San Sebastian is a charming seaside city, widely regarded as Spain’s culinary capital. You’ll be drawn to its sweeping crescent-shaped white-sand beaches, lively pintxos bars tucked along narrow streets, and its blend of graceful Belle Époque buildings with contemporary architecture. There is always something to do in San Sebastian: a year-round lineup of festivals and cultural events, plus abundant outdoor pursuits, from surfing and sailing to leisurely coastal walks with panoramic views.
Ultimate List of the Best Things to do in San Sebastian, Spain
Visit Ayuntamiento de San Sebastián
The Ayuntamiento de San Sebastián (City Hall) is an elegant municipal building located in the heart of San Sebastián, Spain. Situated at the edge of La Concha Bay, this impressive structure showcases Belle Époque architecture with neoclassical influences.
Built in 1887, it originally served as the Gran Casino before becoming the city hall in 1947. The building features an ornate façade with symmetrical design, decorative balconies, and a distinctive clock tower. Its prominent position along the scenic Paseo de la Concha makes it one of San Sebastián’s most recognizable landmarks.
The interior is equally grand, with elaborate ceremonial halls and chambers. Today, it serves as the administrative center for the city government while remaining a significant tourist attraction and symbol of San Sebastián’s rich cultural heritage.
Have fun at La Concha Bay
La Concha Bay is one of Europe’s most beautiful urban beaches, located in San Sebastián, Spain. This stunning crescent-shaped bay stretches approximately 1,350 meters along the Basque coastline, framed by Mount Urgull and Mount Igueldo at either end. The bay’s protected waters are typically calm, making it ideal for swimming and water sports. An elegant promenade, Paseo de la Concha, curves along the shoreline, lined with ornate streetlamps and white railings that have become iconic symbols of the city.
The beach’s fine golden sand attracts locals and tourists year-round, while the surrounding Belle Époque architecture adds sophisticated charm. Santa Clara Island sits picturesquely in the middle of the bay, accessible by boat during the summer months. The bay’s exceptional natural beauty, combined with its urban setting and excellent facilities, has consistently ranked La Concha among the world’s best city beaches, reinforcing San Sebastián’s reputation as a premier coastal destination.
Go sightseeing at Monte Igueldo.
Monte Igueldo is a prominent mountain rising 181 meters above sea level at the western end of La Concha Bay in San Sebastián, Spain. Crowned by a historic amusement park dating back to 1912, it offers spectacular panoramic views of the city, coastline, and surrounding Basque countryside.
Visitors can reach the summit via a charming funicular railway built in 1912, which climbs the steep hillside in just three minutes. The mountaintop features the vintage amusement park with classic rides, a lighthouse, and an observation tower. The viewing platform offers panoramic views of La Concha Bay, Santa Clara Island, and the cityscape below.
Monte Igueldo serves as both a recreational destination and a scenic lookout, making it an essential stop for visitors seeking to appreciate San Sebastián’s remarkable coastal beauty from above.
Visit Miramar Royal Palace
Miramar Royal Palace is an elegant summer residence situated on a promontory between La Concha and Ondarreta beaches in San Sebastián, Spain. Built in 1893 for the Spanish Royal Family, the palace features English cottage-style architecture by Selden Wornum, with later modifications by José Goicoa.
Queen Maria Christina of Austria commissioned this seaside retreat, which became a favored royal summer destination. The palace is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens covering approximately 15 acres, featuring winding paths, exotic trees, and stunning ocean views.
While the palace interior is occasionally open for special events and exhibitions, the public gardens remain accessible year-round, offering peaceful walks and spectacular coastal vistas. The estate represents an important part of San Sebastián’s royal heritage and Belle Époque history, symbolizing the city’s transformation into an elite resort destination.
Explore Monte Urgull
Monte Urgull is a historic wooded hill rising 123 meters on the eastern edge of San Sebastián’s Old Town, offering a perfect blend of nature, history, and panoramic views. This fortified mount features winding forest paths that lead through pine and oak trees, passing ancient fortifications, cannons, and military ruins dating back centuries when the hill served as a defensive stronghold protecting the city from invasions.
At the summit stands the Castillo de la Mota fortress and the iconic Sagrado Corazón (Sacred Heart) statue, a 12-meter Christ figure watching over the city. The climb rewards hikers with spectacular 360-degree views of La Concha Bay, the Old Quarter, and the surrounding coastline. Free to explore, Monte Urgull provides peaceful trails, historical insights through informative plaques, and the small Casa de la Historia museum detailing San Sebastián’s past, making it an essential outdoor cultural experience.
