San Sebastian Itinerary for 2 – 4 Days & Top Things to Do
San Sebastian is one of Spain’s premiere food destinations. Located in Northern Spain along the picturesque Bay of Biscay and in the heart of “Green Spain,” San Sebastian is truly a delightful place to visit in Spain.
Travelers flock to San Sebastian to walk through the charming Old Town, discover the culturally rich museums, swim at the numerous beaches, and indulge in the rich food scene.
San Sebastian is located in the autonomous community of the Spanish Basque Country and has its own ancient and totally unique language (Basque or Euskara). With its seaside location, San Sebastian boasts fresh seafood, waves ideal for surfing, and nearby fishing villages worth visiting.
San Sebastian was a popular summer destination for the Spanish aristocracy and the city still feels like it was built for royalty.
Most travelers plan a San Sebastian itinerary solely around the incredible gastronomy. That’s great, but with so many things to do in San Sebastian, the city warrants at least two days to visit.
This San Sebastian itinerary focuses on a mixture of food experiences, hikes, and cultural things to do.
Here’s a San Sebastian itinerary on how to spend at least two days in San Sebastian Spain.
Table of Contents
- How to Get to San Sebastian
- How Many Days in San Sebastian?
- San Sebastian Itinerary 2 – 4 Days
- Where to Stay in San Sebastian
- Visiting San Sebastian Tips
- Conclusion Detailed San Sebastian Itinerary
How to Get to San Sebastian Spain
San Sebastian is oftentimes referred to as Donostia-San Sebastian. Donostia is the name of the city in the Basque language. Be mindful that most trains, buses, and transportation apps will refer to San Sebastian by its Basque name Donostia-San Sebastian.
San Sebastian Airport
San Sebastian has a small airport (EAS) that is located about 30 minutes from the city center in Hondarribia. This seaside town is right on the border of France. The San Sebastian Airport offers direct domestic flights in Spain. Fights from Barcelona, Seville, Madrid, Valencia, Malaga, and Grand Canary arrive at the San Sebastian Airport.
Additionally, the two Basque airports of Biarritz (France) and Bilbao (Spain) have frequent international connections. Both Biarritz and Bilbao are well-connected with San Sebastian via bus or train.
Due to price and convenience, most travelers opt to reach San Sebastian via bus or train from the larger airports in Spain or France.
By Bus
San Sebastian has a bus terminal that offers connections from France and Spain. Popular bus companies like Alsa and FlixBus have frequent routes to San Sebastian. More local bus companies like Lurralde and Monbus also provide frequent bus services.
Here’s where to find the San Sebastian Central Bus Terminal on Google Maps.
The ride-sharing app BlaBlaCar is also a helpful travel resource. Often shared rides on BlaBlaCar are cheaper and faster than a bus ticket.
By Train
Next door to the San Sebastian Central Bus Terminal is the Donostia-San Sebastian Train Station.
There is also the Euskotren that offers more localized service along the Basque coastline and between Bilbao and San Sebastian. In San Sebastian, the most convenient and centrally located Euskotran station is Amara Donostia.
Euskotren can be slower than the buses but is more cost-efficient.
Camino de Santiago
San Sebastian is a popular starting point of the Camino de Santiago North Way. The official Camino del Norte starting point is in Irun with the 830 Km (515 miles) journey taking an average of 34 days to reach Santiago de Compostela.
The Camino de Santiago is one of Europe’s most popular pilgrimage routes. Pilgrims follow the yellow shell markers from France, Spain, and Portugal to the stunning Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Those walking from the east may wish to spend a day or two resting and soaking in the alluring ambiance of San Sebastian. Alternatively, pilgrims may opt to start from San Sebastian and enjoy the delights of the city by relaxing, eating, or recovering from jet lag before preparing to walk 500 miles across Spain.
If considering walking the Camino de Santiago, make sure to pack light and check out these game-changing tips for first-time pilgrims. Here are some frequently asked questions about the Camino when preparing to walk this life-changing journey.
How Many Days in San Sebastian?
San Sebastian is an unmissable place to visit in the Basque Region. In my opinion, try to spend at least 2 days in San Sebastian. One day in San Sebastian is enough to dip your toes in the culinary scene. However, two days in San Sebastian would allow enough time to explore the atmospheric Casco Viejo (Old Town), and museums, and appreciate at least one of the San Sebastian mountains.
With three days in San Sebastian, take a day trip to one of the nearby coastal towns or visit the cider houses found in the nearby hillside villages. Four days in San Sebastian would allow time to include a few of these worthwhile day trips in the Basque region.
