2-Day San Sebastian, Spain Itinerary
A mecca for food lovers and one of Northern Spain’s most-loved destinations, San Sebastian has long been favoured by travellers with a culinary persuasion. Couple the region’s unique Basque culture with its iconic dining hotspots and get a glimpse at the city from every angle with this ultimate guide for two days in San Sebastian.
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A destination revered across the globe for its culinary prowess, San Sebastian has earned its spot as a must-visit spot for foodies. Paired with idyllic scenery that stretches from the Cantabrian coast to the Sierra Madre Mountain range, the Northern Spanish city - also known as Donostia in Basque language - has plenty to offer travellers.
From the charming Belle Epoque architecture to the lively pintxos bar scene where life spills into the streets, I’ll show you how to make the most of two days in San Sebastian with this efficient itinerary. Mixing gastronomy with culture and some of the best attractions in the city, you can be sure that you’ll be able to get a taste of this vibrant city.
In a hurry? My top recommendations for San Sebastian
Where to stay | Hotel SANSEbay
Best coffee | Old Town Coffee
Where to eat | Bar Nestor and Aitana Donostia
Must do activity | Pintxos and wine tour
2-day San Sebastian itinerary overview
Day 1
Parte Vieja (Old Town)
Basilica of Santa María del Coro
Mount Urgull
Parque de Alderdi Eder
Pintxos tour
Day 2
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
Puente de Maria Cristina
La Concha
Miramar Palace
Mount Igueldo
Two-day San Sebastian Itinerary
Day 1 - San Sebastian Old Town
Start your time in Parte Vieja, the Old Town. Tucked at the foot of Mount Urgull, this is the beating heart of San Sebastian. Here, you’ll find pintxos bars and restaurants, stores selling works by local artists, and many historic attractions.
If you want to grab a coffee before you begin exploring, I’d recommend Motx Coffee or Syra, both located in the Old Town. Then, it’s time to explore. I’d recommend the following points of interest in the Parte Vieja.
Mercado La Bretxa
San Sebastian is known for its cuisine, which also means sourcing the finest local and seasonal ingredients. There’s no better place for this than Mercado La Brexta, which dates back to 1870. Selling local produce including fruit and vegetables, cheese, meat, and seafood, much of it is from traditional Basque country estates in the region.
San Vicente Church
Towards the back of the Old Town, San Vicente is the oldest church in San Sebastian, dating back to the 16th century. Constructed in a late Gothic style, the main altarpiece by Ambrosio de Bengoechea is one of the most impressive features of the church. Open hours are usually 10am-1:30pm and 5-8:30pm Monday to Saturday.
Plaza de la Constitución
Previously serving as a bullring, Plaza de la Constitucion is now a lively plaza where locals and visitors come together to spend afternoons eating and drinking in the square. It also hosts some of the city’s annual celebrations, including the flag-raising ceremony in January and the cider festival in September.
C.Mayor and Fermin Calbeton Kalea
C. Mayor is a great place to wander and take in the view of Santa Maria del Coro at the end of the street. Along here, you’ll also find a selection of stores selling local produce and a few galleries showing work from local artists.
Fermin Calbeton Kalea is full of some of the top pintxos bars in San Sebastian. You can pop into a few for lunch or just wander down the street to soak up the lovely atmosphere that this part of the Old Town is known for.
Basilica of Santa María del Coro
In the shadow of Mount Urgull is the Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro. The 18th century church is an excellent example of Baroque architecture and you can head inside to admire the interior for €3, which also includes access to the small museum which showcases a collection of religious artefacts and artwork.
Mount Urgull
San Sebastian has several great viewpoints across the city thanks to its mountainous terrain. On the right side of the bay behind the Old Town is Mount Urgull where you can head to the top in around 30-40 minutes. I’d recommend heading up here after you’ve wandered around the Old Town.
A paved path snakes through the forested hillside before opening up at the top to provide views across the Bay of Biscay. On the way up, stop at the Castillo de la Mota, a 12-century fortress. There is a bar at the top, Urgulleko Polboriña, where you can stop in and relax with a drink, where there is often music and a great ambience in the afternoon.
Parque de Alderdi Eder
Between the Old Town and La Concha beach is a manicured park set against the backdrop of Mount Urgull, making it the perfect place to stop and watch life in San Sebastian go by. There are manicured boxed garden beds and lofty palms, with a carousel for children at one end.
In the background is San Sebastian’s town hall, which was previously a casino before it was closed due to a ban on gambling in 1924. It’s a lovely spot to stop for a bit, whether you grab an ice cream or spend some time reading a book on one of the benches.
Pintxos tour
Finish your day with an evening of pintxos bar hopping. These bite-sized dishes are a staple of Basque cuisine and often served on pieces of bread or toothpicks. From seafood and vegetables to meats and more, it’s a great way to sample the flavours of Basque region.
I’d recommend joining a guided tour to discover the top spots and get insider insight, as well as getting into some of San Sebastian’s best pintxos bars - which can often require reservations or long queues.
