San Sebastián is packed with fascinating Basque culture and food. This coastal city is located in the autonomous nation of Basque Country within Spain. Year-round, San Sebastián is alive with film and music festivals, religious celebrations, theatre productions, beach parties and discotheques. San Sebastián is a photographer’s dream with its 19th-century buildings, beaches and surrounding mountains.
Orient yourself in the city with a cable railway ride from Ondarreta Beach up Monte Igueldo. Enjoy views over the bay, explore an 18th-century lighthouse tower and visit an old-fashioned amusement park. The rides have a view over the green parks, palaces, islands and beaches in La Concha Bay.
There are three city beaches, located within La Concha Bay. Concha Beach is the longest of the three. Come to play sports on the golden sands. Learn to surf at Zurriola Beach or hire a canoe at Ondarreta. Make the most of the sun and surf when you stay at one of the nearby beach resorts. Many of these offer extra beach and watersports facilities.
Relax in one of San Sebastián’s green spaces. Cristina Enea Park is a great place to wander and picnic. The gardens of Miramar Royal Palace, built in the English style in the 19th century, give a view over La Concha and Ondaretta beaches.
Take a ferry ride to the island of Santa Clara and hike to the lighthouse.
Find the best of Basque cuisine at pintxos (tapas) bars. Feast cheaply on gourmet bites of octopus, anchovies, wild mushrooms and other concoctions made from locally grown and freshly caught produce. Enjoy a glass of cider with your pintxos and then head to the bars in the Old Town district after dinner. Dance the night away to salsa and DJ music.
Come to San Sebastián in September to plan some outings at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and immerse yourself in culture during Basque Week.
Get around San Sebastián on foot or by bicycle or bus. There are bike lanes all throughout the city centre as well as a cheap and easy-to-use bus system.
