Planning a short break to San Sebastian? This guide is your perfect companion. Discover must-see attractions, cultural gems, and top dining spots. In just three days, you’ll explore historic sites, enjoy stunning beaches, and savour local flavours. Get ready for a mini adventure and to fall in love with San Sebastian!
Key Takeaways
For us, it’s all about balancing your time between 3 main topics: Gastronomy, Culture and what the Spanish call Naturaleza–a bit of nature.
On day one explore San Sebastián’s historic Parte Vieja, dine on famous pintxos, and head to one of the city’s three beaches, how about the iconic La Concha Beach? Finish the night with more pintxos or go for a tasting menu.
Day two starts with a great walk along La Concha Bay and stunning views from one of the city’s main “peaks”, Monte Igueldo or Monte Urgull. Then it’s time for culture at the Museo San Telmo. Finish the day with a visit to Barrio Gros to see the more local side of San Sebastián and eat more Basque cuisine.
Day three kicks off with a stroll on Zurriola Beach for your morning pick-me-up. Then head out of the city for a serene experience at Chillida Leku Art Gardens. Finish the weekend on a high note at one of San Sebastian’s top restaurants.
Day 1: Exploring the Heart of San Sebastian
Your journey begins in the heart of San Sebastián, where the city’s historic charm and culinary delights await. Start your day in the Parte Vieja (Old Town), a maze of narrow, winding streets and colourful façades that house boutique shops, cafés, and pintxos bars. Go before 2 PM and La Bretxa Market will be open where fishmongers and butchers work their craft for the city’s hungry chefs and families. This area is the soul of San Sebastián, offering a perfect blend of history and local life.
Want to really get to know the city? We offer a pintxos crawl tour every dat at Basque Bites. Our Market and Pintxo Lunch Tour starts daily at 11 AM for a thorough exploration of the market and Old Town.
After a lunch at the pintxo bars and soaking up the local ambience (and wine) of la Parte Vieja, head to the lively Plaza de la Constitución, the city’s version of a plaza mayor filled with bars and cafes. Cap off your day with a visit to a beach, where you can relax by the calm waters and enjoy spectacular views of La Concha Bay. Finish the night visiting more pintxo bars or take in a tasting menu at a local gem!
Parte Vieja (Old Town)
Wandering through the Old Town is like stepping back in time with its:
its narrow, winding streets
charming, colourful balconies
boutique shops
traditional eateries
lively market and squares
This is where the city comes to party and no visit to la Parte Vieja would be complete without indulging in the local culinary scene. We might be partial, since we love Basque cuisine, but let’s be honest…San Sebastian really and truly has some of the best food in the world. Period.
Pintxos
San Sebastián is renowned for its pintxos, or Basque Tapas, small, artfully crafted small plates. Gather at one of the many pintxos bars and sample a variety of these tasty treats, from croquetas to calamari, sea urchin to pig ears, scallops to fried peppers, each chased with a sip of wine, shared stories and laughter with locals and fellow travellers.
If you want the real pintxo experience, why not take one of our best selling pintxos crawl experiences to help you bone up on what’s fresh and what’s delicious in the city? This isn’t some cheesy tour, but an authentic experience where we’ll show you how to eat and drink like a local.
Plaza de la Constitución
The Plaza de la Constitución is a historical square that once housed the province’s capitol building. Today, it is a lively hub where you can find an array of bars and cafes, making it a perfect spot to relax and soak in the local atmosphere. Plaza Consti is a great place for a coffee, a drink and a catch-up but most of the bars aren’t known for their food. The tiny restaurant Tamboril (AKA Tambo) is an exception, with an outstanding menu of pintxos hot and cold!
LOOK UP! While you’re in Constitution Plaza do not forget to look up at the balconies of all the apartments. Yes, most of these are still residential! And what’s up with the numbers? We reveal that secret on our city tours of the Old Town–most of them finish here in Plaza. Maybe one day we’ll post about it on our BLOG?
The vibrant energy of this plaza, combined with its historical significance, makes it an essential stop on your exploration of San Sebastián’s city centre.
