San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) rose to fame in the Belle Époque, when royalty summered along its scallop-shaped bay. Today, it’s a rare blend of city and sea: three beaches within a stroll, forested hills guarding the harbor, and a historic Parte Vieja that hums with bar chatter.

Food is the city’s other ocean. Pintxos—bite-size culinary jewels—line counters beneath chalkboard menus, and a constellation of Michelin-starred restaurants surrounds town. The Basque language, Euskara, threads through daily life, from friendly kaixo greetings to sagardotegi (cider house) rituals.

Expect late dining (many kitchens open 8:30–11:00 p.m.), abundant seafood, and tapas etiquette: order a couple of pintxos per stop and keep moving. Pack layers for Atlantic weather, book marquee restaurants well in advance, and plan on walking—San Sebastián is best explored on foot or bike.

San Sebastián (Donostia)

Welcome to a city where each neighborhood has a distinct flavor: elegant Centro, surfy Gros, stately Antiguo, and the bar-packed Parte Vieja. Your week balances beaches, culture, food markets, and easy day trips along the Basque coast.

• Top sights: La Concha, Ondarreta, and Zurriola beaches; Monte Igueldo funicular and vintage park; Monte Urgull and Castillo de la Mota; San Telmo Museoa; Peine del Viento; Mercado de la Bretxa; Chillida Leku.
• Eat & drink: Legendary pintxo bars (Gandarias, La Cuchara de San Telmo, Borda Berri, Goiz Argi), txuleta steak, grilled turbot, Basque cheesecake at La Viña, and txakoli (crisp local white wine).
• Coffee & sweets: Sakona Coffee Roasters (specialty coffee), Pastelería Otaegui (traditional pastries), Pastelería Barrenetxe (pantxineta almond cream tart).

Where to stay: For sea views and easy strolling, base in Centro near La Concha; for surfing and cafés, choose Gros; for quieter nights, try Antiguo.

• Browse San Sebastián vacation rentals on VRBO — great for families and longer stays.
• Compare hotels in San Sebastián on Hotels.com — from boutique to beachfront.

How to get here: San Sebastián’s local airport (EAS) has limited service; most travelers arrive via Bilbao (BIO) or Biarritz (BIQ).

• Flights (within Europe): Search and compare on Omio Flights.
• Flights (from outside Europe): Check Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Bilbao to San Sebastián: Bus ~1h15–1h30, about €8–14; book via Omio Buses. Train is ~2h10 via Euskotren/RENFE; compare on Omio Trains.
• Biarritz to San Sebastián: Bus ~1h–1h20, about €4–8 via Omio Buses.
• Madrid/Barcelona to San Sebastián: Fast trains ~4h50–6h15, typically €25–80; search Omio Trains.

Day 1: Arrive, First Look at La Concha, and Your Pintxo Primer

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in. Stretch your legs with an easy promenade along La Concha to the Ayuntamiento and the Alderdi Eder gardens. Coffee and a sweet pick-me-up at Sakona Coffee Roasters (single-origin espresso) or Pastelería Otaegui (try the traditional pantxineta).

Evening: Kick off with a guided pintxos crawl to learn how locals order, what to pair, and where to stand.

San Sebastian Old Town Pintxos & Wine Tour Small Group Tour

After the tour, revisit a favorite bar or two: Gandarias (solomillo pintxo), Goiz Argi (brocheta de gamba), and La Viña for its famed Basque cheesecake dessert.

Day 2: Beaches, Viewpoints, and Sculptures by the Sea

Morning: Breakfast at Barrenetxe (butter croissants and pantxineta) before a bay swim at La Concha. Ride the Monte Igueldo funicular to the old-school amusement park for aerial views of the bay and Santa Clara Island.

Afternoon: Lunch near the beach: Narru (modern Basque plates) or La Madame (brunch-to-bistro). Continue to Peine del Viento, Eduardo Chillida’s wind comb sculptures, where Atlantic spray shoots through blowholes—best on a breezy day.

Evening: Old Town culture at San Telmo Museoa (Basque history and identity), then a relaxed pintxo round two: La Cuchara de San Telmo (seared foie, beef cheeks), Borda Berri (risottos, pork ribs), and Atari Gastroteka (gintonic with cathedral views).

Day 3: Bike the Neighborhoods, Surfy Gros, and Cider House Night

Morning: Explore beyond the center on two wheels with a local-led circuit of beaches, parks, and hidden corners.

Small-Group Electric Bike Tour in San Sebastián

Afternoon: Lunch in Gros: Bodega Donostiarra (indispensable “Indurain” pintxo of tuna, anchovy, guindilla), Hidalgo 56 (creative bites). Then a surf or sun session at Zurriola Beach; rent a board or take a lesson at one of the beachfront schools.