In addition, try to budget at least 2 days in Bilbao. The once-industrial city now has one of the world’s most famous museums the Guggenheim. Bilbao also boasts a lively Old Town, an inspiring pintxos scene, and the coastal gem of Getxo with its UNESCO World Heritage Site wonder, the Vizcaya Bridge.
San Sebastian Itinerary for 2 – 4 Days
There are tons of awesome things to do in San Sebastian. From markets to pintxos, beaches, and more, this San Sebastian itinerary has a little bit of everything.
Skip to | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day Trips from San Sebastian
San Sebastian Itinerary Day 1
Here’s how to spend one day in San Sebastian.
Free Walking Tour
San Sebastian has a fabulous free walking tour run by Free Walking Tour San Sebastian. Local guides run English tours that highlight the city in about two hours. The guides are fun and share some of the best tips on where to eat in San Sebastian, what to do in San Sebastian, and recommend some epic day trips.
The guides are truly enthused about sharing their city all while doing it in a fun and sustainable way.
The Free Walking tour highlights places like the Konstituzio Plaza, Old Town and significant buildings, nearby parks, and the port.
Ideally, the morning tour is best, so as to have the rest of the day to explore all their excellent recommendations.
Free Walking Tour San Sebastian | Daily Tours: Most days at 10:30 & 16:00 | Tours Depart from here: Sarriegi Plaza | Duration: around 2 hours | Tour Guides Rely on Tips, so share the love | Sign-up for Free Walking Tour San Sebastian Here
Grab Lunch or Snack on Pintxos
San Sebastian is famous for their delicious pintxos, or pinchos. Pintxos are small snacks typically served on a slice of bread or a skewer. Pintxos are super popular both in the Basque region and northern Spain. Pintxos are different than tapas as they are not included with a drink purchase, so sample and purchase as many as you wish!
San Sebastian has incredible Pintxos bars and is a top food experience you need to have when visiting San Sebastian.
Pintxos bars are open for lunch and dinner but are busiest and most lively at night. Stop in for a quick bite, but plan on saving the big “pintxos crawl” for the night.
There’s so much to see in San Sebastian so make sure the famous Basque wine of Txakoli doesn’t sneak up on you. (It has a tendency to do that!)
Climb Mount Urgull
After a quick lunch, explore one of the best places in San Sebastian, Mount Urgull. This urban San Sebastian mountain is home to an old fortress built in the 12th century. Numerous paths twist up the hillside that offer stunning views of San Sebastian.
The iconic Santa Clara Island sits in the center of the Bay of Biscay.
The old fortress is free to explore and houses a restaurant and a simple museum. At the very top of the hill, find the statue Sagrado Corazón, or Sacred Heart. The statue is one of the newer additions to the hill, being constructed in the 1950s. The fortress also boasts stunning observation decks, the English Cemetery, and old defensive canyons.
The most popular way to reach the top is from behind the Basilica of Santa Maria or near the San Telmo Museum. The climb up Mount Urgull can be steep and will take around 30 minutes. There is a lot to see along the way, so dedicated a couple of hours to exploring the old fortress.
During the afternoon, all the bars, restaurants, and cafes usually shut down for a siesta. The fortress is perfect to explore during the lull time of the afternoon. Or maybe opt to see the Historic Old Town quiet during these times. The siesta time from 14:00 – 16:00 is a good time to rest and recharge.
Catch a Sunset at La Concha Beach
One of Europe’s most celebrated beaches sits in the center of San Sebastian, La Concha Beach. This spectacular sandy beach resembles a seashell, which is where the name La Concha comes from. Concha translates to shell in Spanish.
There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and hotels that line the beach. However, a sunset stroll in the sand or along the promenade at sunset is a must. Although right in the heart of San Sebastian, this beach never feels overly crowded, even though it does get busy in the summer.
La Concha Beach boasts one of the best views in San Sebastian.
Pintxos Crawl
Nighttime in San Sebastian is one of the most lively times to experience the many San Sebastian Pintxos Bars. The San Sebastian Old Town, or Parte Vieja, is filled with what feels like hundreds of pintxos bars, so it’s a great place to start. It’s easy to create your own San Sebastian pintxo tour or some may feel more comfortable joining a guided food tour like this one.
Famous Pintxos Bars in San Sebastian
✔ Bar Nestor is a San Sebastian food must for its famous tortilla, ribeye steak, and fresh tomato salad
✔ Bar Sport is a popular San Sebastian pintxos bar for locals and tourists alike. It is always busy, so don’t let that deter a visit. If it’s busy, simply make your way to the bar and enjoy the tapas out on the street.
