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San Sebastián in the Spanish Basque Country is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It combines the scenic drama and beach culture of Rio de Janeiro with the urban elegance and architecture of Barcelona – but all in a much smaller space. Added to this are unique culinary delights, important historical buildings and natural highlights with spectacular panoramic views. All this makes San Sebastián ideal for a relaxed city trip where you can experience art, nature, history and enjoyment. In this article, I will give you the best San Sebastián sights, tips for hotels and which tours are worthwhile.
When I first read that San Sebastián was the most beautiful city in the world, I just thought “Huh?, Lisbon, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro?” But it’s true. San Sebastián has everything that these cities have. And it is precisely this mix that makes a visit to the northern Spanish city so worthwhile.
ℹ️ San Sebastián is located in the Spanish Basque Country, which has its very own language. The city is called Donostia in Basque.
Why is San Sebastián the most beautiful city in the world?
Well, this is mainly due to the fantastic mix of special features, of which many cities would only wish to have one. San Sebastián is located by the sea, there are 3 city mountains and 3 city beaches, an island and a river. It also has a lively old town with the highest density of bars in the world and countless spectacular sunsets.
San Sebastián is also a hotspot for top cuisine with one of the highest densities of Michelin stars per capita in the world. There are no fewer than 19 Michelin stars in restaurants in the city and the surrounding area! But there are also plenty of culinary delights to discover here for those on a smaller budget.
San Sebastián is a place for high society, which stays here in its belle époque villas and grand hotels and celebrates the famous film festival once a year. But wild hikers are also happy here, especially in the mountains surrounding the city.
You can also quickly get out of the city and go on excursions to other parts of the Basque Country from here.
If that’s not enough arguments for you, then I don’t know what is. In any case, I fell in love with San Sebastián on my first visit and would love to go back immediately.
How long to stay in San Sebastián?
San Sebastián is not very big, but there are many highlights to discover. If you want to see them all and maybe chill out on the beach and go on a few tours, you’ll need at least 2 full days (i.e. 3 nights). That’s how long I spent in the city myself, but I would still have liked to have spent even longer here.
If you have less time, it’ s best to book a city tour. With a hop-on hop-off city tour, you can see all the important highlights by bus, get some information and it’s also pretty cheap.
As you can also explore all the highlights in San Sebastián on foot, a guided tour with an expert is also a great idea to see as much as possible in as little time as possible:
- A tour of the most important attractions (2 hours)
- Guided tour of the highlights (1.5 hours)
Stay in the best accommodation in San Sebastián
San Sebastián is quite expensive compared to other Spanish cities. This applies both to the cost of living for locals and to accommodation for tourists. Donostia also has many hilly districts. If you don’t want to walk up and down so much, it’s therefore best to stay somewhere in the middle of the flat city center. However, hotels a little further out of the center are often a little cheaper.
In my opinion, the Hotel Palacio de Aiete is the best option if you are traveling by car. It’s very easy to find parking here, but you’re still not that far out of the city. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to the beach. What’s more, the idyllic Aiete Park is just around the corner.
Would you like to wake up in the morning with the best view of the city? Then the Hotel Mercure Monte Igueldo at the top of Monte Igueldo is a very good choice. Despite its brilliant location on the mountain, the fantastic outdoor pool and its excellent bar and restaurant, the hotel is not as expensive as you might think.
If you come to San Sebastián for surfing and beach life, then the Surfing Etxea – Surf Hostel is probably perfect for you. There is a communal lounge, a terrace and a bar where you can meet like-minded people. And best of all: the beach is only 2 minutes away.
Hotel Lasala Plaza: This boutique hotel is located very close to the city’s central beach, next to the town hall and offers a great view of the bay from the rooftop pool. You can see pictures of it here.
Hotel Villa Favorita: Modern 4-star boutique hotel directly on the seafront of La Concha beach with elegant rooms. The hotel is also home to the two-Michelin-star restaurant Amelia.
Hotel Maria Cristina: If you’re not fussy about the cost, then you should stay at what is probably the most famous hotel in the city. The Belle Époque-style luxury Hotel Maria Cristina opened back in 1912 and is also the hotel preferred by film stars and international celebrities during the San Sebastián Film Festival.
