Things to do in San Sebastian: pintxos, surf & siestas — a guide for American travelers

There’s a reason why travel expert Nick O’Brien calls San Sebastian the most fascinating city in Spain

Playa de la Concha y Monte Urgull

From tasting exquisite pintxos in the Old Town to surfing Atlantic waves and strolling along the Belle Époque promenade, this guide brings together the most rewarding things to do in San Sebastian — enhanced by the insights of seasoned explorers like U.S. travel expert Nick O'Brien, who calls Donostia "the most fascinating city in Spain."

Why travel to San Sebastian, Spain?

San Sebastian offers a more relaxed pace than Barcelona or Madrid, without giving up high-end experiences. Its crescent-shaped La Concha Beach, Michelin-starred restaurants and compact Old Town combine adventure, good food and genuine downtime in one walkable city.

In short: Americans come for the pintxos, the surf and the siestas — and tend to stay a little longer than planned.

Where to stay: Lasala Plaza Hotel

Before diving into the itinerary, a word on where to base yourself. Lasala Plaza Hotel sits in the heart of the Old Town, with views over the harbor and La Concha Bay — a boutique hotel awarded a Michelin Key, built for travelers who want both comfort and proximity to the city.

With individually designed rooms, a seasonal rooftop overlooking the bay, and everything within walking distance, Lasala Plaza Hotel puts the city at your door.

<!-- Nota interna: se ha suavizado "rooftop dining" a "seasonal rooftop overlooking the bay" porque no tenemos confirmación de que el rooftop ofrezca un servicio de restaurante formal; verificar con el hotel qué servicio de F&B está activo en el rooftop antes de publicar. -->

Pintxos: a culinary adventure

One of the top things to do in San Sebastian is eat — and eat well. Pintxos, the Basque version of tapas, are the stars of the show: bite-sized creations of fresh seafood, cured meats and cheese, served atop bread and skewered with a toothpick.

Where to go for pintxos:

• Bar Nestor: known for its tomato salad and steak.
• Paco Bueno: a local favorite serving classic, unfussy pintxos.
• Bar Martinez: traditional bar with old-school charm and a great range of cold pintxos.
• Bar Sport: known for grilled foie gras and regional specialties.
• Txepetxa: specializes in anchovy pintxos prepared in imaginative ways.

Insider tip: hop from bar to bar — locals call it a "pintxo crawl" — and order a glass of txakoli, the local sparkling white wine, along the way.

Surf & sand: San Sebastian's beaches

Few cities combine world-class surf and city-center beaches the way Donostia does.

Top beaches to visit:

• La Concha Beach: iconic, calm water, great for swimming and sunbathing.
• Zurriola Beach: in the Gros neighborhood, the go-to beach for surfers.
• Ondarreta Beach: quieter, family-friendly, good for relaxed strolls.

Cultural icons and scenic hikes

Donostia rewards a slower pace, whether that means walking historic bridges or climbing scenic hills.

Nature + views:

• Monte Urgull: an easy hike with panoramic views and the Castillo de la Mota.
• Monte Igueldo: reach it by vintage funicular for sweeping views.
• Monte Ulia: a quieter option, with coastal cliffs and hiking trails.

Cultural landmarks:

• Palacio Miramar: a former royal residence with oceanfront gardens.
• Catedral del Buen Pastor: a neo-Gothic landmark in the city center.
• Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Coro: a Baroque building in the Old Town.
• City Hall and Alderdi-Eder Gardens: a good spot for a morning coffee.

Catedral del Buen Pastor

Explore Donostia on foot

San Sebastian is best explored on foot. Walk the Paseo de La Concha for beach views, or Paseo Nuevo, where the waves break directly against the seawall. Cross into Gros for its surf culture and cafes, or Aiete for its villas and gardens.

Don't miss the city's three landmark bridges: Puente de Santa Catalina, Puente del Kursaal and Puente de María Cristina.

Day trips around San Sebastian

Want to extend your trip beyond the city? A few excursions worth the detour:

• Getaria: a fishing village 30 minutes away, known for grilled seafood and txakoli.
• Hondarribia: a medieval border town with cobblestone streets and colorful houses.
• Biarritz, France: about an hour away, for a taste of the French Basque coast.
• Pasaia: a small harbor town reachable by boat, once home to Victor Hugo.

A slower rhythm

Basque daily life leans toward long lunches, unhurried afternoons and late strolls. A morning espresso on a sunny terrace, a seaside lunch, a slow afternoon — San Sebastian rewards doing less, but doing it well.

Visit San Sebastian during festival season

Timing your trip around one of the city's festivals adds another layer to the visit:

• Semana Grande (Aste Nagusia): held in August, the city's biggest celebration, with concerts, fireworks and parades.
• San Sebastian International Film Festival: every September, one of Europe's most prestigious film festivals. Lasala Plaza Hotel welcomes film industry guests and personalities visiting for the festival each year.
• Tamborrada: on January 20th, thousands of drummers parade through the city.

Where history meets today's city

The Old Town (Parte Vieja) is a maze of narrow streets and lively bars, while the newer neighborhoods bring wider avenues and green spaces. Plaza de la Constitución, once a bullring, is now a social hub; Plaza Guipuzkoa offers a garden square, and Plaza Easo is surrounded by local shops and cafes.

A day in San Sebastian

• Morning: wake up at Lasala Plaza Hotel to harbor views, then breakfast before heading out.
• Midday: stroll La Concha promenade, visit Monte Urgull, and grab pintxos in the Old Town.
• Afternoon: relax on the beach or surf at Zurriola.
• Evening: dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant (Akelarre or Arzak), or a casual pintxo crawl.
• Night: sunset from Monte Igueldo, or from the rooftop at Lasala Plaza Hotel when it's open for the season.

Your Basque checklist

A quick list of things to do in San Sebastian:

• Eat pintxos in the Old Town
• Watch the sunset from Monte Igueldo
• Swim at La Concha Beach
• Explore Monte Urgull and its castle
• Visit the Miramar Palace
• Walk through Plaza de la Constitución
• Stay at Lasala Plaza Hotel
• Sip txakoli in Getaria
• Surf Zurriola Beach
• Time your trip to a local festival

Ready to visit San Sebastian?

Whether you're drawn by the food, the outdoors or the culture, San Sebastian delivers on all three within a single, walkable city. Pintxos, surf, siestas and sea views — the list of things to do here keeps growing every time you visit.

Start your trip at Lasala Plaza Hotel, your base for exploring Donostia.