The 14 best festivals, street fairs, and annual events in Donostia - San Sebastian

Perfect little surf beach in San Sebastián. We rented boards and wetsuits from Hawaii Donostia and my daughter caught her first wave all the wave in. There’s plenty of space for different levels of surfing and the beach is so clean and pretty

Stretching about 800 meters, the beach is a popular hotspot for surfers and younger crowds. It’s known for its energetic water sports scene combined with the laid-back charm of Basque coastal culture. "Zurriola" refers to the local area.

Popular surfing beach but there is also a safe area for swimming. Can be rough seas depending on the weather. Nice promenade for walking.

Honestly I was underwhelmed at first but this is a great city beach… not as pretty as the city beaches in Biarritz… but certainly very usable, great facilities (maybe best public showers I’ve seen at a beach) , decent for swimming and fantastic for surfing.

Very Nice Second Beach of San Sebastian We really like this beach, it is a bit less popular than the one in town, also a bit smaller but that means there are less people too. That is somehow a positive point as it does not get so crowded.

Surfing beach!!! And also swimming beach. Yellow flag to yellow flag, around the place you can swim. Wonderful place to chill, windy and cozy💙 Here's some shower and restroom. Be careful when you swimming, too strong waves.

Looks like a nice beach. Unfortunately we couldn’t enter because it’s forbidden for dogs (we have two border collies).

I loved the size of the beach. Despite the crowds, it never felt overcrowded. If you enjoy proper swimming, you can swim long distances across the width of the beach. There are also several good restaurants within walking distance. Plus, there’s convenient access to public restrooms. I would definitely recommend it.

Beautiful beach. Mostly always well kept. Even if you don't like sand is very nice to stroll along just about any time of day.

Fantastic city beach with safe swimming water. There is an arched promenade allowing for shade if needed with young children.

One cannot come to San. Sebastian and not come to the beach. For goodness sake, this is the paradise part of SS. Full of people but ALWAYS enough space for everyone. Amazing and a must come for the sunshine!

Very beautiful in picture beach in the centre of Saint Sebastian. I really love my visit to the spot. Lots of people enjoying the weather and the scenic view. Around the beach area, there is plenty to see, including tourist attractions and spots to enjoy refreshments and food.

Great walk around the bay and a lovely beach. Some great sand sculptures at the far end.

As far as I can tell it is no less than the most beautiful city beach or bay in Europe. Of course you have to be lucky with the weather, as on hot days it feels like the whole city is digging through the sand. The huge dimensions only become clear on a walk or a drive up one of the two hills (Monte Igueldo or Urgull). It is a little unusual that there is so little catering right on the promenade.

For fabulous views of San Sebastián it’s well worth the climb to the top. Steep steps in places or more windy route available. Make sure you take water with you, there’s nowhere to drink at the top but there is a very good bar half way up and worth a stop.

If you take the view alone as a yardstick it cannot quite compete with its counterpart on the other side of the bay (Monte Igueldo), but Urgull can be explored in a relaxed and peaceful manner. Fortunately there is no cable car but there are some nice hiking trails, the small castle is well preserved and if you didn't already have the impression of looking at a miniature version of Rio, the statue of Christ confirms this effect.

Located in San Sebastián, Mount Urgull offers stunning views of the city and coastline, with paths for all fitness levels. The hike is filled with historical sites, with the most widely known as the statue of Christ. The greenery and vibrant gardens make it perfect for a stroll or picnic. Whether you're into hiking, history, or just enjoying nature, Mount Urgull is a must-visit. Highly recommend!

A nice walk up, with multiple spots to see the views but also some historical monuments and remains. Get yourself lost in this beautiful walk to the top and go to the castle-museum (free)!

Worth the climb. Great view of the lovley San Sebastian.

