Although famous for its rolling hills & golden beaches, the best things to do in San Sebastian involve more than just swimming and chillin’.
Located in Basque Country on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, San Sebastian is considered one of the top travel destinations in Spain for food lovers & culture seekers alike. World-renowned restaurants dot the bayfront promenade and the winding streets of Old Town alongside some of the most important tourist attractions in San Sebastian including one of Spain’s most impressive cathedrals.
Not sure where to go in San Sebastian? Crafting your travel plans with this San Sebastian attractions guide including the best places to visit in San Sebastian…
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out all of our other attractions guides and our Spain Travel Guide for more ideas on where to go, when to visit & what to do!
What to do in San Sebastian
Soak up the sun at Playa de Ondarreta or Playa de la Concha
If you don’t know what to do in San Sebastian, start at the beach. While the city has much to offer, the top attractions are near the marina and surrounding popular beaches. Even if you only have one day in San Sebastian, experiencing its seaside pleasures is a must!
Playa de la Concha is the biggest city beach in the area and considered one of the best along the northern coast of Spain, if not all of Europe. This lovely seaside escape provides the perfect excuse to get beyond the usual destinations to explore Spain to its fullest.
If the sands are too crowded, walk further west along the shore to neighbouring Playa de Ondarreta.
Both beaches are well maintained, offering expansive stretches of sand and clear blue waters.
Even if the beaches are a little crowded, you can hit the open water. The area offers numerous activities, especially during peak tourist seasons. Go paragliding, windsurfing, jet skiing, or snorkelling.
Walk the narrow streets of Parte Vieja in search of the best food
If you want to know where to go in San Sebastian for the best food, start walking the old streets of Parte Vieja. This part of the city is called Old Town, containing the oldest establishments and narrowest paths and alleyways.
San Sebastian is a food-lovers paradise and Old Town is where you’ll find the best-reviewed restaurants. You can enjoy fresh, authentic San Sebastian cuisine or innovative dishes from renowned chefs. Hopefully, you like seafood. As this is a coastal city, many dishes centre around the latest catches.
The area is also known for its pintxos bars. Similar to tapas, these small appetizers are often served at bars with alcoholic beverages.
These mouth-watering finger foods—considered some of the best street food in Europe!—typically consist of bread topped with oven-melted cheese and other ingredients. Searching the city for delicious pinxtos is, undoubtedly one of the best things to do in San Sebastian!
Enjoy a cold beverage from any of the café terraces around Constitution Plaza
In the centre of Parte Vieja is the main public square. Constitution Plaza is often one of the first places that tourists go when exploring Old Town. It offers a central spot to orient yourself before venturing further out.
Constitution Plaza is also a great place to find a refreshing beverage after spending a few hours sightseeing. The square is lined with numerous cafes with their own terraces and indoor bars.
While these cafes charge an extra fee to sit out on the terrace, you get to enjoy the outdoor air and watch people come and go through the crowded square.
Appreciate the neo-gothic architecture of San Sebastian Cathedral
For history buffs, there are several important San Sebastian points of interest to visit, including San Sebastian Cathedral. While it’s not an ancient structure, it’s a great example of neo-gothic architecture.
The façade consists of detailed reliefs, ornamental gargoyles, pinnacles, and a tall, slender tower. You can see the top of the 245-foot-tall tower from most points in San Sebastian; think of it as your compass while you explore the streets of San Sebastian.
Strolling along the narrow street facing the front of the cathedral is also one of the best things to do in San Sebastian its own. It’s lined with outdoor cafes, shops, and restaurants, allowing you to fulfil all your touristy needs in one stop. Grab some food, buy souvenirs, and explore an old cathedral without leaving the block.
Explore marine life and the history of the city at the aquarium
The city’s aquarium belongs near the top of the list of things to see in San Sebastian. It’s more than just an aquarium; it also provides a look at the maritime history of the city.
The tour starts on the top floor of the aquarium with various exhibits containing maritime and whaling artifacts and model ships. The descriptions are all written in English and provide helpful info about each exhibit.
Working your way to the lower floors, you’ll start to reach the aquarium tanks containing a wide range of marine life.
The tanks contain thousands of specimens for you watch swim by, including stingrays, sharks, schools of colourful fish, and even sardines.
Spend time with the local wildlife at Cristina Enea Park
The large city park is one of the best places to visit in San Sebastian for both tourists and locals. People flock to the carefully manicured lawns of Cristina Enea park for the relaxing atmosphere and variety of wildlife.
As you stroll the wooded paths past massive red sequoias and Lebanese cedar, you’ll eventually come to big open lawns. Along the way, you’ll likely cross paths with peacocks, ducks, and other small animals.
The park offers lots of shade on sunny days and a shortcut when travelling between various points in the city. While it’s a popular destination, the scale of the park and the seclusion of the trees help give you a break from crowds and noisy traffic.
Climb to the top of Monte Urgull for a bird’s eye view of the city
With a panoramic view of la Concha and parts of the city, the top of Monte Urgull is the best San Sebastian sightseeing lookout point. The 404-foot hill is near the eastern edge of La Concha Bay.
A combination of cobblestone paths and unpaved terrain take you up the hill. While the hike isn’t too difficult, it may be a problem for those with mobility issues.
Hiking your way up the paths, you’re surrounded by lush greenery and thick vegetation, which eventually give way to sweeping views of the bay. When you get to the top, there’s a little museum and spot to rest before making the descent back to the city.
Where to stay in San Sebastian for sightseeing
Thanks to the city centre’s relatively compact size, choosing where to stay in San Sebastian isn’t such a huge challenge. Want to get close to the top points of interest in San Sebastian? Here are a few recommended hotels for your stay…
- Pensión Régil: A superb choice for those on a budget, this small city centre guesthouse features simple, no-frills value-laden rooms steps from La Concha.
- Room Mate Gorka: A lovely mid-range hotel that’s perfectly located just outside the main attractions of Old Town for your sightseeing pleasure. Rooms are modern & elegant with some of the higher-end rooms featuring private balconies with views over the city.
- Akelarre – Relais & Chateaux: If you’re okay with something a little less central, this luxury hotel will blow you away with its delightful rooms and breathtaking seaviews. Foodies will feel a little extra love here with the on-site 3-Michelin-star restaurant.
