2026-06-23

Are you considering visiting San Sebastián in northern Spain? You are far from the only one.

This elegant Basque coastal city is one of the destinations that our guests fall in love with again and again.

Here, some of Europe’s most beautiful city beaches meet world-class gastronomy, cozy neighborhoods, and a relaxed lifestyle.

Whether you are planning a holiday in the Basque Country, hiking on the Camino del Norte, or on a tour of northern Spain, San Sebastián is one of the places we always recommend prioritizing.

Here is our guide to 10 experiences, beaches, and insider tips you can't miss.

Why visit San Sebastián?

San Sebastián, or Donostia as the city is called in Basque, is not the largest city in the Basque Country. It also doesn't have the most impressive monuments or the longest list of classic attractions.

Yet, it is a city that makes an impression. It is a city for pleasure seekers.

San Sebastián is less about sights and more about experiences. About taking a walk along the sea at sunset. About hopping from pintxos bar to pintxos bar. About enjoying life at a café overlooking the beach.

But San Sebastián is not just about the beach and gastronomy.

The city has a strong Basque identity that is still evident in everyday life. You can feel it through the language Euskera, local traditions, and the pride that the Basques have in their culture and history.

At the same time, the elegant buildings along La Concha testify to the city's heyday as a fashionable seaside resort in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when the Spanish royal family began to spend their summers in the city. 

During that period, San Sebastián developed into one of Spain's most fashionable destinations, and this heritage still shapes the city's architecture and atmosphere.

1. Experience La Concha – one of Europe's most beautiful city beaches

La Concha is undoubtedly San Sebastián's most famous landmark. The crescent-shaped bay with golden sand, the elegant promenade, and the view of Santa Clara Island make the beach one of Europe's most beautiful city beaches.

Take a stroll along the promenade and experience the elegant buildings that testify to the Belle Époque period. Many of them were built when San Sebastián was the summer residence for the Spanish royal family and Europe's aristocracy.

On warm summer days, the beach fills with locals, families, and visitors, while the promenade is used year-round by joggers, cyclists, and people simply enjoying the view over the Bay of Biscay.

We recommend walking all the way along the beach promenade towards Peine del Viento (Comb of the Wind) to experience the city from the water side.

2. Go on a pintxos tour in Parte Vieja

Pintxos are an essential part of a visit to San Sebastián. The small Basque specialties are served in hundreds of bars, but the largest concentration can be found in the old town, Parte Vieja. 

Do as the locals do.  Go from bar to bar.  

Order a couple of pintxos and a glass of txakoli – the local white wine – and continue on to the next place.

Don't forget to try the warm pintxos. Many house specialties are not displayed on the counter but can be found on the board behind the bar.

Read more in our Pintxos guide to San Sebastián. 

Basque culture is all about food. Food closely connected to identity, family, and community. Gastronomy is not just something you experience in restaurants. Many locals are members of so-called txokos – private cooking clubs where friends and family gather to cook together. The tradition goes back generations and tells something about the role gastronomy plays in the Basque Country. It is part of everyday life and explains why San Sebastián has developed into one of Europe's most recognized food cities.

3. Explore the old town

Parte Vieja is the heart of San Sebastián. Here you will find narrow streets, historic buildings, lively squares, and a street life that stretches from morning coffee to late evening hours. It is also here that many of the city's most famous pintxos bars are located side by side, where both locals and visitors gather around food, wine, and good conversations.  

Our best advice is simple: Don't plan too much. One of the best things about San Sebastián is wandering around without a specific goal.

Take a side street, sit down in a square, peek into a bar, and let the atmosphere guide you. It is often here that the best experiences occur. 

4. See San Sebastián from above.

If you only visit one viewpoint in San Sebastián, it should be Monte Igueldo.

The historic funicular takes you to the top, where you get the classic panoramic view over La Concha Bay, Santa Clara Island, and the city’s rooftops. It is one of the most photographed spots in all of northern Spain, and for good reason.

5. Visit Monte Urgull

Just behind the old town rises Monte Urgull above the city. Many overlook this viewpoint, but it is definitely worth a visit. Along the way, you will encounter old fortifications, green paths, and several viewpoints overlooking both the sea and the city. Here you also get a sense of San Sebastián's history as a coastal and fortress city.

6. Discover Gros – San Sebastián’s most local neighborhood

Many visitors stick around La Concha and the old town, but that’s a shame. The Gros neighborhood has become one of our favorite areas in the city.

The neighborhood is located on the other side of the Urumea River and has a completely different vibe than the more elegant part of San Sebastián.

