Before you go

Your trip to San Sebastián.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Get it on Google Play

San Sebastián – Basque Country Destination País Basco

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto de San Sebastián (EAS) Hondarribia · 20 km
  • Aeropuerto de Bilbao (BIO) Loiu · 100 km
  • Estación de Donostia-San Sebastián 1 km
  • Estación de Autobuses de Donostia-San Sebastián 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. San Sebastián's airport, in Hondarribia, 20 km away, has few flights; Bilbao's airport, about 100 km away, has a direct bus. From Madrid, the Alvia train takes about 5h30. Buses from Bilbao arrive in around 1h20. Biarritz, in France, is 50 km away.

How many days

Two days cover La Concha, the hills Urgull and Igueldo, the Peine del Viento, San Telmo and the pintxos nights. With a third day you can visit coastal towns such as Getaria and Hondarribia.

When to go

From June to September the weather is usually best for the beach, with the city crowded and accommodation in demand. May and October have mild days and fewer people. It rains at any time of year. The film festival is usually in September, and the Tamborrada on January 20.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The center, the Parte Vieja and the beaches are walkable, and city buses go up to Igueldo and to the neighborhoods. Parking is expensive and difficult. A car only helps for coastal villages and the interior.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in San Sebastián
  1. Morning
    La Concha

    Walk along the promenade of La Concha, with its white railing and iron lampposts, from the Ayuntamiento to the Palacio de Miramar.

  2. Afternoon
    Peine del Viento

    Walk to the end of Ondarreta beach to see Chillida's sculptures battered by the sea.

  3. Late afternoon
    Monte Igueldo

    Take the funicular up to Monte Igueldo for the bay view at sunset.

  4. Evening
    Parte Vieja

    Pintxos night in the Parte Vieja, bar to bar.

2 days in San Sebastián

Day 1

  1. Morning
    La Concha and Miramar

    Promenade of La Concha and the gardens of the Palacio de Miramar.

  2. Afternoon
    Peine del Viento and Igueldo

    Peine del Viento and the funicular to Monte Igueldo, with lunch up there or on the return.

  3. Late afternoon
    Beach

    Afternoon at the beach in La Concha or Ondarreta, if the weather helps.

  4. Evening
    Pintxos

    Pintxos route in the Parte Vieja, around the Plaza de la Constitución.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    San Telmo

    Museu San Telmo and the basilica of Santa María del Coro, in the Parte Vieja.

  2. Afternoon
    Monte Urgull

    Climb Urgull via the trails, up to the Castillo de la Mota and the Sagrado Corazón.

  3. Late afternoon
    Zurriola

    Cross the Urumea river to the Kursaal and Zurriola beach, with surfers in the late afternoon.

  4. Evening
    Gros

    Pintxos dinner in the Gros neighborhood, less touristy than the Parte Vieja.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get to San Sebastián from Bilbao airport?

There are direct buses from Bilbao airport terminal to San Sebastián, taking about 1h15, with several departures per day. Check the schedules.

Which is the best beach in San Sebastián?

It depends on taste: La Concha is the most central and calm, Ondarreta is the more family-oriented continuation, and Zurriola, in the Gros neighborhood, has waves and surfers.

Can you go to France from San Sebastián?

Yes. Hendaye, on the border, is about 20 km away by the Euskotren, and Biarritz about 50 km by bus. Bring your passport.

What is the Tamborrada?

The patron saint festival, on January 20, when groups dressed as cooks and soldiers play drums in the streets for 24 hours, from midnight to midnight.

Do you need to reserve restaurants in San Sebastián?

For sit-down restaurants and Michelin-starred places, yes, well in advance. In pintxos bars there are no reservations: you eat at the counter.

Back to San Sebastián