Are you wondering how many days you need to explore San Sebastián? Or maybe you are on a short schedule and are curious whether one day is enough for San Sebastián? The short answer is yes — You can absolutely see the essentials and enjoy San Sebastián in one day.
Two days will be better, especially if you are attracted to the city because of its culinary reputation. That way you can try more local specialities.
San Sebastián (or Donostia in Basque) is one of the largest cities in the Basque Country and one of the best known tourist destinations in Spain. It is attracting even more international visitors in the last few years, because of its dynamic culture and gastronomic scene.
Honestly, we loved the city when we visited and would definitely stay longer next time around. However, because the city is so walkable, our one-day itinerary is perfect for you, if you are also short on time, but want to make the most of it. Read on!
Explore the Basque tradition of pintxos: what they are, how to eat them, and where to go.
What You'll Find In This Post:
Already seen everything in San Sebastián?
👉 Check this out: 7 Day Trips From San Sebastián You Will Love
Morning
I highly recommend starting your day in San Sebastián at Mount Igueldo. Just make sure to grab breakfast beforehand because there aren’t any good options for that up on the hill.
1. Explore Mount Igueldo
Mount Igueldo is a small hill at the end of the city, from where you can enjoy one of the most famous views in Spain.
You can see the whole city with its beautiful La Concha bay, where the ocean very calmly touches the two beaches.
In the distance you will see the gorgeous lush green hilly landscapes, famous for the Basque Country. It truly is a breathtaking view to start your exploring with.
How to get to Mount Igueldo?
As I mentioned above, the hill isn’t really in the proximity of the city center, it is about 2,5-3km away.
From San Sebastián city center to Plaza del Funicular
🚌 By bus
→ Take Bus 16 or 47 to Plaza del Funicular
→ You can buy a ticket with cash directly from the driver.
🥾 On foot
→ You can also go on foot, but if you only have one day in San Sebastián, I wouldn’t recommend it.
From Plaza del Funicular to the top of Mount Igueldo
🚡 By funicular
→ Takes you straight to the top
→ Runs every 15 minutes
→ Return ticket: €4.75 (as of 2025)
→ Opening hours:
Summer: 10:30–21:30
Winter: 11:00–18:00 (closed on some days — check their website before you go!)
🥾 On foot
→ You can hike up, but if you only have one day in San Sebastián, I wouldn’t recommend it.
→ Save your time and energy for later!
🚗 By car
→ Driving is also an option—there’s a car park at the top.
What to do at Mount Igueldo?
There are several viewpoints on the hill, all of them captivating. However, the best one is definitely from the tower at Mount Igueldo.
For a small fee, you can go up the stairs in the tower, while having a look at old photographs of the city.
From the terrace, you can enjoy 360 degree views. It is easily my top must-do when in San Sebastián.
On top of the hill there is also an amusement park. How cool is that? It has been there since 1925, and it is an emblematic place for the people of San Sebastián. Kids can even celebrate their birthday parties there.
With over 20 attractions, you can spend a few hours here, especially if you are travelling with kids. But even if you don’t use any of them, it is at least worth seeing it.
Then, after soaking in the views and capturing them in pictures, hop back in the funicular because the city has a lot more to offer.
2. Walk to El Peine del Viento
From Plaza del Funicular, it is about a 10-minute walk along the shore to El Peine del Viento.
These are contemporary sculptures, made of iron, that contrast the surrounding sea. It is a secluded little spot where you can spend a few minutes enjoying the fresh breeze from the sea and listening to the waves crushing on the rocks.
3. Walk along La Ondarreta and La Concha beaches
By the time, you have explored this part of the city, it will slowly be time for lunch. Since the main culinary scene is in the old town, I recommend going back there.
You can either hop on a bus or walk there. It is a 2.8 km, or about 40 minutes, walk from El Peine del Viento to the Old Town, you’ll pass two of the three city beaches, and it is absolutely lovely.
There is a very nice beach promenade and a green park with benches to rest along La Ondarreta, the first beach, you will go through.
The second beach on the way is the famous La Concha beach, same name as the bay itself. It is a kilometer long shell – shaped sand beach, getting broader as you are nearing the old town.
⚠️ At this point in the walk, there’s little to no shade. If you’re visiting on a hot summer day, make sure to bring a hat and plenty of water to stay cool and hydrated.
Towards the end of the beach, you will pass De Cervantes Plaza, with two bronze statues of Don Quixote on Rocinante (his horse) and Sancho Panza on a donkey.
The promenade ends at the Park Alderdi Eder, another beautiful green space filled with lots of palm and tamarind trees, an iconic old carousel and a playground for children.
At the north end of the Park, there is an exquisite building — the Town hall. It impresses with its architecture and it was originally built as a casino.
Afternoon
1. Have quick lunch in the Old Town
If one of the reasons why you chose to come to San Sebastián was its famous culinary scene, you will love the Old Town.
It is a relatively small part of the town with many narrow streets, few shops and around 500 bars and restaurants. Most of the bars are Pintxo bars.
Pintxos are essentially the Basque version of tapas — similar, but with some unique twists. We did a fantastic tour with a local guide, where we learned a lot about pintxo culture and had an amazing time.
We tried a wide variety of pintxos and local wines, and every stop was a treat. We can highly recommend the experience, even if you only have a day in San Sebastián.
