San Sebastián wraps around La Concha, one of the most beautiful city beaches in Europe. The old town is packed with bars where pintxos are lined up on the counter, and the surrounding hills hold several of the world’s most famous restaurants.
It is safe, clean and green, with very high housing costs.
Climate: Mild and rainy: warm (not hot) summers, cool winters, frequent drizzle.
Visiting San Sebastián
How long: 2 to 3 days
Don’t miss
- La Concha beach and promenade
- Pintxo crawl in the Parte Vieja
- Monte Igueldo funicular
- Zurriola surf beach in Gros
- Day trip to Hondarribia and Getaria
What to eat
- Gilda (the original pintxo)
- Grilled turbot in Getaria
- Basque cheesecake
- Txakoli wine
Classic places to eat
- La Viña: Burnt Basque cheesecake. The bar that made this cheesecake famous, in the old town.
- Gandarias: Pintxos and grilled meat. A busy old-town pintxos bar.
Tip: Order one or two pintxos per bar and move on; hot pintxos are made to order from the board behind the counter.
Plan a visit
Things to do in San Sebastián (Donostia) Where to stay
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A perfect first day
- Morning: walk La Concha bay, then up Monte Urgull or Monte Igueldo for the view.
- Afternoon: lunch of pintxos in the Parte Vieja.
- Evening: watch the surfers at Zurriola beach, then a second pintxos round.
Easy day trips
Where to stay as a visitor
For pintxos.
For beaches and a local feel.
More of San Sebastián
Fiestas
Living in San Sebastián
Best for: Food lovers, surfers and families who can afford it.
Neighbourhoods and areas
Surf beach, bars, younger.
Elegant, central, expensive.
Residential near Ondarreta beach.
Practical, better value.
Pros
- Beautiful and safe
- Outstanding food
- High-quality public services
Cons
- Very expensive housing
- Rain
- Small job market for non-Spanish speakers
Cost tiers compare places within Spain (€ = among the cheapest, €€€€ = among the most expensive). Rents change quickly: check current listings for the exact area before you decide.
Thinking of moving?
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in San Sebastián (Donostia)?
2 to 3 days is enough for the main sights: la concha beach and promenade, pintxo crawl in the parte vieja, monte igueldo funicular. Order one or two pintxos per bar and move on; hot pintxos are made to order from the board behind the counter.
Is San Sebastián (Donostia) expensive to live in?
On our scale it is very high (€€€€). It is among the most expensive places in Spain, mostly because of housing.
How do I get to San Sebastián (Donostia)?
By air: San Sebastián (EAS, few flights), Bilbao (BIO) about 1h15, Biarritz (BIQ) about 45 minutes. By rail: Trains to Madrid about 5h; Euskotren to the French border.
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