La Concha Beach
After your exploration unwind on Playa La Concha. This stunning, arch-shaped beach renowned for its calm waters and breathtaking views. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring, whether you choose to take a leisurely stroll along the promenade or simply relax on the golden sands.
As the sun begins to set, the sky over the Cantabrian Sea (that’s not the Atlantic ocean) transforms into a canvas of pink and lavender hues, offering a spectacular view that will leave you in awe. Celebrate dthe world over, La Concha is frequently voted as one of Europe’s Best Beaches.
Tasting Menus
Head back to the Old Town, now that you’re an expert on Pintxo Bars, and curate your own tasting menu on another pintxos tour. Or maybe you’ve had enough of eating on you feet and bumping elbows? Then take a break and book a table for a tasting menu from the wonderful Bodegón Alejandro or take in a Michelin Star at the much loved local gem, Kokotxa.
We don’t need to tell you about how famous San Sebastian is for food and its many Michelin starred and Repsol winning restaurants. While most of the top dogs live by the tasting menu, you can still find these multi-course meals at many, more humble restaurants. But many spots eschew the bougie tradition and only offer a la carte menus, think whole fish and specialities from the grill. You do not need a Michelin star or a roll of cash to eat exceptional food in the Basque Country.
Day 2: Culture and Nature in San Sebastian
Day two of your adventure in San Sebastián focuses on the city’s rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes. Begin your day with a hearty walk along the beaches and head out to the Peine del Viento sculpture at the base of Monte Igueldo.
After getting in a good walk and taking in some nature, and perhaps some lunch, it’s time to hit up the Museo San Telmo for a deep dive into Basque history and culture. No visit to SanSe is complete without a visit to STM!
Finish your day with a walk through Barrio Gros on the other side of the Urumea River to explore the city’s more local and modern side. Wine bars, funky eateries, craft beers, casual neighhourhood vibes abound. Don’t forget to catch the sunset from Playa Zurriola’s east end at Barrio Sagüés.
Bahia La Concha
At the far end of Ondarreta Beach at the base of Mount Igueldo, is where you’ll find the unique Wind Comb. This fantastic art installation was built by one of San Sebastián’s greatest artists Eduardo Chillida and is one of the city’s most iconic spots.
We recommend trying to get here at high tide when the sea crashes into the rocky coastline making for a dramatic landscape behind the art.
We aren’t crazy about heading up Monte Igueldo but if it is a clear day and you want the best views of the city, this is it! From the Wind Comb you are just a stone’s throw from the old cable car which will take you to the top where a strange and rather jenky (for better or worse) amusement park is located. We do, however, like the diesel powered roller coaster!
Heading back from Ondarreta and Igueldo walk back along the beaches and take a stroll through the port (great seafood) and stop by the Empty Construction art installation by Jorge Oteiza, another great local artist, behind the san sebastián aquarium.
From here you can hike around at water’s edge or head on up and through the top of Mount Urgull. Great views are on tap and if you follow the signs you’ll wind up at the San Telmo Museum, the best in San Sebastian, for a deep dive into the region’s fascinating history and culture.
San Telmo Museum
The STM is a must-visit for anyone interested in Basque history and culture:
Housed in a stunning 16th-century Dominican convent
Offers a vast collection that spans millennia
Apart from the permanent collection there’s great art
Explore the cloisters and old church
Inside, you’ll find exhibits showcasing the unique aspects the history and culture of the Basque Country, with a focus on Gipuzkoa–the province where San Sebastian is capital. Exhibits include a bit of everything from medieval history to the region’s modernisation and industrialisation. Fine art, craft work, are on display along with exhibits on dance, clothing, gastronomy, machinery, history, you name it!
You’ll also get access to the old church and its cloisters. The murals in the church depicting the conquest are fascinating and painted by Catalan artist Cert who was a friend of Salvador Dalí. We always enjoy looking at the cauldron used to render whale fat unearthed in the port.
Another unusual piece of the collection is a collection of headdress favored by Basque women in the 14th and 15th centuries. The head wrappings, or burukoak, featured elaborate folds and shapes to help distinguish where a woman was from or her class. The curious collection at the STM belonged to none other than Cristóbol Balenciaga himself!
