Where to Stay in San Sebastián

Our Favorite Hotels in San Sebastian

Top Hotel in the 12th: Hôtel Parisianer
• 4-Four-star: SANSEbay
• 3-Another selection involves a 3-Star accommodation: Casa Nicolasa
• For Couples: Villa Soro
• For Families: Arrizul Congress

The Best Areas to Stay in San Sebastián

Set amid stunning scenery with hills and inviting beaches, along with a vibrant culture and deliciously enticing cuisine, San Sebastián (also called Donostia, its Basque language name) truly offers much. The city`s various neighborhoods each have their merits and the small size allows whether staying in the historic center (Parte Vieja), Belle Époque style area (Área Romántica), affluent and relaxed district (Antigo), young, artistic, and surf community neighborhoods (Gros & Egia), or modern area along the river with great transport (Amara), one can experience local life even on a brief trip.

The heart of the city encompasses the neighboring districts of the Parte Vieja and the Área Romántica. A vast majority of visitors choose to lodge in one of these two zones, and strolling anywhere within these two neighborhoods won`t require much more than ten minutes. These are definitively the areas to remain in if you`re touring without a vehicle. The Parte Vieja offers the best setting for sightseeing and bar-hopping to sample the amazing pintxo (pin-cho) culture. While you can find bars serving these varied and rich Basque tapas throughout the city, so many eating and drinking establishments are packed into the tiny lanes in the Parte Vieja that it is undeniably the best place to initiate your tour. It is also this part of the city where you`ll encounter some of the city`s most popular attractions: La Bretxa (breh-cha) food market, the harbor with its world-class aquarium, the stunning Plaza de la Constitución (where many of the city`s festivals are held), the San Telmo Museum, historic churches, and Mount Urgull with its hilltop castle-museum.

The wide Boulevard Zumardia separates the old town from the renowned Área Romántica known for its elegant Belle Époque architecture. wandering the streets bounded by the Boulevard and La Concha beach in the north, Easo street in the west, the river in the east, and Plaza Easo in the south will give you a great sense of the unified aesthetic unique to this area. You can imagine yourself in the company of Mata Hari and Queen Maria Cristina herself when this part of the city was new in the late 1800s. Other notable examples include the ornate Maria Cristina bridge, the Catedral del Buen Pastor, Plaza de Gipuzkoa, and the city hall located in the Alderdi Eder Park.

In the western area of the city, Playa de la Concha transitions to Playa de Ondarreta in the past neighborhood. While this was where the initial settlement of San Sebastián began, the center shifted around the bay during the 1800s and now, Antiguo has a more restful, recreational feeling. However, there`s still lots to see and do, like Ondarreta Beach – an extension of La Concha – and its pleasant beachside paths, the beautiful gardens of the Miramar Palace, ascending Mount Igueldo via the frighteningly old funicular railway (opened 1912) for breathtaking views and a family-friendly amusement park, the seaside walk around Mount Igueldo to Eduardo Chillida’s Peine del Mar statue, and visiting the Michelin 3-Starred restaurant Akelarre up on Mount Igueldo.

Across the Urumea river from the central part of the city are the neighborhoods of Gros and Egia. Internationally renowned for its impressive surf, Gros revolves around Zurriola Beach where the waves are distinctly different from La Concha. Its relaxed bars and cafes feel quite removed from the upscale shopping streets and traditional pintxo bars just across the river, but residents of all varieties come to Gros for the occasions and festivals held at the dramatic Kursaal concert hall, which is most famed for hosting the city’s globally well known film festival. On the outskirts of Gros is the world-renowned restaurant Arzak, which holds 3 Michelin Stars. Just south of Gros is Egia, mostly famous for its transportation connections as the main bus terminal and long-distance train station. But don’t overlook the wonderful cultural establishment next door, the Tabakalera, which houses exhibitions, occasions, and stores, and whose cafe must compete for the finest views in the city. The building – an old tobacco manufacturing plant – is set in the beautiful Cristina Enea park, which has rolling hills and a dramatic pedestrian bridge over the train tracks.

