San Sebastian, also known as Donostia in Basque, is a remarkable city on the northern coast of Spain. As a magnet for both nature lovers and culture seekers, this seaside resort in the Basque Country has much to offer.
A particularly fun way to explore San Sebastian is via the Highlights Bike Tour. You’ll cycle along the famous La Concha beach, through the old town and enjoy panoramic views over the city from the Urgull and Igueldo mountains. Your local guide will immerse you in the rich history and culture of the city and introduce you to the Basque tradition of ‘pintxos’.
During the tour you’ll get a complete picture of San Sebastian’s versatility. This city, nestled between the sea and mountains, with its rich culture and welcoming atmosphere, guarantees an unforgettable experience. But San Sebastian has even more to offer.
A trip to San Sebastian promises an unforgettable experience full of adventure, fun and discoveries. Let’s take a closer look at the 10 best attractions you can discover.
The enchanting and cozy historic center of San Sebastian
Tucked at the foot of Monte Urgull and enclosed between the sea and the Urumea river, lies the historic heart of San Sebastián: the Parte Vieja. This centuries-old district is a maze of narrow streets, filled with charming shops and historic buildings, painting a vivid picture of the past.
A remarkable highlight is the city wall from 1863 that still surrounds the old town, a silent witness to the historical importance of this place. Also unmissable is a visit to the church of Santa Maria del Coro, an architectural masterpiece that dominates the skyline of the old district.
Tip: The Parte Vieja doesn’t only reveal itself as a fascinating place during the day. When evening falls, this district truly comes to life. The streets buzz with activity, with the best pintxos bars radiating a warm, inviting glow. Exploring the Parte Vieja in the evening light offers the perfect ending to a day full of discoveries in San Sebastián.
Here are a few pintxos bars in Parte Vieja, San Sebastián, that are excellent according to Google reviews:
- Bar Nestor – Known for its tortillas, tomato salad and steak pintxos.
- La Cuchara de San Telmo – Famous for its cockles, pork cheek and foie gras pintxos.
- Bar Txepetxa – Specialized in anchovy pintxos with various toppings.
- Gandarias Jatetxea – Offering a wide range of pintxos and wines.
Tip: Keep in mind that it’s always wise to check in advance whether these bars are open and whether you might need to make a reservation, given the popularity of pintxos in this region
Monte Igueldo
Monte Igueldo has been mentioned often in this article. This is the highest of the two mountains that border the bay of La Concha. You can reach the top of Monte Igueldo in two ways; with a vigorous hike or with a cable car from Paseo del Faro Ibilbidea 134 (€4.00 return cable car, €2.50 for children).
At the top of the mountain you’ll find an amusement park. You pay hardly anything for park admission (€2.50), but you pay per attraction (€1-€5.00). There’s also a panoramic terrace where you can enjoy the view.
Monte Urgull
Monte Urgull is the other of the two mountains. This mountain is recognizable by the large statue of Christ. The Sagrado Corazón is 30 meters high and therefore impossible to miss. There’s also the ruin of the castle ‘Castillo de Santa Cruz de la Mota’ here. Additionally, on the mountain there’s a cemetery ‘Cementario de los Ingleses’ and a public park. From Monte Urgull you also have a magnificent view. You have two different hiking routes to reach the top.
Tip: As you can read, there are many attractions to discover. Do you want to be sure you don’t miss a single attraction? Then join us on the San Sebastian Highlights Bike Tour.
With this specially designed bike route you’ll cycle from the harbor, through the middle of the old city center along the bay to the other side. From there you’ll go to Antiguo and eventually end up at the river. On the e-bike you’ll pass by the beaches, the historic center, San Sebastian station and the Cathedral, among other things.
Santa Maria del Coro
The basilica Santa María del Coro is an old church located in Parte Vieja (the historic center). You have to look carefully for this church, as it’s somewhat hidden between the other buildings. The basilica is recognizable by its distinctive facade in Plateresque style.
For three euros you can go inside and it’s definitely worth a visit.
