San Sebastián Travel Guide

April 24, 2018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain

San Sebastián Travel Guide

Want a beach holiday with culture and amazing food? San Sebastian is the perfect place to visit in Spain.
San Sebastián, España.
San Sebastian or also known at Donoastia is a seaside town located on the north coast of Spain. This is one of the top places to visit in Basque Country – and for good reason! With an incredible food scene and ample coastline views every Basque Country itinerary should include a stop in San Sebastian. This town is also a hotspot when they host the San Sebastian International Film Festival also for surfers who enjoy riding awesome waves.

After departing Bilbao (click here) for information, we had a pit stop in San Sebastian for a couple of hours before arriving in Pamplona. We had a short walking tour around the city center before we had free time to do whatever we wanted. Our tour manager suggested to start looking for white outfits to bring to Ibiza, so if you're reading this and planning to do this tour definitely bring white clothes if you don't want to spend extra money on that during your trip. Anyways, while we were in San Sebastian the weather was a bit bipolar in terms of being cloudy yet very humid then it became sunny and back to cloudy. But that didn't stop us from heading to the beach and enjoying our time there. I was blown away by the yummy food, I don't think I ever stuffed myself with as much food in a short amount of time haha. I was with a couple of foodies and we made sure to hit up as many pinxtos bars before we had to leave. Needless to say, I would come back here in a heartbeat. Down below are a few suggestions on what to do during your time in San Sebastian!

Food Hot Spot.
Spain is known for it's tapas but in the basque country it's known for it's pinxtos. This is where you want to indulge in as much food that your stomach will allow. When you walk into to pinxtos bars, it's a whole different dining experience than what you're use to. Let me break it down for you, the pinxtos are laid out on the bar and you just let the people behind the bar know which ones you want. Some require to be heated up which they will do for you, while other pinxtos are ready to eat as is. Majority of the pinxtos bars in San Sebastian are small and you usually are standing up while you're eating.The best part is that they are so affordable usually around 2 euros a piece! Besides pinxtos theres other amazing restaurants in the area that will have your mouth watering especially the amount of Michelin awarded restaurants that are located here. Every foodie out there will love San Sebastian for it's tasty gastronomy it has to offer!

San Sebastián Spain Gastronomy

San Sebastián Spain Food

San Sebastián Spain Pinxtos

San Sebastián Spain Food

San Sebastián Spain Gastronomy

San Sebastián Spain Pinxtos

Contiki Spanish Spree

San Sebastián Spain Gastronomy

Visit the Beach.
You can't come to San Sebastian and not go to the beach. It's known as popular destination for surfers. La Concha is San Sebastian's most famous beach and one of the best located in Europe. La Concha is one of 3 beaches that San Sebastian possesses. It is clean and easily accessible. The other two beaches worth visiting are the ondarreta beach (la playa de ondarreta) and zurriola beach (la playa de la zurriola). If you are into water sports, la zurriola is the beach you should head to. The waves there are perfect for all types of surfing and in general the beach is more active than La Concha.
San Sebastian Spain Beach

San Sebastian Spain

San Sebastian Spain Beach

Walk Around.
This city is meant to be seen on foot. From the shopping center, to la vieja cuidad (city's old quarter), basilicas, city hall building, parks and beaches; you will be walking a lot since there's a lot of pedestrian only areas. Spend some time strolling the hidden streets, people watch at the busy plazas, pop into the many shops, and enjoy the charming town of San Sebastian.

San Sebastián Spain Travel Guide

San Sebastián Spain Travel Guide

San Sebastián Spain Travel Guide

San Sebastián Spain Travel Guide

San Sebastián Spain Travel Guide

San Sebastián Spain Travel Guide

San Sebastián Spain

San Sebastián Spain Travel Guide

San Sebastián Spain Travel Guide

See the Best Views.
Monte Urgull is home to the statue of Christ and castle walls of Castillo de la Mota, you see it when you're walking around the city up in the distance. To get there, take the path from Plaza de Zuloaga or from behind the aquarium up to the summit for the best views over San Sebastian.

