San Sebastián

City · Basque Country, 🇪🇸 Spain

San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) is a city on the Bay of Biscay in northern Spain, about 20 km from the French border. It has a curved city beach, a compact Old Town and green hills at both ends of the bay.

It suits a relaxed trip of two to four nights. Most people come to walk, swim in summer and eat pintxos, the small snacks served in the bars. The city is also a good base for the Basque coast and the French Basque Country.

San Sebastián – Planning a Trip?

Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.

Start Planning

When to visit

Summer is the warmest and driest time for the beach. Spring and autumn are mild, with frequent rain. Winter is cool and wet.

The biggest event is the San Sebastián International Film Festival. It runs in September and has been held since 1953. Screenings and parties fill the city, so book hotels early.

Best time to visit: June, July, August, September

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

11° (feels like 7°) · extremes 3°–15°
8° at night
15 rainy days
4 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in February

Poor

12° (feels like 7°) · extremes 3°–16°
8° at night
13 rainy days
7 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in March

Fair

13° (feels like 10°) · extremes 5°–18°
9° at night
13 rainy days
10 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Fair

15° (feels like 12°) · extremes 7°–20°
10° at night
14 rainy days
9 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Good

18° (feels like 16°) · extremes 10°–24°
13° at night
14 rainy days
9 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

21° (feels like 20°) · extremes 13°–27°
16° at night
11 rainy days
10 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in July

Great

23° · extremes 15°–29°
18° at night
10 rainy days
12 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in August

Great

24° · extremes 16°–30°
19° at night
10 rainy days
12 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in September

Great

22° (feels like 21°) · extremes 14°–28°
17° at night
11 rainy days
12 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Good

19° (feels like 17°) · extremes 10°–25°
15° at night
13 rainy days
9 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Fair

15° (feels like 11°) · extremes 6°–19°
11° at night
16 rainy days
5 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in December

Poor

12° (feels like 8°) · extremes 4°–16°
9° at night
15 rainy days
4 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Top sights

La Concha BeachThe Beach of La Concha is a crescent shaped urban seaboard of the city of San Sebastián located at the Bay of La Concha in the Basque…

Peine del VientoThe Comb of the Wind is a collection of three sculptures by Eduardo Chillida arranged as an architectural work by the Basque architect Luis…

Urgull HillUrgull is a hill by the ocean within the Basque city of San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain.

San Sebastián CathedralMajestic neo-Gothic cathedral embellished with Filippino shells and beautiful stained-glass windows. Landmark of the city.

Miramar Royal PalaceThis picturesque palace has been used as a summer palace by the Royal family until 1930s. Worth stopping by if you're in the area.

Basilica of Saint Mary of the ChorusThe Basilica of Saint Mary of Coro is a baroque Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica completed in 1774.

Amusement Park Monte IgueldoThis park sports a fantastic location atop the mountain towering over San Sebastian.

Chillida LekuMuseum and sculpture park of Eduardo Chillida, set across 13 hectares of gardens and woodland around a restored 16th-century farmhouse, with about 40 of his works outdoors.

Santa Clara IslandSteep-sided wooded island, about 400 m across and 48 m high, in the middle of La Concha Bay between Mount Urgull and Mount Igueldo. It has a small beach, a bar, a pier and an uninhabited lighthouse.

ZurriolaOpen, wave-exposed urban beach about 800 m long, the city's main surfing spot, between the Urumea river mouth and Mount Ulía. Naturism is permitted.

Kontxa hondartza is the city's main beach, a long curve of sand along the bay. It is the place for a swim or a walk on the promenade.
At the western end of the bay, at the foot of Mount Igueldo, The Comb of the Wind is a group of steel sculptures by Eduardo Chillida. They sit in the rocks, and the waves hit the nearby blowholes.
Urgull is the hill next to the Old Town. Walk up for views over the bay and the city.
Palacio Real de Miramar was finished in 1893 as a summer home for Queen Maria Cristina. The gardens are open to the public at set hours.
Mount Igueldo Amusement Park sits on top of Mount Igueldo. A funicular from the foot of the hill has run to the top since 1912.
Santa Clara Island lies in the middle of the bay. It has a lighthouse and a small beach that appears at low tide.
San Telmo Museoa is in a former 16th-century monastery at the foot of Urgull. It shows the culture and history of the Basque people.
Santa Maria basilika is a basilica in the heart of the Old Town, where most pintxos bars are.

Featured Lists

David Lally / CC BY-SA 4.0

Donostia/San Sebastián Essentials

This collection highlights the architectural and natural landmarks of Donostia/San Sebastián. It spans from the Belle Époque elegance of the City Hall and Miramar Palace to the contemporary Basque art of Eduardo Chillida’s Peine del Viento. Explore the historic Old Town via Plaza de la Constitución, visit the 18th-century Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus, and view the city from the heights of Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo. The list also includes the Kursaal Congress Centre, a modern symbol of the city's international film and jazz festivals.

12 places

Sukopare / CC BY-SA 3.0

Editor's Choice

San Sebastián’s cultural landscape is defined by its integration of avant-garde art and historical architecture. This selection features Eduardo Chillida’s Comb of the Wind and Jorge Oteiza’s Empty Construction, alongside the 12th-century Mota Castle on Mount Urgull. The city's maritime heritage is preserved at the Albaola shipyard, where a 16th-century whaling ship is being reconstructed, and the San Telmo Museum, housed in a former Dominican convent. Modernist landmarks like the Kursaal glass cubes and the Belle Époque Victoria Eugenia Theatre reflect the city’s role as a hub for international arts and film.