✔ Ganbara has delicious pinchos, especially showcasing local Basque meats and fresh mushrooms.
✔ Atari has beautifully presented cold and warm pintxos options.
✔ Simply wander the streets of the Old Town in San Sebastian. Look for busy bars, trust your nose, and enjoy!
2 Days in San Sebastian
With 2 days in San Sebastian, slow down and dive deeper into the culinary treasures of San Sebastian.
Grab a Coffee
On day 2 of this San Sebastian itinerary, wake up slow with a coffee. There are tons of cafes, some with views of the seas, others tucked away in narrow streets, and others in big open plazas. Find a coffee shop and watch San Sebastian come alive.
Stroll the San Sebastian Markets
Make sure to stroll through the many San Sebastian markets. Morning is a perfect time to see the local people shopping for fresh produce, purchasing flowers, or waiting for the fresh catch of the day to come in from the port.
One of the most lively markets in San Sebastian is the central Bretxa Market. Located right in the heart of Old Town, this market has been bustling since 1870. Inside find lots of local vendors selling and additional vendors set up outside.
The Mercado San Martín was built in 1884 but is newly remodeled. The San Martin market offers a chance to eat right in the market with a few food stalls serving pastries, burgers, Asian cuisine, and of course, fresh fish.
A stroll through the local markets is the perfect way to see why San Sebastian is such an incredible food destination. It all starts with the freshest produce and ingredients that come right from the marketplace.
San Telmo Museum
To better understand the Basque culture, a visit to the San Telmo Museum is a must. The museum focuses on the influence of the Sea, traditional ways of life, and the Basque culture. The museum is built into the cliffside of Mount Urgull and was an old monastery.
The San Telmo Museum is a fusion of art and history and is worth visiting. Additionally, the museum offers temporary exhibitions that rotate throughout the year.
The museum is rather extensive but can be visited with ease in a few hours. The entrance fee to San Telmo is free every Tuesday. Before visiting, download the free audio guide or use the informative pamphlets onsite in each exhibit. An audio guide can also be rented for 2 Euros.
San Telmo Museum | Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 19:00, until 20:00 during the summer season | Find it here: Plaza Zuloaga | General Admission: € 10 (Free Tuesdays) | San Telmo Museum Website
Grab Lunch in Gros Neighborhood
After exploring the San Telmo Museum, spend the afternoon in the Gros neighborhood. This local neighborhood in San Sebastian is the perfect place to grab lunch, wander, or simply enjoy the beach.
Head over the famous Zurriola Bridge that connects Old Town with Gros over the Urumea River.
Many of the restaurants in Gros serve up a three-course menu del dia or a menu of the day that includes a drink. Menus are served for both lunch and dinner, but the lunch menu price is super budget-friendly at around 15 Euros.
My favorite place to eat a menu del dia in Gros is at Casa Galicia. Try to arrive before noon to avoid the huge line of locals cueing for a table.
After lunch, wander around the neighborhood. There’s a nice plaza next to San Ignazio church. There are also tons of Pintxos bars lining the streets. Gros is home to a brewery, Mala Gissona, and has the fantastic Zurriola Beach. This beach is a popular surf spot and a good place to people-watch.
After enjoying Gros, take the scenic walk towards Monte Igueldo.
Walk to Monte Igueldo Funicular
This scenic walk crosses the Zurriola Bridge and follows past the San Sebastian City Hall and the Alderdi Eder Park. Follow the shores of La Concha Beach along the promenade to Miramar Palace (Miramar Jauregia).
This old palace was the summer home of Queen María Cristina and her family. Today, the grounds are lovely to wander and appreciate the views.
After enjoying the grounds, continue next to the sea past Ondarreta Beach. At the end of the beach are signs to the hillside Funicular Monte Igueldo.
From Gros to the Igueldo Funicular takes around an hour. This path is beautiful and worth the walk, especially after all the fun food experiences.
San Sebastian is an extremely walkable city with most of the attractions being fairly close. There are pedestrian-friendly streets and promenades. Additionally, city bikes are becoming a popular way to move about. Walking is definitely the best way to discover San Sebastian.
Visit Monte Igueldo
The old wooden Funicular Monte Igueldo climbs up the mountainside to arrive at the Monte Igueldo Amusement Park at the top. Most people come strictly for the views, but there are games, rides, and even a famous rollercoaster at the top.
Monte Igueldo has sprawling views of San Sebastian, a restaurant, the hotel Mercure Monte Igueldo, and the iconic amusement park.