Monte Urgull San Sebastian

Monte Urgull San Sebastian

San Sebastian Viewpoint

San Sebastian Viewpoint


Comment below,
What place that you visited had the best food ?

120 comments

  1. This place looks stunning. I really need to visit this part of Spain!

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    1. Yes you do! Not many people know about it but it's a gem for sure!

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  2. It all looks amazing, but omg the FOOD looks especially amazing! Yum!

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  3. I am pretty sure you enjoyed your trip so much. The food and the place looks amazing

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  4. SO many beautiful views, and incredible food!! Thanks for sharing this awesome guide!

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  5. I am dying to go here! It's so high on my list! Love your pictures, I can't wait to go!

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  6. Such beautiful photos! That food and the beach has me totally convinced to go!

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    1. Thank you! I hope you get to experience it yourself one day :)

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  7. I love San Sebastian!! As you say, it's a real foodies dream! I love your photos. It's a year since I was last there - can't wait to go back now!

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    1. Omg yes I think I gained a few pounds while I was there eating all those pinxtos haha!

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  8. Beautiful photos!! Spain is on my travel list for next year. I will have to make sure to include San Sebastian as a must visit location.

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  9. Wow!! This post made me really want to visit. Such beautiful photos. Keep up the great work. Spain is definitely on my list of places to visit.

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  10. Beautiful town and pictures are just awesome.

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  11. Gosh all these photos are absolutely AMAZING!!! I would love to visit here someday! :)

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  12. Wow! What lovely photographs! This looks like an absolute foodie's paradise. Love how the ice lollies are stacked so neatly.

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  13. This is the one place in Spain I am still DYING to go to. And...mostly for the food ;)

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  14. San Sebastián, España looks just wow! What amazing food variety and beautiful beaches. The best way to explore any place is to walk around. This seems to have it all! Spain calling.

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  15. This isn't the place that gets mentioned most often when people talk about travel in Spain, but it looks amazing! We are big foodie travellers too so it looks perfect for us. The pictures are awesome :)

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    1. I know, I'm happy to share and let people know more about lesser known places :)

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  16. The place and food both looks amazing.Beautifullh captured.Spain is always beautiful ,I would love to Visit someday.It's definitely on my bucket list.

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  17. This is a full package for food lovers and wandering souls. Perfect place to relax and eat around. Quite relaxing it seems.

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  18. I have lived in Spain, traveled many times and yet still have not made it to San Sebastian sadly. I am dying to eat the Pinxtos. Your pictures really make me need to go!

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    1. I want to live in Spain someday, I fell in love with the country and esp it's food haha :)

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  19. Wowzers! The food and scenery look specatacular! Thanks so much for sharing your experience :)

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  20. This is one on the places, that I would travel only for food! I just love how it looks and probably tastes great.

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  21. The pinxtos and the loco polo will be my best friend when I travel to San Sebastian. Then I will play in those beautiful beaches before I go back for another round of pinxtos and loco polo. Haha...

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  22. Food, wine, architecture ... what is not to love. You had me wanting to visit by your third food photo. Yum!!!

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  23. This looks beautiful! What great pictures of your trip

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  24. Your photos of the spectacular views really sell San Sebastian. It is definitely an amazing place with excellent foods!

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  25. Beach & good food? I’m in! Makes me want to make my bag now.

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  26. beautiful place! wish to visit one day! thank you for sharing!

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  27. Well, hello there, beautiful. Looks like I'm adding another spot to my bucket list! San Sebastian looks like a gorgeous place for a getaway.

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    1. Its wonderful, a place you will fall in love with in every aspect!

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  28. I want to try the gastronomy in San Sebastián, Spain. Seems like a great place to visit. I want to try tapas and wine!

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  29. OH Man! Food looks absolutely amazing. Spain is amazing and your pictures make San Sebastian look so beautiful.

