Donostia – San Sebastián

Playa de La Concha It is one of the great emblems of the city and is considered one of the most beautiful urban beaches in the world. A stroll along its iconic white railing is a must, as you discover buildings such as the City Hall (the former casino), the La Perla Thalassotherapy Spa, and the stately Miramar Palace along the way. In the distance, you will always have views of Santa Clara Island. Old town This maze of narrow streets awaits you at the foot of Mount Urgull, where you can sample all kinds of pintxos displayed on the bars' counters. You will surely make several stops at the famous Plaza de la Constitución and on Calle 31 de Agosto.  This area also has conicimonuments such as the Basilica of Santa María del Coro and the Church of San Vicente.  New town: Romantic area Crossing the Zurriola bridge, you reach the Kursaal, an avant-garde building created by Rafael Moneo and home to the famous San Sebastián International Film Festival. Just opposite is the impressive Belle Époque style building ensemble consisting of the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the María Cristina Hotel. Continuing along the pleasant walk, you will find other bridges such as Santa Catalina and Maria Cristina, next to which is Tabakalera, an old factory that is now an important centre of contemporary culture. Mount Igueldo To enjoy one of the most emblematic views of the city you can use the 1912 cable car that takes you up to this mountain. The cable car takes you directly to the Monte Igueldo amusement park, which retains the charm of old attractions. Mount Urgull You can also reach this area from the old town, the only point in Donostia-San Sebastián where you can see all three of the city's beaches. Here, you will also find the Mota Castle, home of the Urgull History House. El Peine del Viento It is one of Eduardo Chillida's best-known works and the most famous outdoor sculpture in the city. You’ll find it in the Ondarreta area, by the coast, in complete harmony with nature. San Telmo Museum It is the oldest museum in the Basque Country and has been renovated to become the Museum of Basque Society and Citizenship. It currently occupies both the rooms of a former 16th-century convent and those of an adjacent contemporary building. Its more than 26,000 pieces will help you understand Basque culture much better.

San Sebastián is considered one of the gastronomic capitals of the world, so you are sure to enjoy its cuisine. To start, you can’t miss its famous pintxos, small culinary creations with a variety of ingredients, which you’ll mainly find on bar counters in the historic centre. Another way to discover the culinary culture of the area is to visit its gourmet shops or the markets such as La Bretxa or San Martín, where you'll find all kinds of fresh products. Additionally, food enthusiasts will be delighted to know that San Sebastián and its surrounding area boast one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. If you want to treat yourself, you can book a table at prestigious venues such as Akelaŕe or Arzak. Less than 10 kilometres from the city, you can enjoy the cuisine of Martín Berasategui.

The "star attraction" for the little ones is undoubtedly the above-mentioned Monte Igueldo Amusement Park. Its stunning location with sea views and its attractions, which have a nostalgic and vintage charm, make this place truly unique. Plus, if you're travelling with your family, there are many other plans for have a fun time. For example, you can visit the city's Aquarium, one of the most modern oceanographic museums in Europe, where, in addition to walking through a tank containing 1.5 million litres of water and five species of sharks, you can learn about the fascinating history of the old Basque whalers. You can also visit the Eureka! Science Museum or take a ride on the tourist train and bus.

Tradition mixed with a touch of elegance perfectly describes San Sebastian's shopping scene. In its display windows, you will find everything from boutiques featuring major brands to hand-made artisan products.When it comes to picking up a souvenir or gift, you can choose from local specialties such as Tolosa beans, Idiazabal cheese, and more, as well as exclusive illustrations by local artists, or a txapela (a traditional Basque beret). Strolling through the Old Town, you’ll also find hat shops and jewellery stores exuding sophistication, along with boutiques offering silk accessories, ceramic pieces and boutiques of international brands.

Donostia-San Sebastián has an airport 20 kilometres from the centre that connects with Madrid and Barcelona. In addition, Bilbao airport is 100 kilometres away, with flights to major European cities. By road, the city connects with several points in Spain through the A-1 (Madrid-Irún), the AP-8 (Bilbao-Irún) and the AP-15 (Pamplona-San Sebastián). Right in the city centre is the Northern train station, from where you can travel to international destinations such as Paris or Lisbon. Right next door is the new bus station, from where you can also travel to parts of Europe.