San Sebastián sights
Enough of the introduction: Below you will find the most important sights of San Sebastián. You can also find an overview of them all here on the map:
1. Monte Igueldo
Monte Igueldo is San Sebastián’s most prominent mountain in the west of the bay. From the very top, you probably have the best view of La Concha Bay, the surrounding mountains and the whole of San Sebastián in general.
Similar to Barcelona, there is a historic amusement park on the mountain. It has been there since 1912 and has a wooden roller coaster, trampolines, a maze and a haunted house, among other things. There are also restaurants, cafés and the Mercure Monte Igueldo hotel. But the best thing is the spectacular panoramic view from the terrace. It’s even better from the Igeldoko Dorrea Tower, which you can climb for €3. I found it cool that there are some pictures from historical times on display in the tower’s staircase.
You can get to the top of the mountain on the historic Funicular de Igueldo funicular. The funicular travels in wooden carriages up a distance of 312.5 meters with a height difference of 151 meters in around three minutes. A ticket for the ascent and descent costs €4.75. You can buy it on site at the ticket office.
2. Peine del Viento
Peine del Viento translates as “comb of the wind” and is made up of 3 huge steel sculptures weighing around 9 to 10 tons by sculptor Eduarda Chilliada.
The statues are located on the shore at the foot of Monte Igueldo, where the waves often splash up like fountains, making a visit to this sight particularly spectacular and photogenic.
🗿 Incidentally, a very similar sculpture by Eduardo Chillida has stood in front of the Federal Chancellery in Berlin’s government district since 2000. It is entitled “Berlin” and stands as a symbol of German reunification.
3. Palace Miramar Jauregia
The Miramar Jauregia Palace was built in the 19th century as a summer residence for the Spanish royal family, but is now owned by the city and the surrounding park is freely accessible to residents and tourists.
The property is somewhat reminiscent of a British country house. However, it is also worth a visit because of its location between the two beaches of Ondarreta and La Concha with spectacular views of the bay.
The interior of the palace is now occasionally rented out for events and congresses, but is otherwise not accessible to normal tourists.
4. La Concha – The central city beach
La Concha is the most famous city beach in San Sebastián and perhaps one of the most beautiful in Europe. It stretches in a crescent shape for around 1.5 kilometers and offers the finest golden sand with a view of the bay of the same name with the island of Santa Clara between the two city mountains.
Due to its sheltered location, the beach is particularly suitable for swimming and various water sports. In summer, the beach is full of typical blue and white parasols, which are also the symbol of the beach.
The promenade “Paseo de la Concha” stretches along the entire length of the beach, with its Art Nouveau-style cast-iron railings painted white, striking lanterns and historic clocks (called “Los Relojes”). There are also many cafés, several restaurants and the La Perla thalasso spa. On the opposite side, the street is also lined with elegant houses in the Belle Époque style.
5. La Ondarreta – The quiet beach
La Ondarretta is the smaller, somewhat quieter, but by no means less spectacular version of La Concha beach. It is a little more relaxed here, but you can swim and do water sports just as well as on the rest of the bay. Ondarreta is therefore particularly popular with families.
6. La Zurriola – The surf beach
While La Ondaretta and La Concha are protected by an offshore island, the Atlantic Ocean at La Zurriola beach unfolds with powerful waves right on the coast. This is perfect for surfing, which is why several surf stores and surf schools have set up shop here. You can hire the right equipment there or book courses.
Here you will find a few of the best-known surf schools, all of which are located close to the beach:
- Groseko Indarra Surf Eskola-Taldea
- Pukas Surf Eskola San Sebastián
- Kresala Surf Eskola
- Patris Surf Club & Association
7. Santa Clara Island
Santa Clara Island (Isla de Santa Clara) is located in the middle of La Concha Bay and is one of the city’s natural landmarks. It is around 5.6 hectares in size and up to 48 meters high.
It is known for its small bays and its beach, which is only visible at low tide. On the island, a short path leads to the historic lighthouse. There is also a small bar on the jetty.
You can reach the island by boat. Combine your visit with a boat tour through the bay:
- Boat tour with a stop in Santa Clara (30 minutes for €8)
8. City Hall of San Sebastián
The current town hall of San Sebastián is an eye-catcher and is located directly on the Playa de La Concha, on the edge of the Alderdi Eder Park.
It was originally built in 1887 as a casino building in the Belle Époque style and was only converted into a town hall in 1947. The town hall is a great photo opportunity, but its interior is not open to the public.
