What to see in San Sebastian

The main question one asks when deciding to visit a place is what to see there, as this can determine how long to visit, at what time of the year, etc. We don’t know about other places, but we are experts on San Sebastian, so here are our recommendations on what to see in our city if you have decided to come and visit us.

The must-sees of San Sebastian

• La Concha Bay: The main attraction, the essential, the unavoidable. Coming to Donosti and not seeing La Concha is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower, unthinkable and inconceivable. Come and see the views, take photos of the sunset, swim in the summer (and winter, if you dare), walk along the promenade, but above all, enjoy our incomparable setting, the reason why you are here and why we are famous (with apologies to the pintxos). San Sebastian is La Concha and La Concha is San Sebastian. We’ve got you hooked forever and there’s no turning back.

• The Old Town: Our historic centre, where you will find some of the city’s main monuments, such as the Basilica of Santa María, the Church of San Vicente and the Plaza de la Constitución. You’ll also find the San Telmo Museum and La Bretxa Market. Above all, you’ll find dozens of pintxo bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Sightseeing is tiring, and you need to recharge your batteries from time to time. The Old Town is the perfect place to do so. What’s more, we know that food is the other reason you’re here, so bon appétit!

• The romantic area: In other words, the centre of San Sebastian. Stately architecture, wide avenues, shops and other monuments such as the Town Hall, Gipuzkoa Square and the Buen Pastor Cathedral await you in this neighbourhood, which was built after the walls surrounding the Old Town were demolished not so long ago. Here you will also find pintxos (they are everywhere), but this is a neighbourhood to be seen looking up at the buildings, which is why we also call it ‘Little Paris’.

• La Zurriola: The city’s third beach, is located on the other side of the Urumea River, in the Gros neighbourhood, and it’s the surfing beach. A great atmosphere, incredible sunsets in the summer and the sight of surfers at any time of the day await you if you stop by here. And while you’re here, visit the neighbourhood: traditional shops, a wide variety of bars and restaurants, eclectic architecture and the long-standing residents make this one of our favourite neighbourhoods in Donosti, if not the favourite.

• The hills: We have three, Ulia, Urgull and Igeldo, and each one serves a different purpose. Do you want nature? Ulia. History? Urgull. Fun? Igeldo. Good views? All three, obviously. But joking aside, Ulia is perfect for hiking. On Urgull, you can find the remains of La Mota Castle. And on Igeldo, there is the amusement park of the same name (and at its base is the Peine del Viento, which is not only a first-rate work of art, but also a very entertaining place when there are waves).

• The palaces: We also have three: Miramar, Aiete and Cristina Enea, each surrounded by gardens that will delight anyone. Miramar is located in the middle of La Concha Bay, between the two beaches (La Concha and Ondarreta), and is impossible to miss. Aiete is high up, above the Antiguo neighbourhood, and in fact gives its name to the neighbourhood that surrounds it. Cristina Enea is next to the Urumea River, very close to the Centre and Gros. All three are very beautiful, and the gardens are even more so. They are also a good excuse to get to know the neighbourhoods in which they are located. Need more reasons?