Where to Stay in San Sebastian - A Local’s Guide for First-Time Visitors
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There are not many mid-sized cities in Spain, and probably even in all of Europe, that can offer the variety and diversity that San Sebastián serves up to its visitors (and residents!).
While the city has only 190,000 inhabitants, this is a place with a lot of history and it lies at the crossroads of two countries (Spain and France), and within the heart of the Basque Region, which you might also call its own country. This means that the city, like its people, language, and culture, is varied.
San Sebastian is distinctly Basque, but it also has its own sort of French “spirit”, making it a a bit of a hybrid place where you can feel the essence of both those peoples and cultures as they blend together.
This is simply a marvelous town, known globally for its cuisine, its sea-oriented lifestyle, its Belle Epoque architecture, and its close relationship with nature. And depending on where you choose to stay during your visit here, you’ll be able to experience all of these features to varying degrees of intensity.
And while each neighborhood is different, I think it’s worth noting that the city itself is quite compact and is extremely walkable, meaning that no matter where you book your accommodation, you’ll never be far away from other areas of interest.
So just pick the neighborhood that has the atmosphere that you’re after, and don’t worry so much about its location: you can always quickly get to wherever else you want to go.
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Table of Contents
Overview of the city’s layout
My 4 recommended neighborhoods
Lo Viejo
Gros
City Center
El Antiguo
Other neighborhoods to consider
Igeldo
Easo
Egia
Pasaia
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Overview of the city’s layout and neighborhoods
The best way to figure out San Sebastián’s geography is by understanding the city’s relationship to its four principal geographic “features”: the Cantabrian Sea and the 3 mountains – Igeldo, Urgull, and Ulia - that dot the cityscape.
First of all, the Cantabrian Sea, which stretches out all along the city’s northern border, has always been San Sebastián’s lifeblood. Ever since the town was founded back in the 11th century, the sea has served as the gateway to the city as well as its departure point for the voyaging sailors, merchants, and fisherman who have always called this place home.
After the sea, the main reference points are the 3 mountains that I mentioned above, all of which rise up right along the coast. On the northeastern side of town you have Ulia; due north of the old town and the city center is Urgull; and to the west are the slopes of Monte Igeldo.
Given that this is a coastal town, San Sebastián’s most sought-after neighborhoods are all, one way or another, formed and defined by the Cantabrian Sea, and lie within the boundaries formed by it and the 3 mountains mentioned above.
First up is San Sebastián’s Old Town (Lo Viejo), located right at the bottom of Mount Urgull, which surges up from the ocean to form a peninsula in the middle of the city. The Old Town is the historic center, and the rest of the city slowly built up around it, so if you’re after history, this is the place to be.
Of course, with such close proximity to the sea and a historic seafaring influence, it should come as no surprise that the Old Town is one of the best places in Europe to enjoy seafood.
Heading south from the Old Town, San Sebastián’s busy and more modern (but still very elegant) City Center is blessed by Spain’s most iconic urban beach – La Concha.
To the west of the city center and at the foot of Mount Igeldo, you have the neighborhood of El Antiguo, with its own rather famous beach - Ondarreta.
And east of the city center, across the Urumea river and at the foot of Ulía mountain, there is Gros, the surfer’s neighborhood, with the ever-wavy Zurriola beach as its main attraction.
These are the four principal neighborhoods of the city, especially for touristic purposes, but nowadays some of the less-visited outer neighborhoods – going from east to west: Pasaia, Egia, Easo, and Igeldo -, which form a sort of belt ringing around those four inner areas, are becoming increasingly popular.
My 4 recommended neighborhoods
As I mentioned above, San Sebastián isn’t especially big and as long as you stay somewhere relatively central, you’ll be within easy walking distance of the main sights in town. Basically, if you’re looking at a map, just choose anywhere that’s fairly close to Lo Viejo (old town) or the city center, and for sightseeing purposes, you’ll be fine.