✅ Book your tour for Pintxo Tasting & Wines with a local HERE!
⭐ My personal best tip for the bars — try as many bars as you can!
Bars usually offer the most typical pintxos from the Basque Country, but they also have their special pintxos that you can only get in that specific bar.
After lunch, there are a few possibilities, depending on how you feel and what you want to do more.
2. Do a walking tour in the Old Town
You can absolutely explore on your own, but if you’re looking for deeper insight from a local perspective, we highly recommend booking a walking tour.
It’s a great way to learn more about the culture while discovering the city on foot. In our experience, walking with a local is the best way to truly get to know a place.
✅ Book your walking tour with a local HERE!
3. Explore the area on foot
If you enjoy exploring on foot all day like we do, here are a few more places to go. Otherwise, if you’re too tired by this point, you can jump down to the next option.
Walk to La Zurriola beach
The third beach in San Sebastián is just across the river. This one isn’t protected in the bay, but is rather open to the sea.
It is mostly suited for surfing because of the big waves and not for swimming. Nevertheless, it is worth the short walk to see it.
Mount Urgull and Passeo Nuevo
Monte Urgull is the hill behind the Old Town. On top of it there is a 12th century castle, small museum, giant statue of Jesus and a few viewpoints.
It is a pedestrian area, so you can only get up there on foot. It takes about 30 minutes and there are lots of stairs.
In my opinion, the views from Mount Igueldo are better, so hiking to the top isn’t a must if you are only in San Sebastián for a day. However, if you are staying for longer, I can recommend it.
Another thing you can do here, is going for a walk around the hill, along the sea promenade called Passeo Nuevo.
Starting from the bridge Puente Del Kursaalt and finishing at the Town Hall, it is 2.2 km route, and it takes about 30 minutes.
If the sea is rough, which is often the case in the Gulf of Biscay, watching the extremely high waves crush on the rocks is quite captivating. Even with smaller waves, you still will be rewarded with beautiful views of La Concha bay from this side of town.
Towards the end of the walk you will pass the city’s Aquarium, the Maritime museum and the marina. The museum is free and there is a small exhibition on maritime explorations.
4. Explore the city centre on your own
If you are done with walking after the eventful morning and want a more relaxed afternoon, you can stay in the old town and explore a few things that are really close by or just go to the beach.
Visit Buen Pastor Cathedral
The San Sebastián cathedral impresses with its neo-Gothic style and its height. The interior is just as remarkable, with its beautifully painted windows.
Unlike most cathedrals I’ve been into, there is no entry fee at the Buen Pastor. It is free for everybody to enter, so give it a go.
Visit Gipuzkoa Plaza
This little city park is just a stone throw away from the Old Town, and it is a beautiful green oasis. It boasts a pond with ducks and swans, a few sculptures and astronomical artworks.
With its diversity of plants and trees, it feels like a mini botanical garden. It is a lovely place to relax with an ice cream, for example.
Go to the beach at La Concha
On a sunny day, it is almost a must to go to the beach and go for a dip in the Cantabrian Sea.
I must admit, that La Concha is quite nice, I didn’t expect that from a city beach. The sand is fine, soft and golden, the water is clean and usually calm, so it’s ideal even for bad swimmers.
Luckily, there aren’t any expensive sun beds and beach umbrellas, and you can put your beach towel wherever you want.
Apart from the alluring beach, itself, the facilities are excellent. There are many changing rooms with lockers, showers and toilets along the beach.
Overall, it is a great way to spend an hour or so, just soaking in the view – the many boats in the bay, surrounded by the two hills Igueldo, Urgull and the little island Santa Clara in the middle.
Evening
After watching the sunset, head back to the Old Town, find a cozy bar, and treat yourself to a few more pintxos. It’s the perfect way to unwind and wrap up your day in one of Spain’s most beautiful cities — San Sebastián.
If you haven’t done a food tour already, but want to get to know the local food scene a bit better — you can do an evening food tour.
✅ Book your Pintxo tour with a local HERE!
I recommend making La Viña your final stop. This iconic Basque restaurant in the Old Town is where the famous Basque cheesecake was first created back in the 1990s. In recent years, it’s gained worldwide popularity — with recipe videos even going viral on social media in 2023.
FAQ — One Day in San Sebastián
Can you explore San Sebastián in one day?
Yes! While one day isn’t enough to see everything, you can definitely experience the highlights — including La Concha Beach, the Old Town (Parte Vieja), Monte Igueldo, and some world-class pintxos.
What is the best time of year to visit San Sebastián?
The best time to visit is from May to September, when the weather is warm and perfect for the beach and outdoor activities. July and August are the busiest months, so expect more crowds. We visited in September and we can highly recommend it!
How do I get around San Sebastián in one day?
San Sebastián is very walkable, especially in the city center and Old Town. For longer distances (like to Monte Igueldo), use buses or a short taxi ride.
Where can I try the best pintxos in San Sebastián?
Head to the Old Town (Parte Vieja) — it’s packed with traditional pintxos bars. Don’t miss La Viña for the famous Basque cheesecake!
Is Monte Igueldo worth visiting with limited time?
Absolutely. The views from the top are some of the best in Spain, and the funicular ride adds to the charm. Plan about 2 hours for the round trip.
What should I pack for a day in San Sebastián?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable water bottle, especially if you’re visiting in summer. A light jacket is also handy if you’re staying out for the evening.
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