Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting? A Complete Guide

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Are you coming to Spain? Wondering if San Sebastián is worth visiting? My family and I are lucky enough to live in this one of a kind city and I’m happy to share some tips and tricks to help you plan your visit to Spain and hopefully include San Sebastian in your itinerary.

We want to make sure you get the most out of your time when you visit, so we have put together a list of 15 things to know before visiting San Sebastián to make sure your trip goes off without a hitch!

If you want more detailed help planning your trip, Feel free to reach out as we provide trip planning services creating the perfect itinerary for your time in San Sebastián.

Also, be sure to check out our blog post on Where to Stay in San Sebastián, which has a fantastic list of the best hotels and house rentals in the city.

Ok now let’s get into the 15 things you need to know before visiting San Sebastián!

Is San Sebastián Worth a Visit?

Yes, you should absolutely visit San Sebastián!

When traveling to Spain it can be difficult to decide what cities and locations to visit, as there are so many remarkable and beautiful locations throughout the country.  

However, San Sebastián offers a unique list of experiences, vistas, culture,and cuisine that no other city in the world offers. 

With rolling green hills, stunning views of the Bay of Biscay, unique Basque culture, world-class food and beautiful architecture your visit to San Sebastián will leave you in awe of this exceptional part of the world.

Best Time to Visit San Sebastián

San Sebastián is worth visiting year-round, and each season in San Sebastián has Pros and Cons.

It’s important to note that San Sebastián is a very different place in the winter versus the summer.

Lets take a look at what season best suites you.

Shoulder Seasons- Spring and Fall

The IDEAL time to visit San Sebastian would be during the shoulder seasons. These months include September and October in the Fall, and April and May in the Spring.

Pros:

• September and October allow for beautiful fall foliage, fewer crowds and mild temperatures
• April and May bring spring flowers, fewer tourists and ideal temperatures
• Prices on lodging, car rentals and airfare are much lower

Cons:

• Higher chance that you could encounter rain

High Season – Summer

Visiting San Sebastián in the High Season or summer months (June, July and August) has its pros and cons. But ultimately I wouldn’t recommend it, largely due to the crowds.

That being said, I realize that many people have to visit in summer due to work and school schedules, but if you can avoid it I highly suggest it.

Pros:

• Incredible weather allowing for perfect beach days and fun festivals such as the Jazz Festival and Semana Grande.

Cons:

• Prices almost double on lodging, car rentals and airfare! Crowds in San Sebastian in the summer (and all of Europe for that matter) are heavy, and this can really impact how you experience the city.

Low Season – winter

Pros:

• Prices on lodging, car rentals and airfare are significantly less
• Fewer crowds and this makes a big difference when seeing the sites and making reservations.
• The Christmas decorations and minarets along the river are charming
• Tamborrada festival in January (easily our favorite festival in San Sebastián!)

Cons:

• Winter in San Sebastián can be rainy…like really rainy. You could spend an entire week here and not see much sun.

Where is San Sebastián?

San Sebastián is located on the North coast of Spain overlooking the beautiful Bay of Biscay.  It’s the capital of Gipuzkoa, a province within the Basque Country.

The closest (big city) city to San Sebastián is Bilbao, the capital of Bizkaia, a province that borders Gipuzkoa to the west. To the east is the autonomous community of Navarra where the capital is Pamplona (think Running of the Bulls).

The French border is just 20 km from San Sebastián or 25 minutes by car. The closest airports are Bilbao to the West and Biarritz France to the East.

One of my favorite things about San Sebastián’s location is that it allows for easy and beautiful day trips in almost any direction!

Where to Stay in San Sebastián

One of the best things about San Sebastián is the variety of different areas that compose the city.  Each of these unique areas has its personality, character, and charm.  

While these different parts of the city are located only a few minutes from each other, it feels like you are in a distinctly new location in each part of town.