There’s also very good public transportation here, so even if you stay somewhere more removed from the center, you’ll be able to get around quickly and easily. Having said that though, if this is your first time in the city and you’ll only be here for a few days, I don’t think it really makes sense to stay further out, as those neighborhoods are very residential, aren’t nearly as pretty as the more central ones, and figuring out the public transit could be a hassle.
So, assuming you take my advice and decide to stay in or near to the center, which neighborhood/area you decide on will ultimately come down to the atmosphere that you’re looking for and your reasons for visiting San Sebastián.
Below are my 4 recommended neighborhoods for first-time visitors, each of which includes a quick explanation of what their primary “attraction” is and what type of traveler they’re best suited for.
1. The Old Town (Lo Viejo) – for great food, easy access to the main sights, and historic architecture
Are you primarily visiting San Sebastián for its famous cuisine and old world charm? If so, The Old Town - or Lo Viejo, as we locals call it - is the place to be. Yes, it’s undeniably touristy, but the vast majority of the city’s best restaurants and pintxos spots are found here, and those are extremely popular with locals as well as tourists, so don’t make the mistake of thinking they’re tourist traps.
The neighborhood is right along the sea, sits at the base of Monte Urgull (which is well worth hiking up), is heavily pedestrianized, has a number of great parks nearby, and is within easy walking distance of just about anywhere you’re likely to want to visit.
2. Gros – for a youthful, cosmopolitan hipster vibe right by the beach
Just to the east of the Old Town and City Center (across the Urumea river) Gros was once a mostly neglected working-class neighborhood, but it has rapidly gentrified in recent years and is now unquestionably the most cosmopolitan part of the city.
Many of San Sebastián’s young people choose to live here (or certainly spend their time hanging out in the neighborhood even if they live elsewhere) and it’s filled with cool bars and cafes and international restaurants.
Centered along La Zurriola beach, which has great waves, the opportunity to do all sorts of watersports, or just beach lounging, is excellent here.
3. City Center/Area Romántica – for luxury and belle époque elegance
Fancy a bit of luxury, or just want to be in close proximity to it? Well, San Sebastián was and still is known for receiving European nobility during the summer months, and the City Center (also called the Area Romántica) is where you’ll find the majority of our magnificent Belle Époque-era architecture, the gorgeous bridges, high-end shops, and upscale hotels, bars, and restaurants.
The neighborhood also runs along La Concha, the finest urban beach in Europe, and the Urumea River, so has great access to the beach and riverside walks.
4. El Antiguo – for a slice of genuine local life
This was the city’s original settlement, and it’s from here that the rest of San Sebastián grew up. Distinctly local (few tourists stay or even visit here), the residents of the neighborhood, which runs along Ondarreta beach to the west of the city center, call themselves antiguotarras and consider their neighborhood to basically be its own separate town (even though it’s very close to the center).
This is a very pleasant area and it’s an ideal base if you want to get away from the touristy areas and be surrounded by locals rather than tourists. Just don’t come here expecting it to be especially “hip” or “youthful”.
See below for a more detailed overview of each of these neighborhoods.
1. Lo Viejo (Old Town)
Sheltered from the harsh forces of the ocean by Mount Urgull, which rises up from the Cantabrian Sea in the northern extreme of the city, San Sebastián’s Old Town (Lo Viejo, for us locals) is its quintessential area where all its fundamental traits reside.
The close relationship with the sea, perfectly represented by the port; lovely old architecture, with pedestrianized streets and pretty squares everywhere you look; probably the best cuisine in Europe - pintxos, anyone?; and the lively Basque way of living, epitomized by friends chatting while sipping wine, beer, or cider, and grazing on great local food.
Although this was historically a neighborhood inhabited by fishermen and the craftsmen who worked at or by way of the harbor, Lo Viejo has more recently become a touristic hotspot, but not in the soulless mass tourism way. The historic charm very much still remains here, it’s always lively - filled with locals and visitors alike, and this is the part of town where you can have the best culinary experiences.