9. Basilica Nuestra Señora del Coro
If you walk along Calle Mayor street in the old town of San Sebastián, you will immediately notice the impressive baroque façade of the Basilica Nuestra Señora del Coro church.
It is the town’s main church and was built in 1743, although it stands on the foundations of a much older Romanesque church.
There is also a small museum inside the church, where around 150 sacred works of art from various eras are on display. Admission to the church and the museum is €3.
10. Monte Urgull – Motako Gaztelua castle with fortress wall
Monte Urgull is located right next to the old town of San Sebastián and is a must-visit on your city trip. Several paths lead through the park and forest directly from the old town to the very top to the Castillo de la Mota (Motako Gaztelua) fortress. This was built in the 12th century and served to protect the city. The many cannons standing around here are evidence of this.
It is also worth walking through the park around the fortress, with its dense woodland and exotic vegetation. You will pass many chapel remains and various old defenses, as well as some viewpoints such as the Andereen Bateria overlooking the bay. The park on the mountain is a pleasantly quiet contrast to the noisy old town, which is just a few minutes’ walk away.
11. Ingelesen Hilerria – English cemetery
On the northern slope of the mountain is an old military cemetery for British soldiers who died in the Napoleonic Wars of 1813. Nature has already reclaimed some of the graves here, which creates a somewhat creepy but interesting atmosphere.
12. San Telmo Museum
The San Telmo Museum is located in a former monastery and is the oldest and most important museum in the Basque Country. It is dedicated to the culture and history of Basque society with over 55,000 items in its collection, many of which are on display. These range from archaeological finds to photographs. There is also an art collection with works by El Greco, Ignacio Zuloaga, Oteiza and Chillida.
A ticket costs €10. If you are there on a Tuesday, admission is even free.
13. Old Town Hall Udaletxe zaharra (Plaza de la Constitución)
The historic town hall of San Sebastián is located on the Plaza de la Constitución in the heart of the old town. Bullfights once took place in this square. The numbers on the balconies of the houses around the square are a reminder of this.
Today, the historic town hall is only used for celebrations. Many restaurants and bars have settled on the very centrally located square and there is always a lot of hustle and bustle here.
14. Church of San Vicente
The Gothic church of San Vicente (San Bizente Eliza) is considered the oldest church in the city. Its construction was completed in 1574. The large gilded altar was particularly impressive. Admission to the church is free.
15. Bretxa Market
If you want to try authentic local cuisine, then you shouldn’t miss the historic Bretxa market. It is always very busy here, especially during the week in the morning. Fresh food, fish and meat are offered at the traditional stalls, and much cheaper than anywhere else. Many restaurants in the old town also buy the ingredients for their famous pintxos here.
The name “Bretxa” means “gap” in Basque and refers to an opening in the city wall through which troops once entered and conquered the city during an invasion.
If you would like to learn the secrets of Basque cuisine , it is worth taking a cooking course where you first buy your ingredients at the market:
- Market tour and Basque cooking course in English
- From the market to the secret kitchen tour (only for groups)
16. Cathedral Buen Pastor de San Sebastián
The cathedral of San Sebastián is the largest religious building in the city and stands on a visual axis with the Basílica de Santa María del Coro. The church, whose ground plan is based on a classic Latin cross, is made of sandstone from Monte Igueldo.
The cathedral is freely accessible.
17. Tabakalera Cultural Center
Cigarettes were produced in the Tabakalera until 2003. Today, however, it is a modern cultural center with free exhibitions, a cinema, designer stores, a hotel, a pub and a library. There is also a viewing terrace on the roof.
18. Cristina Enea Park
Cristina Enea Park is the largest park in the city and covers an area of around 95,000 square meters. It is really pleasant to walk through here and enjoy nature and tranquillity in the middle of the city. You will discover free-roaming peacocks, ponds with ducks, fountains and lots of different plants and trees.
19. Aiete Park
Aiete Park is located in the district of the same name and is partly situated on a steep hill. There is a picturesque waterfall, a rose garden, lots of ornate statues and the Palacio de Aiete, a historic castle. It once served as a summer residence for the Spanish monarchs.
20. the hip Gros district
The Gros district is located to the east of the old town on the River Urumea and reminded me a lot of Barcelona: trendy stores, hip bars and restaurants with a chilled-out beach atmosphere. The most famous building here is the Kursaal music and congress palace, right on the beach, which also hosts the San Sebastián International Film Festival.
