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How many days in San Sebastián? 3 days of pintxos, La Concha and the Basque coast
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) is a Belle Époque seaside city on a perfect shell-shaped bay, and one of the world's great food cities, with famous pintxos bars and several Michelin-starred restaurants nearby. Three days covers La Concha beach and the views from Monte Igueldo, the Parte Vieja (old town) with its bars, the surf beach of Zurriola, and a day along the Basque coast to Getaria or Hondarribia. Bring an appetite: the evenings here are about food.
Short answer
Two days covers the city, the beaches and two pintxos evenings. The third adds the coast and a txakoli winery or a cider house.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: La Concha and the old town
Morning. Walk the promenade of La Concha, one of Europe's most beautiful city beaches, from the old town to the Miramar Palace, and continue to Ondarreta beach and Eduardo Chillida's steel sculptures, the Comb of the Wind, set into the rocks.
Afternoon. Take the 1912 funicular up Monte Igueldo (about €4-5 return) for the classic view of the bay and the island of Santa Clara, with an old-fashioned amusement park at the top.
Evening. Start a pintxos crawl in the Parte Vieja: one or two pintxos and a drink (a zurito of beer or a glass of txakoli) per bar, then move on.
Ask for the hot pintxos cooked to order from the blackboard, not only the ones on the bar.
Day 2: Monte Urgull, Zurriola and San Telmo
Morning. Climb Monte Urgull from the old town, with fortifications, the Mota castle, cannons, and the large statue of Christ above the bay.
Afternoon. Visit the San Telmo Museum, about Basque culture and history in a 16th-century convent, then cross the Urumea river to the Gros district and Zurriola beach, popular with surfers (lessons about €30-50).
Evening. Have pintxos in Gros, less touristy than the old town, or book a meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant, such as Arzak, Akelarre or Martín Berasategui, months ahead.
Bars are busiest from 20:00 to 22:00; Basques eat late.
Day 3: Getaria, Zarautz or Hondarribia
Morning. Drive or take the bus west (about 30 minutes) to Getaria, a fishing village, birthplace of the navigator Juan Sebastián Elcano and the designer Cristóbal Balenciaga (museum, about €12-15). Taste txakoli, the region's sparkling white wine, at a vineyard above the sea.
Afternoon. Eat grilled fish such as turbot (rodaballo) cooked over coals at a Getaria restaurant, then walk the coastal path to Zarautz beach (about 1.5 hours) or take the bus.
Evening. Alternatively, spend the day in Hondarribia, a walled town with colourful fishermen's houses near the French border, or visit a sagardotegi (cider house) near Astigarraga for a fixed menu and cider poured straight from the barrel (January to April).
The cider house season ('txotx') is from mid-January to April; many open year-round with a simpler menu.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, do Days 1 and 2.
Got extra days?
With more time, visit Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum (about 1 hour 15 minutes), the coast of Zumaia with the Flysch rock layers (from Game of Thrones), or Biarritz in France (about 45 minutes).
Where to stay in San Sebastián
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Egia / Amara | Cheaper, short walk or bus to the centre. | €80-130 |
| Mid-range | Parte Vieja / Centro | Pintxos bars and La Concha at the door. | €150-260 |
| Mid-range | Gros | Surf beach, local bars, a little cheaper. | €130-220 |
| Comfort | La Concha seafront | Belle Époque hotels such as the María Cristina. | €350-800 |
Getting around
The centre is compact and walkable; use the city buses (Dbus) for Igueldo. Lurraldebus buses go to Getaria, Zarautz and Hondarribia. The Euskotren reaches Hendaye on the French border. San Sebastián's small airport has few flights; Bilbao airport (about 1 hour 15 minutes by bus) and Biarritz are alternatives.
What to eat in San Sebastián
Pintxos are the heart of the city: try gilda (olive, anchovy and pickled chilli on a skewer, invented here), txangurro (spider crab), tortilla, foie gras, cod brandada, and grilled txuleta (aged beef steak). Drink txakoli poured from height and Basque cider. Finish with Basque burnt cheesecake from La Viña. Pintxos cost about €3-6 each; a Michelin tasting menu €250-350+.
Best time to visit
June to September for the beach and warm weather (about 22-25°C), though it can rain any time; this is the green, rainy Basque Country. September brings the San Sebastián Film Festival. Late July has the Jazzaldia jazz festival. Winter is mild and wet, with cider house season.
Month-by-month weather for San Sebastián →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €50 | €105 | €280 |
| Food & drink | €35 | €70 | €180 |
| Sights & activities | €5 | €20 | €60 |
| Local transport | €4 | €8 | €20 |
| Total per person, per day | about €95 | about €205 | about €540 |
Approximate 2026 prices. San Sebastián is one of Spain's most expensive cities for hotels, especially in summer and during the Film Festival. Check whether a Basque tourist tax applies when you book.
Before you go
Common questions
How does a pintxos crawl work?
Order one or two pintxos and a small drink in each bar, pay when you leave, and move to the next. Most bars are open around lunch and from about 19:00 to 23:00.
Do I need to book Michelin restaurants?
Yes, often two to three months ahead, especially for Arzak, Akelarre and Martín Berasategui.
Can I swim at La Concha?
Yes: it is calm and sheltered. Zurriola has waves for surfing; Ondarreta is quieter.
Is San Sebastián expensive?
Hotels are expensive; pintxos let you eat well at reasonable prices.
What languages are spoken?
Spanish and Basque (Euskara); signs are often bilingual. English is common in hotels and many bars.
Is it worth visiting Bilbao too?
Yes: the Guggenheim Museum and the old town make an easy day trip of about 1 hour 15 minutes each way.
Is San Sebastián good for families?
Yes: calm beaches, the Igueldo amusement park, the Aquarium near the port and easy walks.
Which pintxos bars should I try?
Popular bars in the Parte Vieja include Gandarias, La Cuchara de San Telmo, Borda Berri, La Viña (for cheesecake) and Atari. In Gros, try Bar Bergara and Antonio Bar. Bars specialise: ask what each is known for and order that.
Can I surf in San Sebastián?
Yes: Zurriola beach in Gros has consistent waves and several surf schools offering lessons and board rental for beginners. Autumn brings bigger swells; summer waves are gentler. Wetsuits are recommended for most of the year, as the Atlantic is cool.
Is it easy to visit France from San Sebastián?
Very: Hendaye is about 30 minutes by the Euskotren 'Topo' train, and Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz are 40-50 minutes by car or bus. Saint-Jean-de-Luz has a beautiful harbour and Basque houses.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan, run by a travel agency based in Greece. Prices are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official San Sebastián Turismo, restaurant and transport websites before booking.