The best cycle routes in San Sebastián: A comprehensive guide for travellers and curious visitors

San Sebastián is the perfect city for cycling. It boasts an extensive network of cycle paths, allowing you to reach nearby villages in under an hour. At Bike Rental San Sebastián, we’ll show you the best cycle routes around San Sebastián and how to make the most of them.

Why San Sebastián is perfect for cycling

• It is a small city: It has around 189000 inhabitants and covers an area of 60 km². Most residents choose to get around on foot or by bicycle every day.
• Cycle lane connections: The whole city is connected by bidegorris (as we call cycle lanes here); in total, we have around 65 km.
• Avoiding traffic: The use of other means of transport, such as cars, causes congestion at rush hour.
• Exercise: Cycling is an easy way to get exercise without even realising it.
• Easy parking: Donostia has both private and public bicycle parking facilities.
• Dbizi: This is a bicycle rental system offered by the city council. There are mechanical and electric models so that every visitor can choose the one they prefer.

Tips before cycling

Before riding a bicycle in San Sebastián, it is necessary to be aware of the regulations governing its use in the city and to always use it safely. Locals and visitors must coexist for this means of transport to be effective. Once you’re familiar with all the rules, you’ll be able to cycle along the best bike routes in San Sebastian, using the bike lanes throughout the city.

• Respect signs, traffic lights and other indications: Bear in mind that if you are riding on the cycle lane, you must pay attention to traffic lights that show a bicycle symbol. Green means you can continue riding, red means you must stop and amber means you can go, but with caution for pedestrians.
• Ride on the cycle lane: As mentioned above, the entire city is connected by cycle lanes, so if you use this mode of transport, you must respect them. Pavements are for pedestrians and roads are for cars. It is advisable to signal your turns.
• Ride on the right: Ride in single file if there are several of you, taking care with those coming from the left in the opposite direction.
• Right of way: At pedestrian crossings, pedestrians have right of way, so we must let them pass. Bicycles have right of way over cars, so they must let us pass.
• Helmet use: Helmets are compulsory for children under 16. For adults, they are recommended.
• Prohibitions: The use of mobile phones and headphones while cycling in the city is prohibited. Cycling is also prohibited in the Old Town.
• Respect the locals: If you are visiting the city, respect its inhabitants.

Route 1 — La Concha + Peine del Viento

Distance and recommended stops

Distance: Starting from Donostia Town Hall, it is 3 km on flat ground. This is the shortest route we are going to show you.

Recommended stops

1. Start the tour in the Alderdi Eder Gardens. Here you will have the opportunity to see one of San Sebastián’s old casinos, which has been converted into the town hall since 1947.

2. Make a brief stop at the La Concha clocks to admire one of the best views of La Concha Bay.

3. Park your bike under the gardens of Miramar Palace and climb up to them. There you will find the former summer residence of Queen María Cristina, a very important figure for the city.

4. End your tour at the Peine del Viento, the famous sculpture created in 1977 by San Sebastián artist Eduardo Chillida.

Fuentes: Euskatur | Barceló experiences | Donosti city | Cuaderno de Cultura Científica

Would you like to explore some of the places mentioned or try out some of the routes we’ve suggested? Book a personalized tour and choose your own route or the places you’d like to visit during your stay in San Sebastián, and we’ll design a cycling route that’s 100% tailored to you.

Route 2 — Centro → Gros → Sagüés

Distance and recommended stops

Distance: Starting from Gipuzkoa Square, it is 4 km on flat ground.

Recommended stops

1. Start your tour at Plaza Gipuzkoa. It is one of the most beautiful spots in the city centre and an essential stop on your route.

2. Visit the Alderdi Eder Gardens. You can see the city hall and admire La Concha Bay.

3. Walk through the streets of the city centre until you reach the Buen Pastor Cathedral. It was inaugurated in 1897 in neo-Gothic style and is one of the most important churches.

4. Make a short stop at Plaza de Easo. It is the perfect place if you are feeling a little hungry or thirsty, as you will find many bars full of locals.

5. Cycle along the beautiful Paseo del Árbol de Gernika, enjoying the views of the Urumea River. Cross the María Cristina Bridge to reach the other side of the river and cycle along the Paseo de Francia. You will have cycled along two of the most beautiful routes using the cycle lane.