Mount Urgull offers an amazing vantage point to get closer to the Jesus statue whilst connecting with nature and history. The walk up is quite steep but the view is worth it. Along the path are a dozen or so signposted pitstops offering a snapshot of this sight's historical relevance. At the top there's a castle with museum accessed by staggered entry times. There's two entry points to the park allowing walkers to create a psuedo loop.

Fascinating little hill and old battlementsl with a labyrinth of interconnected paths that lead you up to monument over looking the city. Its not overly taxing as the routes are not very steep and have been designed to suit a range of fitness levels. You need a ticket to get into view the monument and should be booked in advance(tickets are free). Its an awesome 2 hours well spent and offers spectacular view of the city promenade and bay area

We really enjoyed our tour. Colten was very knowledgeable and pleasant to work with. He really understood the city and was very open and willing to share both the history and culture, plus his personal experiences in San Sebastian. It was nice having him show us around. The e-bikes were terrific, especially climbing the big mountain in town. One of the best bike tours we have ever taken. Highly recommend.

A fantastic trip around the cultural areas of San Sebastián with the expert local guide Inigo. Would highly recommend this company (and Inigo if you are able) if considering this type of excursion and if you’re not, you should as it will help greatly in your experience of the city. Easy relaxed pace using the extent of the cycle paths.

Fantastic 3 hour bike tour with Colten. Really felt like we saw the whole of San Sebastián and learnt a lot about this beautiful city. Finished off with lots of recommendations. Fun, informative and friendly and would thoroughly recommend. Thank you!

A great tour with a fun and knowledgeable guide. Based on the number of people our guide Inigo knew as we pedalled through the neighborhoods of Donostia, it was clear he was a local. He was an amazing source of information on the political, social and economic history of the city the Basque Country and Spain. He tailored the tour to our interests and created an itinerary that that worked great for our small-sized group. The bikes, also from a local manufacturer, were in great shape.

Great way to see The say when you first get there or even if you’ve been there a few days. You see all the popular areas and even the Non-Emergency. You can cover so much ground on a bike.! Our tour guide was awesome. He’s lived here six years. He’s from the US originally, but has MASK roots. Gave us so many great to bit of information about the city. We would do the tour again tomorrow.! Gave us great recommendations, on places to visit secret restaurants to check out and crowded areas and overpriced. Tourist traps to avoid! Worth it! And so fun for all ages on the elector. Bikes! The city is bike friendly forward!

Excellent bike tour and so glad we did it on Day 1 of our trip. Alain is one of the co-owners of the business and a really fun guide, sharing lots of interesting information (and strong opinions from a local) about Basque history, culture, and customs. The route covered a diverse range of landmarks and vantage points of the city (skipping only Old Town, where bikes aren’t allowed, and Centro area, where he suggested walking would be better to appreciate the buildings). Alain’s English was easy to understand, and he offered lively stories with interactive questions at each point. He welcomed our own questions throughout, and frequently asked our group questions back to make it feel more like a conversation. We learned about the background of the city, its neighborhoods, people, food, politics, sports, education, and more! The bikes were in good shape and easy to ride for guests of all ages and biking abilities, and Alain kept us confident and safe in navigating the sometimes busy bike lanes. Didn’t feel tiring at all and seemed the right amount of time to cover so much ground. Looking forward to our walking tour with the same operator to dive deeper into Old Town and Centro. Thanks, Alain and GoLocal for the trip and local resto recommendations. Book directly if you can!

We did the walking tour with Pelayo on June 26 and had a ball. He entertained and explained things about San Sebastián from a local’s point of view so at the end of two hours we all felt in love with the place. He shared his own favourites for restaurants and places to go. Who would have guessed there is so much to know about pinxchos? Thanks Pelayo - you should be on stage 👍

In the 19th century, La Concha beach was the place where Queen Isabel II came for her bath therapy. Because of this, San Sebastián automatically turned into the summer residence of the Spanish royal family, and due to this, also other European royals spent their summers in this beautiful city.

An island in the bay of la Concha. It can be reached by boat from the port of San Sebastian

Amazing beach weather today.

