San Sebastian in 4 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

If you are planning a trip to San Sebastian in 4 days, you will have time to discover the best things to do in San Sebastian. Following the plan I propose, you will be able to see the essential areas of the city, such as the Old Part or the Old Town.

In addition, you will also have the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful villages on the outskirts of San Sebastian, such as Zarautz or Getaria.

The Old Quarter is San Sebastian's main tourist attraction. It is the second oldest neighbourhood in the city. It is located under the shadow of the famous Mount Urgull. During this day of sightseeing in San Sebastian, you can discover curious museums, take a boat trip along La Concha beach: or have lunch in one of the best pintxo bars in San Sebastian.

Climb Mount Urgull

The first day of your 4-day trip to San Sebastian will be in total contact with nature. The itinerary starts at Mount Urgull, which is located at one end of the bay of La Concha, next to the Old Part of San Sebastian. The opening hours of Mount Urgull are from 08:00 to 21:00 in summer and in winter from 08:00 to 19:30.

If you are coming from the centre of San Sebastian, you can walk to Mount Urgull in less than 10 minutes. You can also go by car, in which case it won't even take you 5 minutes. On Mount Urgull you will discover pieces of the wall that once protected the city from attack. In addition, given its location, it offers beautiful views of the sea.

In fact, you will find many viewpoints on the mountain, all of them surrounded by trees and nature. When you reach the top, you'll come across the statue of the Sacred Heart and La Mota Castle, one of the best things to do in San Sebastian. Inside the Castillo de la Mota, there is a museum called the Casa de la Historia de Urgull where, through various models, you will be able to understand what the city of San Sebastian was like centuries ago.

Discover the cemetery of the English

On the slopes of Mount Urgull is one of the most magical places in San Sebastian: the cemetery of the English, which was inaugurated in 1924. Many legends circulate around this cemetery.

It is said that its name comes from the fact that this is where the remains of the Englishmen who died in the course of the First Carlist War lie. It is also said that the cemetery was built over a mass grave of French soldiers. The walk will seem like something out of a fantasy film. You will see colourful gravestones appearing among the vegetation. You will see tombs emerging from the moss, stairs that seem to lead to another world and a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the sea.

If you go from the Castillo de la Mota, it will take you less than 10 minutes on foot to get to the English cemetery. Besides, the walk is very pleasant and there is never a lack of beautiful views of the bay.

Go to the San Sebastian Aquarium

After starting the morning walking around Monte Urgull, I recommend a visit to the San Sebastian Aquarium. This aquarium is located next to the San Sebastian pier, very close to the Old Part of the city. The aquarium is housed in a building dating from 1928, where you will find a museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions.

There are more than 200 species that can be seen in the San Sebastian Aquarium. It is also well known for its 360-degree tunnel, thanks to which you will feel as if you are completely immersed in the marine universe.

The opening hours of the aquarium vary depending on the months of the year, but it usually opens at around 11:00 in the morning and closes at around 19:00. Tickets cost around 14 euros for adults and around 7 euros for children aged 4 to 12. In addition, retired persons and students pay a reduced price of approximately 10 euros.

Visit the Basque Maritime Museum

If you want to soak up the seafaring culture of San Sebastian and learn about the lifestyle of the sailors of the Basque Country, a visit to the Basque Maritime Museum is highly recommended. It is located right next to the San Sebastian Aquarium, in fact, just a minute away.

In the museum's permanent exhibitions, you will be able to understand the importance that the estuary had and still has for Bilbao, both culturally and economically and socially. In addition, there are also different temporary exhibitions, as well as children's workshops and interactive activities. For this reason, I consider it one of the best things to do with children in San Sebastian.

Stroll along the Paseo de los Curas

After a busy morning, I recommend a walk along the Paseo de los Curas, which is less than a five-minute walk from the Basque Maritime Museum. This place is little frequented by tourists and serves a wonderful role as a viewpoint, as it is built above the port.

It is so named because it is said that the priests of San Sebastian used to walk here preaching the word of God. The promenade has several benches where you can sit and look out over the harbour and Mount Igueldo.

