Santo Tomás Fair
Shortly before Christmas, on December 21st, the city transforms into a traditional rural market with txistorra sausage and cider.
PlizioGo
Try the original at La Viña bar in the Old Town; it is famous for its creamy center and dark, caramelized top.
A slightly sparkling, dry white wine poured from a height to aerate it properly.
The quintessential pintxo consisting of an olive, a pickled pepper, and an anchovy on a skewer.
A traditional market located partly underground, great for buying Idiazabal cheese and cured meats.
Elegant shops featuring local Basque fashion and crafts located south of the Old Town.
A modern market hall blending traditional food stalls with upscale retail.
Take a boat to the tiny island in the center of the bay for a quiet escape from the city buzz.
A large, peaceful park near the train station with resident peacocks and shaded paths.
The 'Comb of the Wind' sculptures at the end of Ondarreta beach are a meditative spot to watch the waves.
Water temperature…
Shortly before Christmas, on December 21st, the city transforms into a traditional rural market with txistorra sausage and cider.
In September, the city becomes a meeting place for Hollywood stars and film fans at one of Europe's most prestigious film festivals.
On the first two Sundays of September, Basque rowing clubs compete against each other in a historical, highly popular competition.
A huge summer festival in mid-August that culminates in the famous international fireworks competition in La Concha Bay.
In July, Spain's oldest jazz festival attracts visitors with countless concerts, many of them taking place on the beautiful Zurriola beach.
Every year on January 20th, the streets of San Sebastián echo for 24 hours to the rhythm of countless drums to honor the city's patron saint.
San Sebastián, known as Donostia in Basque, is situated along the shell-shaped La Concha bay, flanked by Mount Igueldo and Mount Urgull. The city's architecture is strongly marked by the Belle Époque period, reflected in buildings such as the Victoria Eugenia Theater and the Hotel Maria Cristina, dating back to when the Spanish royal family spent their summers here. The city is globally recognized for its density of Michelin stars and the lively pintxo culture in the narrow streets of the Old Town (Parte Vieja). Here, bars serve elaborately prepared small dishes on bread slices, often accompanied by a glass of local cider or Txakoli wine. The Zurriola beach in the Gros neighborhood attracts a younger, surfing crowd, while the modern Kursaal congress center on the Urumea river hosts the annual international film festival. Taking the historical funicular up to Monte Igueldo provides the best vantage point over the city's coastal layout.
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 10 |
| Rain mm | 126 | 96 | 90 | 86 | 82 | 68 | 48 | 51 | 64 | 94 | 149 | 117 |
See what it looks like near San Sebastián right now.
San Sebastián › North-west: Beach of La Concha - Puerto deportivo - Puerto de San Sebastián - bay of La Concha · 0.3 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Notable places around
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Start your morning exploring the narrow streets of the Old Town and its historic churches. Midday, visit the San Telmo Museum to understand Basque culture. In the afternoon, stroll past the magnificent Buen Pastor Cathedral and relax on the golden sands of La Concha. Evening brings you to the modern Kursaal area.
Start your day in the Old Town, where narrow alleys provide some cover from the typical 'sirimiri' rain. Spend your morning exploring the Basilica and San Telmo Museum to stay dry. At midday, the pintxos bars of Parte Vieja are perfect refuges. The walk to the Cathedral takes you through the city center, where shop awnings offer extra protection. In the afternoon, enjoy the dramatic view of the Bay of Biscay from the promenade shelters at La Concha beach. Watching the waves in the rain is a classic San Sebastian experience. Finish your evening at the Kursaal. The glowing glass cubes reflect beautifully on the wet pavement, while the interior provides a dry space for culture and relaxation.
Winter mornings in the Old Town are quiet and crisp. The cool sea breeze flows through the narrow streets as you enjoy the peaceful silence of the Basilica. At midday, warm up with hot pintxos in the cozy bars. The San Telmo Museum offers a fascinating and heated refuge to explore Basque history. In the afternoon, visit the Cathedral before taking a bracing walk along La Concha. The winter sunset at 5:30 PM is often spectacular over the bay. Finish your day at the Kursaal, which glows like an ice crystal in the dark. The city lights reflect beautifully in the cold waters of the Urumea river.