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  30. The food looks amazing. It really does, I want to eat it all. The crowds... not so much, but I can deal with them if I'm with friends. Adding this to my bucket list.

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  31. wow, look at the colour of that water! what a stunning place

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  32. Beautiful photos! I guess I have to add this place to my wishlist :D

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  33. Hhhhmmm....honestly, I haven't had a place change my love for the food I have grown enjoying here in Kampala, Uganda.

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  34. Look at those delicacies, wow! And you take good photos! I'll add this to my bucket list now!

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  35. You are making me want to go on another vacation now! This looks like a beautiful place and now I want to visit!

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  36. All the food pictures are delightfully mouth watering. Seems like a great destination!

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  37. Before reading this post, I had never heard of pinxtos. Those sound fascinating! Honestly, the food scene here in general has piqued my interest in visiting. You're introducing me to so many places I didn't even know about!

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    1. I'm so glad to hear this! Hope you're able to try pinxtos some day!

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  38. I absolutely love San Sebastián. I have not been for a while unfortunately but I remember always eating very well there indeed!

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  39. Wow! I'm from the US and Spain was never on my travel bucket list until now! It looks beautiful and like so much fun!

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    1. I'm from the US too and it was on my bucket-list to visit Spain! So glad I was able to visit twice so far :)

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  40. San Sebastian definitely looks like a gorgeous place to go to! Wow. But to be honest? All that delish looking food is what's calling me there, haha!

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  41. cool pics! looks like a great place to visit!

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  42. OH my gosh! the food looks amazing!! excellent photos. thanks for sharing.

    Joy at The Joyous Living

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  43. The beach is my happy place. I always find peace and motivation there. I enjoy all your great pictures and thanks for sharing this amazing post.

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  44. The foods are amazing as well as the scenery. It's a perfect vacation.

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  45. I've been dreaming to take a visit! Thanks for sharing this wonderful place through your eyes. :)

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  46. I want to go here ASAP! Beautiful water and the food looks amazing!

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  47. My dream is to visit Spain and I have been to all over Europe years ago, I loved it! I am loving all your photos, so gorgeous! ❤️

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    1. Thanks so much! Hope you get to explore Spain one day :)

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  48. I've never been to that part of Spain. I've heard wonderful things though. I can believe all the variety of food!! Loved the pictures.

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    1. You have to make our way to San Sebastian some day, you will love it!

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  49. this looks so much fun. from the places to foods! i loooove everything you shared.

    Cha at Little MisadvenCHA

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  50. I have passed by San Sebastian so many times driving from the UK to Spain, but never stopped to visit the city. I would love to because I love their pinxtos concept and I am a big foodie.

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    1. You have to make a stop here the next time your around. The food is just AMAZING!

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  51. Wow, this is a beautiful place. I am sure, you had had a great fun.

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  52. Looks like you had a fabulous holiday in San Sebastian. I love all your piccys too btw x

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  53. Wow this city looks beautiful and you are right it does look like a hot food spot!

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  54. For someone who has always wanted to go to San Sebastien, this is a cruel post! What fantastic photos of the beautiful city and the food! Oh my goodness, the food! I can't wait to go one day.

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    1. You will absolutely love it whenever you get the chance to go!

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  55. What a gorgeous place to go! Love that they have so much to do with the water and city and all. Beautiful!

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    1. So much to see here, highly recommend visiting San Sebastian!

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  56. This looks like a dream! I am so jealous of your time here. I seriously need a vacation ASAP and this looks like the place to go for sure! I love your photos. xoxo

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    1. Thank you so much. Hope you get to experience yourself the beauty of San Sebastian has to offer!

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  57. I LOVE San Sebastian! I studied abroad in Spain in college and I really had a lot of fun visiting this spot!

    xo Deborah
    Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes

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  58. Thank You for this one! San Sebastián was on my list for a long time. It's time to change it finally!

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  59. Your post has me wanting to visit San Sebastien!!

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    1. Love to hear this. I hope you make your way there soon!

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