San Sebastian
Food | Wine | ArchitectureExplore San Sebastian: Food, Wine & Architecture
San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque), located on Spain’s northern coast, is known for its established food culture, waterfront setting, and a mix of architectural styles that developed from the 19th century onward. The city’s compact layout makes it easy to navigate between its beaches, Old Town, and civic buildings.
Pintxos bars, markets, and seafood-focused restaurants contribute to a food culture built around seasonal ingredients and regional preparations. The city also contains examples of Belle Époque residential buildings, baroque churches, and early 20th-century public structures.
We spent a month in San Sebastián documenting what to eat, what to drink, and how the city’s main districts and landmarks fit together. The following guide summarizes this information, including practical details on when to visit, where to stay, and how to explore the city efficiently. If you’re considering a longer stay, see our pros and cons of living in San Sebastian.
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San Sebastian Food
San Sebastián’s food scene is legendary—defined by Basque tradition, seasonal ingredients, and a vibrant pintxos culture that thrives across the city’s bars.
Local specialties include bacalao al pil-pil (salt cod), txangurro (spider crab), and grilled chuleta. Idiazabal cheese, anchovies, and wild mushrooms also feature widely.
In the Old Town, bars like Gandarias and La Cuchara de San Telmo serve inventive pintxos from midday to midnight. The Gros and Centro districts offer modern takes on Basque classics in more contemporary settings.
Markets like La Bretxa supply the city’s kitchens with fresh seafood and produce. Whether you’re bar-hopping or dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, San Sebastián offers one of Europe’s most dynamic and accessible food cultures.
San Sebastian Wine
While San Sebastián itself isn’t a wine-producing city, it’s deeply connected to nearby Basque and Spanish wine regions—especially Getaria, Rioja Alavesa, and Navarra.
The local specialty is Txakoli, a lightly sparkling, high-acid white wine made from Hondarrabi Zuri grapes grown on coastal slopes near Getaria. Poured from height to aerate, it pairs perfectly with seafood and pintxos.
Wine bars across the city offer a strong mix of local and national selections. Look for places like Essencia Wine Bar or A Fuego Negro for by-the-glass options featuring Rioja reds, Galician whites, and natural wines.
For day trips, Getaria’s coastal wineries are just 30 minutes away. Tours often include tastings with ocean views and traditional Basque lunches.
San Sebastian Architecture
San Sebastián’s architecture blends 19th-century elegance with baroque churches and coastal vernacular styles shaped by both tourism and geography.
Much of the city was rebuilt after being destroyed in 1813. The result: a Belle Époque cityscape with wide promenades, ornate balconies, and French-influenced civic buildings. Highlights include the Victoria Eugenia Theater, the Hotel María Cristina, and the City Hall, all from the early 20th century.
Religious landmarks include the Baroque Basilica of Santa María del Coro in the Old Town and the Neo-Gothic Buen Pastor Cathedral, completed in 1897. Both reflect the city’s cultural continuity through architectural reinvention.
On the coastline, the Kursaal Congress Centre by Rafael Moneo introduces bold modernism to the city’s otherwise classical skyline, emphasizing San Sebastián’s ongoing architectural evolution.
Where Is San Sebastian Located?
San Sebastián is located in northern Spain, near the French border, along the Bay of Biscay. It’s part of the Basque Autonomous Community and serves as the capital of the Gipuzkoa province.
The city sits between lush hills and three beaches—La Concha, Ondarreta, and Zurriola—with a compact center ideal for walking. Its location makes it a gateway to both inland Basque villages and coastal wine regions like Getaria.
San Sebastián is well-connected by train and bus to major cities like Bilbao, Pamplona, and Madrid, and is just over 30 minutes from Biarritz by car.
When Is The Best Time To Visit San Sebastian?
The best times to visit San Sebastián are May–June and September–October, when the weather is mild, the beaches are accessible, and crowds are smaller than in peak summer.
Weather
San Sebastián has an oceanic climate with warm summers and mild, rainy winters. Summer highs average around 24°C (75°F), while winter days hover near 12°C (54°F). Rain is common year-round—pack a light jacket or umbrella regardless of season.
Shoulder Season
Spring and early fall offer ideal conditions for food tours, coastal walks, and pintxos crawls. September also overlaps with the San Sebastián International Film Festival, a major cultural event.
