San Sebastián Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat & See
Last Updated: May 2026
San Sebastián, known as “Donostia” in Basque, is a STUNNING coastal city in northern Spain famous for its beaches, old town, surf, and world-class food scene. It has one of the highest densities of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world! There is also just so much to do here in terms of activities. Spend your days wandering the narrow streets of the Parte Vieja (Old Town), hiking up to sweeping viewpoints over the coastline, and surf or chill at La Concha and Zurriola. Spend your nights hopping between pintxo bars and enjoying the social culture. San Sebastián is a place where ocean, mountains, and culture all come together effortlessly. Chef’s friggin’ kiss. If money wasn’t a thing, this is where I would choose to live in all of Europe if I could! Speaking of money, accommodation is pretty pricey here in the summer, if you’re on a budget checkout nearby Biarritz for similar vibes but a cheaper price-tag! In this San Sebastian travel guide I will go over the top things to do and all the logistics to plan your perfect SS trip!
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Top Things to do in San Sebastián
Here’s a few of my favourite things to do in San Sebastián to give you a great experience – but if you’re looking for more check out my Top 10 things to do in San Sebastián guide coming soon!
Enjoy some of the best food in the word with a pintxos tour
The food here is seriously good, and since pintxos (pronounced peen-chos) are small bites, even smaller than appetizers, the prices can be reasonable and you get to try many different things! If you don’t feel like doing the research to find the best bites or waiting in lines, and you want a walking tour and wine mixed in with your food I strongly suggest this 3 hour pintxos tour. We did this tour and it ended up being a blast. We even kept eating and drinking with our group long after the tour ended. We also did our own pintxos night another evening, and while we definitely still enjoyed it, I’m glad we experienced the tour first and learned the culture of the pintxo bars. They can feel a bit overwhelming at first since they’re usually busy little restaurants where you have to squeeze your way through the crowd to the counter to order, and then try to find some space to eat your food after.
Go for a hike
San Sebastián is on the coast, but it has cliffs and hills around for you to hike up and get epic city or ocean views. There are plenty of hills to climb in the city, with three main ones: Monte Urgull, Monte Ulia and Monte Igueldo (but you can cheat this one and take the funicular, see below). If you are interested in hiking, I go into more detail for each of my favourite hikes in my Top Things to do in San Sebastian post, check it out and pick your ideal hike!
Ride the Funicular up to Monte Igueldo
If hiking ain’t your thing – don’t you worry, you can get to an amazing viewpoint over the city without working your legs! We rode the funicular up to Monte Igueldo and the experience of riding it is part of the fun anyway! It cost ~ €5.50 for an adult round trip journey, and there’s even an amusement park at the top which would be great to bring kids, each attraction costs about €2-3 per person so it is very reasonable. The ride takes about 10-15 minutes each way, and you may have to wait in a small line depending on how busy it is.
Take a boat trip to Santa Clara Island
This is such a fun way to spend your day and get out onto the water! Ferries leave the port every 30 minutes, and you can purchase your return ticket here. Pack some snacks, drinks, your bathing suit, and towels, then get off at Santa Clara Island to explore and go for a swim. You can also climb the small hill to the church at the top, and there is a small bar on the island for refreshments. Make sure you take the “blue line” ferry one way, as it takes you on a scenic 30-minute ride along the coast before dropping you at the island. The “red line” is a direct ride to Santa Clara Island.
Go surfing or take a surf lesson at Zurriola Beach
Surfing is a big part of the local culture in San Sebastián, so if you’ve never tried it before, this is the perfect beginner-friendly beach with small waves to give it a go (waves are especially chill in the summer months). Free Surf is a great little surf shop that offers lessons, and if you already know how to surf you can rent a board here or at a number of other surf shops that line the beach.
Where to eat in San Sebastián
Ooooweee I could probably write an entire blog post about the food here, but I am going to try and keep it short. The food here is incredible, and honestly I don’t think there are many tourist-trap-like places because of the high food standards, so it should be pretty delicious no matter where you go. HOWever, I am going to list our favourite meals of the trip so you can enjoy some yummy food too!
• TrikuHarri Taberna Jatetxea
This spot was awesome! It’s set way outside of Old Town, and I think we were the only tourists in there. I’m always looking for a more genuine experience, and this is the place to get it. Plus, the prices were cheaper with better food than the Old Town! We had the baby squid, the steak, the beef cheeks, and an incredible caramelized French toast with cinnamon ice cream. Save room for dessert because it was amazing!
