Free things to do · San Sebastián · Spain
10 free things to do in San Sebastián
San Sebastián without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Spike, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in San Sebastián without paying an entry fee: La Concha beach and promenade, Monte Urgull and Mota Castle, Peine del Viento and Plaza de la Constitución are all free. Hotels are most expensive in July, August and film-festival week; stay in Amara, Egia or Gros, or visit in spring or late autumn, to cut costs.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
Beach · Centro
1.La Concha beach and promenade
Walk the promenade at sunset towards Ondarreta, then return along the beach at low tide.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Park · Parte Vieja
2.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.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Outdoors
Landmark · Ondarreta
3.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.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Historic site · Parte Vieja
4.Plaza de la Constitución
Look up at the numbered balconies, then take a terrace seat for a txakoli before dinner.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
Beach · Gros
5.Zurriola beach
Book a beginner surf lesson in the morning, when the wind is usually lighter, then eat pintxos in Gros.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Parte Vieja
6.Paseo Nuevo
Stay well back from the edge on rough days; waves regularly sweep the promenade and it is sometimes closed.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Garden · Antiguo
7.Miramar Palace and gardens
Cut through the gardens on the walk between La Concha and Ondarreta instead of using the tunnel road.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
Architecture · Egia
8.Tabakalera
Go up to the free rooftop viewpoint even if you skip the exhibitions.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Views
- Rainy day
Nature · Gros
9.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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Nature
- Views
- Outdoors
Park · Egia
10.Cristina Enea park
Combine it with Tabakalera next door for a quieter morning away from the beaches.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Centro | La Concha beach and promenade | Half a day |
| Parte Vieja | Monte Urgull and Mota Castle, Plaza de la Constitución and Paseo Nuevo | 1.5 hours + 20–30 minutes + 30–45 minutes |
| Ondarreta | Peine del Viento | 30–45 minutes |
| Gros | Zurriola beach and Coastal walk over Monte Ulía to Pasaia | 2–3 hours + Half a day |
| Antiguo | Miramar Palace and gardens | 30–45 minutes |
| Egia | Tabakalera and Cristina Enea park | 1 hour + 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Viewpoint · Igeldo
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.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Photo spot
Museum · Parte Vieja
San Telmo Museoa
Leave time for the Renaissance cloister and the Sert murals in the church, which many visitors miss.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Religious site · Parte Vieja
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.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Island · Bay of La Concha
Santa Clara island
Take a picnic from the Bretxa market and catch an early boat to have the island's beach to yourself.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Views
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Hotels are most expensive in July, August and film-festival week; stay in Amara, Egia or Gros, or visit in spring or late autumn, to cut costs.
- A pintxo crawl can cost as much as a restaurant meal; set a budget of a few bars and favour counter classics like gildas.
- The beaches, Monte Urgull, the Peine del Viento, Tabakalera's roof terrace and the coastal walk to Pasaia are all free.
- Walk down Monte Igueldo instead of taking the funicular both ways.
- Use a Mugi card or contactless payment rather than buying single cash fares on buses.
- Weekday lunch menus (menú del día) in local restaurants away from the old town give two courses and a drink for a modest fixed price.
Questions travellers ask
+Is San Sebastián expensive to visit?
San Sebastián is expensive for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in San Sebastián?
La Concha beach and promenade: Walk the promenade at sunset towards Ondarreta, then return along the beach at low tide.