Located on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, in Spain’s Basque Country, San Sebastián—or Donostia, as it’s known in Basque—is a city that effortlessly combines Belle Époque elegance with its status as a world-class foodie playground. It’s framed by the glistening bay of La Concha on one side and rolling green hills on the other.
While the scenery is stunning, the real magic happens in the cobbled streets of its Old Town. This is the global epicentre of pintxos, those incredible little bites that are a cornerstone of Basque culinary culture. For anyone who loves good food and beautiful coastlines, you’ll find that there are countless fantastic things to do in San Sebastián, which was voted one of the best cities to visit in 2024.
Must-do foodie activities in San Sebastián
You can’t talk about things to do in San Sebastián without putting its food culture front and centre. Seen as the best city in the world for dining, Donostia is famous for everything from tiny, intricate bar snacks to some of the world’s most acclaimed restaurants.
Wander the Old Town (Parte Vieja) for the best pintxos
Forget what you know about tapas; pintxos are another level. These are small, elaborate bites, often served on a slice of bread. The Old Town’s narrow streets are crammed with bars, each with its own speciality piled high on the counter. The idea is to do a txikiteo (a sort of pintxo crawl), having one or two with a small drink before moving on to the next spot.
- The Gilda: start with the original pintxo. It’s a simple skewer of an olive, a pickled guindilla pepper, and an anchovy. It’s a perfect little bite of salty, sour, and savoury.
- Txakoli: this is the local wine you have to try. It’s a very dry, lightly sparkling white wine, and bartenders traditionally pour it from a great height to aerate it.
- Basque Cider (Sidra): don’t miss trying the local cider. It’s still, tart, and incredibly refreshing.
Treat yourself to a Michelin-starred meal
San Sebastián has one of the highest numbers of Michelin stars per square metre in the world. If your budget allows for a splurge, this is the place to do it. Restaurants like Arzak and Mugaritz are global icons, offering creative tasting menus that are an experience in themselves. A word of warning: these places are booked up months, sometimes even a year, in advance, so planning is essential.
Try the famous Basque cheesecake
The Basque version has a famously burnt, caramelised top that gives way to a soft, creamy, and light centre. It’s intentionally crustless and has taken the food world by storm for good reason. The original can be found at a bar in the Old Town called La Viña, where they serve generous slices to a perpetually packed crowd.
San Sebastián’s beaches and coastal attractions
San Sebastián’s good looks are no secret. The city is famous for its perfect, shell-shaped bay, La Concha, which is hugged by golden sand and watched over by two protective green hills. Getting out and exploring these natural landmarks is just as essential as diving into the food scene.
Stroll along La Concha and Ondarreta beaches
La Concha is one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Europe, and its elegant, wide promenade is great for a leisurely walk at any time of day. Follow the bay around to the west and you’ll reach Ondarreta beach, which is a bit smaller and tends to be a favourite with local families. From the port, you can also catch a little boat over to Santa Clara Island, which sits right in the middle of the bay.
Experience the surf scene at Zurriola Beach
Just across the Urumea River in the Gros neighbourhood, the vibe changes completely. Zurriola is the city’s surf beach and one of the best surfing spots in Spain. If you fancy giving surfing a try, you’ll find plenty of surf schools along the beach offering lessons for all levels.
Hike Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo for the best views
The two hills that bookend La Concha bay offer the best views of the city.
- Monte Urgull: a path winds its way up through a leafy park, past old fortress walls and cannons, to the Castillo de la Mota and a large statue of Christ at the summit.
- Monte Igueldo: this hill provides that classic, postcard-perfect panoramic view of La Concha. You can reach the top by taking a charming old wooden funicular railway. At the summit, you’ll find a quirky, vintage amusement park.
Visit the Peine del Viento sculpture
At the very end of Ondarreta beach, you’ll find one of Spain’s most famous public art installations. The Peine del Viento (Comb of the Wind) is a series of three huge, claw-like steel sculptures by the celebrated Basque artist Eduardo Chillida, built right into the rocks.
Tips for rainy days, kids, and a tight budget
While you could easily spend your whole trip hopping between pintxo bars and lounging on La Concha, it’s always good to have a few other ideas up your sleeve. The Basque Country has slightly unpredictable weather, and it’s always smart to know how to enjoy the city without constantly reaching for your wallet.
What to do in San Sebastián when it rains
Don’t let a bit of rain—or the local drizzle, the txirimiri—put you off. San Sebastián has plenty of fantastic indoor spots to explore while you wait for the sun to return.
