Overview of San Sebastian-Donostia:
The nearest airport is in Bilbao.
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For a more detailed look at San Sebastian, see here: San Sebastian Guide
If you’d like to visit San Sebastian from Bilbao, either on a guided tour or under your own steam, check out these pages:
Note that San Sebastian is the Spanish (Castillian) name for the city and Donostia is the Basque name. They are usually written together, but either one can be used on its own.
Best Time to Visit San Sebastian-Donostia:
Number of Days to Spend in San Sebastian-Donostia (excluding day trips):
Hotels in San Sebastian:
What to Do in San Sebastian-Donostia:
- Sample San Sebastian’s three spectacular beaches: Playa de la Concha, Playa de Ondarreta and Playa de Gros
- Eat Pintxos or tapas. They don’t get any better (or more expensive) than in San Sebastian. Many of the best pintxos bars can be found on c/31 de Agosto.
- Climb Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo (the two hills either side of the bay) for some great views.
- Visit the Churches and Musuems There are two nice churches in the old town (nicer than the run-of-the-mill cathedral), a Naval museum and the Museo de San Telmo, an art gallery full of Basque paintings.
- Go back to the beach, you’ve earned the rest!
Day Trips from San Sebastian-Donostia:
Where to Next?:
Car Hire in San Sebastian:
First Impressions of San Sebastian-Donostia:
From the Cathedral (with the river behind you), the main part of the new town opens out in front of you in a grid formation. The main beach, Playa de la Concha, is on your left, with Playa de Ondarreta beyond that and the Monte Igueldo a little further. At the near end of Playa de la Concha is a nice promenade with a permanent carousel and the town hall (Ayuntamiento) and beyond that the Parte Vieja (old town) and then Monte Urgull.
To the right of the Parte Vieja is a bridge which leads into the Gros part of town, where you will find another beach (Playa de Gros), which is a little more secluded than the other two beaches.
For a more detailed look at San Sebastian, see here: San Sebastian Guide