Areas of San Sebastián

🇪🇸 Old Town: The most lively part of town bustling with activity, incredible gastronomy, and some amazing boutique shopping

Where to stay: Hotel SANSEbay

🇪🇸 El Centro: Less crowded and historic than Old Town, but full of wonderful dining options, shopping, and central to everything

Where to stay: Hotel Arbaso

🇪🇸 La Concha Beach: Located in the center of San Sebastián with incredible views of La Concha Bay and the iconic promenade

Where to stay: Hotel Londres

🇪🇸 Gros: The funkier and hipper part of town with a more casual vibe and close to Zurriola beach, great food and shopping

Where to stay: Hotel Abba

🇪🇸 Antiguo: A less-touristed part of San Sebastián located near Ondarreta beach, and located just a 15-minute walk from the city center

Where to stay: Hotel La Galeria 

🇪🇸 Outside the City: More rural settings full of green rolling hills, peaceful surroundings and just a short drive from downtown San Sebastián.

Where to stay:

Check out our recommendations of Where to Stay in San Sebastián.

What to Do in San Sebastián

There are so many incredible things to do in San Sebastián! As locals one of our favorite things about the city is the countless things to do, see, and explore!

1. Eat Some Pintxos

Eating in San Sebastián is an experience in itself and a must-do when visiting. The city is world-renowned for its culinary scene, with an impressive number of Michelin-starred restaurants and some of the best food in Europe. Basque cuisine is all about fresh, high-quality ingredients prepared simply but exceptionally well.

Head to the Old Town (Parte Vieja) and hop between bars, ordering pintxos—small, flavorful bites typically served on bread. Pair them with a glass of txakoli, a lightly sparkling local white wine. Be sure to try grilled seafood, jamón ibérico, and the famous Basque cheesecake (tarta de queso).

For the ultimate experience, consider a pintxos food tour to learn from the experts and find the city’s hidden gems.

2. Visit La Concha Beach

La Concha Beach is one of the most beautiful urban beaches in the world, with its golden sand and calm, crystal-clear waters framed by lush green hills. It’s the perfect place to take a leisurely walk along the promenade, go for a swim, or simply relax with a book while enjoying the stunning views.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the bay from the water.

3. Go for a Hike

San Sebastián is surrounded by hills and coastline, making it a fantastic place for outdoor enthusiasts. One of the best hikes is up Mount Urgull, a historic hilltop offering panoramic views over the city and home to the Castillo de la Mota and a giant statue of Christ.

If you want to venture a little further, there are hiking trails along the coast and in the surrounding Basque countryside.

4. Visit Monte Igueldo

Monte Igueldo is one of the best viewpoints in San Sebastián, offering breathtaking views of La Concha Bay and the surrounding coastline. You can reach the top by hiking or taking the funicular railway, a charming old-fashioned ride dating back to 1912.

Once at the top, you’ll find a historic amusement park with vintage rides, adding a quirky and nostalgic charm to the visit. Even if you’re not into the attractions, the scenery alone makes the trip worthwhile.

5. Take a Walking Tour

A walking tour is one of the best ways to get to know San Sebastián beyond its beaches and restaurants. Local guides provide insights into the city’s history, culture, and architecture, helping you understand the deep-rooted Basque identity. Depending on your interests, you can choose from historical tours, or even ghost tours that explore the legends of the Old Town.

6. Take an Electric Bike Tour

If you want to see more of San Sebastián in less time, an electric bike tour is a fantastic option. These tours typically cover La Concha Bay, Monte Igueldo, the Old Town, and the less-visited neighborhoods, all while saving you the effort of climbing steep hills. It’s a fun and eco-friendly way to experience the city, especially if you’re short on time.

7. Visit a Museum

San Sebastián is not just about food and beaches—it’s also a cultural hub with fantastic museums and exhibitions year-round. Two must-visit museums are:

• San Telmo Museum – Located in the Old Town, this museum explores Basque history, art, and traditions, housed in a beautiful 16th-century convent.
• Chillida Leku – A unique outdoor museum dedicated to the works of Eduardo Chillida, one of Spain’s most famous sculptors. The sculptures are displayed in a tranquil garden setting, making it an inspiring visit.

