Spain · Basque Country

San Sebastián travel guide

Pintxo bars, Michelin stars and one of Europe's best city beaches

La Concha Bay, San Sebastián. Photo: Hynek Moravec; modified by Generalpoteito, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

1h 30mflight from London

BIOnearest main airport

21° in Augwarmest month

9° in Febcoolest month

San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) is a belle époque seaside city wrapped around a perfect shell-shaped bay. It's small, elegant and obsessed with food: few cities anywhere have more Michelin stars per person.

This is green Spain, so expect milder summers than the south and some rain at any time of year.

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Top things to do in San Sebastián

1
A pintxo crawl in the Parte Vieja
Hop from bar to bar in the old town, ordering one pintxo and a drink at each.
2
La Concha beach
A golden crescent of sand in the middle of the city, calm enough for a swim.
3
Monte Igueldo
An old funicular up to the classic view over the bay, with a vintage funfair at the top.
4
Monte Urgull
Walk up through the woods to the castle and the giant statue of Christ.
5
Zurriola beach
The surfers' beach in the Gros district, with board hire and lessons.
6
San Telmo Museum
Basque history and culture in a former convent.

Tours and tickets in San Sebastián

Where to stay in San Sebastián

Parte Vieja
The old town: pintxo bars on every corner, and noisy at night.
Centro
Elegant streets behind La Concha, central but calmer.
Gros
Across the river, a local feel near the surf beach.

Find a hotel in San Sebastián

Best time to visit San Sebastián

Best value: Apr–May, Sep. June to September for beach weather. The Jazz Festival is in July and the Film Festival in September.

Best valueBusy and pricierQuietAverage temperature in San Sebastián, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 1h 30m from London to BIO, and flights from most UK airports.

The centre is small and walkable. Most UK flights land in Bilbao; buses run from Bilbao airport to San Sebastián in about 1¼ hours. Biarritz in France is another option, 45 minutes away.

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Day trips from San Sebastián

Bilbao
The Guggenheim and the old town, about 1¼ hours by bus.
Getaria
A fishing village known for grilled fish and txakoli white wine, 30 minutes along the coast.
Hondarribia
A colourful walled town on the French border.