The funicular departs every 15 minutes for the top and has been in operation since 1912, making it the oldest railway cable car in the Basque region.
Monte Igueldo Funicular | Hours: Vary by Season, but typically 10:00 – 20:00 later during the summer season | Find it here: Funikular Plaza | Round-Trip Fare: €4.50 | Official Website and Tickets Online
Splurge on a Michelin Star Restaurant Course-Tasting Menu
One thing that foodies must add to their San Sebastian itinerary is a chance to dine at a Michelin Star Restaurant. San Sebastian and the surrounding area boast 19 Michelin-star restaurants across a 25-kilometer radius. This includes nearby villages, like Getaria Spain.
If planning to dine at a Michelin Restaurant in San Sebastian you must book reservations in advance. Most Michelin Starred Restaurants in San Sebastian are booked out for at least a month or two.
If spending a few nights in the Basque region, definitely add a tasting menu to your San Sebastian itinerary.
Highly Rated Michelin Star Restaurants in San Sebastian
Most of these Michelin-star restaurants offer a tasting menu for a base fee. Typically, the wine pairing is a separate and additional fee.
✔ Restaurante Arzak | ⭐⭐⭐ | Current Tasting Menu: €280 per person
✔ Martín Berasategui | ⭐⭐⭐ | Current Tasting Menu: €330 per person
✔ Restaurante Amelia | ⭐⭐ | Current Tasting Menu: €318 per person
✔ Restaurante Kokotxa | ⭐ | Current Tasting Menu: €148 per person / Market Menu for €98 per person
✔ Mirador de Ulía | ⭐ | Current Tasting Menu: €140 per person
3 Days in San Sebastian
With 3 days in San Sebastian, there’s even more time to explore the incredible food scene. Or, maybe take an independent day trip out of San Sebastian. There are also a handful of tour options to nearby villages and attractions.
If looking for something different, Monte Ulia is a great hike offering stellar views and interesting landmarks. The loop trail can be completed in a couple of hours or hike to nearby seaside villages.
Food-Based Activities to Add to a San Sebastian Itinerary
✔ One of the best ways to explore the food scene is to take a Basque Cooking Class. This cooking class focuses on a menu highlighting regional dishes with a local chef.
✔ Explore the traditional Basque cider houses known as Sagardotegia in the nearby village of Astigarraga. The cider houses in the Basque region do things differently than other cider regions in Spain. A guided cider tour is a fun way to experience the revival of this popular beverage or take the short bus ride to Astigarraga and visit the Cider Museum and a Cider House.
✔ Take a wine tour of Txakoli in the nearby vineyards along the coastline. Txakoli wine is distinctive to the Basque region in Spain.
Worthwhile Day Trips from San Sebastian
There are tons of fantastic day trips from San Sebastian to nearby cities filled with museums, or small villages blessed with hiking trails.
✔ Visit Bilbao which is home to the incredible Guggenheim Museum. Appreciate the contemporary art and then stroll through Bilbao’s historic Old Town of Casco Viejo. While Bilbao is a nice day from San Sebastian, it’s ideal to sleep at least one night in Bilbao.
✔ The small fishing village of Zumaia is a typical Basque fishing village and a great access point to the Flysch hiking route. The Flysch Route is part of the official GR-121 hiking trail and this section showcases the unique rock sediments of Flysch. The lovely trail follows the sea and cuts through the green hillsides. The Ruta de Flysch runs between Zumaia and Deba and is part of the protected Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark.
✔ Getaria is another fantastic Basque fishing village that is famous for its many grilled fish restaurants and Txakoli vineyards. Getaria boasts a walkable Old Town, a peninsula park with a lighthouse, and two lovely beaches.
✔ Visit the French Basque Country and see Biarritz and Bayonne France. Both cities have a different feeling, with Biarritz France being more of a popular beach resort town Bayonne having a little more gritty flare and the city straddles two rivers.
✔ Hop on an early morning bus to the Spanish Basque Capital City of Vitoria-Gasteiz. This underrated Basque city has a well-preserved medieval old town, a spectacular art scene, delicious pintxos bars and restaurants, and sprawling green spaces. While you could see the Old Town of Vitoria-Gasteiz in one day, it’s better to slow down and sleep here at least one night.
San Sebastian Itinerary for 4 Days
If you have more than 3 days in San Sebastian that is fantastic! Simply slow down this San Sebastian itinerary and take more day trips. It is so easy to spend at least 4 days in San Sebastian.
There are so many incredible places to see in the Basque Country, it would be ideal to base between San Sebastian and Bilbao for at least one week.