Gros is a meeting place for many locals, especially on Thursday evenings. This is when the “Pintxo Pote” takes place, where many bars in Gros offer individual pintxos with a drink for just €2 to €3. This sociable event is one of the best ways to make contact with the locals.
If you get hungry during your tour, then Agas Empanadas is worth a visit. There are various Argentinian empanadas with and without meat, as well as other dishes, depending on the menu of the day.
21. The aquarium
The San Sebastián Aquarium is not only a great attraction in bad weather. There are a total of 31 aquariums here, including one with a 360-degree glass tunnel (oceanarium) where you can observe around 40 different species of fish, including various shark species. In total, there are around 5,000 fish from over 200 species of the Cantabrian Sea and tropical species to marvel at in the aquarium.
You can get a ticket to the aquarium directly on site for €14 per person. If you would like to visit the aquarium and then go on a city tour, this combination is perfect for you.
The culinary sights of San Sebastián: Pintxos & Txakoli
When you’re out and about in San Sebastián, you won’t be able to avoid 2 culinary specialties:
- Pintxos (pronounced “pin-tchos”): Small, artfully prepared snacks from the Basque country, usually served on a slice of bread and held in place with a toothpick or skewer.
- Txakoli (pronounced “chakoli”): Fresh, slightly sparkling white wine from the Basque Country, often with a slight acidity and fruity notes.
San Sebastián is famous for its creative pintxos scene. There are countless bars here that offer traditional or modern variations of these snacks. I could just list the bars like La Cuchara de San Telmo, Txepetxa (famous for anchovy pintxos), Bar Borda Berri or Bar Nestor, which you will also find in all other San Sebastián travel guides.
But the best tip is to simply walk through the old town, look at the different bars and their pintxos (they are usually in a display case and you can then choose), and then simply feast on your favorites in the bar with the best atmosphere for you.
Here are a few variations of pintxos that you can find almost everywhere:
- Pintxo Gilda: classic with green olives, pickled green peppers (guindillas) and anchovies.
- Seafood pintxos: Always available with fresh cod, prawns or mussels, for example.
- Txangurro: crab meat
- Chorizo with quail egg: Fried chorizo sausage is served crumbled on toasted bread and topped with a gently fried quail egg with runny egg yolk
- Brocheta de Gamba: prawns and bacon on a skewer
Another good idea is a guided pintxos tour through San Sebastián. Depending on the tour, you will usually visit various traditional restaurants and, in addition to lots of information about the local cuisine and customs, you will also get to taste several pintxos and often wine (txakoli is usually included) from the region. These are the best and most popular pintxos tours:
- Market, pintxos and wine tasting tour (3 hours; market visit and tasting; 6 local pintxos and 5 local wines, cider, liqueur)
- Food tour with pintxos and drinks with a local (3.5 hours; at least 4 different restaurants)
- Pintxos and wine tour (3 hours; 8 pintxos and 5 different local drinks)
The Michelin-starred restaurants of San Sebastián
The Michelin Guide is a world-renowned restaurant and hotel guide that rates culinary quality according to specific criteria. In addition to the famous Michelin-starred restaurants, it also lists many other restaurants without stars that are of high quality. However, the 3-star restaurants alone are often worth a trip and there are 2 of them in San Sebastián.
ℹ️ You should reserve a table at all the Michelin-starred restaurants mentioned here before your visit.
Right in San Sebastián there are 7 Michelin-starred restaurants with a total of 13 Michelin stars:
- Akelarre ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Arzak ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Amelia by Paulo Airaudo ⭐⭐
- Mugaritz ⭐⭐ (still part of the metropolitan region of San Sebastián)
- Kokotxa ⭐
- Narru ⭐
- Ibai ⭐
If you count the restaurants in the region and the neighboring towns around Donostia, then there are even 11 restaurants with 19 Michelin stars:
- Martín Berasategui⭐⭐⭐⭐(in Lasarte-Oria)
- Alameda ⭐ (in Hondarribia)
- AMA Tolosa ⭐ (in Tolosa)
- Elkano ⭐ (in Getaria)
The complete list, including the recommendations in the Michelin Guide, can be found here.
San Sebastián is one of the cities in Europe that are made for a city trip. Which San Sebastián sights are missing from the list? Which are your favorites? Feel free to write me a comment.
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