City, Coastal, Beach
San Sebastian
Donostia
An elegant Basque beach city famed for its golden crescent bay, world-class food and more Michelin stars per head than almost anywhere on earth.
San Sebastian sits on a scalloped bay on Spain's northern Basque coast, close to the French border. It is one of the country's most elegant cities, built around the golden curve of La Concha beach and known the world over for its food. With more Michelin stars per head than almost anywhere, plus countless pintxo bars in its old town, it is a true foodie destination. Refined but relaxed, it pairs city style with seaside ease.
What San Sebastian is known for
San Sebastian is known first for its food. Few places on earth pack in so many top restaurants for their size, with several holding three Michelin stars, yet eating here is just as much about the pintxo bars of the old town, where you graze small plates standing at the counter. For many visitors, the city is a pilgrimage for the table. It is also one of Spain's most beautiful cities. The bay of La Concha is a perfect golden crescent, framed by green hills and lined by a grand promenade, with elegant Belle Epoque architecture from the days when Spanish royalty summered here. You can climb Monte Urgull or Monte Igueldo for views over the whole sweep of the bay. Beyond food and beaches, San Sebastian has a lively cultural life, a famous film festival each September and a strong Basque identity. Compact, walkable and stylish without being stuffy, it is a place to eat well, swim and slow down.
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Experiences and things to do in San Sebastian
Start on La Concha, one of Europe's finest city beaches, with a walk along its grand promenade. For the best view, climb Monte Igueldo or Monte Urgull to look back over the bay. The real highlight, though, is eating: work through the pintxo bars of the old town, the Parte Vieja, trying one or two plates at each. If you want the sea, surfers head to Zurriola beach, while culture fans can time a visit for September's film festival. Finish with a slice of the famous burnt Basque cheesecake. Whichever way you want to play, San Sebastian has it.
Where to stay in San Sebastian
Where you base yourself shapes the trip. The Parte Vieja, the old town, is the heart of the pintxo scene, lively day and night. The Centro, the elegant central district, sits between the old town and La Concha beach, handy for everything. Gros, across the river, is a younger, relaxed area near the surf beach at Zurriola, with its own good bars.
Food and drink in San Sebastian
San Sebastian is one of the world's great food cities. At the simple end, graze the pintxo bars of the old town, trying gilda skewers, grilled prawns and slabs of tortilla. At the other, book one of its many Michelin-starred restaurants. Local specialities include grilled turbot and the burnt Basque cheesecake born here. Wash it down with local txakoli or cider.
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Best time to visit San Sebastian
San Sebastian sits on the green, wetter northern coast, so its weather is milder and less reliable than southern Spain. The best times to visit are summer (June to September), when the beaches come alive, and the shoulder months of May and late September. Summer is busy and the sea is swimmable. Winters are cool and damp. Pack a light rain jacket in any season.
Getting to San Sebastian and around
San Sebastian has a small airport (EAS) with limited flights, so most visitors arrive via Bilbao Airport (BIO), about an hour and a quarter away by road, or Biarritz over the French border. Buses and trains link the city with Bilbao and the rest of Spain. Once there, it is compact and flat, easy to explore on foot or by bike.
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Nearest Sea Port to San Sebastian
Travel tips for visiting San Sebastian
Fly into Bilbao (BIO) for the widest choice of flights, then take the bus or train across. Eat pintxos by moving between bars in the old town, one or two plates at each. Book top restaurants well ahead, as the best tables go weeks or months in advance. Climb Monte Igueldo at sunset for the classic view over La Concha bay. Pack a light rain jacket, as the northern coast can be showery. Visit in September for the film festival, but book accommodation early.
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The Basque Country's biggest city, transformed by the Guggenheim from an industrial port into one of Spain's leading spots for art, design and food.
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