26+ Fun Things to Do in San Sebastián, Spain

San Sebastián is an absolute gem of a seaside city in the Basque Country of Spain. Whether you’re here for the incredible food scene, the lush greenery, or the glorious beaches, it’s easy to fall in love with this place!

Known as Donostia in the Basque language, San Sebastián is cradled by the Bay of Biscay. Surfers are crazy about the year-round swells. Whether you’re here to ride the waves or eat everything in sight, San Sebastián has something for you!

San Sebastián is the absolute glory of the Spanish Basque Country, the Pais Vasco. I visited San Sebastián as part of a 10-day trip to the Basque Country and La Rioja with three friends, and our time here was the undisputed highlight of our trip.

San Sebastián’s old town, the Parte Vieja, is a haven for Belle Époque architecture and historic buildings. You can spend hours roaming these narrow streets and taking in the views from the two mountains on either side of La Concha Beach.

However, the cutting-edge culinary scene is what really sets San Sebastián apart. Most famous are the pintxo bars, where you can load up your small plates while standing at a bar and wash it all down with fantastic wine.

Additionally, San Sebastián does fine dining extremely well and his home to the highest number of Michelin stars per square meter in the world!

One important thing to keep in mind is the history and politics of the Basque Country. Many Basques consider themselves their own independent country, neither part of Spain nor France. You’ll see plenty of Basque flags and pro-Basque graffiti in San Sebastián.

And while you can get by in Spanish, you’ll bring a smile to locals’ faces with a few Basque words. “Kaixo” (KAI-sho) is hello, “Eskerrik asko” (ESS-ke-reek AS-ko) is thank you, and “Topa!” (TO-pa) is “Cheers!”

I had a great time visiting San Sebastián and recommend using it as a base to see more of the Basque region. As you’ll see, you’re spoiled for choice for day trips. But first, let’s take a look at the best things to do in San Sebastián.

This post was published in October 2025 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Hannah Cooper.

Best Things to Do in San Sebastián, Spain

Try all the Pintxos

This is what San Sebastián is all about: pintxos, pintxos, and more pintxos! Pintxos (pronounced “peen-chos”) aren’t simply the northern version of tapas. These appetizers are often held together with a toothpick and consumed at a bar with plenty of wine.

You can find pintxos bars all over San Sebastián, but the Parte Vieja (old town) is home to the most famous spots in town, as well as a fun, convivial atmosphere.

You can head out and see what looks good, join a pintxos tour, or follow my recommendations. I recommend that you check the opening hours before your trip, because bars are often closed on random days off the week.

Here are some pintxos bars that I personally loved in San Sebastián:

Ganbera — This was Anthony Bourdain’s favorite pintxos bar in town, and you know that man had impeccable taste. It’s pricey, tiny, and you will likely have to wait in line, but it’s worth it. I recommend getting the wild mushrooms with the egg yolk (sounds basic, but it’s extraordinary), and I also loved their spider crab tarts.

Bar Sport/Sport Taberna — This place is famous for its mini burger, which is the perfect bite when you’re craving something little and meaty. But that’s not all they have. Bar Sport makes a variety of excellent pintxos, including a nice selection of foie gras and sea urchin served right in its shell.

La Cuchara de San Telmo — This is a nice spot when you’re ready for something a bit heavier. Grab a seat on the terrace if you can, because the inside is pretty small and crowded. Here you can get pintxos, but also fish and meat raciones — larger portions. We split four half racione portions between the four of us and it was more than enough. 

El Tamboril — This pintxos bar is owned by the same people as Ganbera and has a Michelin star! Their wild mushrooms cooked in bone broth are delicious.

Atari — This cozy, wood-paneled pintxos bar is known for its foie gras dishes, including a foie pintxo with white chocolate. And if that’s not your thing, they have a big variety of pintxos and a nice wine list, too.

Gandarias — This became a regular spot for us each night, because the food was delicious and we could always find space standing at the bar. They have both pintxos and raciones if you want something bigger.

Take a Pintxos Food Tour

There are a few places in the world where your food experiences will be better if you take a tour — and San Sebastián is one of them! This is the best way to dive into Basque cuisine.

The Ultimate Pintxos & Wine Tour of San Sebastián is exactly what it sounds like. You’ll visit six bars sampling classic pintxos, and also try your hand at pouring Basque cider.

For a different perspective, An Evening Out in San Sebastián introduces you to the Centro neighborhood. The official city center, this is where donostiarras grab pintxos and cider after clocking off work. If you want to have a less touristy experience, and sample the Gilda at the tavern where it was invented, this is the place to go.