The property of the museum is fascinating all by itself. Housed in a 16th-century Dominican convent and church. Plus the STM frequently hosts great Basque art exhibits rotating throughout the year.
We’ll leave you with one extra, and excellent, tip: the restaurant located at the Museum, Zazpi, is a rock solid winner!
BARRIO GROS
The Gros neighbourhood is a dynamic and youthful area known for:
its lively pintxo bars and hotspots
stretching from the Kursaal Palace to Monte Ulia
Zurriola Beach, 800 meters of sand, surf and good vibes
offering a unique blend of urban excitement and natural beauty
We’d recommend hoping over the river to Gros for the evening #2. You can go on a pintxo hunt or hit up one of several funkier restaurants in the area. There are also a few great craft beer bars like Basqueland Izakaia (which also serves great Asian food) and wine bars–the newest being the famed Enoteca Masketa–one of our favourites!
Every Thursday, Gros hosts ‘pintxo-pote’ day, where locals and visitors take advantage of a “pintxo and a drink” specials at many bar (it’s more about the drink to be honest). It’s a lively night, especially popular with both students and retirees!
Day 3: Beyond the City Center
Start your day with a walk on Playa de la Zurriola, a hotspot for surfers and beachgoers looking for a more energetic vibe. You were there the night before, so now see the hood by day.
From a Zurriola beach breakfast, we want you to get out of the city with a visit to the Chillida Leku Art Gardens, one of the newest and coolest museums in the Basque region, where you can admire the works of world renowned Basque artist Eduardo Chillida in a stunning outdoor setting.
Finish the three day weekend with a blow out meal at one of our top dining destinations. With many Michelin starred restaurants and several other award winners in town, San Sebastian has solidified its name on the world dining scene and with good reason!
Playa de la Zurriola
Zurriola is a favourite offers a variety of activities, including:
Volleyball
Surfing
Basketball
Skating
There’s always a buzz in the air here, indeed Zurriola has a more youthful and energetic vibe but there’s something for everyone young and old. There is a restaurant in the middle of the 800 meter long beach and closer to the Kursaal you can rent loungers and parasols in summer to help you max and relax.
The beach’s proximity to Gros adds to its appeal, as you can easily transition from a day of beach activities to exploring the neighbourhood. With its mix of architecture, many plazas and local vibe, Gros features some outstanding spots for wine, humble cafés, great bars and eateries–pop into one after your morning walk!
Chillida Leku Art Gardens
Conclude your exploration with a visit to Chillida Leku Art Gardens, a stunning museum and garden dedicated to the works of Eduardo Chillida, one of the Basque Country’s most celebrated artists. The museum is partially housed in a classic country home, and its expansive gardens provide a beautiful backdrop for Chillida’s unique sculptures and paintings.
Visitors can easily reach Chillida Leku from San Sebastián by catching the local bus or taking a taxi–it’s located on the outskirts of town near the cider houses. As you wander through the gardens, you’ll find yourself immersed in art and nature, making it a perfect way to end your three-day journey through San Sebastián.
FINE DINING
You don’t have to look hard to find fine dining in San Sebastian and the Basque Country. Beyond the Michelin Stars we have several Repsol winners as well as oodles of spots off the radar that deserve a seat the table as well.
There are so many restaurants located in San Sebastian it can be dizzying. Book one of our culinary experiences and we’ll send you a free list of top spots!
Summary
San Sebastián is a popular destination that captivates all who visit with its unique blend of history, culture, nature, and gastronomy. Over three days, you can explore the heart of the city, immerse yourself in its rich cultural heritage, and venture beyond to discover hidden gems and vibrant neighbourhoods. From the historic streets of Parte Vieja and panoramic views of La Concha Beach to the artistic haven of Chillida Leku Art Gardens, there is no shortage of experiences to enjoy.
Whether you’re a foodie eager to sample the best pintxos and Michelin-starred cuisine, a culture enthusiast wanting to delve into Basque history, or a nature lover seeking stunning landscapes and serene retreats, San Sebastián offers something for everyone. So pack your bags, bring your appetite for adventure, and get ready to fall in love with this enchanting Basque city.
