilometre per hour train, Le Petit Train de la Rhune, to reach the top. The hike takes approximately three hours.
ADMIRE PEINE DEL VIENTO
The Peine del Viento, meaning Comb of the Wind, are among the most famous sculptures in Spain, located at the base of Monte Igueldo at one end of Ondarreta beach.
Created by renowned Basque artist Eduardo Chillida in 1976, the three curvy steel sculptures are welded creatively into enormous granite rocks.
Exposed to the elements, the sculptures are subjected to strong winds that can blow fiercely and waves that crash into them with great force, often shooting up into the air through holes in the ground.
One of the best times to experience this fusion of art and nature is when the currents are strong. The Peine del Viento is located at Eduardo Chillida Pasealekua, s/n, 20008 Donostia, Gipuzkoa.
EXPERIENCE SAN SEBASTIAN’S LA BELLE EPOQUE AND HOTEL MARIA CRISTINA
In the early 20th century, Queen Maria Cristina of Austria made the Miramar Palace her summer residence, leading to the development of casinos, hotels, and theaters that transformed San Sebastian into a destination for the nobility. This era, known as La Belle Epoque, brought French architecture to the town, with many buildings converted into apartments and over 100 different types of street lamps, reminiscent of Paris.
The luxurious Hotel Maria Cristina, located in a historic building with elaborate chandeliers and plush antique furniture, is surrounded by promenades and gardens, offering stunning ocean views from many rooms. It has hosted a long list of celebrity guests, including Mata Hari and John Malkovich. During the International Film Festival, however, it is difficult to secure a room unless you’re a Hollywood star or famous director. The hotel is located at República Argentina Kalea, 4, 20004 Donostia, Gipuzkoa.
VISIT THE BALENCIAGA MUSEUM IN GETARIA
Take a day trip to Getaria, a charming fishing village and the birthplace of Spain’s most famous haute-couture fashion designer, Cristobal Balenciaga. The Balenciaga Foundation houses a collection of 800 of his creations and is constructing a new contemporary facility in his honor. Balenciaga established his fashion house in 1915 in San Sebastian, Madrid, and Barcelona before moving to Paris in 1936 and becoming a sensation, with famous disciples such as Ungaro and Oscar de la Renta following in his footsteps.
TAKE A FERRY TO SANTA CLARA ISLAND
Located off the coast of San Sebastian, Santa Clara Island is a charming, small island in Concha Bay.
With a rich history, it offers a peaceful escape for swimming and picnics, with natural rock pools, a cafe, and restaurant.
A walk to the lighthouse on the island promises breathtaking views, while boat rides around the bay are also popular.
DISCOVER CASTILLO DE LA MOTA
The 12th-century Castillo de la Mota (Mota Castle) is situated atop Monte Urgull, built by King Sancho from Navarre to defend the city from the 12th to the 19th century.
The 12-meter Cristo de la Mota statue has overlooked the city since 1950.
Casa de la Historia (History House Museum) allows visitors to learn about the castle’s 800 years of history through audio-visual guides.
Castillo de la Mota is located at Subida al Castillo, San Jeronimo Kalea, 20003 Donostia, Gipuzkoa.