Hit up La Concha Beach

If you’ve seen any photos of a beach in San Sebastián, it was very likely Playa de la Concha, one of Spain’s most beloved beaches. Named for its seashell shape, Kontxa Hondartza (its Basque name) is sandy, sweeping, and sun-kissed (if you time your trip right!) — exactly what a beach should be.

In the middle of the bay, you’ll spot Santa Clara Island. Ferries here cost a couple of euros and you could spend an hour or so climbing the steep trails.

There are other water sports available during summer, like kayaking.

You can walk or cycle from San Sebastián City Hall as far as the surfy Playa de Ondarreta (Ondarretako Hondartza) at the western end of La Concha. This pairs nicely with taking the funicular to Monte Igueldo.

The third beach, Hondartza Zurriola in the neighborhood of Gros, is the real surfer’s paradise. Many surf classes take place here, and it’s a nice place to hang out away from the masses.

Take the funicular to Monte Igueldo

Monte Igueldo, a seaside mountain overlooking San Sebastián, has the best views overlooking the city, Playa La Concha, and Santa Clara Island. But don’t worry about hiking all the way up — the funicular from Ondarreta Beach makes it easy, and its scarlet wagons are adorable as well.

Once at the top of the mountain, you can make a swoop of the cliffs and see the Peine del Viento (Comb of the Wind) sculpture.

Also, check out the retro amusement park at the top, which has bumper cars, a boating lake, and a log flume. It opens fully on weekends, but the roller coaster, the Swiss Mountain, is open most days. Of course I had to give it a try! It’s a very blink-and-you’ll-miss-it journey, but it’s good fun.

A return fare on the funicular costs 4.50 EUR ($5.20 USD), “only up” is 3.05 EUR ($3.50 USD), and “only down” is 1.80 EUR ($2 USD). Rides cost a few euros each.

Go surfing

Surfing is one of the most popular things to do in San Sebastián, and the beaches attract surfers year-round. Ondarreta Beach’s point break makes it a popular spot with surfers, although Zurriola Beach (Hondartza Zurriola) is even better. Located east of the old town in the Gros neighborhood, it’s exposed to northern swells. 

Conditions are calmest during the summer months, and winter’s powerful swells are the domain of intermediate surfers. You can rent gear on the beach. New to surfing? There are classes for all levels!

Surf Etxea is a comprehensive surf school with options for beginners through to improvers looking to go pro. 

Start your day the Donostia way with a sunrise surf session. It’s a splurge but you’ll have the Atlantic all to yourself at this magical hour. 

Gipsy Riders is a mobile surf school offering private and shared lessons. They also run summer surf camps for kids and full-day surf excursions along the northern coast. 

Torn between catching a wave or gorging on pintxos? This full-day Surfing Adventure in the Basque Coast gives you the best of both worlds!

Wait in line to eat at Bar Nestor

Hear me out: the lines are long, but Bar Nestor is WELL worth the wait. I’m putting it separately on this list because it was my favorite spot I ate in San Sebastián!

Open since 1980, Bar Nestor is the most famous bars in town, and there’s a knack to getting a table.

You’ll need to show up 2.5 hours before they open: opening time is either 12:00 PM for lunch or 7:00 PM for dinner. One hour before opening, someone will take your name and give you a time to return — so you only actually wait for 90 minutes.

Why is it important to be there early? The kitchen only makes one tortilla per service, and they’re legendary. Only the first 12-16 people in line get a slice! We managed to get the final two tortillas, and they were absolutely delicious (though the best I’ve ever had? That’s debatable).

After the tortilla, they serve you a big tomato salad and a plate of padrón peppers, both topped with lots of flaky sea salt. Then comes the piece de resistance — the txuleta (chu-LEH-ta), an enormous steak sizzling on its plate. (Yes, these are the only meal options. Don’t come here if you’re a vegetarian.)

Let me tell you we ate the food ravenously, washing it all down with a lovely Rioja. Charlie and Nick were actually gnawing the bones like cavemen, trying to get every bit of that txuleta.

Yes, I am so glad we waited for it!

Try the famous Basque cheesecake

Basque “burnt” cheesecake was invented in the 1980s by chef Santiago Rivera. At the time, it was groundbreaking as he only used cream cheese, eggs, cream, sugar, and a pinch of flour. He perfected the scorched topping by blasting it at high temperature.

