Seventeen things to do in San Sebastian in the summer

San Sebastian is one of the main tourist cities of Spain, and it is perhaps one of the best coastal places to spend your holidays in Europe. San Sebastian is truly unique, with its bay of La Concha, all the beaches that the city has to offer, the charm of its city center, the magic of the Old Town, its indescribable gastronomy and its natural landscapes… all of it builds a unique atmosphere in San Sebastian. Pretty much every single person who travels to San Sebastian falls in love with the city.

San Sebastian has two names: San Sebastian and Donostia. Why? San Sebastian is the name of the city in Spanish, while Donostia is the name of the city in Basque. Both San Sebastian and Donostia mean “Saint Sebastian”, who was the martyr who the city is named after.

San Sebastian is a good option to travel during the whole year. However, during the summertime is when San Sebastian has more things to see and do. During this time, the beaches are full of surfers and surf competitions, there are many people discovering the city, restaurants and bars are offering pintxos all the time… 

As you might know, in Spain the timetables that people follow to have their meals during the day are very different from the timetables followed in the rest of Europe, as in Spain dinner is had very late. As a result, the times at which people have lunch and dinner, leaves more time for sightseeing. But don’t worry about this, in San Sebastian there is always something to do! Because of that, we have made a list of 17 must-see and must-do things during the summer in San Sebastian, so you always have something to do between pintxo and pintxo!

1. VISIT THE BAY OF LA CONCHA

La Concha is probably one of the most iconic places in San Sebastian. The beach located in this bay is called La Concha beach, and it is unique, probably because of its turquoise-coloured water, its white-coloured sand or the beautiful handrail that surrounds the beach.

Moreover, apart from swimming and sunbathing, people also enjoy having a walk along the promenade that is set next to the beach. This promenade is called the Paseo La Concha, and it is a beautiful walk, from which you will be able to enjoy beautiful views of the bay.

2. GET LOST IN THE OLD TOWN OR PARTE VIEJA

This is one the most visited places of San Sebastian, by tourists and by locals. Along the Parte Vieja of San Sebastian you will find a lot of architectural masterpieces and history. In the Old Town of San Sebastian, you will find many buildings that were built many centuries ago. Some of the most important places you will find in this part of the city, are the Square of the Constitución and the Church of San Vicente, that was built in the XVI century, and it is San Sebastian’s oldest church.

Moreover, if you are a foodie, you will definitely love the Old Town! Along the streets of the Old Town, you will find many restaurants that offer pintxos, and those are probably the best pintxos that you will have! (Pintxos are the Basque version of tapas, they are delicious).

3. CLIMB THE MONTE URGULL

The Monte Urgull is the highest point in San Sebastian. If you get to the top, you won’t only have views of the sea that last for miles around, you will also be able to visit the Mota Castle that is on the top of the Monte Urgull. The Mota Castle is a fortress that dates back to the XII century, and the views to the sea from it are incredible. It is really worth seeing!

4. ADMIRE THE ARCHITECTURE IN THE CITY’S DOWNTOWN

In San Sebastian, you will enjoy the city downtown as much as the Old Town! San Sebastian’s downtown is amazing, it is full of buildings that were built during the Belle Epoque, and they follow the Belle Époque’s architectonic style. Moreover, in the downtown of the city you will find emblematic buildings, such as San Sebastian’s City Hall.

Along San Sebastian’s downtown, you will also find many shops, restaurants and offices, and all of them have a beautiful architectonic style. The streets of the city downtown, full of vegetation and beautiful buildings are unique.

5. WATCH SURFERS AT ZURRIOLA BEACH… OR GO SURFING YOURSELF!

Zurriola beach is not as popular as La Concha beach, however, it is really worth to visit it. Zurriola beach is just next to the city center of San Sebastian. However, Zurriola beach is much less sheltered than La Concha, this means that waves are much bigger in Zurriola beach. Because of that, Zurriola is always full of surfers, the atmosphere in that beach is very special. Also, if you are lucky, you will be able to see some surfing contests.

If you like surfing, Zurriola beach is perfect for you! If you don’t surf, don’t worry, there are plenty of surfing school where you can learn!

6. SEE THE COMB OF THE WINDS OR PEINE DEL VIENTO SCULPTURES

The Peine del Viento (or Comb Of The Wind) is one the most popular architectonic pieces made by the Basque architect Eduardo Chillida. They are located at the foot of the Monte Igueldo, at the end of Ondarreta Beach.

The Peine del Viento is a sculptural group, made up of 3 sculptures that are settled in granite rocks. The sea waves crash upon this area, and it is a spectacle to see it.

7. TAKE THE FUNICULAR UP TO THE MONTE IGUELDO

In San Sebastian you will have the opportunity to take a funicular that rises 184 meters above the level of the sea and reach the peak of the Monte Igueldo. From that funicular, you will have the best panoramic views of San Sebastian.