• Kapadokia Taberna
This place was amazing and a little less busy than some other spots we visited with food that was just as incredible. We splurged on the octopus and it was very delicious (see the photo), as well as the oxtail tacos and prawn ravioli. So yum!
• La Vina
This spot is famous for it’s Basque cheesecake, and for a good reason. We came here 3 times and my mouth still waters when I think about that perfect cheesecake. The bitter charred crust paired with the sweet soft middle is just out of this world. It’s going to be busy, but these guys are slinging cheesecake out fast!
• Casa 887 Jatetxea
I am always intrigued by a good fusion spot, and this place delivered with Japanese style pintxos. This is a Michelin star restaurants and the quality of the food lives up to it! Our favourite dishes were the tuna tiradito, black truffle carbonara, and the bao buns. Fabulous!
Travel & Transportation
San Sebastián sits right along Spain’s northern Basque coast, just a quick hop across the border from France. It’s actually super easy to get to whether you’re arriving by train, bus, car, or a short flight into nearby airports. My San Sebastian travel guide covers some of the main transportation options below.
Option 1: By Train 🚆
• Madrid to San Sebastián by train: If you’re already exploring Spain, Madrid is probably the easiest and most convenient city to connect from by train. Spain’s Renfe trains can get you from Madrid to San Sebastián in around 4–6 hours depending on the service, and some routes are direct. It’s a super comfortable ride through northern Spain’s mountain landscapes, and way less stressful than flying.
• Paris to San Sebastián by train: Coming from France, this is actually a really fun and scenic route. You take the high-speed TGV from Paris down to Hendaye on the French border, then hop on the local Euskotren over to San Sebastián. With this one stopover, the journey will take you about ~5-6 hours.
• Compare prices and buy your tickets on Omio or Rail Europe.
Option 2: By Car 🚗
• If you are doing a larger road trip (like my 2-3 week France/SS roadtrip) stopping here is easy, but a car is definitely not needed in San Sebastián. We actually parked ours for the whole time here because of parking stress and wanting to avoid accidentally going on the toll roads (beware!).
• If you are from outside the Schengen countries, you will need an International Drivers Permit (IDP) to rent a car. (I got my IDP at our local CAA, where they also take the required photos. It cost around $40 and is valid for one year. If you apply in person at CAA, you receive your IDP immediately. If you need to mail in your application, make sure to do so at least 2–3 weeks before your trip.
Option 3: Flying in to San Sebastián ✈️
• San Sebastian does have it’s own airport, San Sebastián Airport (EAS), but flights are limited to domestic and more expensive. However, nearby Bilbao Airport (BIO) is about 1-1.5 hour drive away and is the closest international airport.
Option 4: By Bus 🚌
• By using a company like Omio, you can get to San Sebastián by bus from ALL over Europe. This option will be cheaper, but longer than taking the train network.
Where to next?
• The most natural onward route from SS would be either further into Spain to Madrid, or continuing along the Basque Coast to Biarritz in France.
When to Visit
Best time to Visit San Sebastian
San Sebastián is an incredible place to visit, but it is definitely no secret to the world. Due to high crowds in the summer, I would plan my visit on the shoulder seasons: May/June or September. If I went back, it would be in September to escape the crowds but still have nice warm ocean water & weather.
Spring (March – May) 🌱
Spring in San Sebastián is fresh and green, warming up after the winter. Temperatures usually sit in the mid-teens °C (high 50s–low 60s °F), and while you’ll get plenty of beautiful sunny days, you should still expect some rain since this is the Basque Country. It’s one of the best times to visit before the summer crowds arrive, and the hills and coastline turn a really lush, vibrant green. You’ll also start to see the city come back to life with terraces opening up and locals spending more time along the beaches.
Summer (June – September) ☀️
Summer is peak season in San Sebastián and it’s easy to see why. Expect warm temperatures in the low to mid-20s °C (70s °F), busy beaches like La Concha filling up, and a really lively atmosphere across the Old Town. It’s festival season too, so the city feels energetic and fun, but it does get crowded and accommodation prices rise quickly. Long evenings, golden sunsets, and beach days make it the most popular time to visit, so booking ahead is key.
Autumn (October – November) 🍂
Autumn is one of the most underrated times to visit San Sebastián. Early fall still has mild temperatures, often in the high teens to low 20s °C (60s–low 70s °F), and the summer crowds start to thin out. The city feels a bit calmer but still very alive, especially around food and wine season when the pintxos bars are at their best. You’ll get a mix of sunny days and some rain showers, but the overall vibe is relaxed and atmospheric.