It is said that this city holds the most Michelin-star restaurants by square kilometer, and the evidence of that is most prominent here in the old part of town. Many of the best restaurants, and certainly the best pintxos spots are located right inside the streets of San Sebastián’s Old Town.
Given that the rest of the city expanded out from this area, it’s also the most central base from which to explore other parts of town. A huge number of the main sights will be within a 10-minute walk of you from here, and almost anywhere in the city will still be within easy walking distance, even if a bit further away.
You’ll also be quite close to a central transport hub, as the nearby Boulevard Avenue, which forms the border between the Old Town and the City Center, is a major stop for buses heading all over the city.
If you’re after historic charm, great food, a lively atmosphere, and a central location, Lo Viejo is hard to beat.
Of course, given its popularity and that it offers everything I’ve just mentioned, you should expect accommodation to be more expensive here than in other parts of town.
Where to stay
Among the narrow, ancient streets of Lo Viejo, there is not much space for huge hotels - that’s why guest houses, pensiones in Spanish, are the most common accommodation type in this area.
Pensión la Marinera: Among the many guesthoues, Pensión La Marinera is a very basic one, but I recommend it because of its excellent price-to-quality ratio. It’s a great choice for anyone on a budget who doesn’t plan to spend much time in the room but wants a clean place to return to in the evening. And located in the heart of the Old Town, its location cannot be beat.
A room will usually run you around $80 USD.
Pensión ab Domini: Another guest house, but more upscale one, Pensión ab Domini is an absolute gem, mixing the charm of a classic home from the Old Town with the highest levels of comfort.
Rates are typically around $150 USD per night.
Hotel Atari: One of the few hotels in the Old Town, the lovely and thoughtfully designed and furnished four-star Hotel Atari is the ideal place for those who come to San Sebastián looking for culinary excellence. Why? Because their homonymous restaurant that resides just downstairs from the hotel is one of the most sought-after pintxos spots in town.
Rates vary widely depending on the season, with a night in the summer running as much as $450 USD, while you can get a room in November for around $150.
Lasala Plaza Hotel: The fanciest option on the list, the four-star Lasala Plaza Hotel is a boutique establishment that has a perfect location, with privileged views of the Bay of Biscay and La Concha beach, plus luxurious features like a rooftop swimming pool - something not at all common here.
A night here will cost between $200 to $600 depending on when you visit (low season vs. high).
Main sights
Mount Urgull: Mount Urgull is the 120-meter high hill that protects San Sebastián’s Old Town from the sea and the inclement weather it brings on the days when it gets angry and wild (which in the Basque country, happens a lot!).
I know that most people visit this city during the summer, but for me, there’s nothing better than climbing the hill on a winter’s day and looking out at the fierce sea as it whips wind and waves at Urgull, trying to get into the city.
Regardless of the season in which you visit, Urgull is a natural wonder and the easy walk up to its summit is the perfect plan at any time of year. It’s also a great way to burn off some of the calories you’ll have no doubt taken on during your days of feasting here.
La Bretxa market: As I’ve mentioned above, Lo Viejo (Old Town) is the premier gastronomic area in the city, and La Bretxa market is the perfect representation of that, showcasing the best of centuries-old Basque culinary traditions.
Come for a wander through the market and watch as young chefs and local families show up to chat with vendors and buy their groceries, most of it locally grown and produced.
31 de Agosto Street: Truly historic, the tale behind this famous street is worth telling and hearing again and again. This was the only street that survived the fire of 1813, when English and Portuguese troops besieged the city, expelled Napoleon’s army, sacked the town, and set it ablaze.
Along this street are the only still-standing buildings built prior to the fire, so if you’re after history, this is the place to find it.