8. Relax at the Spa

San Sebastián is a city that embraces slow living, and there’s no better way to unwind than by visiting a spa. La Perla is a well-known thalassotherapy spa located right on La Concha Beach, featuring hydrotherapy pools, saunas, and relaxation areas with stunning sea views. If you prefer something simpler, just grab a spot on the beach or in one of the city’s many parks, where you can relax and soak in the atmosphere.

9. Take a Boat Tour: For a different perspective of San Sebastián, hop on a boat tour and cruise around La Concha Bay. Some tours take you to Santa Clara Island, a small island in the bay with a little beach and a bar. Others go further along the rugged Basque coastline, where you can see dramatic cliffs and hidden coves. If you visit in the summer, you might even find boat tours offering sunset cruises with wine and pintxos, making for an unforgettable experience.

Is San Sebastian Expensive?

San Sebastián is one of the more expensive Spanish cities, but places like Barcelona and Madrid rank higher. Additionally, compared to many places in Europe it ranks in the middle in terms of costs and affordability.

Compared to many other parts of Spain prices are higher on many things such as food and lodging, but if you are coming from the United States you will still find San Sebastián has great value for money.

Does it rain a lot in San Sebastian?

Look, I’m not going to lie to you. The weather in San Sebastián, and the Basque Country in general, can be a bit hit-and-miss. And yes it can rain – a lot! 

But that’s part of what adds to its charm and gives the area its spectacular green landscape.

There’s certainly more rainfall here than what you’d typically associate with the rest of Spain. To put it into context, there’s 1,500mm of rain on average each year in San Sebastián, compared to southern areas of Spain that typically only receive 500mm.

Most of the rain, not surprisingly falls in the winter. The summers are drier with fewer days of rain.

But what I appreciate about the weather in San Sebastian is that even if it is raining you will likely see a break in the clouds at some point during the day creating beautiful sunsets and rainbows.

Is San Sebastian safe?

San Sebastián is a very safe city for both tourists and residents. Compared to dozens of other Spanish cities San Sebastián has low crime rates.

However, just as in any city in the world, pay attention to your surroundings and valuables when you’re out and about, and try not to look like a tourist.

Do they speak English in San Sebastián?

There is some English spoken in San Sebastián, especially in the tourist industry. Recently there have been more and more English speakers in San Sebastián due to the increased popularity of the region.

However, there is still far more English spoken in cities like Madrid and Barcelona and the heavily touristed parts of Spain along the Mediterranean.

There are actually two official languages spoken in San Sebastián which are Basque and Spanish. So while everyone speaks Spanish, you will be sure to hear a fair bit of Basque. It is a really unique language to hear and is thought to be one of the oldest languages in the world.

But regardless if you speak Spanish or not you will easily be able to communicate and get by in San Sebastián.

Additionally, as a world traveler ,I always suggest learning a few common phrases of the native language in the area you are visiting. So learning a few words such as Hola (hello) and Gracias (thank you) will go a long way in endearing yourself to locals and showing respect.

Do you need cash, or are credit card payments accepted?

You can use credit cards for everything you need to buy in San Sebastián from taxis and meals to hotels and boutiques. And most major credit cards are accepted everywhere. The only exception is that American Express is not widely accepted in San Sebastián, which differs from much of Europe.

I do recommend keeping some Euros on you for tipping, parking meters (although they do take cards) and just to have them on hand if needed.

How to Get Around San Sebastián

There are SO MANY easy, quick, and convenient ways to get around San Sebastián. And the city makes it very easy to get around with miles of bike and walking paths.

We highly suggest leaving your car at your hotel or house rental because San Sebastián is much better seen and explored on foot or bike.

And unless you are planning on driving outside the city to explore you really will not need a car at all. So arriving to San Sebastian without a car is a perfectly reasonable idea.