10 places

Hidden Gems

Explore the prehistoric landscape and coastal heights surrounding Donostia/San Sebastián. This collection highlights the region's megalithic heritage, featuring Bronze Age dolmens, Iron Age stone circles, and ancient burial mounds scattered across the Mendizorrotz and Igeldo massifs. Complementing these archaeological sites are panoramic viewpoints from the Tabakalera rooftop and Mount Igeldo, alongside the Paleolithic caves of Aizpitarte, which contain some of the oldest artistic expressions in the Basque Country.

14 places

David Lally / cc-by-sa-4.0

Coastal Highlights & Parks

This collection highlights the diverse landscapes of San Sebastián, from the iconic shell-shaped La Concha and its neighbor Ondarreta to the secluded Santa Clara Island cove. It includes historic green spaces like the English-style Aiete Park and the peacock-inhabited Cristina Enea. Cultural landmarks such as the open-air Chillida Leku museum and the 19th-century Igeldo Lighthouse provide vantage points over the Bay of Biscay, while Gipuzkoa Plaza offers a central retreat with its historic floral clock.

10 places

Mendizuri / CC BY-SA 4.0

Basque Culture & Traditions

This collection centers on the pillars of Basque identity in and around Donostia-San Sebastián. It features historic pelota courts like Atano III and Galarreta, alongside traditional sagardotegias (cider houses) in Astigarraga where cider is served directly from large wooden barrels. Cultural landmarks include the Tabakalera contemporary art center, housed in a former tobacco factory, and high-end culinary institutions such as Martín Berasategui, representing the region's world-renowned gastronomic heritage.

12 places

Zarateman / CC0

Historic Churches

San Sebastián’s religious architecture spans five centuries, ranging from the 16th-century Gothic foundations of San Vicente to Rafael Moneo’s minimalist 21st-century Iesu Church. The collection features the city's landmark neo-Gothic cathedral, the ornate Baroque facade of the Basilica of Saint Mary, and 19th-century parish churches in the Gros and Amara districts. These sites showcase the evolution of Basque ecclesiastical design through diverse materials, from traditional limestone to modern stark white concrete.

8 places

What to experience

Events and rituals worth planning around:

Tamborrada: on 20 January, groups dressed as cooks and soldiers march and play drums through the city for 24 hours.
Semana Grande: in mid-August, with fireworks over the bay every night.
Jazzaldia: a jazz festival in the last week of July.
Basque Week: in early September, ending with the rowing race for the Flag of La Concha.
Boat to Santa Clara island: boats leave from the port. The direct crossing takes about 5 minutes. They run daily from June to September.

Tours & Activities

San Sebastián — Map

Day trips

Pasaia: a working harbour about 5 km east of the centre, set at the foot of Mount Ulia.
Hondarribia: about 15 km east, next to the airport. It has a walled old quarter and a fishing harbour area.
Hendaye: about 40 minutes by Euskotren from Amara station, with trains every 30 minutes. It is across the border in France, with a long beach.
Biarritz, Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz: continue from Hendaye on French regional trains. Biarritz is a seaside resort, and Bayonne has an old town.
Bilbao: about 2 hours 40 minutes by Euskotren, with trains every hour. The trip is long, but Bilbao has a lot to see.

Where to explore

Across the border in the French Basque Country:

Hendaye is the closest, at the end of the Euskotren line.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz are seaside towns further up the coast.
Bayonne is a city with a historic centre.

Getting there

By air: San Sebastián Airport is in neighbouring Hondarribia, about 15 km east. Most flights are within Spain, mainly to Madrid. Hourly Lurraldebus line BI01 runs between the airport and the city bus station. Many visitors fly into Biarritz (about 50 km) or Bilbao (about 98 km) instead.
By train: The Renfe station is a 10-minute walk from the centre. Renfe trains to Madrid take about 5.5 hours or more. Direct Alvia trains to Barcelona take about 6 hours. Euskotren trains from Amara station go to Bilbao (about 2 hours 40 minutes, hourly) and to Hendaye in France. Book Renfe on Renfe and Euskotren on Euskotren.
By bus: The central bus station is underground, next to the train station.

Getting around

Public transit: Dbus city buses cover the town. Timetables and fares are on Dbus.
On foot: The centre, the Old Town and the beaches are all close together. Walking is the easiest way to see the city.

Food & drink

Pintxos are the main local food. They are small snacks on bread, served on the bar counter. Many people move from bar to bar and order one or two things in each.

The Old Town is the best-known area for pintxos bars. The city has many Michelin-starred restaurants so book far ahead for those.

Two local drinks: txakoli, a dry, slightly sparkling white wine from the coast near Getaria, and cider, which is poured from a height straight from the barrel. The cider museum Sagardoetxea - Euskal Sagardoaren Museoa is in nearby Astigarraga.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

San Sebastián has no special safety issues for visitors. Use normal care with bags in crowded places such as festivals.

Swim only when the beach flag is green, and take care with sea currents, especially at Zurriola.

The European emergency number is 112.

History

The city received its charter in the 12th century. In 1813, British and Portuguese troops attacked the town after a siege and burned most of it. Only the street at the foot of the hill, now 31 August Street, survived. Walk the Old Town streets to see what was rebuilt.

From 1885, Queen Maria Cristina spent every summer here. She stayed at Palacio Real de Miramar, and the royal visits made the city a fashionable seaside resort. San Sebastián was a European Capital of Culture in 2016, together with Wrocław.