It's very pretty, but it's also real. Ven y cuéntalo! 😉

(Translated by Google) One of the most beautiful beaches I have visited, although I didn't go in summer, the bay and the city of Donosti are beautiful. (Original) De las playas más lindas que he visitado, aunque no fui en verano, la bahía y la ciudad de Donosti es algo hermoso.

(Translated by Google) A magnificent beach in the heart of San Sebastian. Calm waters, a well-defined swimming area, and several jetties for thrilling dives. (Original) Une plage magnifique, en plein cœur de Saint-Sébastien. Eaux calmes, zone de baignade bien définie et plusieurs jetées pour des plongées palpitantes.

(Translated by Google) A beautiful beach with spectacular views (Original) Una playa preciosa con unas vistas espectaculares

I haven’t gone to an aquarium in forever— and this place makes me want to visit my local ones again. The sharks repeatedly swam over the tunnel they have here, allowing us the get a close up view of their fins,teeth,gills, and eyes! It was so cool. Definitely recommend visiting.

⸻ The Aquarium in San Sebastián is well worth a visit, especially if you’re with kids. The exhibits are informative and well laid out, with a mix of history and marine life. The highlight is the glass tunnel where fish and sharks swim around you, which keeps both children and adults impressed. It’s not a huge aquarium, but it’s well maintained and easy to walk through in about 1–2 hours. Ticket prices are fair for what you get, and the location by the harbor makes it convenient to include in a day of exploring the city.

The San Sebastián Aquarium, situated in the harbor of Donostia-San Sebastián, presents a comprehensive exploration of marine ecosystems with a focus on the biogeography of the Cantabrian Sea and broader global biodiversity. The institution houses a substantial collection of over 200 species, meticulously curated across diverse habitats. The centerpiece, the Oceanarium, a 1.5 x 1.5 million liter tank traversed by a 360-degree acrylic tunnel, facilitates direct observation of apex predators such as Carcharhinus leucas (bull shark), various batoids including species from the families Myliobatidae and Dasyatidae, and chelonioids like Caretta caretta (loggerhead sea turtle). Dedicated tanks showcase the ichthyofauna and invertebrate communities endemic to the Cantabrian Sea, highlighting ecological relationships within this temperate Atlantic region. Furthermore, the aquarium features biotope-specific exhibits representing tropical coral reef ecosystems, displaying a vibrant array of scleractinian corals and associated reef fish from the families Pomacanthidae, Labridae, and Chaetodontidae. Specialized displays focus on pelagic species, cryptic microfauna, and venomous marine organisms, underscoring the diversity of marine adaptations. The inclusion of a tactile aquarium allows for direct interaction with selected benthic invertebrates, promoting experiential learning. Beyond live exhibits, the institution maintains a significant osteological collection, most notably the skeleton of Eubalaena glacialis (North Atlantic right whale), providing paleontological context to regional marine fauna. Through its integrated approach encompassing live displays, interactive technologies, and historical artifacts, the San Sebastián Aquarium serves as a valuable resource for both public education and the dissemination of marine biological knowledge. Not a huge Aquarium but worth the visit. Specially the huge main tank.

Fantastic place, essentially the naval museum on the top two floors with model boats, history, etc. then natural marine wildlife, and down into two floors of aquarium. Very well done, very informative, and finishes with a pair of axolotl and a gift shop. Fantastic experience all around!

great aquarium from someone who loves sea animals, and a lot of history about fishing and ancient history it was great, although for me who is autistic I did get a bit overwhelmed by the people and had to put on music for myself. So if you have a child with any difficulties please prep beforehand

Not big but interesting and educational, aquariums with many species of fish, few people enter the hall called the auditorium, not knowing that there is a huge aquarium with large fish, you can sit and watch them. I really liked the walk and it turned out to be educational.

A fabulous museum and aquarium. Lots of interesting exhibits for all ages, wonderful tanks and friendly staff. It was just perfect for a rainy day and so much more than we expected. One of our favourite places in Donostia and we'd go again. Don't miss it.