While the notable Amara is around a mile from downtown and the beaches, it serves as a practical base for exploring the more extensive locale as it lies near major routes entering and leaving the city with strong transportation connections and a choice of places to stay. The old part of Amara neighbors the Romantic Area; everywhere surrounding Plaza Easo provides a comparable graceful feel. As one travels south along the river curve, the architecture becomes more contemporary and it is easier to experience everyday people carrying out daily routines, with activities focused around Amara Plaza and Plaza Pio XII. Being so near the Urumea makes navigating the city simple and grants access to fun riverside spaces for walks or jogs.

The Best Places to Stay in San Sebastián

• Best Luxury Hotels in San Sebastián
  Maria Cristina • Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra • Hotel Arima & Spa
• Best Hotel for Families in San Sebastián
  The Arrizul Congress hotel link was provided
• Best Boutique Hotels in San Sebastián
  Villa Soro – Lasala Plaza – Villa Favorita
• Best Midrange Hotels in San Sebastián
  SANSEbay – Casa Nicolasa – Ibaia et Arramak

Best Areas in San Sebastián for…

• Best Area in San Sebastián for Seeing Attractions: Parte Vieja
  The Parte Vieja is packed with sights: the fabulous Aquarium with its walk through the ocean tunnel (complete with sand tiger sharks); the Plaza de la Constitución that used to house city hall and a bullring (hence the numbers you can see painted on houses); 16th-century San Vicente Church (the oldest in San Sebastián); the baroque Santa Maria Basilica; San Telmo Museum; and the port, from where you can take boat tours of the bay, including a stop at Santa Clara Island that sits in the middle of the bay. And that’s before mentioning the many historic bars and stores, and, of course, Mount Urgull, the hill looming over the old town that has a castle, museum, trails to hike, Jorge Oteiza’s dramatic sculpture, Construcción Vacía, an English Cemetery, and wonderful views.
• The Parte Vieja neighborhood is the top area in San Sebastián for nightlife.

The streets, packed with bars in the Parte Vieja, make evenings in this city a particular joy. Go for the pintxos (see below), but stay for just one more caña or txikito to soak up the lively atmosphere. On warm evenings, there’s usually a great vibe in the little plaza outside the Basílica de Santa María del Coro and also in the Plaza de la Constitución. And while ‘Sanse’ (as the locals call their city) is not known for its wild parties, there are a handful of bars that turn into clubs later in the evening (try GU on the harbor, Dioni’s, or Altxerri JazzBar), as well as one serious club, Bataplan.

