San Sebastian-Donostia City Guide for Tourists

San Sebastian is a classy city, with a nice old town, a regal new town, excellent beaches and the best pinchos (tapas) in Spain. There's not a lot to do here, but if you like doing nothing, this is a great place to do it.

The nearest airport is in Bilbao.
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Note that San Sebastian is the Spanish (Castillian) name for the city and Donostia is the Basque name. They are usually written together, but either one can be used on its own.

See Pictures of San Sebastian

A week of celebrations throughout the Basque country for Semana Grande or Aste Nagusia is in the middle of August, with spectacular fireworks in San Sebastian and a Herri Kirolak strong man competition in Bilbao.If you're here for the beach, then you could stay the whole summer! If that doesn't keep you, the food might. Otherwise, you could see the sights in a day.For Hotels in San Sebastian, check out the following links:

• Hotels in San Sebastian with Venere (book direct)
• Hotels in San Sebastian with Travelocity (book direct)

• Sample San Sebastian's three spectacular beaches: Playa de la Concha, Playa de Ondarreta and Playa de Gros
• Eat Pintxos or tapas. They don't get any better (or more expensive) than in San Sebastian. Many of the best pintxos bars can be found on c/31 de Agosto.
• Climb Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo (the two hills either side of the bay) for some great views.
• Visit the Churches and Musuems There are two nice churches in the old town (nicer than the run-of-the-mill cathedral), a Naval museum and the Museo de San Telmo, an art gallery full of Basque paintings.
• Go back to the beach, you've earned the rest!

Bilbao isn't far, nor is the capital of the Basque Country, Vitoria. The Basque countryside is beautiful - all rolling hills and mountains with tense forestry and greenery. Pick a town (Hondarribia, for example) and explore from there.Head west to Bilbao or beyond that to Santander. Otherwise, head south to Vitoria and on to La Rioja (wine country) and then on to Zaragoza and Barcelona.From Madrid 396km - 4h45 by car, 6h by bus, 6h45 by train, 1h15 flight (with Iberia). Read more on Madrid

From Seville 932km - 10h by car, 2h by plane. No bus or train. Read more on Seville

From Barcelona 571km - 6h by car, 6-8h by bus, 9h by train, 1h20 flight (with Iberia). Read more on Barcelona. (Note: though the train is slower than the bus, you get a bed included in the price, making the train a better option).

easyCar, from the people that brought you easyJet, offer car hire throughout Spain and their prices are pretty competitive. Hire a car with easyCar.

Before you book, compare their prices to the other big rental companies on Travelocity.

The bus station and two train stations can be found straddling the River Urmenea. From the main train station, cross the Maria Cristina Bridge and the Cathedral will be in front of you. From the narrow gauge train station or the bus station, the cathedral is a ten-minute walk up c/Prim (on your left).

From the Cathedral (with the river behind you), the main part of the new town opens out in front of you in a grid formation. The main beach, Playa de la Concha, is on your left, with Playa de Ondarreta beyond that and the Monte Igueldo a little further. At the near end of Playa de la Concha is a nice promenade with a permanent carousel and the town hall (Ayuntamiento) and beyond that the Parte Vieja (old town) and then Monte Urgull.

To the right of the Parte Vieja is a bridge which leads into the Gros part of town, where you will find another beach (Playa de Gros), which is a little more secluded than the other two beaches.