Lunch at Atari

The fact is that the previous point was just one way of getting to the climax of your first day in San Sebastian: the Atari bar. This is one of the most famous establishments in San Sebastian. It has a great menu of pintxos, both hot and cold. It is a 5-minute walk from the Paseo de los Curas, in Calle Mayor.

The star pintxo at the Atari bar is the crumbled cod au gratin with onion and garlic confit. The ham croquettes and the tapenade of tomato, goat's cheese, Iberian ham and caramelised onion are also spectacular. Atari also serves drinks, and its Gin Tonics are very famous.

If you want to get to know Basque gastronomy, I recommend you take a gastronomic tour of pinchos (tapas) around the old quarter.

Be amazed by the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Coro

The Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Coro is located in the Old Part of San Sebastian. Baroque in style, this basilica dates back to 1174 and is one of the city's main tourist attractions.

The current construction was built on the remains of an old Romanesque church, which makes the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Coro the oldest in Donosti.

Although the Baroque style predominates, you will also find traces of Gothic and Neoclassical styles. If you visit in August, you should know that on the 14th of this month the Salve is held, in which the Orfeón Donostiarra sings for the parishioners.

Admission to the church is free and the visit will take up very little of your time. The opening hours in winter are from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00. In summer, only the evening opening hours change, from 19:00 to 21:00.

Walk around the Plaza de la Constitución

Another of the most important spots in the Old Part of San Sebastian is the Plaza de la Constitución, one of the most famous squares in San Sebastian. Many local festivals are held here.

It also acts as a nerve centre, bringing together the city's residents. The Plaza de la Constitución is just a 2-minute walk from the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Coro.

Enjoy a sunset on La Concha Beach

One of the best things to do in San Sebastian is to visit the beautiful La Concha beach, preferably in summer. However, even if you go in winter or your trip has coincided with rainy days in San Sebastian, you must visit this wonderful beach.

If the tide is low, I recommend that you take off your shoes and take a walk along the shore. If the tide is high, walk along the promenade. La Concha beach is one of the best urban beaches in the world and is located in La Concha Bay, next to Mount Urgull, making it the most central beach in Donosti.

If you can, I recommend that you stay to watch the sunset, as it is one of the best places in San Sebastian to see the sunset. To get there from the Plaza de la Constitución, you will have to walk for about 10 minutes.

You can also try one of the most fun things to do on La Concha beach, which consists of a ride on a sailing boat around the bay.

The second day of your trip to San Sebastian is spent in the Antiguo, the neighbourhood where the city of San Sebastian originated. You can see the summer palace of Queen Maria Cristina of Austria, enjoy the beach and take a funicular railway to see the best views of San Sebastian.

Visit the Miramar Palace

The Miramar Palace dates back to 1893 and was built at the request of Queen Maria Christina of Austria, whose summer resort was San Sebastian.

The architect behind the construction was the Englishman Selden Womun. For a long time, the Miramar Palace was the summer residence of Spanish royalty. Nowadays, it is owned by San Sebastian City Council and is used for different events.

I recommend you to lie down and take a breath of fresh air in its beautiful and extensive gardens. You can also visit the sculpture of 'El Abrazo' by the artist Eduardo Chillida. Once you've stopped to look at it, it's time to go down to the beach.

Walk along Ondarreta Beach

The Miramar Palace is located in the middle of La Concha and Ondarreta beaches. If the tide is low, you can cross from one beach to the other along the shore via the famous Pico del Loro (Parrot's Beak). However, on days when the tide is high, you will have to make use of MiramArt, an interactive tunnel that recreates the marine universe.

Now, stroll along Ondarreta beach, a real natural paradise overlooking the bay. During the walk, you will come across the Peine del Viento sculpture, again by Eduardo Chillida.

Have lunch in one of San Sebastian's best restaurants

It's time to take a break from sightseeing and stop for lunch. One of the best restaurants in the area and in the whole of San Sebastian is the Tenis Ondarreta restaurant, an elegant place whose cuisine has modern touches based on elaborate dishes.

It is located at Paseo Eduardo Chillida number 9, just a 7-minute walk from Ondarreta beach. The restaurant, which faces the beach, offers spectacular views of the sea and the island of Santa Clara.

Climb Mount Igueldo

Mount Igueldo and Mount Urgull mark the ends of La Concha Bay. Mount Igueldo is one of San Sebastian's main tourist attractions. From its summit, you can enjoy unique views of the city.