There are also a variety of public transport options making it easy and inexpensive to get around San Sebastián.

Walking

San Sebastián is best explored on foot and the city is laid out in a way that makes walking easy and accessible. Old Town and El Centro largely prohibit cars, and walking is the best way to see all the narrow and beautiful streets of San Sebastián anyway. So be sure to bring some good walking shoes!

Bikes or Electric Scooters

If you are up for riding a bike and/or an eclectic scooter we highly recommend it.  We ride our bikes everywhere and it is easily our favorite way to get around San Sebastián!  There are miles of safe and scenic bike paths throughout the city, making it fun and easy to ride along the beautiful beach promenade, over to Gros, and along the river. You can rent bikes from most hotels or check out this bike rental place.

Bus system

There is a highly active and efficient bus system that goes throughout San Sebastián. It is easy enough to navigate and incredibly affordable. You can access their website here.

Topo

The Topo (Spanish for Mole due to the many tunnels) is San Sebastian’s public transportation system and is also a useful, easy-to-navigate, and economical option for getting around. You can get on and off at dozens of stops throughout the city and you can even take it to the French border.

Taxis

Taxis are abundant and there are taxi stands every few blocks. You can also call to request a taxi with this link and the operators speak English.

Uber

Uber is not largely available in San Sebastián.

What should I pack?

In a word…LAYERS! On any given day in San Sebastián, you may experience rain, sunshine, and a temperature variation. So it is best to pack layers that you can easily remove or put on should the weather change.

In the Fall, Winter, and Spring be sure to pack a lightweight waterproof coat. Additionally, it would be good to pack a small travel umbrella. Often times there can be a light rain or drizzle so having these items on hand will help keep you dry.

And we are huge fans of scarves as they really help keep you warm, are easy to remove, and help you achieve that European fashion sense. The Spanish also believe that scarves are an important way to keep you from getting a cold!

If you don’t have these items there are some wonderful stores in town that sell locally made raincoats, scarves, and easy-to-transport umbrellas.

Should we tip in San Sebastián?

I know Spain has a reputation as a country that does not expect tipping, but the world is much more global now and tipping is increasingly common in not only San Sebastián but all over Spain. 

I believe a small tip in certain places such as restaurants, hotels, and tour guides is important and helps create a positive relationship between locals and tourists.

You do not have to do the 10-20% that is customary in the United States, but rather a few Euros to express your appreciation after a nice meal or helpful service.

You will see how much the people serving you appreciate it!

How to get to San Sebastián

There are a variety of ways to get to San Sebastián depending on where you are coming from.

San Sebastian Airport (EAS)

San Sebastián does have an airport that is located close to the French border and only about a 20-minute drive to the heart of the city. There are very few international flights that fly into the airport, but it is a great spot to connect with larger airports like Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao.

Bus From Bilbao

This airport is an hour away and a very beautiful drive. You can catch a bus that leaves every hour and be in San Sebastián in no time or rent a car at the airport.

Train From Madrid

The train from Madrid takes about 5 hours and is easy and scenic.

From France

The French border is about 25 minutes from San Sebastian, and there is an airport in Biarritz (about 40 minutes away) which has a variety of flight options from cities around Europe.

How long should you spend in San Sebastian?

We came to San Sebastián a few years ago and decided to never leave!

But for most people, I would say 3-4 days will give you time to enjoy much of what San Sebastián has to offer.

You can certainly stay longer as there are layers to uncover in San Sebastián and many day trips to take and cultural experiences to enjoy.

If you are looking for an amazing Spanish adventure in the north be sure to check out this post on Picos Europa or this article on the Best Snorkeling Beaches in Mallorca!

Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting? Conclusion

Hopefully, these 15 tips and tricks will help you have an incredible stay in San Sebastián. We know you will love this one-of-a-kind city in Spain.

San Sebastián is a city like no other and we can’t wait to hear about your visit!