Loved every bit of San Sebastian but saw this building and thought it was awfully ugly from the exterior & shame it’s covering all those lovely old beautiful architecture behind it, should be placed in a corner somewhere else..not at beach front

An impressive Congress Centre with a large main hall that easily fits more than 750 people as well as many other medium and smaller size meeting rooms. The terrace offers an impressive seaview but wind and weather determine if it is useful. The infrastructure is solid.

Very beautiful venue for our conference, in an amazing location! But the air conditioning is too cold

Very beautiful conference venue in a great location!

The Great Kursaal was an elegant palace built in 1921, pulled down in 1973. An empty plot was freed (1973-1999). The new Kursaal Congress Centre (1999) was designed by Rafael Moneo, awarded the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture in 2001. The initial impact of the buildings in the landscape was deemed negative by Donostians, thanks to the positive impact it had in the economy, tourism and cultural life, most citizens today appreciate it.

The place is beautiful. The sound in the speakers wasn’t very good.

Beautiful js beautiful one of the most amazing experiences i went thru in this gorgeous country uf not the first first

Very friendly staff, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful. I would definitely recommend this veterinarian clinic to anybody.

(Translated by Google) Excellent clinic, with very good professionals. The peace of mind of trusting your pet's health in good hands. (Original) Excelente clínica, con muy buenos profesionales. La tranquilidad de confiar la salud de tu mascota en buenas manos.

Need dog seeing for journey back to England. Efficient and helpful, very impressed

(Translated by Google) They have treated all my animals for many years and continue to treat them and me incredibly well. Thank you very much for everything. Larraitz and Aria😊 (Original) Han tratado a todos mis animales hace muchos años y siguen haciéndolo increíblemente en trato hacia ellos y hacia mi. Mil gracias por todo. Larraitz y Aria😊

(Translated by Google) Exceptional service. Unbeatable treatment, fast, friendly, and very effective. The clinic is very pleasant and spacious. I went to get my dog's passport and get him vaccinated. They helped me very quickly, answered all my questions, and made the process very easy. The entire staff is wonderful. 100% recommended (Original) Servicio excepcional. Trato inmejorable, rapido amable y muy efectivo. Clinica muy agradable y amplia. Fui a hacerle el pasaporte a mi perro y ponerle una vacuna. Me atendieron muy rápido, me resolvieron todas las dudas y facilitaron mucho el proceso. Todo el personal encantador. 100% recomendada

(Translated by Google) They are exceptional professionals and I say this because I have already had the opportunity to go through 12 clinics given the number of dogs I have had. Their knowledge is extensive and they have an amazing, fast and effective clinical eye. Not only is their personal treatment worthy of mention, but when I release the dogs they go directly to the entrance of the clinic without hesitation. They will have something else when this happens. I am delighted with their practice and I recommend them without a doubt for any case, be it operations, cures,... etc.. (Original) Son unos profesionales de excepción y lo digo porque ya he tenido ocasión de pasar por 12 clínicas dado el número de perros que he tenido. Sus conocimientos son extensos y tienen un ojo clínico asombroso, rápido y eficaz. No sólo el trato personal es digno de mención en ellos sino que cuando suelto a los perros van directamente a la entrada de la clínica sin reparos. Algo más tendrán cuando esto sucede. Estoy encantada con su praxis y los recomiendo sin lugar a dudas para cualquier caso, sean operaciones, curaciones,... etc..

(Translated by Google) A great team. They saved my dog's life with surgery. (Original) Un gran equipo. Salvaron la vida de mi perro con una cirugía

(Translated by Google) They have little assortment, although they can order the models that the customer wants, and being a painting and drawing store, they do not always serve you as necessary. (Original) Tienen poco surtido, aunque pueden pedir los modelos que el cliente quiera, y al ser una tienda de pintura y dibujo, no siempre te atienden como sería necesario.