This dessert went global — have you noticed it popping up EVERYWHERE in the last few years? — but you can taste the original recipe at La Viña near the Plaza de la Constitución in San Sebastián.

One portion is two slices and you can get a glass of sherry or wine on the side. The four of us split two two-slice servings, and we really didn’t need more than that.

Not a cheesecake fan, but still want to try some sweets? I recommend the signature cake at Pastelería Oiartzun. It’s called the Rascacielos, the Skyscraper.

This cake is fluffy and light, with layers of a meringue filling that feels like a half-melted marshmallow. If this isn’t your thing, the bakery also serve tartlets, ice cream, and sorbet.

Eat at a Michelin Star Restaurant

San Sebastián has the most Michelin star restaurants per square meter in the world. If you enjoy fine dining and have the funds to spend, this is a fantastic thing to do in San Sebastián!

My advice is to plan ahead. Choose a few restaurants and note when they open for reservations. You should try to make a reservation the day that reservations open, if possible — and at the time when reservations open. Yes, that might mean waking up in the middle of the night.

(No, it’s not overkill to do this. I used to be a concierge for the AMEX black card in my early 20s. This is what we did every single day, and it was necessary, as so many places are fully booked immediately.)

Here are some suggestions:

Arzak — This three-star restaurant is a San Sebastián institution, and Anthony Bourdain visited here on every episode that ever filmed in the city. This is where you come for creative, innovative cuisine, where the staff are always coming up with unusual combinations of more than 1,000 ingredients.

Akelarré — This three-star restaurant is located outside the city center, but it’s in an absolutely gorgeous building and each food is a work of art. The dishes are from the New Basque tradition — you’ll find a lot of classics and a lot of unusual twists, too.

iBai — This one-star restaurant dishes up some of the fanciest and most innovative small plates you’ll ever have. The restaurant offers two tasting menu options, taking you on a journey through the best of Basque cuisine, with some surprises.

You can see the full collection of Michelin star restaurants here.

Take a Basque Cooking Class

If eating your way around San Sebastián sounds like fun, a cooking workshop gives you the skills to recreate the recipes back home. That’s an amazing gift to give to your loved ones!

This authentic Basque cooking class is led by a professional chef who will teach you how to make four local dishes. Usually, that’s a Spanish tortilla, cod in pil pil sauce, steak with red piquillo peppers, and the famous burnt Basque cheesecake. 

The chef is full of insight on Basque culture and generous with practical advice for budding home cooks. You’ll get to try regional wines and cider during the 2.5-hour culinary experience.

Eat and drink at a Basque Cider House

Basque cider is completely different to the cider you’re used to drinking! It’s flat, not fizzy, and definitely more dry than sweet. There’s a special knack to pouring cider and visiting a cider house (sidería) is one of the most interesting cultural things to do in San Sebastián.

Sidreria Beharri is a convenient option located in the Old Town where you can sample cider alongside its traditional culinary offering: STEAK.

My friends and I decided to try a place out of town and took a taxi to Astarbe Sagardotegia in Astigarraga, the Basque country’s cider capital (just a 15-minute drive from San Sebastián). We started by catching the sidra flowing straight out of the barrel!

The main menu is typical of a Basque cider house — steak, fish, salad, and dessert — but they also have a vegan menu, which is unusual! You need to book that one in advance. There aren’t a lot of vegan foodie experiences in San Sebastián, but this is a good one.

If you’re inspired to learn more about this niche industry, I recommend taking the Basque Cider House tour. You’ll have an educational tour of a family-owned sidería and taste barrel-fresh cider. It also includes lunch and side trips to other foodie spots in town. 

Learn the city’s history at the San Telmo Museum

The San Telmo Museum is one of the best places to learn about local and regional history in San Sebastián. It’s located in a former Dominican convent and functions more like a cultural center.

Galleries explore Basque history through art, archaeological finds, and photography. There are temporary exhibitions in addition to the permanent collection. Expect to spend one to two hours at the museum and swing by the 16th century Iglesia de San Vicente afterwards. 

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM-8:00 PM. Admission is 10 EUR ($11 USD). 

See marine life at San Sebastián Aquarium

The seaside aquarium is one of the best things to do in San Sebastián on a rainy day or with kids. 

Apart from fish, sharks, and sea turtles, San Sebastián Aquarium doubles up as a maritime museum. The entire second floor is dedicated to seafaring heritage and piracy. Expect to spend two hours seeing the exhibits and wandering through the tunnels.

