All citiesSan Sebastián Things to do and walking itinerary
Spain San Sebastián travel guide
15 things to do in San Sebastián, where to stay, airport transfers, 7 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in San Sebastián
- Good Shepherd Cathedral of San Sebastián — cathedral in Donostia/San Sebastián, Spain (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Peine del Viento XV — group of three sculptures by Eduardo Chillida (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Plaza de Toros de Illumbe — bullring in San Sebastián, Spain (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus — cultural property in San Sebastián, Spain (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Miramar Palace — cultural property in San Sebastián, Spain (visit ≈ 90 min)
- San Telmo Museoa — an ethnographic and art museum in San Sebastian Spain (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Victoria Eugenia Theater — theater located in San Sebastián, Spain (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Funicular de Igueldo — funicular railway in San Sebastián, Spain (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Chillida-Leku — sculpture garden (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Palacio de Ayete (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Park of Nurseries of Ulia (visit ≈ 45 min)
- San Sebastián town hall — municipal building in San Sebastián, Spain (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Montaña Suiza — roller coaster (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Church of San Bizente Martiria-San Vicente Mártir, Donostia-San Sebastián — church building in Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Motako Gaztelua-Castillo de la Mota — building in Spain (visit ≈ 75 min)
2-day San Sebastián walking itinerary
Starting point: Parte Vieja (Old Town). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 8.5 km · 11,420 steps · 1 h 53 min on the way): Victoria Eugenia Theater → Good Shepherd Cathedral of San Sebastián → Plaza de Toros de Illumbe
- Day 2 (≈ 5.8 km · 7,860 steps · 1 h 17 min on the way): Miramar Palace → Funicular de Igueldo → Peine del Viento XV → Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus → San Telmo Museoa
Where to stay in San Sebastián
- Parte Vieja (Old Town): The heart of the pintxo bars; lively at night.
- Centro: An elegant area between La Concha beach and the shopping streets.
- Gros: The Zurriola surf beach and local pintxo bars.
- Antiguo / Ondarreta: A calm beach area at the foot of Igueldo.
Getting from the airport to San Sebastián
- San Sebastián (Hondarribia) (EAS): City bus ≈ 30 min
- Bilbao (BIO): Airport bus ≈ 1 h 15 min
Getting around
The city is small and flat; walk or cycle. For pintxos, hop from bar to bar in the Parte Vieja.
Classic places to eat
- La Cuchara de San Telmo: Famous for hot, cooked-to-order pintxos.
- Bar Nestor: Its legendary tortilla is made in limited batches daily.
- Ganbara: Known for wild mushrooms and seasonal pintxos.
- La Viña: Birthplace of the world-famous “burnt” cheesecake.
- Gandarias: Txuleta steak and classic pintxos in the old town.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Arzak — 3 MICHELIN stars, Creative Basque
- Akelarre — 3 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Martín Berasategui — 3 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Amelia — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Mugaritz — 2 MICHELIN stars, Experimental
- Kokotxa — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Basque
- Mirador de Ulía — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Basque
Romantic views
- Monte Igueldo (Sunset): The famous view of La Concha bay from the funicular-served hill.
- La Concha Promenade (Evening): A white-railed walk curving around the bay.
- Peine del Viento (Sunset): Iron sculptures set in the rocks with crashing waves.
- Monte Urgull (Afternoon): A wooded hill above the old town.
- Miramar Palace Gardens (Afternoon): Palace lawns overlooking the bay.
Football stadiums in San Sebastián
- Anoeta Stadium: Home of Real Sociedad
Good to know before visiting San Sebastián
- Fine: Drinking in the street (botellón) is fined in many cities.
- Fine: Coastal cities such as Barcelona, Málaga and Palma fine walking around in swimwear or shirtless.
- Fine: Swimming when the red flag is flying is fined.
- Fine: Smoking is banned indoors and near children's playgrounds.
- Warning: Cover shoulders and knees in cathedrals and churches.
- Warning: You must carry ID or a passport; police can ask for it.
- Emergency: 112 (police 091, ambulance 061, fire 080)
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe, though it can taste chalky in some cities.
- Tipping: Tipping isn't required; small change or 5–10% is plenty.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Spain, Wikivoyage — Spain, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
San Sebastián travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in San Sebastián?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 14 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in San Sebastián?
- Highlights: Good Shepherd Cathedral of San Sebastián, Peine del Viento XV, Plaza de Toros de Illumbe, Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus and Miramar Palace. The map has 15 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in San Sebastián?
- Parte Vieja (Old Town): The heart of the pintxo bars; lively at night. Other options: Centro, Gros and Antiguo / Ondarreta.
- How do you get from the airport to San Sebastián city centre?
- San Sebastián (Hondarribia) (EAS): City bus ≈ 30 min · Bilbao (BIO): Airport bus ≈ 1 h 15 min
- How do you get around San Sebastián?
- The city is small and flat; walk or cycle. For pintxos, hop from bar to bar in the Parte Vieja.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in San Sebastián?
- According to the last known data there are 7 starred restaurants: Arzak (3 stars), Akelarre (3 stars), Martín Berasategui (3 stars), Amelia (2 stars), Mugaritz (2 stars) and 2 more. Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in San Sebastián?
- Emergency: 112 (police 091, ambulance 061, fire 080).
- Do you tip in San Sebastián?
- Tipping isn't required; small change or 5–10% is plenty.
Nearby cities
Bilbao · Bordeaux · Andorra la Vella · Madrid · Barcelona · Valencia · Palma · Marseille
Spain travel guide: all cities · All cities