The pintxos route: Don’t even ask, just follow my instructions - make a reservation for a tortilla pintxo in Bar Néstor, eat the carrilleras in Gandarias, go for the croquetas d txuleta in Txuleta, and finish with the cheesecake in La Viña.
And please, please, reserve a spot for dinner in Bodegón Alejandro.
2. Gros
La Zurriola Beach, the central point in Gros
Just to the east of Lo Viejo and the City Center and across the Urumea River (which divides San Sebastián in two halves), the neighborhood of Gros is another waterfront area, but with a totally different vibe.
Life here revolves around the neighborhood’s beach, La Zurriola, which, with its consistently strong waves, is a surfing hotspot. And the atmosphere is very much what you would expect from a surfer’s “hood”: youthful, pretty hipster, a bit alternative, and a lot of fun!
During the summer, people will be out on the water all throughout the day, you’ll hear indie music playing in bars and cafes, the restaurants are international, with a focus on healthier options, and lots of independent shops line the streets.
If you’ve heard that the Basque Country is Spain’s version of California (which I think is a fair characterization in many ways), Gros is the place that will confirm that stereotype.
Back in the day, this was a mostly forgotten working-class neighborhood, but the last 30 years have seen Gros became one of the main tourist attractions in the city, with surf schools, poké bars, and trendy cafés popping up everywhere.
This is now indisputably the most cosmopolitan part of town. You’ll here English spoken everywhere and will see very fashionable people all around you - much more so than in the rest of the city.
Within easy walking distance of pretty much anywhere you’ll want to go and perfectly connected to other areas by buses and protected bike lanes, this is a great base for exploring San Sebastián, especially if you’re looking for somewhere young, hip, and modern.
Where to stay
Pensión Kursaal: This is the best guesthouse in Gros, right in front of the Kursaal Congress Center and a few steps from La Zurriola beach. It’s a perfect spot for surfers and visitors who want to enjoy the sea and the outdoors.
As always, rates vary by season, but are around $50 to $100 USD.
Hotel Punta Mompás: This cute little hotel rises up in what I think is the area with the best views in all of San Sebastián: around Mompás, in the eastern corner of Gros and at the foot of Ulía mountain. At sunset, the views over the Cantabrian Sea are extraordinary, and the hotel is worth staying in for those vistas alone.
Nightly rates from $50-$150.
Boutique Hotel Mendi Argia: A bit further away from the sea but with many more luxuries on offer, Hotel Mendi Argia is perfect couples who want to enjoy Gros’ outdoors lifestyle while having a romantic, secluded stay.
The hotel is in a beautifully restored historic building and the rooms are modern but filled with character. The views out over the bay are outstanding, there’s a really nice swimming pool, great patios, and excellent access to nature - everything you need for a lovely getaway.
Rooms run for about $200 to $300 per night.
Main sights
Zurriola Beach: Zurriola Beach is the heart of Gros, the star attraction that draws people here and fosters the youthful, hipster, surfer, and outdoors vibe that have made it relatively famous throughout Europe.
Head to the beach to catch some waves or to relax alongside it in one of the many chiringuitos (beach bars) while drinking a locally brewed craft beer.
Kursaal: A gem of modern architecture as well as the center of the San Sebastián International Film Festival, the Kursaal Congress Center, located right next to Zurriola beach, is one of the most iconic sights in the city.
If you have the chance to watch a show or see an exhibit here, just go, no matter what it is.
Ádamo tortilla by El Muro: In San Sebastián, food must always be foremost in your plans, and in Gros, the best course of action is to pick up a tortilla pintxo in El Ádamo Beach and take it to munch while you sit on the Sagués wall, at the eastern end of La Zurriola.
Every day, countless people gather along the wall in the evening to hang out and watch the sunset, looking out on the city and the water. Can you think of a better plan?