The aquarium is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM-7:00 PM (until 8:00 PM on Saturday/Sunday). Admission is 14 EUR ($15 USD) for adults, 7 EUR ($7.50 USD) for children.

Check out Mercado de la Bretxa

Bretxa Market has been in operation since 1871, although it’s moved to different locations over the years. This stone building has a mix of fresh produce stalls and modern stores.

Head down to the basement to see the traditional delicatessens and cheesemongers. The vendors are friendly and photography is welcome. That said, you might want to come in the morning — I came in the afternoon and found the market strangely quiet.

Unlike the main markets in other Spanish cities, Mercado de la Bretxa is free from tourism and a great spot for local culture. 

The market is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM-9:30 PM.

Go shopping

I really enjoyed the shopping scene in the neighborhood immediately south of the old town. There are so many cool Spanish brands that might not have the bandwidth for a store of their own — but many of them have a shelf or counter in a boutique in San Sebastián!

I really loved the shop Nícoli, and there are tons of cool tiny shops tucked into the streets.

Find contemporary culture in the Gros neighborhood

You probably won’t find your way into the Gros neighborhood on purpose unless you’re heading to Playa de la Zurriola to surf. However, it’s worth visiting this trendy, modern neighborhood even if you’re not looking for waves.

The old town felt overwhelming to me at times — but Gros is modern, calm, and where locals actually hang out. It’s a real hodge-podge of old and new with the Kursaal building dominating. This monolith is the setting of cultural events like the Zinemaldia Film Festival. 

There are dozens of pintxos bars and international restaurants too, for a change of scene. I’d recommend visiting on a Thursday night for pintxo-pote — Basque happy hour! More bars run deals in Gros compared to the old town.

Hike Monte Urgull

Monte Urgull is that big green hill that you see on the edge of Playa La Concha. It rises out of the old town and gives you a similar view to what you get from Monte Igueldo — though from a unique, different angle.

Hiking up along the wooded trail or steps is easy: it’s a short walk that should take around 40 minutes at a moderate pace. From the top, you’ll wander around Castillo de la Mota and see other relics from this defensive point. 

If you’re up for a beverage with a view, Urgulleko Polboriña is an excellent place for a panoramic cocktail.

Explore San Sebastián’s parks and green spaces

Besides the beaches and bluffs, Parque de Cristina Enea Park is an ideal spot for a quiet stroll in San Sebastián. It’s surrounded by the Urumea River and has a duck pond in the heart. 

As tourists usually skip it, Cristina Enea Park is peaceful and beloved by donostiarras. It’s full of plants and trees with a couple of buildings popping out from the greenery. I found the walking trails here to be very pleasant.

You can also follow the Paseo Nuevo around the base of Monte Urgull. It has great views of La Concha Bay and Gros. And naturally, the waterfront Alderdi Eder Gardens shouldn’t be missed. 

See San Sebastián by e-bike

One of the best things to do in San Sebastián is rent an e-bike and cycle along the waterfront areas. If you’d like to see more of the city, you can join a tour. 

This small-group electric bike tour lets you pedal as little or as much as you wish. The route crosses the rarely-visited Antiguo quarter and stops at Miramar Palace (Palacio de Miramar) before summiting Monte Igueldo. Trust me — climbing a mountain is MUCH easier with an e-bike than a regular bike!!

Tours depart in the morning and afternoon and are a smart way to see the city on a limited timeframe. 

Take a boat trip along the Basque coast

Cruising the Basque coast lets you appreciate San Sebastián with the wind in your hair. The coastline reminded me so much of Ireland or Scotland — not what you’d expect in Spain!

This two-bay boat tour is operated by a family business who’ll show you the prettiest parts of the coast. It’s a small boat with guides ready to reveal the secrets of the sea and local geology phenomenons. 

A glass of cava is included with their sunset cruises.

Hike the Basque Coast

The Camino del Norte hiking trail of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) goes through San Sebastián. While the full pilgrimage route takes weeks to complete, you can do a single day’s hike on the Camino del Norte if you’d like!

The Camino del Norte is frequently cited as the most beautiful of the Camino routes. And it’s easy enough to take the 30-minute train from San Sebastián to Zarautz and hike independently. The trail is heavily trafficked and I would feel confident hiking any Camino trail as a solo woman.

Otherwise, you can make some new friends on this Winery Camino Trail walking tour from San Sebastián. Yup, besides hiking you’ll enjoy a wine tasting at a Basque Txakoli winery. 

Visit a Txacoli Winery

Txakoli (pronounced CHA-ko-lee) is a dry and slightly sparkling white wine produced in the Basque Country. You’ll come across the wine in its iconic green bottles in the city’s old town bars. 

