San Sebastián in 1 Day: 8 Awesome things to do

San Sebastián is a resort town on the Bay of Biscay in the Spanish mountainous Basque Country, and let me tell you it is well worth a visit.

Although it is a little more expensive than other Spanish area’s, it is really worth visiting, even if it is only for a day or two. This town is the perfect place to get away from city life and just chill out at the beach, take in the most amazing views, and eat some amazing San Sebastián cheesecake.

Unfortunately, we only went here on a day trip from Bilbao when we were travelling Spain, but I fell in love with the place, so I will definitely be back.

The bus from Bilbao to San Sebastián takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, so if you are in Bilbao and want to get away from the cities hustle and bustle, I would definitely recommend a day trip here. The bus cost €14 return and we booked it with: Travel Spain by Bus, Train & Plane | Omio

In this blog I will be talking you through what a the perfect day trip to San Sebastian looks like, from things to do, where to eat, and how to get around.

Things to Do

La Concha Beach

This is known as one of the nicest beaches in Europe, and we now understand why. From the crystal clear water, the views of the mountains, and the boats sailing out at sea, this is such a beautiful spot to relax.

Although we were only in San Sebastian for the day, we brought along our swimming gear so we could have a dip in the water on this beautiful beach. We went here in October and although it was autumn, temperatures were still quite high so it was the perfect weather for sea swimming.

Relaxing on this beach would be an ideal day in itself to spend in this gorgeous town.

Old Town

This is a very busy area of San Sebastian, that lies at the foot of Mount Urgull. Here you can find some amazing cafes, restaurants, and shops. The bars here offer some of the best pintxos in the city!

In this neighbourhood you will also find the Bascilica of St Mary of the Chorus and St Vincent’s Church, which are two beautiful landmarks that are a must see if you are in the area.

The Plaza de la Constitutíon is a beautiful square in the heart of the Old Town, which is a stunning area that you can go to admire free of charge. This square is also a great place to snap some beautiful pictures.

Mount Urgull

If you are looking for picture perfect views, you have to head to the top of Mount Urgull. It overlooks the Old Quarter.

This area is bursting with history, so you can take in all the tales of Old San Sebastián. Castillo de la Mota is the summit of Monte Urgull, which was built in the 12th century. A small museum is also located here, that is open to visitors. 

There are 4 paths running from the city to the summit of Mount Urgull. We took the route from opposite San Telmo Museum, where the Mari and Virgen del Coro streets meet.

Opening times are from 1st May – 30th September are 8am-9pm and opening hours from 1st October – 30th April are 8am-7.30pm.

Monte Igueldo

This is one of the prettiest viewpoints from over San Sebastian’s bay. To get to the top of Monte Igueldo, you can take one of the antique funicular railway carts. 

Once you get to the top, you can take in the views of San Sebastián. El Torreón is a crenellated 16th-century tower, at the top you’ll find a 360 degree view and an exhibition with historic photographs.

For kids, there is an old-fashioned amusement park with rides, including bumper cars, paddle boats, hige slides, a carousel, and a log flume.

There is also a cafe and restaurant at the top of Monte Igueldo, which is ideal to stop for a coffee and take in the views. 

The price of the cable car to get to the top is €8 return, and you will need a mask to get on the funicular. 

Mercado de la Bretxa

This fresh market is the perfect place to stroll around and grab some of San Sebastián’s tasty food. From olives, to wine, to iberia ham, and many more delicious foods are what makes this market famous.

Like most Spanish markets, you’ll find stalls with ready-to-eat local specialities, including tapas. These can be perfect to drop by for a snack when you are exploring the city.

Victoria Eugenia Antzokia

This performing arts centre within the De Okendo Plaza, is a beautiful piece of architecture that was created from sandstone by architect Francisco de Urcola. This is the main venue for the annual International Film Festival that takes place every September in San Sebastian.

If you are strolling around the city, this is a great place to spot by to take in the beauty and also get some amazing snaps.

Basílica de Santa María del Coro

This is one of the most impressive buildings in San Sebastián, with its mix of styles including Gothic, Neo-Classical, and Plateresque.

This is a must visit when you are in San Sebastián, and you will also get some beautiful pictures from the streets below.

Ayuntamiento de San Sebastián

While walking around the city we stumbled across this beautiful gem, Ayuntamiento de San Sebastián, aka the city hall. For a while, it was home to a casino, where local artists and politicians mingled during the Belle Époque.

Later it became a battle field when nationalists and republicans clashed during the Civil War. You can still see the bullet holes in the building to this day.

It is such a pretty part of the city, that is also bursting with history!

Where to Eat

We were only in San Sebastián for one day, so unfortunately, we didn’t get to try all the amazing restaurants they have to offer. But the ones we did go to were very good.

• Alabama Cafe: Amazing breakfast, that is cheap and cheerful!

• Juantxo: Sandwiches here are ideal for a lunch break.

• Txoko: Great dinner, with a really nice ambiance and vibe.

• Casa Otaegui: Try the San Sebastián Cheesecake.

How to get Around

San Sebastián is a compact town which is quite easy to get around. We walked everywhere while we were here, as everything we wanted to see was always under a 30 minute walk from one place to the next.

However, if you are not in the position to walk from site to site, I would recommend using the bus, metro, or you can easily hail taxis on the road. We didn’t see an easy assess to bike/scooter use while we were here, so I am not sure if this would be an option.

That is everything you need to know to spend one perfect day in San Sebastián. I would love to go back here on a summer holiday for a few days as it has such a relaxing ambiance around it.

If you plan to travel Spain this year, I would definitely not skip out on visiting San Sebastián. It is such a beautiful city!