by Keta (cropped)  / [CC BY-SA 2.5

One of the Most Charming and Atmospheric Cities in Spain

A. About San Sebastian

Nickname: Sanse

The beautiful Basque seaside resort San Sebastian (Donostia in the local Basque language called Euskara) is easily one of the most charming and atmospheric cities in Spain.

The city possesses without a doubt one of the finest city beaches in Europe

Relax at these stunning beaches, visit its several scenic viewpoints, and try the authentic pintxos, the famous Basque version of tapas in the quaint Old Town.

 
Scoring Table  

The Good

With its iconic crescent-shaped Bay of Concha with a cute little island in the center, elegant San Sebastian offers, first of all, an extremely scenic location.

Furthermore, the city is a very safe place with clean streets.

One of the highlights is of course the incredible tasty Basque food (the pintxos!).

Finally, in its picturesque center, San Sebastian possesses numerous pedestrian zones.

Negative Aspects

San Sebastian is relatively small when it comes to size. So, after one or two days in the city, you may have seen almost everything.


B. Best Things to Do in San Sebastian in 2025 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than fifteen sights in San Sebastian. The following sights and attractions contribute to a rather low score of 5.65/10 in this most important category:

# Panorama of Mount Igueldo 7 3.1 out of 5 stars

Take the funicular to the top of Mount Igueldo 184 meters above the sea to enjoy stunning panoramic views over San Sebastián’s coastlines and mountains from the 16th-century El Torreón tower.

Viewpoint

Best Things to do in San Sebastian

# La Concha Beach 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

This iconic crescent-shaped stretch of white sand is one of the best city beaches in Europe

Beach Water Temperature: 19-21° C, Jun-Sep, Sand

Best Things to do in San Sebastian

 

# Panorama of Mount Urgull 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Crowned by the Fort de la Mota, Mount Urgull offers spectacular 360-degree views of San Sebastian.

Viewpoint

 

# Old Town (Casque Vieja) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Cobblestoned traffic-free lanes oozing with excellent pintxo bars, historic churches, and centuries-old buildings characterize the atmospheric Casque Vieja (Old Town) of San Sebastian. 

City District 

Best Things to do in San Sebastian

 

# Miramar Palace and Aiete Cultural Park 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This English Tudor-style palace with an octagonal tower was built in 1893 as a vacation home for the Spanish royal family. While the palace itself isn’t open to the public you can visit its beautifully manicured surrounding gardens.

Palace and Park

Best Things to do in San Sebastian

 

# Museo de San Telmo 4 2 out of 5 stars

This museum devoted to the cultural heritage of the Basque country houses an exceptional collection of fine arts, history, archaeology, and ethnology. 

Museum 

Best Things to do in San Sebastian

by Zarateman / CC 0 

 

# Plaza de la Constitución 4 2 out of 5 stars

Constructed in 1817 and once a bullring, this beautiful new-Neoclassical square is located at the very heart of San Sebastian's old town.

Square 

Best Things to do in San Sebastian

 

# Peine del Viento 4 2 out of 5 stars

Located at the western end of La Concha Bay, this collection of three sculptures by Eduardo Chillida was arranged as an architectural work by the Basque architect Luis Peña Ganchegui.

Seaside Walk with Sculptures

Best Things to do in San Sebastian

by Reinhold Möller / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

# Aquarium Donostia 3 1.5 out of 5 stars

The Palacio del Mar houses an oceanography museum and a small aquarium.

The aquarium features a 360-degree underwater tunnel, thirty-one different exhibits broken up by region housing more than two hundred species.

Aquarium Biggest Tank: 1.5 million liters | Tunnel: small one | Species: 200 | Established: 1928, renovated 1998 | Rank in Our List of the Best 30 Aquariums in the World: None

Best Things to do in San Sebastian

# Buen Pastor Cathedral 3 1.5 out of 5 stars

Located in the New Town, this Neo-Gothic cathedral with its imposing 75-meter-high tower was completed in 1897.

Cathedral

Best Things to do in San Sebastian

 

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

🌍 = World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in San Sebastian

#11 | Iglesia de Santa Maria del Coro 3 1.5 out of 5 stars

Iglesia de Santa María del Coro in San Sebastián is a remarkable example of Baroque architecture, boasting a captivating façade, opulent interior, and rich artistic heritage.

Cathedral

Best Things to do in San Sebastian

by Spike / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

    • San Ignacio de Loiola Church 3
    • Iglesia de San Vicente 3
    • Paseo de la Concha 3
    • City hall of San Sebastián 3

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from San Sebastian

Bilbao 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Nearby Bilbao with its titanium-covered Guggenheim Museum is easily one of the most rewarding destinations in Spain

City Distance from San Sebastian: 101 km

Best Things to Do in Bilbao

by Tjp finn / CC BY-SA 4.0

Pamplona (83.1 km from San Sebastian) 6

VITORIA-GASTEIZ (101 km from San Sebastian) 6

Guernica (91 km from San Sebastian) 4


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in San Sebastian (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend you when visiting San Sebastian for at least two entire days:

Panorama of Mount Igueldo 7

La Concha Beach 6

Panorama of Mount Urgull 6

Old Town (Casque Vieja) 5

Miramar Palace and Aiete Cultural Park 5

Museo de San Telmo 5

Plaza de la Constitución 4

Peine del Viento 4

Aquarium Donostia 3

Buen Pastor Cathedral 3