Nestled on the Basque Nation’s beautiful shoreline in Spain, San Sebastian just isn’t solely a foodie haven but in addition completely lovely too! There are such a lot of unimaginable and greatest issues to do in San Sebastian that you simply’ll be spoilt for alternative. Particularly with all of the Pintxos. Yum!
We had an incredible time exploring one of the best locations within the Basque Nation. After exploring the larger metropolis of Bilbao, we ventured over to San Sebastian; and boy it was superb!
So, that can assist you organise your journey to Gipuzkoa and particularly San Sebastian, I’m sharing among the greatest issues to do in San Sebastian that we completely cherished.
Simply be sure that to reach hungry! You gained’t cease consuming the Pintxos and making an attempt Kalimotxos (purple wine and coca cola; it’s a factor right here).
1.) Outdated City (Parte Vieja)
Nestled between Alameda del Boulevard and Monte Urgull’s base, San Sebastian’s Outdated City is residence to an assortment of beautiful Basque structure, yummy eating places for Pintxos, and loads of little alleys and plazas to discover.
My motto is, eat as you stroll; which works completely within the foodie metropolis of San Sebastian. You’ll be able to cease at every little pintxos bar and simply have a relaxing day exploring.
To get one of the best expertise, guide this pintxos and wine tour of San Sebastian. It’s so good and also you’ll be launched to among the greatest pintxos in San Sebastian. We cherished it.
Not solely that, it’s the most effective issues to do in San Sebastian in case you’re planning to stroll stroll town. You see, you’ll be capable of discover cobblestone streets a lot simpler than by automotive (or the rest for that matter).
As you wander by the Outdated City, you will notice a lot to see and do. Be certain to move contained in the Pescaderia or Fish Market, the Plaza de la Constitucion, and the municipal library with its neoclassical structure. The latter is simply gorgeous.
Oh, additionally, only a few strides away from the Plaza de la Constitucion, you possibly can see the Iglesia de San Vicente, the oldest church in San Sebastian.
Constructed method again within the 16th century, Iglesia de San Vicente has a surprising Gothic attraction and a meticulously carved retablo that has been there because the late 1500s. It’s effectively price popping inside to see.
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2.) Buen Pastor Cathedral
Referred to as the most important church in all of San Sebastian, Buen Pastor Cathedral is a towering icon and a well-known landmark of town. Its 75-meter-high tower is simply large!
Constructed out of sandstone from the close by Monte Igueldo, it options Gothic Revival structure designed by Manuel de Echave, a notable Basque architect.
Now, in my view, the inside is a bit less complicated in comparison with its sister church buildings. That being stated, it’s nonetheless the most effective issues to do in San Sebastian for a historic really feel of town.
Don’t overlook to see the stained-glass home windows, too. Not solely that, the organ housed there is without doubt one of the largest in Europe with hundreds of whistles.
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3.) Isla de Santa Clara
Isla de Santa Clara is only a tiny dot off the coast of San Sebastian however it’s the excellent getaway in case you’re searching for a peaceable little go to.
To get right here with ease, guide this San Sebastian boat tour that may take you proper to Santa Clara. It’s so particular and an effective way to discover the island. Simply be sure that to guide these tickets prematurely; the boats can refill within the peak months.
As soon as right here, you’ll get to see how beautiful Isla de Santa Clara is; and why it’s been categorised as a web site of Historic Nationwide Curiosity Web site.
There are hidden swimming pools that may cool you on a heat summer time day, whereas the string of picnic areas, eating places, and cafes provide a pleasant escape from the busier components of town.
You can too take a brief scenic stroll to the island’s lighthouse. It’s the most effective issues to do in San Sebastion on a heat summer time’s day.
It’s a spot you possibly can’t miss once you journey to San Sebastian.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to in Northern Spain
4.) La Concha Seaside
thought-about the Summer time Capital of Europe by Queen Regent Maria Cristina, La Concha Seaside is regarded all through the land as one of many continent’s most breathtaking shorelines.
Aptly named after its shell-shaped bay, La Concha Seaside is flocked by vacationers and locals alike.
Nestled between Mount Igueldo and Mount Urgull, La Concha Seaside is well-protected from the tough waves and currents of the Atlantic Ocean.
It makes it the right place to sit back in the summertime. You see, there’s a lot to do, from; kayaking, swimming, and stopping by the close by cafes.