Mount Ulía: The mountain that shelters San Sebastián on its eastern side, Mount Ulía is the perfect place to go for a hike and escape from the city for a while. Try the 7-km Ulia to Pasaia route, which runs over the “mountain” and along the coast all the way to Pasaia. This walk will help you understand this city’s deep relationship with the sea.
3. City Center/Area Romántica
Okendo Kalea. Photo: Валерий Дед, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
San Sebastián is undoubtedly the most “French” city in Spain. Part of that is explained by proximity: Donostia, as the city is known in the Basque language, is less than 25 kilometers away from the border between Spain and France.
But I think that it’s history that has actually played a bigger role in creating the French, Belle Epoque atmosphere that you find here.
And the best example of this spirit lives in the City Center, the central neighborhood located immediately to the south of Lo Viejo, which unfolds around the iconic beach of La Concha and its bay.
Back in the middle of the 19th century, Queen Isabell II of Spain chose San Sebastián as one of the main summer retreats for the Spanish royal court. Decades later, Queen María Cristina (Alfonso XII’s wife) converted this town into the Crown’s second “base”, and she set about constructing many beautiful new buildings in the city center, like the Teatro Victoria Eugenia, the María Cristina Hotel, and the current City Council.
Those gorgeous structures are now some of the city’s main attractions, and having been built during the Belle Epoque era, they give the City Center, and the city as a whole, the distinctly “French” ambiance that it’s known for.
In case it’s not already clear, this is an architecturally magnificent area, filled with beautiful structures, history, old luxury hotels, and an elegant, refined atmosphere. This is the place to go for long, aimless walks, always looking up and all around you, just enjoying being in one of the most beautiful cities in Spain (and yes, maybe all of Europe).
Of course, this is not just an open-air museum: it’s also a busy, lively part of town, filled with shops, businesses, restaurants, and people going about their daily lives. It also contains La Concha beach, wrapped in a beautiful bay, and probably the best urban beach you’ll find anywhere in Europe.
Bigger and busier than Lo Viejo, it is also less focused on tourism, meaning that it offers a nice mix of touristic attractions with regular life.
Where to stay
Pensión Aristizabal: As you’ve probably surmised by now, San Sebastián’s city center is a posh, upscale place, and this is not an easy area to find affordable accommodation. However, it’s not impossible, and Pensión Aristizabal is proof of that!
Located right next to the beautiful Plaza de Bilbao, this is a fantastic 6-room guesthouse with lovely owners/staff, a great location, and excellent quality for the (fairly affordable) price.
Nightly rates are around $50-$100 USD depending on the season.
Hotel Londres: Basically right on top of La Concha beach, this is a luxurious 4-star hotel with unbelievable views of the beach and its bay.
Supposedly, back in the 20th century, movie critics attending the San Sebastian International Film Festival would stay here, choosing the best rooms in the hotel and writing their film reviews while looking out over La Concha Bay.
Expect to spend between $120-$250 per night (on the low-end in the off-season, high-end during the summer months and early fall).
Hotel Catalonia Donosti: About a 10-minute walk inland from the beach, this is a lovely 4-star hotel in a beautifully renovated former convent dating to the 17th century. The rooftop, with a pool, has magnificent views of the city and the coast, the rooms are lovely, and the common areas are beautiful, modern yet still retaining their historic charm.
Rates from $120 to $350 depending on the time of year.
Hotel Arbaso: With a prime location right next to the city’s cathedral, Hotel Arbaso has very comfortable, modern rooms, many of which have their own separate sitting areas.
Expect to pay from $150 - $350 a night.
Hotel María Cristina: But movie critics didn’t (and still don’t) occupy the very best hotels in the city during the film festival. No no, that pleasure belongs, of course, to the movie stars! And they always choose to stay at María Cristina Hotel.
A gorgeous five-star hotel that lies just beside the Urumea River and almost on the doorstep of the Old Town, this is the most elevated expression of San Sebastián’s belle époque era.
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s worth it (if you have the money, of course).
