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Historic neighborhood · San Sebastián, Basque Country
Parte Vieja de San Sebastián
Old neighborhood between Monte Urgull and the Urumea river, rebuilt after the 1813 fire, with the Plaza de la Constitución and dozens of pintxos bars.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Parte Vieja de San Sebastián
The Parte Vieja, or Alde Zaharra, is the oldest district of San Sebastián, squeezed between Monte Urgull, the port, La Concha beach and the Urumea river. Almost the whole neighborhood was destroyed in 1813, in a fire set by Anglo-Portuguese troops who retook the city from the French. Only the basilica of Santa María, the convent of San Telmo and a few houses remained standing.
Rebuilding followed a regular layout of straight streets and four- and five-story houses with balconies. In the center is the Plaza de la Constitución, a square enclosed by arcades whose balconies are numbered: bullfights were held there, and each number corresponded to a box.
The streets 31 de Agosto, which recalls the date of the fire, Fermín Calbetón, del Puerto and Portu concentrate pintxos bars, with counters full of snacks. Many bars also serve hot pintxos made to order, requested at the bar.
At the tip by the port are the market of La Bretxa, the Aquarium and the fishermen's houses.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 3 hours, with pintxos.
Best time
At night, from 7:30 p.m., for pintxos. In the morning, to see the Plaza de la Constitución and the churches with fewer people.
How to get there
It's next to La Concha beach and the Boulevard, a 10-minute walk from the train station, crossing the Urumea by the María Cristina bridge or the Santa Catalina bridge.
Tip
Do the bar-by-bar route, having a pintxo and a drink at each stop, and order the hot pintxos from the chalkboard. Keep the toothpicks and small plates for the bill. Many bars close one day a week.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Parte Vieja de San Sebastián
Why are the balconies of the Plaza de la Constitución numbered?
The square was used for bullfights, and each numbered balcony served as a private box.
Why does the Parte Vieja have straight streets?
Because it was rebuilt after the 1813 fire, with a new layout.
How does the bill work in pintxos bars?
In many, customers help themselves at the bar and tell the staff how many pintxos they ate when paying. Hot ones are ordered from the waiter.