A perfect coastal ride begins at the Kursaal, pedaling along the famous La Concha promenade. Midday offers a scenic stop at the Miramar Palace gardens. By afternoon, you will reach the iconic Peine del Viento sculptures. End your ride with a trip up Monte Igueldo for spectacular views.
Cycling in the rain requires caution but rewards you with empty paths. Start at Kursaal and head to the Old Town, being careful on the slippery cobblestones. At midday, follow the red bidegorri (bike path) along La Concha. The sea spray mixes with the rain for a truly refreshing, if wet, coastal experience. In the afternoon, visit Miramar Palace and Peine del Viento. The sculptures look particularly powerful amidst the crashing stormy waves. Finish your day with a climb to Monte Igueldo. Despite the clouds, the dramatic view of the grey sea is spectacular before your final descent.
A clear winter morning at Kursaal is a great way to start. The cool air is invigorating as you pedal toward the Old Town. At midday, enjoy the wide views along La Concha. The low winter sun gives the bay a beautiful silvery glow. In the afternoon, head to Miramar Palace and Peine del Viento. The sea air is refreshingly cold, and the sculptures feel majestic in the winter quiet. The highlight is the ride up Monte Igueldo before the early sunset. Watch the city lights flicker on as the air turns chilly.
Drive up to Monte Igueldo early to beat the crowds and enjoy the spectacular bay panorama. Midday, stop by the Peine del Viento and the Miramar Palace. In the afternoon, park near the center to visit Monte Urgull and the majestic Buen Pastor Cathedral. Conclude with an evening walk near the striking Kursaal.
Traveling by car provides the best protection from the rain. Start at Monte Igueldo, where you can watch the stormy bay from the comfort of your vehicle. At midday, drive to Peine del Viento and Miramar Palace. Parking nearby allows for quick, dry transitions between sights. In the afternoon, park near Monte Urgull. The tree cover provides some natural shelter before you continue to the Cathedral. Finish your day at the Kursaal. The large underground parking nearby ensures a dry arrival to the illuminated glass cubes.
Start your winter morning with a comfortable drive up to Monte Igueldo. Enjoy the crisp views over the bay from the warmth of your car. At midday, visit Peine del Viento and Miramar Palace. The clear winter air provides stunning long-distance views over the ocean. In the afternoon, park near Monte Urgull and the Cathedral. The city is much quieter in winter, making parking easier than in summer. Finish your day at the brightly lit Kursaal. Short walks from the underground parking mean you stay warm while moving between attractions.
June-September for the beach and 22-26°C — but August is very crowded thanks to the Film Festival and holidays. May and October are quieter, perfect for pintxos crawls without queues. Winter is rainy and stormy but surfer season, with spas in full swing.
One of Spain's safest cities, relaxed even at night. In the Parte Vieja (old town) on weekend pintxos crawls, watch your bag — packed and a tourist hotspot. At La Concha beach mind the currents: don't enter the water on a red flag.
San Sebastian (Donostia in Basque) is bilingual: Basque and Spanish are both official, with many bilingual signs. Spanish is enough everywhere, but an 'eskerrik asko' (Basque for thanks) earns broad smiles. English works very well — tourism is at professional level.
Renowned globally for its distinctive shell-shaped bay, Playa de la Concha is a spectacular city beach in San Sebastián. The lively yet elegant atmosphere attracts visitors eager to experience its striking white sands and photogenic urban setting. You can easily spend hours swimming in the bay or soaking up the sun right in the heart of the city. A summer evening walk here reveals the true magic of the Spanish coastline.
Tucked away in San Sebastián, Mikel Laboa plaza serves as a lovely family-friendly playground. The atmosphere is consistently cheerful, providing a wonderful space for children to burn off energy while parents relax. It stands out as a safe, engaging urban retreat for young explorers. Bringing a little snack is a great idea to enjoy a quick break during your city sightseeing.
A chamber music hall within the modern Kursaal congress center in San Sebastián.