Nightly rates in the summer are around $700, while a room in the off-season (December, for example) costs about $350.
Main sights
La Concha Bay: The epitome of San Sebastián’s way of life, the most iconic view of the city, the best urban beach in Europe. All of that and much more is what the beach of La Concha means for this town, and you should enjoy it to the fullest.
Walk alongside it, relax in the sand, swim in its clear (but chilly) water, grab a paddleboard and head out to the Island of Santa Clara, luxuriate in the beachside La Perla spa. And then come back the next day and do it all again!
Avenida de la Libertad: I’ve said quite a few times by now that San Sebastián is the most French city in Spain, and while there are many examples of this, I think the Avenida de la Libertad, with its countless boutiques, stylish and avant-garde shops, cafés, and restaurants, is the street that demonstrates this most clearly.
This is the principal shopping spot in the city center, and it will make you feel like you’re in Paris.
The Belle époque route: Start by María Cristina Hotel, which got its name from the queen of the same name, who chose San Sebastián as her second home, and in many ways built the city that you see today. You have her to thank for making this belle époque route possible.
From the hotel, head nearby to the lovely Victoria Eugenia Theatre. Then, spend some time crisscrossing the Urumea river, weaving your way along it by crossing over the multiple gorgeous bridges.
Make your way up to the Plaza de Bilbao at some point along the walk, and be sure to enjoy some of the pleasant greenways alongside the river. Eventually, head down to Plaza de Gipuzkoa, where you can see the provincial government building, built also during the 19th century.
And then, to cap it all off, make your way to La Concha beach for a walk besidet the sea or a swim and some sunbathing.
4. El Antiguo
Ondarreta Beach, in El Antiguo
A low-profile, less touristy version of the previous three neighborhoods, the area known as El Antiguo is actually the original settlement of the city, making it the oldest part of town (not many people know this!).
While the city’s development shifted east to Old Town and the City Center over time, this is the real “old San Sebastian” and it offers a chance for total immersion into the city’s local way of life.
And a day in the life of a local almost always includes some of the following: a simple daily routine (work, school, family, etc.), some sports or other athletic activities, drinks with friends in the evening, and a stroll through the streets and parks or a visit to the beach. And of course, lots of good food.
Located west of the city center and beside the western end of La Concha Bay along the part of La Concha beach that we rename as Ondarreta (an excellent, family-friendly beach), El Antiguo centers around Matía Street, a lively commercial avenue that is always busy and filled with people, almost exclusively locals.
This neighborhood, perhaps better described as a village unto itself, has a kind of independent spirit from the rest of the city, and antiguotarras (natives of the area) usually say they are ‘going to San Sebastián’ if they plan to head into town, demonstrating that they don’t even entirely think of themselves or their neighborhood to be strictly a part of the city.
If you want to get away from other tourists and see a slice of authentic local life, this is the neighborhood I’d recommend.
Where to stay
Ilunion San Sebastián: A classic, four-star hotel with all the amenities you’d expect from somewhere of this quality, this is a very modern place (maybe without some of the historic charm of other places I’ve recommended) that’s conveniently located right next to from Ondarreta Beach and Calle Matía.
This is a great choice if you want to stay in a nice hotel but in a more local part of town, away from other tourists.
Rates from $75 to $150.
Letoh Letoh San Sebastián: Located in the heart of Calle Matía and just meters away from Ondarreta Beach, this is a modern hotel that offers perfect working spaces (great for work trips or digital nomads) in addition to comfortable, very tastefully furnished rooms.
$80 to $150 USD per night depending on the time of year.
Go Donosti Chillida: If you want to experience San Sebastián as a true local (albeit one with a decent salary), the modern apartments from Go Donosti Chillida, with their exceptional views of La Concha Bay, are a great choice.
You’ll wake up every day with views of the Cantabrian Sea, a pretty unique pleasure. The only problem? You won’t get to keep waking up to them when you return home!
