Donostia-San Sebastián (Basque: Donostia; Spanish: San Sebastián) is a major city in the Basque Country, an Autonomous Community of Spain. Donostia/San Sebastian boasts one of the best in-city beaches in Europe. It is quite unusual feeling that you can sunbathe and swim right next to major historical buildings and churches. Surfers are in abundance here.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
This city of 187,000 people (2018) is quite small and cozy, featuring many seafood restaurants, several beaches, tons of pintxos bars and a choice of designer clothes shops. Orientation: The city is divided into Old Town (Parte Zaharra/Parte Vieja), Gros and Erdialdea/Centro. 1 Tourism Information, Boulevard 8, 20003 Donostia Gipuzkoa (north side of the Boulevard that separates Old and New town), ☏ +34 943481166, sansebastianturismo@donostia.eus. 09-19. A modern and well-staffed info and booking desk. (updated Aug 2015)
You can see Donostia on foot and by taxi. Taxis only pick up passengers at designated taxi stops or when booked by phone. They aren't permitted to take passengers who hail them on the street. Bicycle lanes are all around the downtown, and in the summer bicycles can be hired (at certain times they are free) from strategically placed locations around the city. Apart from private hiring companies, the town hall has a bike-service all over the city, which is also open to tourists. Tourists should get a bike-card at the Tourist Information Center in Boulevard, 8 (€20 deposit, €15 for 1 day, €20 for 4 days, €25 per week).
From top of Mount Igeldo at the West end of Kontxa/La Concha bay, enjoy great view of the town Visit the Miramar palace and its park over Loretope/El pico del Loro; enjoy sitting on a lawn there 1 Iglesia San Vicente 2 Artzain Onaren Katedrala 3 Santa María del Coro 4 Castillo de la Mota 5 Palacio de Congresos y Auditorio Kursaal 6 Casa consistorial de San Sebastián 7 Old town hall 8 Victoria Eugenia Theater 9 San Telmo Museum, Plaza Zuloaga 1. 10:00-19:00 Tu-Su. Wide ranging museum partially in a 16th century Dominican convent and a new building. The top floor is an art gallery featuring Basque artists. Adult: €6; Students, +65; €3; 25- free. Also free on Tu..
Beach - there are two main beaches, one on either side of the river. Kontxa/La Concha, on the west side is the larger, is protected from the sea and has an island and boats in the bay. Ondarreta is in the same bay as Kontxa/La Concha, but split by Loretope/El pico del Loro (a rocky outcropping). Kontxa/La Concha and Ondarreta has umbrellas, tents and lounge chairs for €15 per day; free WC, showers and changing rooms. A team of fully-equipped life-guards are there during the daytime. Zurriola to the east of the old town and river is a surf beach, clearly better if you want waves or beach sports. Surfing - surfboards and bodyboards can be rented on Zurriola beach.
The Basque cuisine is famous within Spain and many believe it is the Basque Country where you can find the best food. Much of this fame comes from San Sebastian and its bars and restaurants. Although tapas were invented in Andalucia they became perfected in San Sebastian and a walk through the old town before lunch time with its many bars shows why. Each bar is bursting with tapas and they look very delicate. Tapas are generally enjoyed together with a glass of wine or a small beer, and the Spanish tradition suggests to have one tapa and a wine in one bar and move on to the next bar.
The Kalimotxo (pronounced "calimotcho") is a local drink that is made with 50% wine (normally an inexpensive red wine) and 50% Coca-Cola. You will see a very large proportion of young people drink this near the harbor at Kontxa/La Concha beach and later on, in bars or clubs. It is definitely something to try out while you are there. Coffee is espresso, not brewed, even in the on-the-beach cafes. 1 Bideluze, Plaza de Guipuzcoa 14, ☏ +34 943-460219. Great place for coffee; Cafe Con Leche - that is, coffee with milk - is particularly good. 2 Hogar Dulce Hogar, Bermingham Kalea, 1 20002 Donostia-San Sebastián, ☏ +34 943 24 66 81. M-F 07:30 – 21:30, Sa Su 08:30 - 21:30.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Aug, San Sebastian typically sees ~26°C daytime highs and 13 rainy days.
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