By air
San Sebastián (EAS) or Bilbao (BIO), ~20 km or ~1 h
Europe · Spain
San Sebastián, Spain
Pintxos and a perfect city beach
Getting there
Best time to visit
June to September — the beach season
Don't miss
La Concha
Monte Urgull
The Old Town
The Peine del Viento sculptures
Things to do
Pintxos crawls in the Old Town
La Concha beach
Surfing at Zurriola
Where to eat
What to pack
Layers, a rain jacket
A quieter corner
Monte Igueldo's old funicular
Questions travellers ask
When is beach season in San Sebastián?
June to September. Pack layers and a rain jacket too.
What's San Sebastián known for, food-wise?
Pintxos, grilled fish and Basque cheesecake. Do it as a pintxos crawl through the Old Town.
What is there to do in San Sebastián?
Swim at La Concha beach, surf at Zurriola, head up Monte Urgull and see the Peine del Viento sculptures. For something different, ride Monte Igueldo's old funicular.
What are the airport options for San Sebastián?
San Sebastián (EAS) is about 20 km away, and Bilbao (BIO) about an hour.
About San Sebastián
- Coastal
Where it is
San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) is a seaside city in the Basque Country of northern Spain, on the Bay of Biscay about 20 km from the French border, wrapped around the shell-shaped La Concha bay below Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo.
History
Chartered by King Sancho VI of Navarre in the late 12th century, San Sebastián grew as a fishing and trading port. It was burned almost to the ground after a siege in 1813, during the Peninsular War, and from 1885 the summer stays of Queen Maria Cristina made it a fashionable Belle Époque resort; its international film festival began in 1953.
People
Donostiarras speak Basque and Spanish. The city is the birthplace of the Basque gastronomic societies (txokos), private clubs where members cook and eat together, and every 20 January the Tamborrada fills the streets with drummers for the feast of Saint Sebastian.
Known for
- La Concha beach and bay
- Pintxos bars in the old town (Parte Vieja)
- The San Sebastián International Film Festival
- Restaurants with Michelin stars
- The Peine del Viento sculptures by Eduardo Chillida
Did you know?
Only one street survived the fire that followed the siege of 1813, and it is now named Calle 31 de Agosto, after the day the city was stormed.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.