• Most Suitable Area in San Sebastián for Dining and Eateries: Parte Vieja
  San Sebastian boasts an extensive collection of high quality culinary experiences, with eighteen Michelin stars throughout the city earning it a stellar global reputation for fine dining. However, culinary delights there are not limited solely to upscale restaurants. Wandering the streets of Parte Vieja offers a more affordablemeans of enjoyment through “pintxos”, the local take on tapas comprising bite-sized morsels capable of satisfying on their own. Each bar develops its own variations on these Basque snacks, whether skewers, small plates or sweets atop baguette slices. Typically patrons sample drinks and one or two pintxos at a venue before rotating to the next, but finding a personal favorite justifies remaining for an entire evening. Some establishments serve full meals or large shared platters like substantial beef steaks, while traditional restaurants likewise excel, such as Kokotxa with its Michelin star or Bodegón Alejandro focused on Basque cuisine. In addition, La Bretxa market offers fresh produce despite relocating from its original magnificent building now housing other facilities, with stalls below ground and surrounding Plaza de la Bretxa still ideal for provisioning.
• Best Zones in San Sebastián for Families: Parte Vieja or Antiguo
  This depends mainly on the age and interests of one`s kids. Many children will be fascinated by the Parte Vieja. In addition to the amazing Aquarium, there is Mount Urgull, with paths ideal for exploration leading up to the castle and fort at the top providing a day of activities. Boat trips can also be arranged from the harbor, and the numerous restaurants mean even picky eaters can be satisfied. On the other side of Concha bay lies Antiguo. This area serves as a natural base for anyone renting a holiday home, as the pace is slower and there are plenty of neighborhood playgrounds. Then there`s the kid heaven of the funicular railway leading to the amusement park atop the hill – great fun. Both neighborhoods offer superb beach access too.”
• Best Parts of San Sebastián for Newcomers to Stay: Parte Vieja & Área Romántica
  Either of the two neighborhoods that make up central San Sebastián, makes an ideal base for those new to the city, as the majority of sights are densely packed there and anywhere is within 20 minutes by foot. Staying in either area will provide swift access to what the city is most renowned for: pintxos, hikes up Mount Urgull, promenading along the coastline, and historical buildings and churches. Furthermore, both are situated between Antiguo and Gros, so you can explore other parts of the city just as easily from the Parte Vieja as the Área Romántica.
• Most Romantic Area in San Sebastián: Área Romántica
  The so-called Romantic Area (sometimes referred to as the Zona Romántica) certainly earns recognition thanks to its superb location between La Concha Bay and the River Urumea. It has everything required for a fairytale vacation: breathtaking sights and sunsets from your hotel balcony overlooking La Concha Bay and its twin hills, Mount Igueldo and Mount Urgull; a splendid promenade along the coast that includes the graceful Alderdi Eder park where there’s usually a large Ferris wheel to cuddle up on together; seemingly endless shopping streets filled with specialty stores selling locally made handicrafts, jewelry, and treats; riverside strolls with views of the ultra-modern Kursaal building on the eastern side of the neighborhood; graceful colonnaded squares; and just in case that wasn’t enough, you can book yourselves in for thalassotherapy followed by a couples’ massage at the La Perla Spa and a romantic meal at the Michelin-starred Amelia Restaurant, which has bay views.
• Best Areas in San Sebastián for a Local Atmosphere: Gros & Egia
  Lounging in Gros with surfers or wandering around the Tabakalera and exploring the Cristina Enea park in Egia are activities that bring joy to life in this half of the city. As soon as you cross the Urumea, daily existence seems less like a movie set rather than the city center (unless you’re here during the film festival season, obviously, when the Kursaal and Tabakalera turn into one massive red carpet as Hollywood descends). Though just a few minutes’ walk from the Parte Vieja and Área Romántica, shops, bars, and restaurants have distinctly fewer tourists, and many of the foreigners who stay in the city’s east side are athletes focusing on the surf rather than the scenery. Another reason this part of the city feels more normal is the bus terminal and train station, which swarm during rush hour with people coming and going from all over the Basque Country and beyond.
• Most Walkable Area in San Sebastián: Gros
  While the city center is excellent for exploring on foot, the natural coastal park covering around 32 hectares just northeast of Gros is superb for serious walkers. Hikers can start on or around Mount Ulía, where there are plenty of trails, including a section of the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. More adventurous types have a spectacular coastal route (lasting around 3 hours) to the picturesque town of Hondarribia near the French border.
• Safety in San Sebastián
  San Sebastián is generally considered very secure for travelers. The greatest potential danger, similar to most European cities, arises from pickpockets or robbers, but the likelihood of either of these is low provided one isn’t ostentatious with personal belongings and remains aware of surrounding events.”

The 5 Best Neighborhoods in San Sebastián for Tourists

1. Monte Urgull & the Port

Sitting out from the center of the city is Monte Urgull, with the port wrapped about its southwestern side. Taking a stroll around the port is amongst the loveliest experiences of the city: its unique buildings cling to the rocks and there are steep pathways behind them that quickly take you to the top for glorious views of both the city and the Bay of Biscay. Even if you don’t want to scale Urgull, be sure to walk around the harbor for incredibly fresh seafood from the unique restaurants, a visit to the Aquarium, a magnificent contemporary sculpture by Jorge Oteiza, or to take a boat out to Santa Clara Island. Up Urgull itself is a tangle of trails bordered with exotic flora that lead to a fortified castle housing a city museum. There’s also an ‘English Cemetery’ and a 40-foot statue of Christ. One of the pathways leads down to the interesting San Telmo Museoa (museum), built into the southeastern side of the hill, which is dedicated to exploring Basque culture and society.