Here you will find surf shops, small cafés, modern pintxos bars, and restaurants where there are often more locals than tourists.

Gros is particularly known for Zurriola Beach, which is the city’s surfer beach. Here the waves are bigger, the vibe is more relaxed, and the atmosphere is younger.

If you want to experience a more authentic and modern side of San Sebastián, be sure to set aside time for Gros.

7. Explore San Sebastián's three beaches

Although La Concha steals most of the attention, San Sebastián actually has three very different beaches.

Each beach has its own character and tells something about the different sides of the city. Together, they tell the story of a city that is both an elegant seaside resort, a family-friendly destination, and a modern surf mecca.

La Concha is the city’s iconic beach and one of the most photographed spots in northern Spain. The wide sandy beach and the elegant promenade with its characteristic white railings have become a symbol of San Sebastián. Here, locals and visitors meet year-round to swim, walk, or simply enjoy the view over the bay.

At the western end of the bay lies Ondarreta, which is a bit quieter than La Concha. The beach is particularly popular among families and locals, and it has a relaxed atmosphere with views of both Monte Igueldo and Santa Clara Island.

On the other side of the Urumea River, you will find Zurriola, which is San Sebastián's surfer beach. Here the waves are bigger, the vibe is more relaxed, and the average age is often a bit lower. Zurriola is also the heart of the Gros neighborhood, where surf culture, cafés, and modern gastronomy create a completely different atmosphere than the more classic part of the city.

8. Take the boat to Santa Clara Island

In the middle of La Concha Bay lies Santa Clara Island. In summer, small boats sail between the city and the island, where you will find hiking trails, viewpoints, and a small beach. You can see the island from the promenade at La Concha beach, but relatively few take the trip out there. It is an experience that often surprises positively.

9. A taste of Camino del Norte

San Sebastián is one of the highlights on the Camino del Norte, the pilgrimage route along Spain's northern coast. For many pilgrims, the city is the first encounter with Basque culture, gastronomy, and hospitality. The combination of sea, mountains, and the lively old town makes the city one of those places that many remember long after the hike is over.

A special experience for the more adventurous visitors to San Sebastián, staying more than one day, is to get a taste of the Camino del Norte by taking a bus or boat from San Sebastián to San Pedro and walking back along the coast to the city. The route is hilly and sometimes challenging, but incredibly beautiful with dramatic views of the sea and the green cliffs along the way. 

In San Pedro, you can also visit the fascinating shipyard Albaola, where traditional shipbuilding techniques are preserved and old ships are recreated with great historical precision.

10. Discover more of the Basque Country – coastal towns and Bilbao

San Sebastián is a perfect starting point to experience some of the great variety of the Basque Country. Within a short distance, you will find both small fishing villages, wide beaches, and one of Spain's most exciting cities.

Getaria is a charming fishing village between the sea and vineyards, known for its txakoli wine and excellent seafood restaurants.

Nearby lies Zarautz with its long beach and relaxed surf vibe, while Hondarribia offers one of the region's most beautiful and atmospheric old towns.

To the west lies Bilbao, where modern architecture, vibrant culture, and the iconic Guggenheim Museum create a completely different but equally fascinating side of the Basque Country.

These experiences along the coast are just one side of the Basque Country. Further inland awaits a region with historic towns, wine landscapes, and strong Basque traditions. 

Facts about San Sebastián

• Population: Approximately 188,000

• Region: Basque Country

• Province: Gipuzkoa

• Language: Spanish and Basque (Euskera)

• Location: By the Bay of Biscay close to the French border

Is San Sebastián expensive?

Yes, San Sebastián is among the more expensive destinations in Spain, especially when it comes to hotels and restaurants. However, you get gastronomy and experiences of the absolute highest quality.

When is the best time to visit San Sebastián?

San Sebastián is a destination that can be experienced year-round. May, June, September, and October are the best months. The temperature is pleasant, the city is less busy than in the high summer, and you often get the best of both nature, gastronomy, and local atmosphere.

Travel to San Sebastián with Spain is More

At Spain is More we love northern Spain, and San Sebastián is one of the destinations we return to again and again.

The city serves as a perfect base for experiencing the rest of the Basque Country – whether you dream of pintxos in the old town, surfing in Zarautz, wine experiences in Getaria, or culture in Bilbao.

Every year, we help many guests combine San Sebastián with Bilbao, Camino del Norte, and other exciting experiences on a tour of northern Spain.

When you travel with us, you not only get help with booking hotels and transportation.

You also get our personal recommendations, local tips, and the little details, that make the difference between a good holiday and an unforgettable journey.

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