San Sebastián, Donostia in Basque, is a seaside city of about 190 thousand people in Spain's Basque Country, some 20 kilometres from the French border. It became a resort in the 19th century when the Spanish royal family chose it for their summers, and it spreads around the beach and promenade of the bay of La Concha. The narrow streets of the Parte Vieja (old town) are known for pintxos, small portions lined up on bar counters, and the city is counted among the places with the most Michelin starred restaurants for its population anywhere in the world. The San Sebastián International Film Festival, held every September since 1953, is the main event in the city's calendar.
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When to visit San Sebastián
San Sebastián has an oceanic climate, and rain falls in every month of the year. June to September is the best period, with temperatures between 22C and 25C and the sea warm enough for swimming in July and August. September is also popular for the film festival and its still mild weather. Winter is mild but wet, though these months are still a good choice for a food trip without the crowds.
Things to do in San Sebastián
La Concha Beach
The one and a half kilometre beach curving around the bay in front of the city is one of the best known city beaches in Europe. A walk runs along the promenade with its white railings and lamps, and in summer boats cross to Santa Clara Island in the middle of the bay.
Monte Igueldo
A wooden funicular running since 1912 climbs the hill at the western end of the bay. At the top are an old amusement park and the best known viewpoint over the bay of La Concha, Santa Clara Island and the city together.
Monte Urgull and Mota Castle
The wooded hill rising just behind the old town was the city's defensive stronghold for centuries. Mota Castle at its summit hosts an exhibition on the history of the city, and a statue of Christ raised in 1950 stands on top.
Peine del Viento
Three huge steel sculptures set into the rocks at the end of Ondarreta beach make up this 1977 work by the Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida. Air and spray burst with the waves through openings in the stone terrace designed by the architect Luis Peña Ganchegui.
San Telmo Museum
Housed in a 16th century Dominican convent, the museum tells the history and culture of Basque society. The walls of its church are covered with the large gold toned paintings Josep Maria Sert made in the 1930s.
Basilica of Santa María del Coro
The 18th century baroque basilica inside the old town leans against the foot of Monte Urgull with its carved facade. The streets in front of it are where the pintxo bars of the Parte Vieja are thickest, and moving from counter to counter in the evening is an established ritual of the city.
Flights from Turkey to San Sebastián
There is no nonstop flight from Istanbul to San Sebastián. The city's small airport is reached with a connection in Barcelona or Madrid, a total journey of about 6 hours 45 minutes. The other way is the Turkish Airlines nonstop service between Istanbul and Bilbao; from Bilbao Airport a direct bus reaches San Sebastián in about an hour and a half.
San Sebastián FAQ
How many days do you need in San Sebastián?
Three days cover the city, the beaches, the two hills and the pintxo bars. Adding the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the walled old town of Hondarribia or the fishing town of Getaria brings it to four or five days.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
San Sebastián Airport is in Hondarribia on the French border, about 20 kilometres from the centre, and a bus or taxi takes 25 to 40 minutes. Bilbao Airport is about 100 kilometres away.
Do you need a visa for Spain?
Yes. Spain is in the Schengen area, and a Turkish passport needs a Schengen visa for tourist travel. Applications are made through Spain's visa application centres in Türkiye, and in busy periods appointments need to be booked several weeks ahead.
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