• Top Accommodations: Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra • Lasala Plaza
• Best Affordable/Moderate Hotels: Casa Nicolasa • SANSEbay

2. Mercado de la Bretxa & Plaza de la Constitución

Within the maze of streets that compose the Parte Vieja, two of the most crucial sights are Mercado de la Bretxa (breh-cha) and the Plaza de la Constitución, which lie just a short distance apart. The aged market buildings (dating back to the 1870s) are arranged around Plaza de la Bretxa and are in the process of being renovated to develop new public areas. The market itself is in stalls in the plaza and underground, where there is an abundance of fresh produce and fine local delicacies like cheeses, preserves, and charcuterie to be discovered. The Plaza de la Constitución is a fine square with colonnaded walkways and surrounding balconies guiding to apartments with curious numbers over the doors that date back to the era when the square was utilized as the city’s bullring and spectators would have to rent a spot to watch. The square is best encountered during one of the city’s festivals, like Santo Tomás (December), Semana Grande (August), or the Tamborrada drum parade (January), when it bursts into life with stalls, festivities, music, and Basque tradition.

• Top Hotel: Maria Cristina

3. Playa Zurriaga

Spending time east of the Urumea River is worthwhile, if only to experience the stark difference between the gentle waves of La Concha and the sometimes brutal surf on Zurriaga Beach. A surfing culture has developed on this side of town, giving the area a youthful feel – groups of young people can be seen on the seafront year-round – but the area offers more than a laid-back hangout. Hikes up Monte Ulía, walks along the eastern Sagüés sea wall to the Dove of Peace statue are possibilities, as is the uber-modern Kursaal, designed by Rafael Moneo. It always presents great programming for concerts ranging from opera and ballet to jazz and pop, as well as a tasty restaurant, Ni Neu, which is great at any time of day.

• Highly Recommended Accommodations:Maria Cristina – Villa Soro – Arrizul Congress
• Low-cost/Moderate Accommodations:Pensión Casa Nicolasa • Okako • Koba Hostel

4. Playa de la Concha

The optimal way to encounter the city`s premier beach is to immerse yourself in it. If that`s not possible, strolling along the orotund promenade surrounding the bay from the Casa Consistorial (city hall) near the Parte Vieja in the east, passing through the Alderdi Eder Park, and to the passage leading to Playa Ondarreta in the West allows one to appreciate it fully. It is advantegous to arrange lodging at La Perla Spa, crafted during the Belle Époque era and offering a wide assortement of thalassotherapy through diverse seawater pools as well as private therapies, steam chambers, and saunas. Nearby, and formed in the equivalent Victorian design, is Cafe de la Concha, one of the prime locations for refreshments with a vista of the entire city.

• Highly Recommended Hotels:Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra – Villa Favorita – Lasala Plaza
• Affordable/Reasonably Priced Hotels: Villa Victoria • Niza • Hostal Alemana

5. Playa de Ondarreta & Monte Igueldo

Hid away in the western edge of La Concha cove is Ondarreta Beach, which prompts around to Mount Igueldo and its spine-chilling funicular trellis. The shoreline itself is satisfactory – essentially an augmentation of La Concha itself – yet its situation on the cove implies it gets somewhat more surf. Normally, it`s family-accommodating, with umbrellas and loungers for employ and an immaculately landscaped recreation center promenade. It merits strolling the entire way from the Miramar Palace gardens, around the base of Mount Igueldo, and to the staggering Peine del Mar (Wind Comb) statue by Eduardo Chillida to get familiar with the neighborhood. No one going to this neck of the woods ought to pass up a trip up Monte Igueldo on the precipitous funicular railroad, regardless of whether you`re not keen on the kitsch stimulation stop at the highest point. The century-old transportation and the perspectives from the highest point ought to be experienced.

• Top Hotels: NH Collection Aránzazu • Sercotel Codina • Mercure Monte Igueldo
• Esteemed Budget/Moderate Hotels: Avenida – La Galería – Koisi Hostel