Nightly rates from $150 to $250.
Main sights
Peine de los Vientos (The Comb of Wind): The most emblematic artwork in San Sebastián, this tough, iron-made, modern sculpture that rises out of the rocks above the waves, was created by the city’s chosen son, Eduardo Chillida. This is an unmissable site that sits right beside La Concha Bay. Go see it and you’ll understand its name.
Ondarreta Beach: The most local beach of the three that San Sebastián has to offer, Ondarreta has calmer waters than the others and is perfect for families with little kids. It’s not nearly as busy as La Zurriola or La Concha, and is the perfect spot to spend a couple of hours hanging out and enjoying being on the sea.
Calle Matía: As I mentioned above, the entire neighborhood is really centered around this street, and it’s the focal point for life here. Go for a wander, pop into the shops, and enjoy the local atmosphere. It’s great any time of day: from morning through late in the evening.
Other neighborhoods to consider
Easo
A more tranquil, easy-going, and middle class neighborhood, Easo offers an interesting contrast with the upscale (and expensive) life found in the other city center neighborhoods.
Technically, this is really still part of the City Center, but Easo is a bit to the south and west, and is often thought of as its own mini neighborhood. It sits at the base of a steep hill which rises up around Calle Easo and continues into the upscale neighborhood of Aiete.
The Plaza de Easo is a very pleasant square, and it’s a nice spot to grab some drinks and start up or wind down an evening.
Wherever you stay in this area, you’ll be only a couple of minutes away from the main sights, but with many fewer tourists and a much more “regular” local crowd.
Egia
To the east of the city center, across the Urumea River, and to the south of Gros, Egia is an “up and coming” area that artists and hipsters who have been displaced from other neighborhoods (as they become too expensive) have begun to flock to.
It’s definitely not a wealthy or touristy area, but it’s still quite central and you’ll be within easy walking distance of most of the rest of the city from here.
It’s also a haven for independent art and culture, and you’ll find innovative music and expo spaces like Dabadaba, Le Bukowski, and Tabakalera (all centers of the hipster movement in San Sebastián) sitting side by side with good quality, traditional restaurants with great prices here.
Hotel Villa Eugenia: A three-star hotel located close in central Egia but still close enough to La Zurriola beach, Villa Eugenia is a good spot if you want to be able to hit the beach and check out the neighborhood’s arts scene.
Igeldo
Mount Igeldo rises up on the western edge of San Sebastián, and the neighborhood that sits atop it, Igeldo, is a perfect transition between urban life and the rural Basque lifestyle found outside the cities. Here, you can go hiking, get to know nature, enjoy nice views of the ocean, and see La Concha Bay from the most unique amusement park in Europe.
Mercure San Sebastián Monte Igueldo: Right next to the amusement park, Hotel Monte Igeldo is a good luxury choice for an escape from the city without being too far away.
Pasaia
Although it’s not actually a neighborhood of San Sebastián - since it belongs to a different city council -, the Bay of Pasaia (located on the eastern side of Monte Ulía and well to the east of San Sebastian overall)) is still the town’s main industrial port, and it more or less makes sense to think of Pasaia as just another neighborhood.
That being said, it is much further away from the city center than anywhere else I’ve mentioned so far.Pasaia is definitely not a conventional choice for a place to stay, and you’d be traveling back and forth a lot if you want to spend most of your time in central San Sebastian, but the charm here is undeniable.
The narrow streets and the fisherman-like houses running along the waterfront are iconic, the sea is at your fingertips no matter where you go in the area, and the character is local, authentic, and real.
Also, whether you stay here or not, you must go for dinner at Txulotxo Restaurant.
Donibanea Hotela: Have you read everything I’ve just said about Pasaia? About the sea, the fishing tradition, the narrow streets, the bay? Well, if all of that could be converted into a hotel, it would be Donibanea Hotela.
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