Day 2 - Beaches and sky-high views
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
With a 75-metre high tower that rises above the San Sebastian skyline, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is the largest religious building in Gipuzkoa. Also known as Catedral del Buen Pastor de San Sebastián, it is free to enter and worth a look around to notice the Neogothic details that were inspired by churches in Germany and England.
Nearby, I’d recommend grabbing coffee and breakfast at Old Town Coffee (my local during my week in San Sebastian) or Kafe Botanika.
Puente de Maria Cristina
After breakfast, walk along the Urumea River until you reach Puente de Maria Cristina. Officially opened in 1905 to replace the former temporary wooden bridge that was used to connect a path between Downtown San Sebastian and the bullfighting arena and Velodrome, it is the most impressive of the bridges that connect both banks of the Urumea River.
Built in the typical Belle Epoque architectural style that San Sebastian is well known for, the standout feature is the four golden-statue-crowned obelisks that create a guard-like effect at each end of the bridge. Spend time admiring the bridge and its details before heading back towards the bay on the other side of the Old Town.
La Concha
The shell-shaped bay and its iconic beach, La Concha are one of the most revered spots in San Sebastian. If you’re visiting in summer, be sure to spend some time swimming in the shallow waters of the bay. If it’s not warm enough for frolicking in the sea, a walk along the beachfront promenade is a great way to spend an hour or two.
The wide path that runs the length of the bay from the Old Town to the base of Mount Igueldo offers a space for walkers and bicycles and it’s a beautiful stretch to take in the views of La Concha and Santa Clara Island.
Miramar Palace
Perched on a hill between La Concha and Ondaretta Beach, Miramar Palace is an English country house-style building that was the former summer home of the Spanish Royal Family. You can’t visit the inside, however you can sit in the gardens and take in the views across the bay of Biscay where towering palm trees and garden beds of hydrangea make for the perfect backdrop for a picnic.
If you’d prefer to stop somewhere nearby for lunch, the streets behind Ondaretta Beach have a few great restaurants and pintxos bars including TrikuHarri Taberna Jatetxea, Oliyos, and Agora.
Mount Igueldo
Continue on towards the funicular that takes you to the top of Mount Igueldo. Carried by the traditional 100-year old wooden cog railway, you pass through lush mountainside before reaching the summit. The ride to the top takes a few minutes and tickets cost €4.50 for a return journey.
Up here, you can take in the views across San Sebastian and the Bay of Biscay from the highest point in the region - which is one of the top things to do in the city. On sunny days, the light is best in the afternoon as it’s behind you as you look over the bay, making it the best time for photos. In the height of summer, the sun sets after the last ride back down (which is around 7:30-8pm), so be mindful of timing.
Dinner and drinks
You really can’t try too many pintxos when you’re in San Sebastian, it’s one of the cornerstones of Basque cuisine after all. Tonight, choose some of the pintxos bars you didn’t visit on your tour or return to any favourites you enjoyed.
If you’d like to try more wine from the region and beyond, I recommend Arenales just outside the Old Town which focuses on excellent natural wines. They also serve a selection of small plates so you could have dinner here too. The space is only small, so be sure to book a table.
If you’re looking for somewhere with a larger menu, then Aitana Donostia was one of my favourite mid-range restaurants in San Sebastian. The food is fantastic and has a hint of Asian fusion to some of the dishes, including the crunchy duck tacos which come served more like spring rolls - one of my favourite dishes. Definitely book ahead here, as tables can be hard to secure, especially on weekends.
Is two days in San Sebastian enough?
Whether you’re planning to visit San Sebastian as part of a longer trip in the Basque region or Spain, or making it your main destination, two days will be enough time to sample some of the best pintxos in the city and enjoy the best sights.
You could easily extend this trip to cover three or four days and add on a day trip or some excursions, however I’ve provided an efficient way to get the most out of your two days in San Sebastian without rushing.
Is San Sebastian a walkable city?
The city centre, Old Town, and the main attractions are all walkable. The suburbs sprawl a little further out and buses are the best way to explore those areas. Everything covered in this two-day itinerary can be reached by walking, with the addition of the cog wheel train to the top of Mount Igueldo.
Is San Sebastian worth visiting?
In short, yes, San Sebastian is absolutely worth visiting. There’s no doubt it has earned its reputation as a culinary destination, but it is also incredibly picturesque and suitable for most traveller types, including solo travellers and families.
What is the best month to visit San Sebastian?
San Sebastian is located on the northern coast of Spain, meaning it can experience cooler, wetter winters and warmer, dryer summers. Considering climate and crowds, I would recommend travelling between June to July or September. August is summer holidays in Europe and a peak time for travel, meaning it is often busy and prices for accommodation are higher.
I spent a week in San Sebastian in June and the weather was in the mid-20s most days, meaning it was pleasant without being too hot and warm enough for enjoying the beach during the day. Evenings still required a light jacket at times, but overall the weather was favourable.