Where to Stay in San Sebastian Spain
San Sebastian has tons of accommodation options for every budget. The city is a popular tourist destination with hostels, pensions, guesthouses, hotels, converted convents, private apartments, and luxury accommodations.
- Budget | Koba Hostel
- Budget | A Room In The City Hostel
- Moderate-Budget | Pension Aida
- Moderate | DOT ROOMS Pension Edorta
- Moderate | Atotxa Rooms
- Luxury | Zenit Convento San Martin
- Luxury | Urbieta Centro
- High-End Luxury | Hotel Maria Cristina
➜ Browse all the Best Places to Stay in San Sebastian Spain
For this San Sebastian itinerary, it’s best to base close to the Old Town city center. However, San Sebastian is extremely walkable and well-connected with lots of public transportation options for nearby day trips.
Visiting San Sebastian Tips
Here are some helpful tips for planning a San Sebastian itinerary.
When is the Best Time to Visit San Sebastian?
The high season for San Sebastian is during the summer months of June to September when tourists enjoy swimming in the Bay of Biscay. During the high season, hotel prices rise and rooms can be hard to find. The beaches are quite packed in San Sebastian and along the nearby coastal villages.
The winter months bring lots of rain from the middle of November to mid-March. However, San Sebastian is a coastal city, so temperate stays temperate around the mid-50s°F. Typically January is the coolest month in San Sebastian. If visiting San Sebastian to surf, the best wave conditions are during the winter and fall months.
As a lot of the activities in San Sebastian are food-based, it typically doesn’t matter when you visit San Sebastian. The shoulder months of April, May, October, and November are great to avoid crowds and still have nice days to enjoy outdoor activities.
I have visited San Sebastian at many different times, including at the end of September, in November, and during January, and could still go hiking. If visiting in the shoulder or winter months make sure to have a nice light rain jacket and layered clothing.
Is San Sebastian Expensive?
Spain, in general, is a budget-friendly country. There are plenty of ways to keep costs low including using public transportation, staying at hostels or pensions, eating menu del dias, or cooking meals from the fresh food found at the markets.
Traveling during the off-season or shoulder season will also help keep costs down.
After traveling extensively through Spain I find the Basque region a little more costly than the South of Spain, like in the Andalusia region. However, San Sebastian can easily be enjoyed by budget-conscious travelers without forgoing many of the city’s highlights.
Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting?
Yes, San Sebastian is worth visiting! With a charming old town, pedestrian-friendly streets, and exciting gastronomy, San Sebastian is oftentimes a highlight when visiting the Basque region and Spain in general.
Add in the beauty of the Bay of Biscay which is home to sandy beaches, nearby fishing villages, and waves made for surfers, and to top it off with scenic mountains in the backdrop, San Sebastian truly has it all.
San Sebastian is a food destination, with a unique culture, and offers plenty of activities for nature lovers. Don’t forget one of the most beloved pilgrimage routes, the Camino de Santiago, cuts through the heart of the city.
San Sebastian is worth visiting on a trip to Spain.
More Underrated Gems Near the Basque Region in Spain
There are plenty of car rental companies in San Sebastian. If you have a few weeks to explore more of northern Spain these nearby regions of Spain outside of Basque Country are oftentimes overlooked.
✔ Logroño is the capital of the La Rioja region and is famous for La Rioja wine. It also has fantastic monasteries like the Monasteries of Yuso and Suso, picturesque vineyards, and charming towns. The Rioja Alavesa is located in the Basque Country and has one of the most picturesque hilltop villages of Laguardia.
✔ The Picos de Europa National Park is home to some of the best hiking trails in Spain. The limestone mountains are home to hikes like the Cares Gorge, or the isolated village of Bulnes. Don’t miss sampling Cabrales Cheese aged in the caves in Las Arenas de Cabrales, or exploring the many hiking trails from Poncebos.
Conclusion | Detailed San Sebastian Itinerary & Things to See
In short, this San Sebastian itinerary highlights all the incredible food experiences and natural beauty of the area. The best amount of time to spend in San Sebastian is at least two to three days. Those travelers with 3 days in San Sebastian can appreciate the many rich day trips from San Sebastian and the many gems found in the Basque region.
These detailed San Sebastian itineraries are a great starting point to design and inspire your ideal San Sebastian itinerary.
San Sebastian is worth visiting and oftentimes is a highlight on a trip to Spain!
Have you been to San Sebastian in the Spanish Basque region? Was this San Sebastian itinerary helpful or am I missing anything that you loved on this itinerary? Let me know in the comments below!
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