Spain · 3 days · 17 stops
3 days in San Sebastián – a ready-made itinerary
San Sebastián sits on an almost round bay between two hills. Day one covers the old town and Monte Urgull, day two the seafront to the Comb of the Wind and Monte Igueldo, and day three the walled town of Hondarribia on the French border. The stops are in walking order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 17 stops
- Highlights
- Plaza de la Constitución, La Concha Beach, Hondarribia old town, Basilica of Santa María del Coro, Monte Urgull
- Where to stay
- Parte Vieja (old town), Centro, Gros
- Getting around
- The city is small and flat enough to do almost everything on foot.
- Best time to go
- June to September is the most pleasant, warm enough for the beach.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in San Sebastián
14 places you should not miss in San Sebastián – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
- Plaza de la ConstituciónThe square at the heart of the old town. The numbered balconies date from the days when bullfights were held here.Day 1
- Basilica of Santa María del CoroAn 18th-century Baroque church at the foot of Urgull. Its façade looks straight down the street to the Buen Pastor Cathedral.Day 1
Monte UrgullA wooded hill above the harbour with the La Mota fortress and a large statue of Christ. From the top you look over the bay and the old town.Day 1
San Telmo MuseoaA museum of Basque history and society in a 16th-century monastery with a modern extension.Day 1
Kursaal and Zurriola BeachRafael Moneo's two glass cubes at the river mouth, home of the film festival. In front, surfers ride the waves at Zurriola until evening.Day 1
La Concha BeachA shell-shaped city beach with the white railing and old lamps of the promenade. Quietest in the morning.Day 2- Miramar PalaceThe former summer residence of the Spanish royal family between the two beaches. The park is public and has a fine view of the bay.Day 2
- Comb of the WindThree steel sculptures by Eduardo Chillida in the rocks at the end of Ondarreta beach. When the sea is rough, it pushes air and spray through holes in the plaza.Day 2
- Monte IgueldoA funicular from 1912 runs up the hill. From the top you get the classic view over the whole bay and Santa Clara island.Day 2
- María Cristina BridgeA Belle Époque bridge over the Urumea with four tall obelisks. From here walk back along the river into the centre.Day 2
- Hondarribia old townA walled old town on a hill at the mouth of the Bidasoa. Along the main street, colourful wooden balconies hang above stone coats of arms.Day 3
- Church of Santa María de la AsunciónA Gothic church with a Baroque tower in the middle of the old town, a few steps from the castle square.Day 3
- Castle of Charles VThe medieval fortress on the parade square is now a hotel. The square in front with its old houses is worth the walk alone.Day 3
- Hondarribia BeachA calm beach at the river mouth looking across to the French coast at Hendaye.Day 3
Day 1
Parte Vieja and Monte Urgull
Plaza de la Constitución
The square at the heart of the old town. The numbered balconies date from the days when bullfights were held here.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Plaza de la Constituciónright next door
Basilica of Santa María del Coro
An 18th-century Baroque church at the foot of Urgull. Its façade looks straight down the street to the Buen Pastor Cathedral.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Basilica of Santa María del Cororight next door
Monte Urgull
A wooded hill above the harbour with the La Mota fortress and a large statue of Christ. From the top you look over the bay and the old town.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Monte Urgullabout 10 min on foot
Pintxos in the Parte Vieja
In the narrow lanes one pintxo bar follows the next. The custom is to have one or two bites in each and move on.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pintxos in the Parte Viejaabout 5 min on foot
San Telmo Museoa
A museum of Basque history and society in a 16th-century monastery with a modern extension.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): San Telmo Museoaabout 10 min on foot
Kursaal and Zurriola Beach
Rafael Moneo's two glass cubes at the river mouth, home of the film festival. In front, surfers ride the waves at Zurriola until evening.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Kursaal and Zurriola Beach
Day 2
La Concha, the Comb of the Wind and Monte Igueldo
La Concha Beach
A shell-shaped city beach with the white railing and old lamps of the promenade. Quietest in the morning.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): La Concha Beachabout 15 min on foot
Miramar Palace
The former summer residence of the Spanish royal family between the two beaches. The park is public and has a fine view of the bay.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Miramar Palaceabout 15 min on foot
Comb of the Wind
Three steel sculptures by Eduardo Chillida in the rocks at the end of Ondarreta beach. When the sea is rough, it pushes air and spray through holes in the plaza.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Comb of the Windabout 5 min on foot
Monte Igueldo
A funicular from 1912 runs up the hill. From the top you get the classic view over the whole bay and Santa Clara island.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Monte IgueldoBus to Gros, about 20 min.
Pintxos in Gros
The district behind Zurriola beach has plenty of pintxo bars and is a little calmer than the old town.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pintxos in Grosabout 15 min on foot
María Cristina Bridge
A Belle Époque bridge over the Urumea with four tall obelisks. From here walk back along the river into the centre.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): María Cristina Bridge
Day 3
Hondarribia
Hondarribia is about 20 km east, outside San Sebastián. A bus runs from the centre, about 30–45 minutes. Check the timetable first.
Hondarribia old town
A walled old town on a hill at the mouth of the Bidasoa. Along the main street, colourful wooden balconies hang above stone coats of arms.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Hondarribia old townabout 10 min on foot
Church of Santa María de la Asunción
A Gothic church with a Baroque tower in the middle of the old town, a few steps from the castle square.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Church of Santa María de la Asunciónright next door
Castle of Charles V
The medieval fortress on the parade square is now a hotel. The square in front with its old houses is worth the walk alone.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Castle of Charles Vabout 10 min on foot
La Marina district
The old fishermen's quarter below the walls, with houses painted green, red and blue. Many bars serve pintxos and fish.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): La Marina districtabout 2.9 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Hondarribia Beach
A calm beach at the river mouth looking across to the French coast at Hendaye.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Hondarribia Beach
Good to know
Best time to go
June to September is the most pleasant, warm enough for the beach. May and October are good too, with fewer crowds. It rains more often here throughout the year than in southern Spain, so pack a rain jacket. During the film festival in September hotels book up early.
Getting around
The city is small and flat enough to do almost everything on foot. The promenade from the old town to the Comb of the Wind makes a lovely walk. City buses take you to Monte Igueldo and Gros, regional buses and trains to Hondarribia and along the coast.
Where to stay
Parte Vieja (old town)
Right among the pintxo bars and close to the harbour. Everything on foot, partly noisy at night.
Centro
The district behind La Concha beach with wide streets, quieter than the old town and only minutes from the sea.
Gros
A lively district by Zurriola beach with its own bars, a short walk over the bridge to the old town.
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More on San Sebastián in our blog: How many days in San Sebastián? Plans for 1–4 days
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San Sebastián: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in San Sebastián?
The must-see sights in San Sebastián are Plaza de la Constitución, Basilica of Santa María del Coro, Monte Urgull, San Telmo Museoa, Kursaal and Zurriola Beach and La Concha Beach. This plan links 14 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Are 3 days enough for San Sebastián?
Yes, for the old town, the beaches, both viewpoint hills and a day trip. With more time, visit the coastal village of Getaria or spend a day in Bilbao.
How do pintxos work?
Pintxos are small bites, often on bread. They sit on the bar counter or are made to order. You have one or two in a bar and then move on to the next.
Can you swim in San Sebastián?
Yes, La Concha and Ondarreta are calm city beaches, while Zurriola has more waves and surfers. The water is cooler than in the Mediterranean.
What does Donostia mean?
Donostia is the Basque name of the city. Signs and timetables usually show both names.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Hynek Moravec; modified by Generalpoteito, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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