Escape the city at Isla de Santa Clara
Isla de Santa Clara is a small, tranquil island sitting picturesquely in the middle of La Concha Bay, offering a peaceful escape from San Sebastián’s urban bustle. Covering just 12,000 square meters, this uninhabited island features a small beach, a lighthouse, and scenic walking paths surrounded by lush vegetation. Accessible by regular boat service from the Old Port during the summer months (typically June through September), the 10-minute journey provides beautiful coastal views.
The island’s protected beach is ideal for swimming in calm waters, while hiking trails lead to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the bay and city. A small bar-restaurant operates seasonally, serving refreshments to day-trippers. Visitors can spend hours picnicking, sunbathing, or simply enjoying the serene natural environment. Santa Clara Island offers a unique perspective of San Sebastián’s coastline and provides a delightful mini-adventure, combining accessibility with the feeling of discovering a hidden coastal retreat.
Explore the Old Town of San Sebastian
San Sebastián’s Old Town (Parte Vieja) is a captivating medieval quarter nestled between La Concha Bay and Mount Urgull. This atmospheric neighborhood features narrow cobblestone streets lined with traditional Basque buildings, creating an enchanting maze perfect for exploration. The area is renowned for its exceptional concentration of pintxos bars, where locals and visitors gather for the beloved Basque tradition of bar hopping and sampling creative small bites.
Key landmarks include the Basílica de Santa María del Coro, Plaza de la Constitución with its numbered balconies from its former bullring days, and the historic San Telmo Museum. The Old Town buzzes with energy, especially on evenings when bars overflow onto the streets. Charming shops sell local products, while the Bretxa Market offers fresh seafood and produce. This vibrant quarter perfectly blends history, culture, and gastronomy, embodying San Sebastián’s essence.
Visit Basilica de Santa Maria del Coro
The Basílica de Santa María del Coro is a magnificent baroque church located in the heart of San Sebastián’s Old Quarter (Parte Vieja). Built between the 16th and 18th centuries on the site of an earlier Romanesque church, it showcases stunning Baroque architecture with its ornate façade featuring an elaborate portal adorned with a sculpture of Saint Sebastian. The church is nestled against the slopes of Mount Urgull, creating a dramatic backdrop.
The interior is equally impressive, with a richly decorated baroque altarpiece, vaulted ceilings, and beautiful chapels. The main altar features a striking statue of the Virgin Mary, to whom the basilica is dedicated. Santa María del Coro is the oldest church in San Sebastián and remains an active parish serving the local community.
Its prominent location in the historic center, combined with its architectural splendor and cultural importance, makes it a must-visit landmark. The basilica represents centuries of religious devotion and artistic heritage in this Basque coastal city.
Go sightseeing at Museo de San Telmo.
Museo de San Telmo is San Sebastián’s premier museum of Basque society and citizenship, located in a beautifully restored 16th-century Dominican convent at the foot of Mount Urgull in the Old Quarter. The museum underwent a significant renovation and expansion completed in 2011, brilliantly combining the historic Renaissance cloister with striking contemporary architecture designed by Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, featuring dramatic perforated metal panels.
The museum’s extensive collection spans archaeology, fine arts, ethnography, and history, offering comprehensive insights into Basque culture and identity. Highlights include prehistoric artifacts, paintings by El Greco and other Spanish masters, and exhibits on traditional Basque life, maritime heritage, and fishing industries. The original convent’s cloister features remarkable murals by Catalan artist José María Sert depicting Basque legends and history.
San Telmo serves as both a cultural institution and a social gathering space, hosting temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events. The museum’s innovative blend of historical preservation and modern design earned international architectural recognition. Free admission makes it accessible to all, solidifying its role as an essential destination for understanding San Sebastián and the broader Basque Country’s rich cultural heritage.
Go to a Festival
San Sebastián hosts numerous vibrant festivals throughout the year that celebrate Basque culture, gastronomy, and tradition. The most famous event is San Sebastián Day (Tamborrada) on January 20th, when thousands of participants, dressed as soldiers and cooks, parade through the streets for 24 hours, drumming in unison. This unique celebration fills the city with thunderous rhythms and incredible energy. The San Sebastián International Film Festival, held each September since 1953, is one of Europe’s most prestigious cinema events, attracting world-renowned actors, directors, and film enthusiasts. The Semana Grande (Big Week) in mid-August features spectacular fireworks competitions over La Concha Bay, concerts, and traditional Basque sports.
Other notable celebrations include the Jazzaldia International Jazz Festival in July, showcasing legendary and emerging jazz artists, and the Heineken Jazzaldia. The city also celebrates Carnival, Holy Week processions, and the Santo Tomás Fair in December, where locals gather to enjoy traditional cider, chorizo, and cheese while folk music fills the streets, embodying the authentic Basque festive spirit.