Evening: Experience a traditional sagardotegi (cider house) in nearby Astigarraga—shout “txotx!” and catch cider straight from the barrel. Classic menu: cod omelet, fried cod with peppers, massive txuleta, Idiazabal cheese with quince. Taxis take ~10–15 minutes each way; book ahead, especially Jan–Apr peak cider season.

Day 4: Border Harbors—Hondarribia, Pasai Donibane, and San Pedro

These storybook towns sit minutes from San Sebastián yet feel a world away: pastel balconies, fishing boats, and stone lanes where smugglers once slipped between borders.

Hondarribia, San Juan & San Pedro from San Sebastian

Morning: Stroll Hondarribia’s walled old town and fisherman’s quarter (La Marina). Spot French Irun across the water.

Afternoon: Lunch options: Bar Gran Sol (award-winning pintxos) or Alameda (refined seasonal tasting menus). Continue to Pasai Donibane and San Pedro—linked by a tiny boat—with time for a waterfront coffee.

Evening: Back in Donostia, share a steak at Gandarias Jatetxea or try to snag the daily-limited txuleta at Bar Nestor (put your name on the list at opening; they also serve legendary tomato salad).

Day 5: A French Basque Taster—Biarritz and Back

Morning: Bus to Biarritz (~1h–1h20; check Omio Buses). Wander the Grande Plage, the Rocher de la Vierge footbridge, and Belle Époque villas.

Afternoon: Lunch at Les Halles de Biarritz (oyster counters, charcuterie, Basque cakes) or port-side at Chez Albert (seafood platters). Time permitting, dip into nearby Bayonne’s old town and chocolate shops before returning.

Evening: Treat yourself in San Sebastián: book a tasting menu at Akelarre, Arzak, Kokotxa, or Mugaritz (seasonal opening). Reserve weeks ahead; taxis back are easy and rides short.

Day 6: Bilbao, Guggenheim, and the Dragonstone Coast

Swap bays for cliffs and titanium curves on a full-day excursion that blends modern art with dramatic shoreline.

Bilbao, Guggenheim and Gaztelugatxe from San Sebastian

Morning: Drive the coast to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the wave-lashed hermitage made famous by Game of Thrones. Views are spellbinding in any weather.

Afternoon: Continue to Bilbao for the Guggenheim Museum (exterior sculptures, Jeff Koons’ Puppy, and rotating exhibitions). Time in the Casco Viejo for a coffee or quick bite.

Evening: Return to Donostia. Casual dinner ideas: Casa Urola (grilled fish) or La Mejillonera (mussels and patatas bravas, fast and fun).

Day 7: Markets, Urgull, and a Sunset Farewell

Morning: Shop like a local at La Bretxa Market and the San Martín food hall—perfect for edible souvenirs (Idiazabal cheese, tinned anchovies, Basque peppers). Coffee at Sakona or Kafe Botanika.

Afternoon: Hike up Monte Urgull for fort ruins, shady paths, and bay panoramas. If art calls, head to Chillida Leku (open-air sculptures in a farmhouse setting; allow ~2 hours).

Evening: Golden-hour walk from Ondarreta to Peine del Viento, then a last pintxo circuit in the Parte Vieja: start at Goiz Argi for prawn skewers, slip into Txepetxa for anchovy variations, and finish at La Viña with one more slice of cheesecake. Raise a glass of txakoli—agur, Donostia!

Need-to-know foodie notes

• Pintxo etiquette: Order at the bar, keep your plate, and pay at the end; try 2–3 bars per meal.
• When to dine: Lunch 1:30–3:30 p.m.; dinner 8:30–11:00 p.m. Many spots close one fixed weekday.
• Reservations: Essential for sit-down restaurants and cider houses; bars are mostly first-come.

Optional add-ons and logistics

• Public transport: Buses are frequent and reliable—plan regional trips with Omio Buses and trains via Omio Trains.
• Surfing: Zurriola Beach is the city’s surf hub with multiple rental schools on the promenade.
• Wine country: If time allows, add a day trip to Rioja Alavesa for winery visits and hill towns; base transport on Omio Trains or Omio Buses.

One more highly rated foodie tour (alternative to Day 1 or 3):

San Sebastian Pintxo Food, Wine & Market Foodie Tour (Small Group)

In one concise week, you’ll taste the city’s culinary range, swim or surf three beaches, and stand on Atlantic cliffs where history and legend meet. San Sebastián rewards unhurried wandering—leave space for one more bar, one more view, and one more slice of cheesecake.

However you compose the days, this itinerary makes San Sebastián your easy-to-navigate base for the best of the Basque Country.