The best of San Sebastián: Your 3-day itinerary
San Sebastián, or Donostia in the Basque language, is an attractive city of 186,000 inhabitants located on the shores of the Cantabrian Sea. Its stunning beauty has enamoured visitors and artists alike for centuries, meaning a short 3-day break in San Sebastián is a great option if you need to disconnect. The city is globally recognised for its haute cuisine and famous pintxos, but also for its international film festival, iconic monuments, elegant buildings, glamourous history and spectacular natural surroundings. Get ready to immerse yourself in the wonders of this city on a 3-day short break.
We suggest you take your time exploring San Sebastián’s old town, because that is where the essence of the city, and most of its historical heritage, is to be found. Stroll quietly along the promenade of the magnificent La Concha beach, and don’t stop until you reach The Comb of the Wind, the iconic sculpture in Ondarreta. Then make sure you tuck into some traditional Basque food in one of the many fantastic restaurants, but leave room for some Basque tapas-style pintxos, as pintxo-hopping around the bars in the Parte Vieja is an authentic experience you cannot afford to miss. There is just so much to see and do in San Sebastián.
The following is a suggested itinerary to ensure you get the best out of your stay. You will discover pretty hidden corners, unique shops, impressive squares, historic theatres and an infinate number of restaurants and typical cider houses.
Itinerary day 1
10:00 – 10:30 h
Plaza del Ayuntamiento
San Sebastián’s Town Hall is an excellent place to start your tour of the city. Situated between the beautiful Alderdi Eder gardens and the seafront, the building was a casino in the city’s Belle Époque heyday. Fun fact: the current Council Chamber is located in the old Gran Casino ballroom.
11:00 – 12:00 h
Plaza de Gipuzkoa
Sitting under the proud gaze of the Local Government building, the Plaza de Gipuzkoa is one of San Sebastián’s most emblematic places. The square is over 5,000m2 and is where locals come to hang out, feed the swans and ducks in the pond or simply enjoy the gardens. It is a green space that exudes charm and is reminiscent of an English woodland.
12:30 - 13:30 h
Playa de la Concha
Considered the best urban beach in Europe, La Concha is surely the most beautiful and symbolic in San Sebastián. The fine, white sands stretch for over a kilometre and change in appearance with the rise and fall of the tide. It is one of the most unique and stylish beaches in Spain.
14:00 – 15:00 h
Parte Vieja de San Sebastián
This is where you’ll find some of the city’s oldest buildings, as well as the bars, restaurants and gastronomy clubs that are so popular with locals and tourists alike. If you’d like to buy some real local products, make your way to Bretxa market. And make sure you go through Plaza de la Constitución for a truly authentic feel.
15:15 - 16:00 h
A pintxo crawl in Parte Vieja
You can’t visit San Sebastián without going for pintxos in Parte Vieja, the old town. Pintxos are described as haute cuisine in miniature. At the very least you need to experience the Borda Berri tavern (Fermin Calbeton Kalea, 12), Bar Bergara (General Artetxe, 8) and the restaurants Txalupa (Fermin Calbeton Kalea, 3) and La Espiga (San Martzial Kalea, 48).
16:30 – 18:00 h
San Telmo Museum
This museum is located in a magnificent Renaissance-era building that was originally a Dominican monastery, and then army barracks after confiscation by the government in 1836. It has a spectacular cloister and the old church is decorated with paintings by Josep María Sert, a Catalan mural artist and friend of Salvador Dalí. This museum portrays the evolution of Basque society through artifacts and artwork.
18:30 – 20.30 h
Monte Urgull
This hill is one of San Sebastián’s main tourist attractions. At the top of the hill there is a small castle (Castillo de la Mota), which still has cannons on display. The castle was occupied by both the French and the English at different points in history. In the 20th century, the hill became an attractive public park.
21:00 – 23:00
Restaurante Txirrita Sagardotegia
This charming sidrería, or cider house, does its upmost to ensure its clientele leaves the establishment well fed and content. Its taster menu is delicious and won’t break the bank. Make sure you try the chistorra (a type of chorizo), the cod tortilla and, if you can fit it in, order a txuletón – tomahawk steak – to share. For dessert we suggest the cheesecake ice-cream and Tejas de Tolosa (a type of buttery almond biscuit).