To get to the top of the mountain, there is a rack railway funicular that has been in operation for over a century. With wooden carriages and incredible views, you'll feel like you've been transported to another era.

The funicular ends at the Monte Igueldo amusement park, where you'll find a Swiss Mountain and trampolines. This is a typical San Sebastian attraction that the youngest members of the family will love. As it will take you the whole afternoon, I'll end the itinerary for day 2 here.

After wandering around the main areas of San Sebastian, I suggest one of the best plans: a visit to the island of Santa Clara. This plan will take up the whole day and is a must for anyone travelling to San Sebastian.

Get to know the island of Santa Clara

In the centre of La Concha Bay stands a small islet called Santa Clara Island. It is one of the most beautiful islands in the Basque Country and has been in the public domain since 1968. This island, which is a Historic Centre of National Interest, was previously linked to the city of San Sebastian itself.

There are many things to do on Santa Clara Island, the most common being swimming in its natural pool and taking the route that leads to the lighthouse on Santa Clara Island. There are also boat trips. As if that were not enough, the island's beach has all the services, from a restaurant to lifeguards, showers and toilets.

To reach the island of Santa Clara, the most common option is to use the motorboats, which have been providing this service since 1942. You can choose between two options: they can take you directly to the island or you can take a walk along the Concha beforehand. If this is the first time you have been to San Sebastian, choose the second option.

Once you have arrived on the island and have done the lighthouse route, I recommend that you stop for lunch on the island. You can bring your own food and make use of the picnic areas or have lunch at the beach bar, although you'll have to get there early to get a spot. Afterwards, spend the afternoon on the island's beach and enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Make the most of your stay in San Sebastian to get to know the city's surroundings. On the outskirts of San Sebastian, you will find beautiful villages, although the most beautiful are Zarautz and Getaria. On this last day in San Sebastian, you will visit both towns.

Discover the town of Zarautz

Zarautz is less than half an hour's drive from San Sebastian. If you don't have your own vehicle, you can also use public transport. There is a train with different timetables that will take you less than 10 minutes to get to the town. Check the official San Sebastian public transport website for timetables.

One of the great attractions of Zarautz is the Narros Palace. Next to the monument, there is an underground car park where you can leave your car. If you have travelled to the town by bus, you will have to walk to the palace.

This palace was once the summer residence of Queen Isabella II of Spain. It was built in the 16th century and is located next to the beach, with large English-style gardens surrounding it.

After visiting the palace, I recommend you go to the beach next to it, known as 'the queen of beaches'. Its name does it justice, as it is one of the best beaches in the Basque Country. Next, head to the Zarautz viewpoint, located on Mount Talaimendi. If you walk, it will take you about 25 minutes.

Lunch in the old town of Zarautz

After a morning of sightseeing in Zarautz, I recommend a stroll through the old quarter of the town. Along the way, you will discover gems such as the Church of Santa María la Real, the Art and History Museum and the Town Hall, whose building has been declared a Historic-Artistic Monument.

Right in the centre, two minutes' walk from the Town Hall, you will find the Kirkilla Jatetxea restaurant, one of the most highly recommended in the town. It specialises in traditional Basque cuisine with modern touches. It has a very economical set menu of the day that costs around 20 euros and includes dessert.

Take a route to Getaria

Once you have digested and rested after lunch, it's time to start the walk that will take you to Getaria. Although you can go to the neighbouring town by car, the route I suggest has some great views and is not very long, only about 4 kilometres.

The walk starts at the Santa Bárbara Chapel, which is known to be one of the best viewpoints in Zarautz. You will then walk along the coast, passing the Zumaia Flysch, until you reach the Getaria lighthouse, located in the upper part of the municipality.

In Getaria I recommend you visit the port, once known for its whale fishing. Once you have strolled around here, go to Malkorbe beach, one of the best beaches in the Basque Country. Then walk up to the top of Portu Street to enjoy a film-like sunset.

As you can see, following this 4-day itinerary to San Sebastian, you'll be able to see the city's main tourist attractions without too much haste. As if that wasn't enough, you'll also have the opportunity and the time to see the villages near the city.