Visit La Catedral del Buen Pastor
La Catedral del Buen Pastor (Cathedral of the Good Shepherd) is San Sebastián’s most important religious building and largest church. Constructed between 1887 and 1897, this neo-Gothic cathedral was designed by architect Manuel de Echave. The imposing structure features a distinctive 75-meter spire that dominates the city skyline and serves as a prominent landmark visible from various points throughout San Sebastián.
The cathedral’s exterior showcases classic Gothic Revival elements, including pointed arches, flying buttresses, and ornate stone carvings. Inside, the spacious interior can accommodate approximately 4,000 worshippers, with soaring vaulted ceilings, stained-glass windows, and a magnificent organ.
The cathedral became the episcopal seat of the Diocese of San Sebastián in 1953. Located in the city center near Plaza del Buen Pastor, it remains an active place of worship while also attracting visitors who appreciate its architectural grandeur and historical significance.
Have fun at Playa de la Zurriola
Playa de la Zurriola is San Sebastián’s premier surf beach, located in the vibrant Gros neighborhood on the eastern side of the Urumea River. Stretching approximately 800 meters, this urban beach faces the open Cantabrian Sea, generating consistent waves that attract surfers year-round. Unlike the calmer waters of La Concha Bay, Zurriola’s more exposed position creates ideal surfing conditions, making it the heart of San Sebastián’s surf culture.
The beach is backed by the modern Kursaal Conference Centre, designed by Rafael Moneo, whose striking translucent cube structures have become contemporary landmarks. The surrounding Gros district offers a younger, more alternative atmosphere compared to the city center, with trendy bars, surf shops, and casual eateries lining the streets.
Zurriola hosts various surfing competitions and attracts both experienced surfers and beginners, taking lessons from local surf schools. The wide sandy beach also accommodates sunbathers and beachgoers. Its combination of urban accessibility, reliable waves, and youthful energy makes Playa de la Zurriola an essential destination for surf enthusiasts visiting the Basque coast.
Go on Pintxos Tour
A Pintxos Tour in San Sebastián is an essential culinary experience that immerses visitors in the Basque Country’s renowned food culture. Pintxos (Basque tapas) are elaborate small bites traditionally served on bread, showcasing creative combinations of local ingredients. The tour typically involves hopping between traditional bars in the Old Quarter (Parte Vieja), where counters display colorful arrays of these miniature masterpieces.
Each bar specializes in different pintxos, from classic gilda (anchovy, olive, and pepper skewers) to modern creations featuring foie gras, seafood, and innovative sauces. Participants usually visit 3-5 bars, pairing pintxos with txakoli (local white wine), cider, or beer. The experience goes beyond eating—it’s about embracing the local tradition of “txikiteo” (bar hopping), socializing, and understanding Basque culinary artistry.
Guided tours offer insider knowledge about ingredients, preparation techniques, and the best establishments. This gastronomic journey reveals why San Sebastián has more Michelin stars per capita than any city except Kyoto, making it a world-class food destination.
Go sightseeing at the Aquarium-Sea Palace.
The Aquarium of San Sebastián, also known as Aquarium-Sea Palace (Palacio del Mar), is a historic oceanographic museum located at the foot of Mount Urgull in the city’s old port area. Founded in 1928, it’s one of Spain’s oldest aquariums and has been continuously modernized to offer world-class marine exhibitions.
The facility features more than 30 tanks showcasing diverse aquatic ecosystems, from local Cantabrian Sea species to tropical marine life. Its crown jewel is an impressive 360-degree ocean tunnel where visitors can walk surrounded by sharks, rays, and schools of fish swimming overhead. The aquarium houses approximately 5,000 specimens representing 400 different species.
Educational exhibits focus on marine biology, ocean conservation, and the Basque region’s deep maritime heritage. Interactive displays and touch pools make it particularly popular with families, combining entertainment with environmental education.
Visit Parque de Aiete
Parque de Aiete is a stunning 74-acre public park located in the Aiete neighborhood of San Sebastián, Spain. Originally part of the Aiete Palace estate, which served as a summer residence for Spanish royalty, the grounds were opened to the public in 1977.
The park features beautifully maintained English-style gardens with expansive lawns, centuries-old trees, ponds, and winding pathways perfect for leisurely walks. The neoclassical Aiete Palace, built in 1878, sits at the heart of the park and now hosts cultural events and exhibitions.
The park offers peaceful green spaces, children’s playgrounds, and scenic picnic areas, making it a beloved retreat for locals and visitors. Its tranquil atmosphere, mature vegetation, and well-preserved historical architecture create a serene escape from the city center while showcasing San Sebastián’s rich aristocratic heritage.
San Sebastian Travel Tour Packages You Should Try
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