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City guide

San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastián or Donostia, officially known by the bilingual name Donostia / San Sebastián, is a city and municipality located in the Basque Autonomous Community in Spain. It lies on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, 20 km from the Spain–France border.

Type CityPopulation 188,487

Why go

  • City in the Basque Country, Spain.
  • Served by San Sebastián Airport (EAS).

History

San Sebastián or Donostia, officially known by the bilingual name Donostia / San Sebastián, is a city and municipality located in the Basque Autonomous Community in Spain. It lies on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, 20 km from the Spain–France border. The capital city of the province of Gipuzkoa, it has a population of 188,487 as of 2024, with its metropolitan area being 436,500 in 2010. Locals call themselves donostiarra (singular) in Basque, also using this term when speaking in Spanish. It is also a part of Basque Eurocity Bayonne-San Sebastián.

Restaurants & places to go

Fine Dining, Regional, Restaurant · Features: reservation required · 4 Loidi kalea, Lasarte-Oria, 20160 · martinberasategui.com
Indoor
Restaurant · restaurant · 56 Aita Orkolaga pasealekua · akelarre.net
Indoor
Restaurant · restaurant · 20, Errenteria, 20100 · mugaritz.com
Indoor
Restaurant · Uno de los grandes de la cocina en miniatura. Amplio menú de pintxos, servidos en plato, Carrillera de Ternera al Vino, - Risotto Cremoso de… · lacucharadesantelmo.com
Indoor
Restaurant · Bugati erretegia Opening hours: Fr-Su 12:00-23:30 · 74 Arrapide pasealekua, Donostia / San Sebastián, 20160 · bugatierretegia.com
Indoor
Tapas, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Su,PH 12:00-23:30; Fr,Sa 12:00-24:00; Jul-Aug We 12:00-23:30 Features: air conditioning · 22 Fermin Calbeton… · betijaiberria.eus
Indoor
Fish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 13:30-15:15; Fr-Sa 13:30-15:15, 20:30-22:15; Su 13:30-15:00 · 79 Donibane kalea, 20110 · casacamara.com
Indoor
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Fr-Su 13:00-16:00, 19:00-00:00; Mo, We-Th 19:00-00:00 · 47 San Frantzisko kalea, Donostia / San Sebastián, 20002 · humopizza.com
Indoor

292 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

San Sebastián Airport (EAS) 16 km to the centre
Hondarribia, PV, ES — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (Iberia Airlines, Vueling Airlines) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Barcelona, Madrid (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 2 direct destinations
  • Iberia Airlines IB (A320, ATR 72, CRJ-200) · 2 routes: Barcelona*, Madrid*
  • Vueling Airlines VY (A319) · 1 route: Barcelona

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Donostia
Ferry terminal · 1.1 km from the centre
Outdoor
Santa Clara
Ferry terminal · 1.6 km from the centre
Outdoor
Barco de Pasaia
Ferry terminal · 5.1 km from the centre
Outdoor
Hondarribia - Hendaya Boat
Ferry terminal · 17 km from the centre
Outdoor
Hendaia - Hondarribia Boat
Ferry terminal · 17 km from the centre
Outdoor
Donostia - Santa Clara
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is San Sebastián Airport (EAS). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: EAS has direct flights to 2 destinations on 2 airlines (incl. Barcelona, Madrid). By water: 5 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Donostia, 1.1 km); routes include Donostia - Santa Clara.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for San Sebastian, Spain. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach

Tours & experiences