Tourist Attractions and Best Things to do in San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastian is a small seaside city, and it is widely known as Spain’s culinary capital. You will surely love the stunning white sand beaches, delicious food, and fantastic architecture. There are many things to do in San Sebastian, and you should expect a different range of festivals and cultural events and many activities to try out.

Top 15 Things to do in San Sebastian

Visit Ayuntamiento de San Sebastian

The city hall was built between 1882 and 1887, and it is an architectural masterpiece. This is one of the first things to do in San Sebastian as it is situated between La Concha Beach and the old city along with the stunning Alderdi Eder Gardens. It homes a casino where politicians and artists come to enjoy themselves. The highlight of the attraction is you will get to see bullet holes in the façade as a result of many fights between nationalists and republicans.

Have fun at La Concha Bay

This is among the things to do in San Sebastian, and you should ensure you walk along La Concha Bay and take pictures of its iconic railing. You will love the wide shoreline and the stunning turquoise waves, and the beach overlooks the cityscape of San Sebastian; you will love its elegance. You can go biking, walking or jogging in the sand, which you will surely love. The beach is also pet-friendly, and you can go for a run with your dog. You can also stop by the Café de La Concha, which is in the middle of La Concha Beach, for a coffee or vermouth.

Go sightseeing at Monte Igueldo.

The mountain is located in the west of the town, and you will get to see a stunning panorama over San Sebastian’s mountains and coastlines. You can get to this mountain by the antique funicular railway which opened in 1912. You can also have fun at the old-fashioned amusement park, and you can even explore the El Torreon tower, which dates back to the 16th century.

Visit Miramar Royal Palace

The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens which overlook the sea, and it was built as a vacation home for the Spanish royal family. You will love the octagonal tower and the half-timbered details, making it stand out. Two floors in the palace are for the private residence, while the servants use the third floor. You will surely love the beautifully manicured gardens and the ocean views at the palace.

Explore Monte Urgull

At the highest point of the Urgull Mountain homes, the Mota Castle was built in the 12th century, and it hosts the History House Museum, as you will learn more about San Sebastian’s past. This is a strategic point in the previous century, and you can see the ruins of the defense wall. The highlight of the mountain is the 12m high sacred heart statue which watches over the city from the mountain peak. This is one of the top places to visit, and you will get a scenic view of the city from here.

Escape the city at Isla de Santa Clara

You can escape the city and have fun at a delightful Island getaway declared as a Historical National Interest Site. You will love the peacefulness and the amenities of civilization on this island. There are many restaurants, cafes, picnic areas where you can go have fun on this island, and in the summertime, you can visit the island’s small beach is ideal for swimming. You can also go for a scenic stroll to the lighthouse, where you will get to see mind-blowing views on the way.

Explore the Old Town of San Sebastian

While you are in San Sebastian one of the best things to do is to visit the old town. There are many boutiques and pintxo bars that you can visit, and the city is among the most culturally significant part of the country as there are many historical buildings and sights to see. The highlight of the old town is the Santa Maria and San Vincente Church, and you can also try some regional specialties while you are here.

Visit Basilica de Santa Maria del Coro

This is a stunning 18th-century Baroque church that stands at the foot of Monte Urgull in the center of the Old Town. This is a tourist hotspot in San Sebastian, and the church was built on the site of an ancient Roman temple. You will love the interior design made on a rectangular plan with a semicircular apse. The highlight of the church is its stunning Churrigueresco façade that is with a statue of Saint Sebastian and two towers.

Go sightseeing at Museo de San Telmo.

This is the biggest museum for Basque history from ancient times till modernity. It is the oldest museum in the Basque Country, and it was opened in 1902. San Telmo houses more than 26,000 historical artifacts. You will love the architecture, a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, and contemporary design, which creates a stunning play of architectural styles, and the collection of Basque artifacts, which provides spectacular insight into the country’s history.

Go to a Festival

If you are visiting San Sebastian at the end of July, one of the must-see cultural events is the International Jazz Festival. The concerts are performed at several venues in the city like the Kursaal Centre. And you will get to see high-caliber jazz and blues music and a different range of musical genres. The festival happens for six days and with over 60 performances.

Visit La Cathedral del Buen Pastor

The cathedral was influenced by the style of medieval French and German churches, and it was inaugurated in 1897. The cathedral was regarded as the most significant religious building in the Basque Country, and it homes an organ that contains over 10,000 whistles. The highlight of the cathedral is the Cross of Peace which is found in the cathedral.

Have fun at Playa de la Zurriola

The beach is located in the commercial district of San Sebastian, and it is famous as the surfers’ beach as it homes art galleries, many sports shops, and large department stores. The beach attracts surfers from all over the world because of its surf competitions and challenging waves. The beach is also famous to sports enthusiasts who come here to play football, beach volleyball, and beach tennis.

Go on Pintxos Tour

San Sebastian is well-known for its outstanding cuisines, and the city is filled with several pintxos bars that offer traditional Basque wines and dishes. On the Pintxos tour, you will visit one of the best places in the city, and you will also get insider tips and knowledge about the city’s culinary evolution and history. There are many overwhelming arrays of tasty-looking tapas that you can try out while on this tour.

Go sightseeing at the Aquarium-Sea Palace.

The aquarium is near the harbor at the end of the Bahia de la Concha. This is a well-known tourist attraction, and it homes colorful species ranging from tropical fish to sharks. The highlight of the aquarium is the Oceanographic Museum, where you will get to see ship models displayed, documents, and navigational instruments. You will also get to see the museum of Oceanarium, which is an underwater exhibition space.

Visit Parque de Aiete

This palace was built in the 19th century, and it was built on a Camino de Santiago site, where medieval pilgrims stopped while on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The palace ground is now used as a public park and venue for cultural events. You will surely love the beautifully manicured parkland, which features caves, a peaceful pond, and a waterfall. You can also visit the Akelarre Restaurant to try out gourmet cuisine while you are here.

San Sebastian Travel and Tour Packages

If what interests you while on vacation is a beautiful sandy beach, fantastic food, and some fantastic architecture, then San Sebastian is the place for you. You will find a lot of tourist attractions in this city that you will surely love.

Find Hotels in San Sebastian, Spain, according to your budget via Agoda.

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