Cathedral del Buen Pastor San Sebastian
‘Catedral del Buen Pastor’ also means ‘cathedral of the good shepherd’. The cathedral stands in the middle of the city, but is an oasis of calm. After the completion of construction in 1897 it was first a church, but was then consecrated as a cathedral in 1953.
It’s a beautiful example of neo-Gothic architecture and is built large with sandstone. The interior of the cathedral is somewhat plainer compared to the exterior, but when the sun shines through the stained glass windows into the cathedral’s interior, it’s a magical, almost mystical experience.
Ayuntamiento de San Sebastián
This is the town hall of the Basque city of San Sebastian. The town hall is located close to La Concha beach. Originally, the building was meant to serve as a casino for the wealthy aristocracy. After gambling was banned in Spain in 1927, it has served as San Sebastian’s town hall since 1945.
Next to the town hall you’ll also find Alderdi Eder park. These are beautiful colorful gardens with palm trees and fountains.
Did you know: San Sebastian is truly the culinary heart of Spain? Per square meter, it has the most Michelin-starred restaurants. Check it out!
Aquarium
The San Sebastian aquarium has been a fantastic place to visit since 1928. The aquarium has an impressive collection of more than 200 different species of marine animals; sharks, rays, seahorses and octopuses. There’s also a giant tank where you can walk through a tunnel surrounded by water and observe the fish up close. Besides the marine animals, the aquarium also features educational exhibitions and interactive displays where you can learn more about ocean life. Fun for young and old!
Museo de San Telmo
This is a municipal museum of the city of San Sebastian and contains a lot of visual art from Basque society. The museum tells part of the history of the Basque Country and has many rotating exhibitions. The Museo San Telmo has been established since 1932 and is therefore the oldest museum in the Basque Country. The museum was closed for a while but reopened after a thorough renovation. Both the beautiful San Telmo building and the exhibitions are more than worth a visit during your city trip to San Sebastian.
Fun fact: Despite San Sebastian not being the largest city, it has hosted many international events: The San Sebastián International Film Festival, the San Sebastián Jazz Festival, the Quincena Musical and the Horror Film Festival.
El Peine de Viento
El Peine de Viento, or the Wind Comb, is a beautiful artwork in San Sebastian. It’s a sculpture consisting of a series of steel pins that protrude from the rocks and overlook the sea.
This impressive sculpture was created by the famous Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida and can be found on the coastline of the Ondarreta neighborhood. It’s a popular spot for tourists and locals to relax, enjoy the view and listen to the soothing sounds of nature.
Visit the three famous beaches in San Sebastian
If you’re visiting San Sebastian, a visit to one of these beaches is an absolute must.
Playa de la Concha
The largest and most popular beach in the city is Playa de la Concha and stretches over a distance of 1350 meters. It’s a crescent-shaped bay between two mountains, Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo. It’s a beautiful beach with fine white sand, located within walking distance of San Sebastian’s city center. The adjacent promenade is perfect for a lovely stroll and offers stunning views over the bay. The beach is very popular with water sports enthusiasts (surfers, sailors, kayakers and canoeists). It’s no surprise that Playa de la Concha is considered one of the most beautiful city beaches in the world.
Playa de Ondaretta
Besides Playa de la Concha, there are two other beaches in San Sebastian: Playa de Ondaretta and Playa de Zurriola.
Playa de Ondaretta is 600 meters long and is located next to Playa de la Concha, opposite Santa Clara island. It’s generally less crowded than Playa de la Concha, but still very popular. At the end you’ll find a famous artwork: El Peine del Viento.
Playa de Zurriola
Playa de Zurriola is the third beach of San Sebastian and is located on the other side of Monte Urgull, in the Gros neighborhood at the mouth of the Rio Urumea. This 800-meter-long beach is popular among young people and nude sunbathing is permitted here. It’s a lively beach with a relaxed atmosphere.
Map of San Sebastian attractions
Below you’ll find the attractions on the map.