Parte Vieja
For being among bars and narrow streets and doing everything on foot. It is lively at night, so choose your street carefully if noise bothers you.
Itinerary · San Sebastián
San Sebastián in 3 days: day-by-day itinerary
3-day itinerary for San Sebastián: Parte Vieja and pintxos, Monte Urgull, La Concha beach, Monte Igueldo, the Peine del Viento, Gros and the Kursaal.
- 3days
- 12stops
- 6Areas
This 3-day itinerary is designed for first-time visitors to San Sebastián who want to combine beach, scenery and pintxos without rushing. Each day focuses on one area: the first, the Parte Vieja and Monte Urgull; the second, La Concha bay and Monte Igueldo; and the third, the centre and the Gros district.
From San Sebastián airport, located in Hondarribia, you have two options. Lurraldebus has several lines linking the terminal with the city, and you can pay with the MUGI card. Taxis leave from the rank next to the terminal and take about 25 minutes to the centre.
Tips
- A MUGI card works out cheaper than single tickets if you are going to use the city bus several times.
- Pintxos are eaten bar to bar: order one or two and a small drink (a txakoli or a zurito) and do not stay in just one place.
- Bring a rain jacket: the weather is changeable and it can rain even in summer. If it rains, the Museo San Telmo is a good refuge.
- At the bar, help yourself to the cold pintxos and ask the waiter for the hot ones; the bill is usually settled at the end by counting what you have had.
- Book ahead if you want a sit-down dinner at a restaurant, especially at weekends.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Urgull and Igueldo have slopes and steps.
Day 1
Parte Vieja, Monte Urgull and the harbour
Monte Urgull
Parte Vieja
Start the day by climbing the wooded paths up to the Castillo de la Mota and the statue of the Sacred Heart. The views over the bay and the rooftops of the Parte Vieja make the climb worthwhile, and it is quiet first thing in the morning.
Museo San Telmo
Parte Vieja
On the way down from the hill, this museum in a former convent helps you understand Basque history and culture. It is a good plan if the weather is bad.
Parte Vieja
Parte Vieja
The old town revolves around the Plaza de la Constitución and streets such as Calle 31 de Agosto, full of bars. This is where pintxo culture begins: order one or two per bar, with a small drink, then move on to the next.
Puerto y paseo del Muelle
Parte Vieja
Finish the day with a stroll around the fishing harbour, with the bay on one side and the hill on the other. It is a quiet moment before dinner.
Day 2
La Concha, Peine del Viento and Monte Igueldo
Playa de La Concha
La Concha
The promenade with its white railing curves around the bay and is the best way to take in the city's most famous beach. In summer, bring a towel and dip your feet in: it fills up early.
Palacio de Miramar
La Concha
A 19th-century palace at the top of a garden overlooking the bay. You can stroll through the gardens, with a lovely view of Santa Clara island.
Peine del Viento
Ondarreta
Follow the promenade to the end of Ondarreta beach and you reach Chillida's steel sculptures, anchored in the rocks. In rough seas the waves crash against them and the spectacle is impressive.
Monte Igueldo
Igueldo
A century-old funicular takes you up to the viewpoint with the best view of the bay. Save the late afternoon to watch the city lights come on.
Day 3
Centro, Gros and Zurriola
Catedral del Buen Pastor
Centre
The neo-Gothic cathedral dominates the Ensanche district, with its straight streets and elegant buildings. It is a good starting point for a walk around the centre.
Puente de María Cristina y Teatro Victoria Eugenia
Centre
On the way to the River Urumea you come across the María Cristina bridge, the Hotel de Londres and the Teatro Victoria Eugenia, symbols of the city's elegance in the early 20th century.
Kursaal y playa de la Zurriola
Gros
On the other side of the river, the two glass cubes of the Kursaal lead to Zurriola beach, the surfers' beach. It is the youngest, most relaxed scene in San Sebastián.
Pintxos in Gros
Gros
Have a pintxos dinner in the Gros district, with fewer tourists and more locals than in the Parte Vieja. Ask what is freshly made at the bar.
San Sebastián
Where to stay in San Sebastián
Centre
The most convenient option: close to La Concha, the Parte Vieja and the bus and train stations, with hotels of every kind.
Gros
A more local, quieter district next to Zurriola beach, with very good pintxos.
Itinerary · San Sebastián
More San Sebastián itineraries
5 days
San Sebastián in 5 days
- Day 1 Parte Vieja, Monte Urgull and the harbour
- Day 2 La Concha, Peine del Viento and Monte Igueldo
- Day 3 Centro, Gros and Zurriola
- Day 4 Pasaia and Santa Clara island
- + 1 day
7 days
San Sebastián in 7 days
- Day 1 Parte Vieja, Monte Urgull and the harbour
- Day 2 La Concha, Peine del Viento and Monte Igueldo
- Day 3 Centro, Gros and Zurriola
- Day 4 Pasaia and Santa Clara island
- + 3 days
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see San Sebastián?
Three days are enough to see the essentials: the Parte Vieja, the beaches, Monte Igueldo and the Gros district. With more time you can add day trips to Hondarribia or Bilbao.
What is a pintxo and how do you order one?
It is a bite served at the bar, usually on bread. You normally order one or two per bar and move on to the next, and it is usual to also order the hot ones from the board.
Can you do this itinerary without a car?
Yes. The city is compact and almost all of it can be covered on foot, with the odd stretch by city bus or on the Igueldo funicular.
Photo credits
- Monte Urgull: Unukorno, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Parte Vieja: Mikel Arrazola, CC BY 3.0 es, Wikimedia Commons
- Playa de La Concha: Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Peine del Viento: JStephanMease, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Monte Igueldo: Marco Almbauer, CC0, Wikimedia Commons