From its wide, sandy beaches to the beautiful bars serving some of the tastiest cuisine, San Sebastián – known in the Basque Country as Donostia – is an absolute charmer.
Compact and breathtakingly pretty, you’ll fall head over heels in love with this small coastal city, which punches above its weight with an array of activities. Whether it’s eating, drinking, sunbathing, or admiring the arts and cultural spaces, San Sebastián has it all.
If you’re already elsewhere in Spain, arriving in San Sebastián by train will only add to the experience of journeying through the country, and better yet, booking train tickets in Spain via Trainline is easy and affordable.
Image Credit: Getty Images, MarioGuti. Image Location: San Sebastián, Spain.
Best things to do in San Sebastián
Relax at La Concha beach and promenade
Join the tanned sun worshippers lounging along the sweep of La Concha beach during the long summer days or soak up the seaside views from the promenade.
Contemplate art
Indulge your inner culture vulture by visiting the numerous arts spaces throughout the city, including Arteko Gallery, San Telmo Museum, and Sala Kubo Kutxa.
Visit a palace garden
Miramar Palace, known for its English architectural style and neo-Gothic ornaments is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. The palace may not be open to the public, but the beautiful gardens are yours to enjoy.
Explore marine life at San Sebastián Aquarium
Near the city’s port, you’ll find Aquarium de San Sebastián, which features a transparent 360-degree Oceanarium tunnel for an immersive underwater experience like no other.
See more beautiful Basque landscapes
If you’ve booked enough time to experience everything on offer in San Sebastián, consider a quick, scenic bus trip to nearby Bilboa. Spend a day discovering the top things to do in Bilboa, including the incredible Guggenheim Museum Bilbao or dining in even more renowned Basque Michelin-starred restaurants.
Image Credit: Getty Images, dutourdumonde. Image Location: San Sebastián, Spain.
Free things to do in San Sebastián: art & culture without a price tag
Kursaal
The Kursaal Congress Center and Auditorium designed by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo can be admired from the outside, where its two giant LED-lit glass cubes illuminate the area by the Urumea River.
Tabakalera
This contemporary culture center is housed in an old tobacco factory next to the Estación del Norte station. Head up to the fifth-floor terrace for an amazing view. Consider signing up for free guided tours of the exhibitions.
El Peine del Viento
Marvel at the El Peine del Viento (“The Wind Comb”) steel sculptures by local artist Eduardo Chillida at Ondarreta beach, dramatically set against crashing waves.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Marco Bottigelli. Image Location: San Sebastián, Spain.
Things to do in San Sebastián at night
Michelin-starred dining
San Sebastián has a reputation as a gastronomic capital, boasting the most Michelin-starred restaurants per capita in Europe, including Akelaŕe, Martín Berasategui, and Restaurante Arzak, which have been awarded three stars each.
Grab pintxos in the Old Town
San Sebastián is the birthplace of pintxos, and hopping from bar to bar is a fun way to sample these bite-sized snacks.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Marco Bottigelli. Image Location: Zurriola Beach, San Sebastián, Spain.