6. Enter Gros, passing through its streets and arriving at Plaza Cataluña, the epicentre of this neighbourhood.

7. Head to Paseo de la Zurriola and enjoy the views of the surfers’ beach. Don’t forget to check out the Kursaal Conference Centre and Auditorium.

8. Continue a little further until you reach the Muro de Sagüés. End your tour at one of the locals’ favourite spots. Tip: We recommend that you plan your visit so that you finish the route at sunset.

Fuentes: Catedral del Buen Pastor | Eusko Ikaskuntza | San Sebastián Turismo | Hotel Monte Ulia

Route 3 — Ondarreta → Túnel de Morlans → Amara

Distance and recommended stops

Distance: Starting from Ondarreta Beach, it is 6 km long. We recommend combining it with Route 1.

Recommended stops

1. Start your tour at Ondarreta Beach. This is the favourite beach of those who live in the Antiguo neighbourhood, as it is the closest one. From there, you can enjoy views of the entire bay and see Mount Igeldo on your left.

2. Walk through the Antiguo neighbourhood, crossing the campus of the University of the Basque Country (Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea). You will also see the Musikene Conservatory building.

3. Reach the south-eastern end of the city via Avenida de Tolosa and you will have to climb a small hill to find the Morlans Tunnel, located next to the Euskotren stop in Lugaritz. Cross this tunnel, which is considered one of the longest urban tunnels in the world.

4. The tunnel connects Antiguo with Amara, so after crossing it, you will find yourself in that neighbourhood. Cycle through its streets and feel like a local.

5. Finish your route at Real Sociedad’s football stadium: Anoeta.

Fuentes: San Sebastián Turismo | Archdaily.cl | Periódico Construcción | Wikipedia

Route 4 — Paseo Nuevo → Paseo del Urumea → Loiola → Martutene

Distance and recommended stops

Distance: Starting from the San Sebastián Aquarium, it is 8 km long. It is the longest route we are going to show you, but if you want to complement it, we recommend taking a look at our Sagarbike tour.

Recommended stops

1. Start your tour at the San Sebastián Aquarium. We recommend walking there via the harbour. Some areas are restricted to pedestrians only or are shared, so please take care.

2. Walk along the entire cycle path around Mount Urgull on thePaseo Nuevo. On this stretch, you will find Jorge Oteiza’s sculpture Construcción Vacía (Empty Construction), created in 1957, although it has not always been in this location.

3. When you reach the end of Paseo Nuevo, continue a little further until you reach Plaza de Okendo. There you will see two very important buildings: the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the María Cristina Hotel, both named after queens.

4. Cross the Santa Catalina Bridge to walk along the entire Paseo del Río Urumea. You will be able to see the river on one side, and don’t forget to take a look at the Tabakalera building on the other side. If you feel like it, you can go inside, go up to the top floor and enjoy the panoramic view of the river.

5. Optional: Next to Tabakalera is Cristina Enea Park. We recommend getting off your bike and walking through the park before rejoining the cycle path.

6. Cross one of the last bridges in the city again to take the Paseo de Riberas de Loiola and take a short tour of one of the city’s suburbs. Enjoy a different, less crowded landscape.

7. The route ends in Martutene, following the course of the river. In the past, this neighbourhood was a mixture of farmhouses and palatial homes from the early 20th century. Today, some of these still remain, but it is mainly a residential area.

To return to Donostia, you can retrace your steps or take the local train, which allows bicycles on board.

Fuentes: Javier Larrea | Cosas.pe | Cristina Enea | Donostia Kultura

Local tips

Local tips for enjoying the bike path and the best bike routes in San Sebastian:

• Rent a bicycle: There are many places to rent bicycles in the city; we are one of them, so if you come to our office, we will lend you one for as long as you want. By renting a bicycle from a local business, you are contributing to responsible tourism.
• Get to know the cycle lane network: Before you start pedalling, make sure you know the route you want to take. If you get lost, don’t hesitate to ask someone for directions.
• Explore beyond the city: Donostia is not just the city centre. We recommend that you follow one of the routes we suggest, but also explore further afield and get to know our province.
• Respect the rules: You are not the only person using the cycle lane, so respect the rules and signs to avoid accidents and promote safe cycling in the city.