What to do and see in Donostia [San Sebastián guide]

Discover what Donostia has to offer, what to eat, do and see!

The Basque Country is a land of contrasts. From the modern Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao to the wild forests of Gorbea. However, if you are looking for a classy and stately city, Donostia (also known as San Sebastián) is the right choice.

About Donostia

Donostia is the second most populated city of the Basque Country and it has become one of its top touristic lures. Its outstanding gastronomic offer, the beautiful la Concha beach, or the narrow streets of its old town make it a must to visit.

Located at a 1h drive from Bilbao, it can be a one-day trip. However, I recommend spending one night there to fully enjoy the city, and especially the food. More about that in the following lines. As in other cities in Northern Spain, it is common to find cloudy and rainy weather, even in the early summer months. Nonetheless, during July and August, expect temperatures around 30 Celsius degrees (or more).

One of the drawbacks of San Sebastian is its price. Not only for tourists, as renting a flat there is more expensive than in cities like Barcelona or Madrid. Food will not be super cheap as well, but it is possible to find affordable options. However, finding a good place to sleep should not be a huge challenge.

This guide offers some of the best things to do and see in Donostia (San Sebastián). The places and experiences are not listed in any specific order, although at the end of the article there is a suggested route to visit some of the places proposed here. Without further ado, these are some of the things to do and see in Donostia.

What to do and see in Donostia

Food: the pintxos experience

Let’s get started with one of the best reasons to go to San Sebastian. The Spanish gastronomic culture is one of a kind, but in the Basque country, things are different. Don’t expect to sit in a restaurant and have lunch or dinner. Look at what the locals do and eat: pintxos!

A pintxo is a small portion of any kind, smaller than a tapa, and usually eaten with wine, beer, or water. Every place has its specialty, from just tomato to octopus, anchovies… Thus, it is common to visit more than one place in a single meal and get one or many pintxos and beers at each one of them.

There are many popular streets to eat Pintxos in San Sebastián. Two of the most frequented both by locals and tourists are Arrandegi Street and Fermín Calbeton Street, located at the heart of the old town. Places like Txepetxa, Bar Nestor, or Borda Berri are well-known spots, each one with its specialty.

If you are looking for a dessert, head to 31 de Agosto Kalea (August 31st Street). Once there, find la Viña, a local restaurant with one of the best cheesecakes not only in the Basque Country but also in Spain. Its texture and taste do not go unnoticed.

Finally, if your bucket allows it, look for higher-end options like Arzak and Akelarre. If you are a foodie, these names might ring a bell, as they are restaurants from worldwide known chefs with 3 Michelin stars each one.

Pro tip: when visiting a bar, instead of a large beer, ask for a “zurito”, the perfect amount of beer to have your pintxo.  

Explore the old town

Although it is not its main attraction, San Sebastian’s old town is worth a visit. Its narrow streets have a beautiful mixture of bars, shops, and restaurants.

Admire the Constitution Square (Plaza de la constitución), used some years ago as the place to see “toros”. To date it is still possible to see numbers on the balconies, indicating the box number. Each box belonged to a family or could also be rented. Moreover, this is the place where the city’s festivities get underway. Other interesting spots to visit are Santa María and Nuestra señora del Coro, two of the religious buildings of the old town. Another beautiful square is Plaza Gipuzkoa, another popular tourist sight.

Yet, the best thing to do in Donostia’s old town is to wander and get lost, as it will be easier to discover hidden secrets or unexpected details.

Enjoy la Concha Beach

From the three major cities in the Basque Country, only Donostia has a beach. Although Bilbao is very close to the sea, it is not like San Sebastián, which has two amazing beaches. The most important and famous one is the beautiful la Concha beach. Unlike other beaches of the Basque Country, it is a long fine sand beach, and not rocky and wild.

It is very common to see people walking or running on the promenade that follows the beach, while others swim or sunbathe during warm summer days.

After Concha Beach, there is Ondarreta Beach, which feels like a small sister of the first one. There is a beautiful promenade that connects the Old Town with Monte Igueldo and el Peine del Viento (see below), following the two beaches. It takes around 40 minutes to do the whole promenade, and it is a must for anyone visiting Donostia.

Reach el Peine del Viento

One of the most popular attractions of san Sebastian is el Peine del Viento. This architectural work is composed of three sculptures made by Eduardo Cihllida, a well-known Basque sculptor. As mentioned in the previous lines, it is located at the end of Ondarreta Beach.

The three sculptures are embedded in the stones of the beach and create a particular view. El Peine del Viento means “the comb of the wind” in Spanish. Due to its location, it is on stormy days, when the waves crash against the sculptures, that it feels perfectly mixed with nature. The only drawback of visiting el Peine del Viento on a rainy or stormy day is that you will most likely end up soaked. Bring an umbrella, and beware the wind!

The birds-eye view of San Sebastian: monte Igueldo

Every city worth its salt should have a lookout point. Donostia has a fantastic place to see the famous la Concha Beach from a birds-eye view, Monte Igueldo. Monte Igueldo is a hill situated just next to el Peine del Viento, and it can be accessed either by car or by a funicular railway. The latter option is the most attractive one. Moreover, it is perfect for those that have walked from the Old Town, following the promenade by the beaches.

However, Monte Igueldo is not just a viewpoint. At the top of the hill, there is a charming amusement park. It is not a place to ride amazing rollercoasters, but a fantastic site to enjoy with family or friends. It has a vintage touch, and it is a perfect place for Instagram photos.

Other things to do and see in Donostia

Kursaal Auditorium

Donostia is where the “San Sebastian International Film Festival” is held. The Kursaal Auditorium is one of the most remarkable buildings in the city. Its unique architecture and location make it worth a visit.

Aquarium

What makes Donostia’s aquarium special is that it is by the sea. Especially recommended for children, a nice place to discover the history of the city and its connection with the ocean.

Santa Clara Island

If you visit Monte Igueldo or walk by la Concha Beach, you might notice an island in the middle of the bay. This is Santa Clara, a small island accessible only by boat or swim/paddle surf. Enjoy its natural swimming pools, visit the lighthouse and have a beer at the “chiringuito” (bar).

Reale Arena

Real Sociedad’s football stadium is one of the most beautiful ones in Spain. Together with Athletic’s San Mamés (in Bilbao), these are my two favorite stadiums in Basque Country. Football is like a religion in the Basque Country, and the rivalry between Real Sociedad and Athletic de Bilbao is present everywhere.

One day in Donostia: orientative itinerary

With only one day in Donostia, it is a must to make the most out of your time. I would start the day by leaving the car near the Old Town and walking the promenade towards el Peine del Viento. After visiting it, take the funicular railway to Monte Igueldo for the best view of San Sebastián. Then, walk back to the Old Town and have some pintxos for lunch. Remember to try the specialty of each bar! Explore the old town while heading to la Viña, and try its cheesecake. Finally, go to the aquarium area and enjoy the sunset by the sea.

This is how I would spend 24h in Donostia if it were my first time there. If walking is not your thing, drive to Monte Igueldo, take the funicular railway to visit el Peine del Viento, and drive back to the Old Town.

These are some of the best things to do and see in Donostia (San Sebastián). Visiting the Basque Country? Don’t miss my other articles about this beautiful area below! If you have any questions, find me on Instagram (@aniolvisuals), or leave a comment. For other inquiries, send me an email at hello@aniolvisuals.com.