However, the views from the funicular are not the only reason why you should go to the Monte Igueldo. In the peak, there is an old amusement park that is still working nowadays. You will be able to have a lot of fun at the same time as you have amazing views of the city!

If you are not looking for that kind of fun, don’t, worry, there’s also something for you in the Monte Igueldo! You can go to the Hotel Mercure Monte Igueldo, and have a drink in their outdoor terrace.

8. STEP INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL OF THE BUEN PASTOR

The cathedral of the Buen Pastor, is San Sebastian’s largest church. This cathedral is an icon of San Sebastian. It was built with sandstone from the Monte Igueldo. It is located in the New Part of the city, and it was designed in 1880 by the architect Manuel de Echave. In 1897 this Neo-Gothic cathedral was completed.

9. TAKE A FERRY TO SANTA CLARA ISLAND

The Santa Clara Island is a 32-meter-wide island located just off La Concha Bay. It is the island that you can see from La Concha Beach. This island offers a peaceful bathing experience, as there are natural swimming pools hiding around the island. Moreover, we highly recommend having a picnic there.

10. VISIT THE CHURCH OF SAN VICENTE

San Vicente is a gothic church, and it is one of the few monuments that survived in 1813 the fire that destroyed San Sebastian, when Napoleon’s troops set the city alight. The Church of San Vicente is the oldest church in San Sebastian.

Inside the Church of San Vicente, there are authentic art masterpieces, such as the sculpture of “La Piedad”, which was made by the artist Jorge Oteiza.

11. VISIT MIRAMAR ROYAL PALACE

The Miramar Palace was built following the English architectonic style, as it was designed in 1888 by the English architect Selden Wornum. The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens, and the sea, which makes the place very special.

Originally, the Miramar Royal Palace was built as a vacation home for the Spanish Royal Family. The palace is set in the Pico del Loro, which is the point that divides Ondarreta Beach (the third of San Sebastian’s beaches) with La Concha. From that point, you will be able to enjoy beautiful views of the coast.

12. CROSS THE URUMEA RIVER

The Urumea river is the river that flows along San Sebastian. It is another icon of the city. Along the river you will find many bridges and boulevards. It is especially worth going to the Gros district, which used to be a place for the commercial class, and today, you can see its heritage in the buildings and atmosphere of the district.

Moreover, another way of seeing the Urumea River, is by crossing the bridge of Maria Cristina. It is a very iconic bridge and it offers beautiful views to the river.

13. DO A PINTXOS TOUR

San Sebastian is known for its outstanding cuisine. Pintxos are the Basque version of the Spanish tapas, and they are great! We highly recommend you to go on a pintxos tour. During the tour you will go to the best places of the city, and you will be able to have a wide range of different pintxos.

14. LEARN SOMETHING NEW AT THE MUSEUM OF SAN TELMO

The Museum of San Telmo is the biggest museum of the Basque history. Moreover, it was inaugurated in 1902, and it is the oldest museum in the Basque country.

The museum is located at the foot of the Monte Urgull, and in its origins, the building that now is the museum, used to be a Dominican convent. Now, the building of the museum of San Telmo is a mix of Renaissance, Gothic and contemporary architecture, which makes it unique.

15. VISIT THE SAN SEBASTIAN’S CITY HALL

Before the building was the San Sebastian’s city hall, it used to be the city’s Gran Casino, which hosted parties for the European aristocracy and bourgeoise, when they spent their summer-holidays in San Sebastian during the Belle Époque.

The city hall of San Sebastian is a very interesting place to visit. First, because it is a beautiful place, and the architecture of the building is amazing. And, secondly, because you will be able to see bullet holes in the façade of the building that remain from the Spanish Civil War.

16. WALK AROUND THE ARCADES OF THE PLAZA DE LA CONSTITUCION

The Plaza de la Constitucion is the largest square in San Sebastian. This neoclassical square has arcades in which there are crowded bars and restaurants. The Plaza de la Constitucion is probably one of the best places in San Sebastian to eat pintxos.

17. SEE THE CRASHING WAVES AT PASEO NUEVO

The Paseo Nuevo or New Promenade is located at the foot of the Monte Urgull, and it is a path that encircles the mountain. This promenade is known for the massive waves that crash against its seawall, bursting at incredible heights.

The Paseo Nuevo is a very special place in San Sebastian that you shouldn’t miss, and seeing the waves crashing along your walk, is an authentic spectacle!

As you can see, in San Sebastian there is always something to do, especially during the summer months. It is a city that offers activities for everyone’s tastes. If you are hesitating about where you should stay, we strongly recommend staying near the sea and beaches, where there are many hotels and apartments in San Sebastian near the sea in which you can stay. So, if you haven’t been yet, you should book your accommodation and means of transport as soon as possible! And if you have already been to San Sebastian… what are you waiting for to come back?

The author of this article is Leyre Ínigo Lázaro. She studied a double degree in International Relations and a bachelor in Global Communication at the University Of Comillas in Madrid. Leyre is a very creative and determined person. She always has new projects in mind and loves to overcome challenges.