Popular Tour Itineraries Featuring San Sebastian

A culinary and surfers' heaven, San Sebastian and the Basque Country is a place to settle for three full days. Take a tour or discover sights for yourself, conquer the waves or the neighboring lookout points, travel to the French section of the Basque Country, to Biarritz for even more famous food. Immerse yourself in the daily life of locals at the markets and become part of this unique local culture in San Sebastian for three memorable days.

Spanish is spoken in San Sebastian, but in addition to Spanish, Basque is also an official language in the Basque Country. Don’t be surprised if you see signs in both languages. The origin of Basque or Euskara is uncertain, but most experts agree that it is not related to any other language in the world. 

You can expect to spend 35-40 EUR/person/day (40-45 USD) for food, beverages, transportation, and random leisure needs (spontaneous visit to a museum). If you plan to attend excursions, the average cost may rise to 100-120 EUR/person/day (110-130 USD). Day trips usually include transportation, some food, and drink.

San Sebastian hides treasures for culture-seekers. The San Telmo Museum, partly in a 16th-century Dominican monastery with a recently reconstructed modern section, is a stunning combination of ancient and contemporary, symbolizing the history, tradition, and presence of Basque people in the northern tip of Spain. Okendo is not a single institute. It is a network of cultural spaces that aim to transmit artistic impressions on a local level.

There might be endless reasons why you will feel San Sebastian/Donostia so special. Is it the people? Is it the city? Is it the design and style? Maybe all of these, but undoubtedly there is a unique flair that distinguishes Donostia from the other cities in Spain. Go for a stroll combined with window shopping, and you will understand that small local shops dominate over international brands.

San Sebastian is well connected by the local public bus service, D-Bus, which can easily get you to the main points of interest in the city. A one-way fare is EUR 1.70 and buses run roughly from 7.30 am to 10.30 pm. After that, there are a limited number of night buses that continue until about 4 am.

The Mediterranean diet is on the menu all around the country! Spanish cuisine uses a lot of rice and chickpeas that make the life of a gluten-intolerant easy-peasy. Milk is not a popular ingredient either, which is good news for lactose intolerants. Should you have any specific restrictions, feel free to turn to the waiter, who will helpfully assist you with the right choice of meal.

ATMs are safe to withdraw cash in Spain, but be sure to decline the offered conversion – your bank's rate is always better. You can use your credit card in most restaurants, cafés, and bars. For some hidden or street-based souvenir shops, you might need cash, but it is very seldom. In case using your credit card, please always require payment in the local currency, which is EUR in Spain.

San Sebastian, a small city that stretches lazily in the safety of the Bay of Biscay on the northern tip of Spain, is a surfers' paradise. It attracts many active tourists and fans of water sports, but it does not have any negative impact on its safety. There is a low crime rate in town, but you should be precautious, as at any other place popular with fellow travelers.