Itinerary day 2
10:00 - 11:00 h
Playa de Ondarreta
Start the second day of your trip in the popular Antiguo district and on Ondarreta beach, one of the three best beaches in the city and, possibly, the least busy of all of them. This will give you spectacular views over the bay. You can also walk through the Ondarreta Gardens.
11:30 - 12:30 h
The Comb of the Wind
This sculpture has deservedly earnt its place as the great icon of San Sebastián. The Comb of the Wind is really a set of three sculptures, each weighing nine tonnes, created by Eduardo Chillida to bring nature and art together. It is quite a spectacle on stormy days when the wind whips the waves up and the water is ‘combed’ by the sculptures.
13:00 - 14:00 h
Aiete Palace
Aiete Palace and its spectacular gardens are well worth a visit. It is located in one of the most exclusive areas of the city and the grounds cover an area of 80,000 m2. Make sure you find time for a stroll in its beautiful gardens. For several years the palace was the summer residence of the Dictator General Franco. Today it is a green lung in the city and is open to the public.
14:30 – 16:30 h
Basque Culinary Center
If you visit the city during the week, try to have lunch in the restaurant of the Basque Culinary Center. It’s a little out of the city centre, but the dishes prepared by the budding chefs of the Culinary Science Faculty are delicious and you will eat very well for very little money. Book in advance to make sure you get a place.
17:00 - 18:00 h
Kursaal
The Kursaal building is a hub for culture and recreation in San Sebastián. Located next to the mouth of the Urumea River, it is a striking feat of architecture by Rafael Moneo that breaks away from traditional aesthetics. It has two large terraces overlooking the river and Zurriola beach.
18:30 - 20:30 h
Gros district
The Gros district lies between Kursaal and Monte Ulía, and looks out to sea over Zurriola beach, where you will always see surfers. It is one of the most lively areas of the city, and you are well advised to explore its bars, terraces and enchanting little shops.
21:00 – 23:00 h
Restaurante Amelia
This central restaurant offers haute cuisine with international influences using local produce. Make sure you try the award-winning sweetbreads with black garlic. Chef Paulo proudly serves traditionally humble ingredients, such as sweetbreads and chicken wings, because he really knows how to showcase their qualities. You really must give them a try.
Itinerary day 3
19:00 – 20:30 h
A walk along the quay
When you leave the aquarium, take the opportunity to walk along the quays. One runs alongside the sailing club and forms part of the marina for pleasure boats. The other was designed for fishing vessels. If you like, you can take a trip aboard the ‘Ciudad de San Sebastián’ to take in the coastline from a different point of view.
21:00 – 23:00 h
Restaurante Martín Berasategui
Of the 11 Spanish restaurants with three Michelin stars, three are in San Sebastián. Say your final farewell to San Sebastián and end your short break by booking a special meal in one of these fabulous restaurants: Martín Berasategui. (Loidi Kalea, 4, Lasarte-Oria), Akelarre (Padre Orkolaga Ibilbidea, 56) or Arzak (Alcalde J. Elosegi Hiribidea, 273).
10:00 – 11:30 h
Palacio de Miramar
Located between the beaches of La Concha and Ondarreta, Palacio de Miramar was a residence of the Spanish royal family until it was handed over to the city. Stroll through the pretty gardens, or just sit on the manicured lawns and contemplate the majesty of the sea. On a small jetty at the bottom of the gardens you will spy a small sculpture by Eduardo Chillida called Besarkada (The Hug).
12:00 - 14:00 h
Tabakalera
In 2015, San Sebastián’s old tobacco factory was transformed into the International Centre for Contemporary Culture, and is today an emblematic spot in the city. Tabakalera is well worth a visit, if only to marvel at the unique building and take in the amazing views from the Prism on the roof terrace.
14:30 – 16:30 h
Restaurante LABe
Visiting Tabakalera provides a good excuse to stop for lunch in its magnificent restaurant, located on the fifth floor of the building. The restaurant is called LABe-Digital Gastronomy Lab, and it serves lunch from Monday to Friday, offering a set 3-course menu or the option of designing your own dish.
17:00 – 18:30 h
Aquarium
San Sebastián Aquarium has become one of the best tourist attractions in San Sebastián. It has more than 31 aquariums containing sealife from all over the world. One of these tanks is the Oceanarium, an enormous aquarium with a glass underwater tunnel that provides a 360º view of myriad colourful fish and sand tiger sharks.