5 days in San Sebastián

Day by day

1. Day 1: La Concha beach and promenade and Parte Vieja pintxo bars

   La Concha beach and promenade, Parte Vieja pintxo bars and Monte Igueldo funicular and viewpoint, then Parte Vieja in the evening.

   1. Morning

      La Concha beach and promenade

      Walk the promenade at sunset towards Ondarreta, then return along the beach at low tide. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Parte Vieja pintxo bars

      Start around 7:30pm before the crowds and order the cooked-to-order pintxos from the board rather than only the ones on the counter. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Gilda

      On the counter of almost every Parte Vieja bar; old-school bars on Calle 31 de Agosto and Calle Fermín Calbetón keep the classic version.

   4. Afternoon

      Monte Igueldo funicular and viewpoint

      Go up in the late afternoon for the light on the bay, and walk back down the road if you want to save the return fare. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Parte Vieja

      The densest cluster of bars, from pintxo counters to late-opening pubs on Calle Fermín Calbetón and Calle 31 de Agosto.

2. Day 2: Monte Urgull and Mota Castle and San Telmo Museoa

   Monte Urgull and Mota Castle, San Telmo Museoa and Basilica of Santa María del Coro, then Gros in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Monte Urgull and Mota Castle

      Climb from the Paseo Nuevo or the port side and come down through the Parte Vieja for an evening pintxo. (1.5 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      San Telmo Museoa

      Leave time for the Renaissance cloister and the Sert murals in the church, which many visitors miss. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Hot pintxos cooked to order

      Ask for the board (la pizarra) in bars across the Parte Vieja and Gros; order at the counter and they bring it out.

   4. Afternoon

      Basilica of Santa María del Coro

      Look back down Calle Mayor from the basilica steps to see the cathedral spire lined up at the far end. (30 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Gros

      A younger, more local crowd in the bars behind Zurriola beach, with surfers out after sunset in summer.

3. Day 3: Peine del Viento and Plaza de la Constitución

   Peine del Viento, Plaza de la Constitución and San Sebastián Aquarium, then Calle Reyes Católicos in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Peine del Viento

      Visit at high tide on a day with some swell, when the waves crash around the sculptures and the blowholes are active. (30–45 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Plaza de la Constitución

      Look up at the numbered balconies, then take a terrace seat for a txakoli before dinner. (20–30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Txuleta

      Grill restaurants (asadores) in the city and the surrounding villages, and as the main course of a cider-house menu.

   4. Afternoon

      San Sebastián Aquarium

      Pair it with a walk round the Paseo Nuevo, which starts at the aquarium's door and circles Urgull to the river mouth. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Calle Reyes Católicos

      A pedestrian street beside the Buen Pastor Cathedral in Centro lined with bars that fill with locals at weekends.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Hondarribia

   About 35–45 minutes by bus each way. Getting there: Lurraldebus coach from the city centre.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Hondarribia

      About 35–45 minutes by bus (Lurraldebus coach from the city centre); about 20 km.

   2. Day

      Hondarribia

      A walled medieval town on the Bidasoa estuary facing France, with a steep Parte Alta of painted balconies and a castle-turned-parador, and the fishermen's quarter of La Marina lined with pintxo bars. Best for couples, food lovers and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in San Sebastián

      Dinner: try Burnt Basque cheesecake.

5. Day 5: Zurriola beach and Coastal walk over Monte Ulía to Pasaia

   Zurriola beach, Coastal walk over Monte Ulía to Pasaia and Paseo Nuevo, then Sunset from Monte Igueldo in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Zurriola beach

      Book a beginner surf lesson in the morning, when the wind is usually lighter, then eat pintxos in Gros. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Coastal walk over Monte Ulía to Pasaia

      Wear proper shoes, as the path is muddy after rain, and have lunch in Pasai Donibane before taking the boat and bus back. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Burnt Basque cheesecake

      La Viña on Calle 31 de Agosto, and on dessert menus across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Paseo Nuevo

      Stay well back from the edge on rough days; waves regularly sweep the promenade and it is sometimes closed. (30–45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Sunset from Monte Igueldo

      Ride the old funicular up in the late afternoon and watch the bay and Santa Clara island turn gold as the city lights come on.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Parte Vieja keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Centro ($$$$) suits first-timers, shopping, families and luxury. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 18–24 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9 hours in December to 15.4 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in San Sebastián
• 2 days in San Sebastián
• 3 days in San Sebastián

Questions travellers ask