As it’s quite specific to the Basque region and hard to find outside northern Spain, taking a txakoli tour is one of the most special things to do in San Sebastián that you won’t find anywhere else.

This txakoli wine tour takes you to the town of Getaria where most of the wineries are concentrated. You’ll have time to explore the seaside town before enjoying a tour and tasting. 

Take a day trip to Hondarribia, San Pedro, and San Juan

Hondarribia, Pasajes de San Juan, and Pasai San Pedro are three beautiful seaside towns within reach of San Sebastián. You can drive there with a rental car, or book a tour. 

This Hondarribia, San Juan, and San Pedro tour begins with a tour of the colorful town of Hondarribia on the French border. You’ll have a guided tour of the walled old town and hear the rich history about battles and maritime escapades that have taken place here. 

Before looping back via the smaller towns, you’ll take in Bay of Biscay views from Mount Jaizkibel.

Spend a day in French Basque Country

As you know, Basque Country isn’t just in Spain — and the French side of Basque Country is just as interesting!

This French Basque Country tour takes you beyond Hondarribia to the other side of the Pyrenees. You’ll visit the glamorous beach escape of Biarritz, as well as the towns of Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, which are entirely different and offer a nice blend of history and glamour. 

This is a full day tour with a small group and includes transportation, lunch, and a tour with a professional guide.

Take a day trip to Zarautz, Getaria, and Zumaia

If you want more beach time than just La Concha, venture west for the day and explore the coastal towns of Zarautz, Getaria, and Zumaia. 

You can book a Zarautz, Getaria, and Zumaia day trip from San Sebastián, which gives you a full day of fun. If not, you can always take a train to Zarautz and connect by bus to the other towns.

Zarautz has yet another surf beach which is even longer than La Concha. The resort was a favorite of Queen Isabella II and has beautiful mansions dotted throughout town.

Getaria, on a peninsula, is far smaller with a couple of little beaches and a fishing village vibe. Fashion superstar Cristóbal Balenciaga was born here and there’s a museum exhibiting his designs and other haute couture. Plus, Getaria is the epicenter of txakoli wine!

The Urola and Narrondo rivers meet in Zumaia, a town that delights historians and geologists alike. Don’t miss the Flysch where sea and wind erosion has sculpted the rocks into a natural art exhibition. You can hike there or take a boat tour. 

Visit the vineyards of La Rioja

If you enjoy red wine, you’ll love a day trip to the La Rioja DOCa wine region. My husband and I find Rioja to be the best and best value red wine you can buy, and a huge part of our trip to northern Spain was exploring the La Rioja region as well!

La Rioja’s wine-growing region is divided into Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental. Each has a different terrain and climate which impacts the tastes. However, tempranillo grapes dominate with garnacha in support. 

Seeing as Spain has a strict driving limit of 0.05% BAC, you’ll need a designated driver. My suggestion? Book a tour. This Rioja wine tour from San Sebastián includes travel, lunch, vineyard tour, and tasting. The scenery will knock your socks off.

Take a day trip to Bilbao

I really loved my time in Bilbao — a quirky yet incredibly livable city full of culture, architecture, and insane incredible bars with a fraction of San Sebastián’s crowds.

If you’d like to visit Bilbao independently from San Sebastián, simply take the ALSA bus and split your day between art, views, and (even more) pintxos. 

Otherwise, this Bilbao city tour from San Sebastián includes transport and a four-hour walking tour. After that, you’re free to wander independently and check out the main attractions. 

Of course, the Guggenheim Museum is the star of the city, but there are other small museums worth your attention. I also loved taking the funicular to enjoy the city views.

A Quick Note on Drinking in San Sebastián

By now you’ve probably noticed how prominently eating and drinking figure in this guide. Yes, San Sebastián is a huge foodie city, and wine is a major part of the culture here.

But I want to emphasize that it can be easy to go overboard with the drinking in San Sebastián without realizing it, in part because it seems like everyone around you is constantly drinking.

I realized this my first night out in San Sebastián — and the impact was even more stark because I was traveling with my husband and two male friends. All three of them are wine guys who can easily put away a lot more than I can.

Know this — it’s okay to moderate your drinking, even if it seems like nobody else in San Sebastián is. It’s okay to not finish your glass of wine. It’s okay to order a water or soda with your pintxos. It’s okay not to go drink for drink with your companions. You’re here for a fun night, not a miserable day tomorrow.