- San Telmo Museum: housed in a beautifully converted 16th-century convent, this is the go-to place for getting to grips with Basque culture, art, and history. The huge murals by Josep Maria Sert depicting Basque life are worth the visit alone.
- Aquarium: located right by the port, the city’s aquarium is a brilliant escape, especially if you have little ones in tow. The highlight is the 360-degree acrylic tunnel that lets you walk right through a massive tank filled with sharks, turtles, and huge schools of fish.
- Tabakalera: this striking building was once a tobacco factory but is now a busy contemporary culture centre. You can wander through modern art exhibitions, catch an independent film, or just grab a coffee.
Free things to do in San Sebastián
One of the best things about San Sebastián is that so many of its main attractions are completely free. You can easily have a brilliant day here without spending a single euro.
- Walk the coastal path: the Paseo Nuevo is a path that wraps around the base of Monte Urgull. It’s a spectacular walk, especially when the waves are crashing against the sea wall.
- Walk a part of the Camino de Santiago: you can pick up the Camino de Santiago trail at the far end of Zurriola beach in Gros. The path climbs up past Monte Ulia. You’ll then descend into the fjord-like bay of Pasaia, a colourful fishing village.
- Find the peacocks in Cristina Enea Park: once the private estate of a duke and duchess, it’s now a gorgeous public space with ducks, swans, and a famous flock of resident peacocks.
Fun things to do in San Sebastián with kids
While it’s famous for fine dining, San Sebastián is surprisingly family-friendly. There’s more than enough to keep children entertained between beach visits.
- Monte Igueldo’s Amusement Park: the old-school amusement park is a huge hit with kids. The rides are wonderfully vintage, and the views from the small roller coaster (the Montaña Suiza) are unbeatable.
- Get hands-on at the Eureka! Zientzia Museoa: this science museum has a planetarium and loads of exhibits designed for children to touch, play, and experiment with.
- Discover the city’s amazing playgrounds: the city has plenty of great parks for kids to play in. Head to the gardens around the Palacio de Miramar so the kids can run around on the grass with an incredible view, and there are play areas nearby.
Best day trips from San Sebastián by public transport
It’s well worth getting out of the city for a bit to see what the surrounding area has to offer. The public transport here is excellent, with regular and reliable buses that can whisk you away to coastal towns and or to the region’s biggest city.
Explore the Basque Coast: Getaria, Zumaia, and Hondarribia
The coastline near San Sebastián is dotted with some of the most picturesque fishing villages you’ll ever see.
Getaria
Clinging to a hillside that tumbles down to a fishing port, Getaria is famous for two things: fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga and grilled fish. The harbour is lined with restaurants (parrillas) grilling fresh-caught turbot and other fish over outdoor charcoal grills. It’s also the heart of the region that produces txakoli, so visiting a winery is a must.
Zumaia
Home to the incredible Flysch cliffs, a geological wonder where massive layers of rock strata jut out into the sea, creating a surreal, alien-like landscape. If it looks familiar, it’s probably because it was a dramatic filming location for Game of Thrones.
Hondarribia
Sitting right on the French border, this is arguably one of the most beautiful towns in the region. It’s split into two parts: the lower fishermen’s quarter with its brightly painted Basque houses, and the upper, walled Old Town, a maze of cobbled streets and stone buildings crowned by a castle that’s now a Parador hotel.
Visit Bilbao for art and architecture
People often wonder whether to visit Bilbao or San Sebastián, but it’s incredibly easy to do both as a comfortable bus ride takes just over an hour. Bilbao has a cool, post-industrial energy. The main draw is the Guggenheim Museum, a mind-bending structure of shimmering titanium. It’s an architectural masterpiece that completely revitalised the city.
Why San Sebastián is worth visiting
San Sebastián manages to be both incredibly elegant and completely down-to-earth at the same time. The combination of a world-class food scene, a breathtaking natural bay, and a deep-rooted, unique Basque culture makes it a special place to visit in Spain. There’s a welcoming atmosphere here that often takes visitors by surprise. The city feels friendly and liveable, which is probably why it was recognised as the third most welcoming city in the world a few years back.
It’s a city whose appeal is so strong that many visitors find themselves looking into the practicalities of living in San Sebastián. However, it is important to note that it is the most expensive city to live in Spain in 2025, which may well be a game-changer when thinking of relocating here.