Best Value
Traveling in the shoulder season means better hotel availability and lower prices than in July or August, when domestic tourism peaks.
Best Places to Stay In San Sebastian
Hotels in San Sebastian
For the most immersive experience, we recommend staying in Parte Vieja (Old Town) or the adjacent Centro district. Parte Vieja is San Sebastián’s historic core—home to centuries-old churches, lively pintxos bars, and narrow pedestrian lanes just steps from La Concha Bay.
Centro offers early 20th-century architecture, wide boulevards, and boutique hotels housed in elegant Belle Époque buildings. It’s ideal if you want walkable access to both the beach and the main shopping streets.
For a quieter stay, the Gros neighborhood east of the Urumea River features modern apartments, creative restaurants, and easy access to Zurriola Beach, popular with surfers and locals.
Use the interactive map below to explore accommodations by date, budget, and amenities.
Other Things to Know About San Sebastian
Airport
San Sebastián Airport (EAS) is located about 20 km from the city center, with connections to Madrid and Barcelona. For more flight options, Biarritz Airport (BIQ) and Bilbao Airport (BIO) are within 1–1.5 hours by car or bus.
Train Station
The city’s main station, Estación del Norte, offers regular service to Bilbao, Madrid, and other Spanish cities. It’s walkable from the city center and connected by local bus routes.
Time Zone
San Sebastián operates on Central European Time (CET) and observes daylight saving time (CEST) from late March through October.
Currency
Spain uses the euro (€). Credit cards are widely accepted, though it’s useful to have cash for small purchases in markets and pintxos bars.
Language
Both Spanish and Basque (Euskara) are official languages. English is spoken in most hotels and tourist-facing restaurants, but learning a few Spanish or Basque words is appreciated.
Visa
Visitors from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia can stay in Spain for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. For more details, check out our article on traveling visa-free.
Electricity
Spain uses Type C and F plugs. Voltage is 230V. U.S. visitors should bring a plug adapter and check if their devices are dual-voltage.
We recommend a travel power strip with multiple USBs and standard plug-ins if you have many items to plug in. Using a power strip, you will only need one adapter to plug the strip into the wall.
SIM Card
For mobile data, travelers can use a local SIM or eSIM. We recommend Airalo eSIMs for convenience—they activate automatically on arrival and are ideal for short-term stays with modest data needs (under 5GB).
Car Rental
A car isn’t necessary in San Sebastián, but it’s useful for day trips to Getaria, Hondarribia, or French Basque villages like Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Parking in the city center is limited.
In addition to the major car rental companies found in the United States, Sixt and Europcar are common throughout Europe. For a comparison of rental car offers from large international brands and smaller regional brands, we recommend Discover Cars.
FAQs About San Sebastian
Why is San Sebastián famous?
San Sebastián is known for its world-class cuisine, beautiful beaches, and mix of Belle Époque and Basque architecture. It’s also home to the prestigious San Sebastián International Film Festival.
How do you pronounce San Sebastián in Basque?
In Basque, San Sebastián is called Donostia (pronounced doh-NOHS-tee-ah).
Is San Sebastián walkable?
Yes. The city is compact and pedestrian-friendly, especially between Parte Vieja, Centro, and the beachfront promenades.
What can you do in San Sebastián for a day?
Stroll the La Concha promenade, explore Parte Vieja, enjoy lunch at a pintxos bar, visit the San Telmo Museum, and catch sunset from Monte Urgull or Monte Igueldo.
What are San Sebastián’s must-try local dishes?
Try bacalao al pil-pil, txangurro, chuleta, and any pintxos featuring anchovies, mushrooms, or foie gras.
What wine is San Sebastián known for?
The region is famous for Txakoli, a light, slightly sparkling white wine. You’ll also find wines from Rioja Alavesa and Navarra widely available.
Where are the best places to taste wine in San Sebastián?
Head to Essencia Wine Bar, A Fuego Negro, or take a day trip to Getaria for Txakoli tastings at coastal wineries.
What architectural landmarks define San Sebastián?
Key landmarks include the Victoria Eugenia Theater, Buen Pastor Cathedral, Santa María del Coro Basilica, and the Kursaal Congress Centre.
Are there hidden architectural gems in San Sebastián?
Yes—explore the Palacio de Miramar, stroll the Alderdi Eder gardens, or visit residential neighborhoods like Amara Vieja for lesser-known early 20th-century buildings.
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