Winter (December – February) ❄️
Winter in San Sebastián is quiet, moody, and much cooler, with temperatures usually around 8–14°C (high 40s–50s °F). It rarely gets freezing, but it can be rainy and grey, which gives the city a dramatic Atlantic coastline feel.
Where to Stay in San Sebastián
San Sebastián is most happening in the Old Town and near the beaches, but accommodation can be a lot pricier closer to these areas. Due to the high price-tag of staying here, we actually stayed a little shorter than we would have liked and spent more time in Biarritz instead. We ended up staying in the western side of town, still near the water, to save cost while still enjoying a long ocean-side boardwalk to get into the busier parts of town. We stayed at the Olarain, which was simple but clean, quiet and had everything we needed! In the off season, prices are a lot more reasonable but in the summer time they soar!
🟡 San Sebastián Luxury Accommodation (~ $300-1000+ CAD/night)
⭐️ MY TOP PICK: Hotel Villa Favorita – Adults Only ⭐️ – As someone who does not currently have children, an adults only luxury hotel sounds perfect for peace and quiet. The ocean room view looks over La Concha and has stunning views of the beach and ocean.
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra – Another hotel located right on La Concha with ocean views. Centrally located.
Catalonia Donosti – This hotel looks like a castle with a luxurious pool overlooking the entire city and ocean. Fabulous!
🟡 San Sebastián Mid-Range Accommodation (~ $200-400+ CAD/night)
⭐️ MY TOP PICK: Hotel Palacio de Aiete ⭐️ – To save some money on accommodation, the western side of town is a lot more affordable and these hotels are still very beautiful! This is my top pick for quality with a do-able price tag.
NH Collection San Sebastián Aranzazu – A beautiful hotel on the west of town with elegant rooms.
Olarain – This is where we stayed in SS! It was simple and a bit of a walk/public transit into the city centre but the price was worth it for us!
🟡 Best San Sebastián Accommodation for Families & Groups ( ~ $200-600+ CAD/night)
⭐️ MY TOP PICK: Miraconcha Terrace⭐️ – This three bedroom apartment is absolutely stunning and when you have a big group to split it with, you are paying less than the mid-range options! There is a king bedroom, one room with 2 queens and a third with 2 twins. Great for families or friends with a terrace overlooking the water!
Zinema Basque Stay – This basic 3 bed apartment is affordable and great for groups and families! Great location near the surfing beach.
🟡 Best San Sebastián Accommodation for Solo Travellers ( ~ $50-200 CAD/night)
⭐️ MY TOP PICK: Colo Colo Hostel ⭐️ – Accommodation in SS is expensive, so if you are travelling alone shared accommodation is the most affordable option. This hostel is very clean, very highly rated and each capsule bed has a privacy curtain, light and charging area.
Surfing Extea Hostel – Right by Zurriola surfing beach, this hostel is highly rated, has privacy curtains and looks clean and friendly without being a party hostel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in San Sebastián?
Most people should spend at least 3 days in San Sebastián. That gives you enough time to explore the Old Town, eat plenty of pintxos, relax at the beaches, and do at least one scenic hike or day trip. If you surf or love food, you could easily stay longer.
Is San Sebastián good for surfing and swimming?
Yes to both! San Sebastián is a great surf destination, especially for beginners and intermediate surfers. Zurriola Beach is the main surf beach in town, with lots of surf schools and rental shops nearby. You can also swim here but La Concha Beach is calmer and more family-friendly for swimming.
What are pintxos?
Pintxos (pronounced “peen-chos”) are small Basque snacks typically served in bars. They’re similar to tapas but often served on bread with a toothpick through the top. Doing a pintxos crawl is one of the best things to do in the city.
What language do people speak in San Sebastián?
People in San Sebastián speak both Spanish and Basque. In tourist areas, many people also speak at least some English, especially in restaurants and hotels.
Is San Sebastián safe for tourists?
Yes, San Sebastián is considered very safe for tourists. Like anywhere, keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas, but overall it feels very relaxed and safe to walk around, even at night.
Can you do day trips from San Sebastián?
Definitely. Popular day trips from San Sebastián include Bilbao, Biarritz, and smaller Basque coastal towns like Getaria and Zumaia.
Interactive San Sebastián Map
Save this interactive San Sebastian map to your Google Maps