Where to Stay in San Sebastián, Spain

San Sebastian is one of the pricier cities in Spain — though you can find accommodation at a variety of price points. It’s a good idea to book as early as you can.

While a lot of people would prefer to stay in the old town, I actually preferred staying across the bridge in the Gros neighborhood, which was quieter, more local, and set far away enough that we weren’t sleeping in the middle of the party.

• Top-Rated Luxury Hotel in San Sebastián: Hotel Maria Cristina — Want to splurge? Splurge here. Perfect location, gorgeous rooms, endless amenities.
• Top-Rated Mid-Range Hotel in San Sebastián: Leonardo Boutique Hotel — A perfect location in Gros and modern, great value for money rooms.
• Top-Rated Budget Hotel in San Sebastián: The Social Hub San Sebastián — A bit out of the way, but near a bus stop, and really comfortable rooms and nice amenities for the price.

Find deals on places to stay in San Sebastián here.

Best Time to Visit San Sebastián, Spain

Have you been to Barcelona or Andalusia? Don’t expect the same climate in San Sebastián! The Basque Country and the Atlantic coast are much cooler and rainier than the arid, sunny south. Parts of the Basque Country reminded me of Austria or even Ireland more than southern Spain!

Summer temperatures in San Sebastián peak at around 77° F (25° C) while winters can be as cold as the mid-40s (less than 10°C). 

As part of the Green Coast, San Sebastián is prone to rain, which falls all year and can often be unpredictable. Winter is the wettest time of year, and days can be short. On the plus side, it’s a nice, quiet time to visit. Surfers enjoy wild waves in the winter months.

Ultimately, I would recommend visiting San Sebastián in late spring, early summer, or early fall. You’ll get to enjoy nice temperatures and while it will be crowded, you’ll avoid the peak crowds of July and August. I personally visited in mid-September and found this to be a great time to visit.

Whatever time of year you visit, I recommend bringing an umbrella or a waterproof jacket.

How to Get to San Sebastián, Spain

If you’re flying into San Sebastián, you have three airport options. San Sebastián Airport (EAS) is a 30-minute bus ride from the city, close to the French border. However, most flights here are from destinations within Spain.

Bilbao Airport (BIO) has more flight options all over Europe. You can take buses directly from Bilbao Airport to San Sebastián on Lurraldebus or ALSA, which take about one hour and 15 minutes.

The third option is Biarritz Airport in France (BIQ), which has a handful of connections in Western and Northern Europe. Buses on Flixbus take about 45 minutes to one hour.

So which airport is best? I chose to fly into Bilbao as it was a direct flight from Prague (hooray!), and I wanted to explore Bilbao as well. I took the bus between the airport and San Sebastián, and it was an easy, comfortable journey.

Arriving overland? San Sebastián has two train stations: its namesake main terminal and the regional Amara-Donostia station. Trains here are limited compared to other Spanish cities, but there is usually one direct train per day from Madrid and Barcelona; most services require a transfer. 

And of course, there are plenty of buses! Donostia Bus Station is next door to the main train station.

How about getting around San Sebastián? Don’t rely on Uber or rideshare apps — they may “technically” exist in San Sebastián, but even today, people have great difficulty finding drivers this way. Instead, stick to the local metered taxis, which have stands around town.

There are also local buses within San Sebastián that make it easy to explore the city.

How Much Time To Spend in San Sebastián, Spain

San Sebastián is the kind of destination that gets under your skin, and you’ll wish you had more time to explore all the dining options! I recommend spending three nights in San Sebastián if you’re able to do so.

Two days is enough time to explore San Sebastián by day, including time seeing the Party Vieja and the beaches. With your third day, you have a choice of day trips — or continue to spend your time in San Sebastián if you’re really digging the city.

But for the evenings, plan out your time in advance! Maybe one night on a pintxos tour, one night exploring the pintxos bars on your own, and one night at a high-end restaurant? You’ll be glad for that time!

Is it worth staying longer than three nights? Sure, if you feel like San Sebastián is your kind of place. I wouldn’t be complaining if I had four or five nights there.

Is San Sebastián Worth It?

Absolutely, San Sebastián is worth it! This city is delicious, marvelous, and endlessly interesting on every level. I was only sorry it took me so long to visit! I know I will absolutely be back for more.

There is so much to do in San Sebastián, I know most travelers will find something to love in this city.

I hope you have a wonderful time in San Sebastián! And don’t forget to explore more of the Basque Country!

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Have you been to San Sebastián? Share away!

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