San Sebastián — or Donostia, its Basque name — regularly tops any list of Europe’s most beautiful urban beaches, and it’s no exaggeration: the Bay of La Concha forms a nearly perfect semicircle of sand between two hills. It’s also, proportionally, one of the cities with the most Michelin stars in the world, and where the pintxos culture reaches its most refined level in the Basque Country.
You can get a solid feel for San Sebastián in 2 days: one for La Concha beach and Mount Urgull, another for the Parte Vieja (Old Town) and its pintxos route. The city sits about 20 km from the French border, making it a natural stop for those heading to or from Biarritz, and it’s a 1h15 bus ride from Bilbao.
How to get to San Sebastián
San Sebastián Airport (EAS) has few direct flights, so most visitors fly into Bilbao Airport (about 1 hour away by car or bus) or arrive by train/bus from Madrid (about 5h30 by train) or Barcelona (about 6h by bus). From Bilbao, the Alsa bus is the simplest option, with frequent departures and a journey of roughly 1h15.
Coming from France, the city is about 30 minutes by car or train from Hendaye, on the border, and about 1 hour from Biarritz. Within the city, everything between the Parte Vieja, La Concha, and Gros is walkable.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
As with the rest of the Basque Country, spring (May–June) and early fall (September) offer the best balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Summer (July–August) is absolute peak season, with accommodation prices soaring and La Concha beach packed — book your hotel well in advance during this period. The weather is unpredictable year-round, with rain possible even in the middle of summer.
Two full days cover the essentials: the beach, Mount Urgull or Igueldo, the Parte Vieja, and a pintxos crawl. With 3 days, you can add a trip to Hondarribia or the French coast, both less than an hour away.
What to see in San Sebastián
Playa de la Concha, stretching about 1,350 meters in a shell shape, is the heart of the city — fine sand, calm water thanks to the sheltered bay, and views of Santa Clara Island in the middle of the sea. Next door, Playa de Ondarreta is a quieter continuation of the same bay, while Playa de Zurriola, on the other side of Mount Urgull, draws surfers and is less touristy.
Mount Urgull and Mount Igueldo
Mount Urgull, at one end of the bay, has free trails up to the Castle of La Mota, with panoramic views of the old town and the beach itself — a great free late-afternoon activity. On the other side of the bay, Mount Igueldo is accessible via a 1912 funicular, round trip about €4.50 (July 2026), leading to a “Belle Époque”-style amusement park at the top, with the best panoramic view of the entire bay.
Parte Vieja
The Parte Vieja (Alde Zaharra, in Basque) is the historic center, rebuilt after a 19th-century fire, with narrow streets that pack the city’s highest density of pintxos bars. It’s also where you’ll find the Basilica of Santa María del Coro and Plaza de la Constitución, a former bullring with numbers still visible on the apartment balconies. For more on the city’s cultural calendar, check the official San Sebastián tourism website.
What to combine with San Sebastián
A free walking tour of the Parte Vieja helps you understand the city’s history and map out the best bars before you head out on your own pintxos crawl. If you have more time, Hondarribia, a colorful town on the French border, and Biarritz itself, on the French side, are popular half-day trips from San Sebastián.
You can also book the Hondarribia, San Juan, and San Pedro tour with transportation included, a handy way to explore the Basque coast without renting a car. If you’re stringing together northern Spain destinations, check out our guide to Valencia, between old town, beach, and paella, or review our itinerary for Barcelona beyond the Sagrada Família.
Where to eat in San Sebastián
The city has, proportionally to its population, one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, but the most authentic and affordable experience is the pintxos crawl through the Parte Vieja: bars along Calle 31 de Agosto serve elaborate pintxos at the counter, usually paid per piece or by the toothpick left on your plate. Be sure to try the gilda (olive, pepper, and anchovy on a toothpick, considered the original pintxo) and txangurro (stuffed crab), a local specialty.
Where to stay in San Sebastián
The Parte Vieja is the liveliest base, close to bars and just steps from the beach, but it’s also pricier and noisier at night. The Gros neighborhood, across the river, is more residential and near Zurriola beach — a great option for surfers or those seeking more tranquility. Centro and Amara, further from the waterfront, tend to have more affordable accommodation rates, still within walking distance of the essentials.
Practical tips
San Sebastián is pricey by Spanish standards, especially in high season—book your accommodation well in advance for the summer. There’s no single pass covering the city’s attractions; the Igueldo funicular and the boat ride to Santa Clara Island are paid separately. Brazilians don’t need a visa for tourism in Spain for up to 90 days, but it’s worth double-checking the current rules on the official website of Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs before your trip, since the ETIAS system for the European Union is still being rolled out gradually.
Many pintxo bars charge per item and tally up the number of toothpicks left on your plate at the end—don’t hesitate to ask the price upfront if it’s not clear. The walk from the Parte Vieja to Ondarreta Beach, along the entire La Concha promenade, is free and one of the best things to do in the city at sunset.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need to see San Sebastián?
Two full days cover La Concha Beach, one of the hills (Urgull or Igueldo), and a pintxo crawl through the Parte Vieja. With 3 days, you can add a day trip to Hondarribia or the French coast.
Is San Sebastián worth visiting outside of summer?
Yes, and for many travelers it’s actually a better deal: spring and early fall bring pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and much lower accommodation prices than in summer, when the city is packed.
Is it true that San Sebastián is expensive?
Yes, it’s one of the most expensive cities in Spain for lodging and dining, especially in high season. The pintxo crawl through the Parte Vieja is the most affordable way to eat well without spending like you would at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Can you visit San Sebastián and Biarritz in the same day?
Yes, Biarritz is about 1 hour away by car or bus, and there are half-day tours that combine both cities, including a stop in Hondarribia on the border.
Conclusion
San Sebastián delivers a rare combination: a postcard-perfect urban beach, a walkable old town, and a food scene that rivals any European capital. It’s worth booking your stay ahead of time (especially in summer), setting aside a full evening for the pintxo crawl through the Parte Vieja, and saving time to walk the entire La Concha promenade at sunset. For more itineraries and destination tips like this, you’ll find them right here on voyagevoyage.