Afterwards, you can even stroll alongside the promenade for a beautiful day of sightseeing. For me, it’s greatest at sundown.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to in Northern Spain
5.) Plaza de la Constitución
Plaza de la Constitucion, located within the Outdated City, is without doubt one of the liveliest components of San Sebastian and an incredible spot to go to from 5pm onwards.
Referred to as the guts of town, it’s the place many of the metropolis’s occasions, holidays, and feast days are held all 12 months spherical.
Probably the most widespread happenings within the Plaza is the flag-raising ceremony each 21st of January and drawing a flock of locals and guests alike.
That being stated, Plaza de la Constitucion attracts crowds no matter timings. It’s full of bars serving pintxos and among the tastiest Basque wines.
It has been on the coronary heart of San Sebastian because the 1800s and is a spot it is best to positively arrive hungry and thirsty.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to in Northern Spain
6.) Museo de San Telmo
Situated on the base of Monte Urgull, Museo de San Telmo is Basque Nation’s oldest museum and in addition one of many bigger museums within the space.
It’s the most effective issues to do in San Sebastian that’s completely devoted to the historical past of the Basque Nation, and effectively price a go to.
You see, Museo de San Telmo was initially a Sixteenth-century Dominican convent however with a latest addition of a brand new constructing.
Inside, there are effectively over 20,000 artefacts housed inside. It’s so price a go to.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Bilbao
7.) Miramar Royal Palace
That includes English Tudor-style structure, Miramar Royal Palace was constructed by famend English architect Selden Wornum.
Over time, the Miramar Royal Palace has been the summer time residence of many Spanish Royal Households and have become a agency favorite to go to.
Now, the palace itself doesn’t present guided excursions and isn’t open to the general public. Nevertheless, you possibly can nonetheless stroll alongside its well-manicured gardens and have a picnic in a tranquil spot.
Afterwards, be sure that to pop again into the historic centre of San Sebastion and seize a well-earned glass of wine and pintxos.
It’s the easiest way to finish a day in San Sebastian.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to in Northern Spain
8.) Monte Urgull
Over time Monte Urgull has served to be a everlasting backdrop of San Sebastian’s skyline. In truth, I’d go so far as saying that it defines the panorama of town.
Whenever you go to, you possibly can hike to the highest in direction of the Twelfth-century Mota Fortress. It’s a quaint historical past museum, with a 39-foot tall statue of the Sacred Coronary heart constructed within the Fifties. Properly price seeing.
To get there, you could begin from the Outdated City and select both the Plaza de Zutoaga or the aquarium as a place to begin. It may be a leisurely stroll as much as the highest, with most components of the pathway shaded and effectively taken care of.
Apart from the buildings sitting atop Monte Urgull, the Polbariña is a homely cafe close to the Mota Fortress which has some tasty ice lotions, too.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Bilbao
9.) Ondarreta Seaside (Playa de Ondarreta)
Only a stone’s throw away from the Miramar Royal Palace, visiting Ondarreta Seaside is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in San Sebastian for a pleasant chilled day.
Better of all, it’s excellent to sit back on the sand in the course of the summer time season.
With Monte Igueldo bordering the shore, Ondarreta Seaside has a completely spectacular vista that you would be able to’t miss. Fact be informed, even in winter, this seashore is ideal for a bit stroll.
Oh, and don’t overlook about stopping by Zurriola Seaside, too. It’s an incredible place to sit back out on the shoreline.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Bilbao
10.) Basilica de Santa Maria del Coro
Situated on the coronary heart of the Outdated City, Basilica de Santa Maria del Coro is a splendid church with an 18th-century Baroque architectural model. It jogged my memory a lot of the church buildings in Sicily, particularly in Noto. They’re beautiful.
Honesty, its exterior has essentially the most epic Churrigueresco facade. Plus, when you head inside you will notice the large Gothic vaults that make this church so particular.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Bilbao
11.) Monte Igueldo
Situated west of San Sebastian, Monte Igueldo is a must-visit pure attraction you possibly can’t miss within the metropolis.
Now, it’s well-known for lots of issues, however the classic funicular is a complete gem. You see, the funicular, inbuilt 1912 and working since then, is essentially the most thrilling option to get to the highest of Monte Igueldo.
As you trip the funicular, you’ll have a surprising 360-degree vista of all the San Sebastian and the coastlines throughout the Basque Nation.
Better of all, you will see that an old school amusement park proper on the tip. There are rides that you would be able to attempt, comparable to carousels and a wood curler coaster that’s so kitsch.
Not solely that, you can even go to the El Torreon Tower close to the park and keep on the well-known Resort Mercure San Sebastian Monte Igueldo. We cherished it.
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