The city known as Spain's 'little Paris': a beautiful bay, golden beaches, and top-notch cuisine
San Sebastián, with its nearly 190,000 inhabitants, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. This gem of the Basque Country boasts centuries of history, stunning natural beauty, and some of the best cuisine in the world.
We propose a 48-hour itinerary to explore the highlights of this city, also known as Donostia in Basque. This itinerary visits the must-see places in San Sebastián, known as "Little Paris" for its French-inspired atmosphere and Belle Epoque style.
San Sebastián: the Old Town and the fire of 1813A good start to your visit to San Sebastián is to explore the historic heart, known as the Parte Vieja .
This area is located at the foot of Mount Urgull , between the port and the Urumea River , on one side of the Bay. It's essential to stroll through its pedestrian streets. Among the main streets in the Old Town is the 31st of August Street, which commemorates the fire of 1813.
On that day, British and Portuguese troops, under the command of the Duke of Wellington , Arthur Wellesley, entered San Sebastián to expel the French soldiers of Joseph Bonaparte , brother of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, during the Peninsular War . During the assault, the Allied troops gained access through a breach in the wall. The city was almost entirely burned and looted, and the French troops were expelled from San Sebastián.
Today, the Old Town of San Sebastián is a vibrant area, full of bars where you can enjoy the best pintxos . A great way to visit and taste some of the tastiest pintxos and the most traditional bars is to take a guided tour . Don't forget to explore the La Bretxa Market and discover the significance of the numbered balconies in Plaza de la Constitución , the former site of City Hall.
Constitution Square is the scene of the most important local festivals, such as the famous Tamborrada (Drum Beat ). In the Old Town, the Basilica of Santa María del Coro and the Church of San Vicente are also of great interest.
The Basilica of Santa María is a beautiful 18th-century Baroque building that dominates Calle Mayor . The main entrance to the basilica, presided over by a sculpture of Saint Sebastian the Martyr, runs in a straight line with the entrance to the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd , 1 kilometer away.
Mount Urgull and its incredible views of the cityIn the afternoon, a very interesting plan for visiting the mythical Mount Urgull is to join a guided tour of Basque mysteries and legends . This way, you can explore its most iconic sites in an enjoyable way and discover surprising stories.
Mount Urgull offers a unique panoramic view of the city's three beaches ( La Zurriola, La Concha, and Ondarreta) . On Mount Urgull, you must visit La Mota Castle and the English Cemetery. The walls and cannons at the top bear witness to a fascinating military past. Among these cannons is one that survived the Spanish defeat of the Spanish Armada by the English fleet.
Day 2: Walk along the San Sebastian coastOn a second day in San Sebastián, it's worth exploring the San Sebastián coast, an experience that will allow you to discover the true essence of San Sebastián.
You can start your day by taking the century-old funicular up Mount Igueldo to enjoy the best panoramic view of the city. Mount Igueldo is home to the Amusement Park, which hasn't lost its Belle Epoque essence. According to San Sebastián Tourism, in this vintage park, you can "get a rush on the Swiss Mountain , laugh nonstop on the Laughter Walk , get lost in the Magic Labyrinth , or enjoy the game booths—these are just some of the attractions that will transport you back in time."
Another famous spot is the Wind Comb , Eduardo Chillida 's masterpiece that fuses art and landscape. You can also stroll through the Ondarreta gardens and beach , visit Miramar Palace , or marvel at the history of Basque whalers at the Aquarium .
A stroll along the promenade at La Concha Beach is also a must, where you can admire its iconic railing while enjoying unforgettable views.
Continue along the coast until you reach Paseo Nuevo , which will take you to the charming Gros neighborhood . End your walk at Zurriola Beach .
Gastronomy, a key factor in San SebastiánEnjoying San Sebastian's gastronomy is a must-do and extremely tasty experience in San Sebastian. We're talking about both enjoying a pintxos tour and visiting some of its many prestigious restaurants. " The 16 Michelin stars it has earned attest to the daily excellence of San Sebastian's culinary artists, who have managed to innovate and position themselves at the forefront of global gastronomy," emphasizes San Sebastian Tourism.
A recommended and trendy restaurant in San Sebastián, just over a year old, is 'Muka', located in the Kursaal Conference Centre, the venue where the San Sebastián Film Festival screenings are held.
The concept of their cuisine and menu revolve around fire and grilling, while emphasizing vegetables. Highlights include artichokes and pickled olives, roasted beets with sour curd and citrus, leeks with pork chop emulsion , and beef entrecote with baby beans.
If you're looking for a restaurant serving pure Basque cuisine, another recommended spot is Bodegón Alejandro , located in the heart of San Sebastián's Old Town (C/ Fermín Calbetón, no. 4). "We focus our cuisine on authenticity, tradition, and the classic flavors of Basque gastronomy," they emphasize on their website. Highlights on the menu include roasted eggs with Emmental cheese broth, marinated sardine loins with crystal peppers, fried Tudela artichokes , San Sebastian-style spider crab with pil-pil foam, grilled hake with citrus vinaigrette, cod kokotxas with txakoli cockles , and beef steak.
Where to stay in San SebastiánSan Sebastián is a city where tourism has been booming for years. Its hotel infrastructure is extensive, and therefore offers a wide variety of options.
For those seeking luxury, one of the best recommendations is the 5-star Hotel María Cristina . Located opposite the Victoria Eugenia Theater , it offers views of the Cantabrian Sea and the Urumea River. It is a historic hotel dating back to 1912 and decorated in a Belle Epoque style. Stars such as Coco Chanel and Bruce Springsteen have stayed in its rooms. It is also the hotel that hosts the stars of the San Sebastián International Film Festival . The average price for a room is over 230 euros per night.
If you prefer to opt for a more economical hotel, Casual Las Olas San Sebastián is located in the Amara neighborhood ( on the Plaza Pio XII, 2) and is a good option, especially for families. Not surprisingly, it's a quaint hotel that has several double rooms with two beds.
It offers rooms with breakfast included, and a quadruple room with four fixed beds for families or groups of friends is available for around €100 per night. The hotel is also pet-friendly, and reservations can be made directly through its website.
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