Things to Do in San Sebastian

This is the heart of San Sebastian and also one of the finest beaches of Europe. There is more than one specialty of this beach. Playa de La Concha is named like that due to its shell shape on the on the Bay of La Concha.

The main features that attract tourists to this beach are the lovely climate and the clean waters apart from the convenient location. Other than these the beach has very soft sand which makes a walk along the beach very delightful. One thing that you must not miss is diving over here. There are also surfing opportunities for everyone along with good coaches to teach you the sport. This beach also has a fantastic view of the Santa Clara Island that is just offshore.

As known and named, this is where the first settlements of the city were made. The old school culture and designs will enchant you. The high alleys and narrow streets have never been remodeled.

It is an ideal place for some authentic shopping, drinking and eating out. The old museums restaurants and bars are still landmarks of the city. These include the Plaza de La Constitucion, The Labyrinth Museum, the churches, the port, the old McDonalds.

What you should also not miss is the tapas and pinxtos, which are traditional dishes and drinks of the region. The other specialties are calamari, mussels and lip smacking old wine. The taste is absolutely out of the world.

This is yet another beautiful mountain in the city that has its base from the Ondaretta Beach. You can get a lovely view of the whole city as well as the La Concha Bay from the peak of the mountain. The mountain is but most importantly known for the historical park that is situated on top of the mountain.

The park is one of the most prominent as well as the 3rd oldest site of the city. This was opened in 1911 and still conserves most of its authentic features. One of the most popular is the roller coaster that seems to be dangerously exciting as it still includes the wooden cart in which you can take a ride.

Another important and very prominent feature of this park is the Funicular Railway track that is situated on a side of a cliff and consists of two carriages. It starts from the park and ends in the Ondaretta Beach. It takes passengers to and back on a single track of 30metres that doubles for ease in the middle of the track. This is an emblem when we talk about San Sebastian.

This place is rated as the most important historical heritage of the city. The main purpose of this mountain is actually to get a mind blowing view of the whole city and the sea. But other than that there is also a castle known as the La Mota castle that is situated up there and dates back to the 12th century. There is also a Jesus statue up here which is the mark of the peak. It can be seen from all parts of the city.

The castle here is accompanied by a number of other formations that are probably ruins of early structures. The castle is said to have been remodeled several times due to consequent attacks, especially by the French. The last and most dangerous attack in the 18th century left this place completely abandoned. It was later decided to turn the place into a lovely park by demolishing a part of the fort but the work was stopped mid way. The place was designated as a National Historical Spot and all efforts were taken to conserve it.

The most recommended activity out here would be hiking. You can enjoy a hike from 3 different points among which the best is to start from San Sebastian Old Town from the right end of the port at Mari Street. Along this way the difficulty level is a little higher but the views on the way compensate the stress completely. Another and an easier route is the ‘Preist’s Route’ that starts from the same place but takes you on a round trip of the mountain. This has a flatter terrain so you do not need to climb much. Apart from these you can also start from the San Sebastian Aquarium.

This aquarium is also known as the San Sebastian Natural Science Museum. It opened in 1928 and is the first museum of it’s kind Spain. It is also the most visited attraction of the city. The main purpose behind the effort was to educate people and spread awareness about environmental issues, the rare and sensitive species of plants and animals. The building has since its inauguration been modified several times but the charm has remained the same.

The aquarium is very well equipped with all the modern facilities and technologies and the most notable is the huge pool in the centre. Along this pool runs a transparent tunnel that takes guests from one part of the tank to another. The aquarium is further divided into 3 specific sections-

• Oceanario:  It is the pool itself with the tunnel that makes us feel that we are ‘dry swimming’ inside the pool.
• Thematic Aquariums: These are a collection of a variety of aquariums segregated according to the species of flora and fauna it conserves. The most remarkable part here is that we get to know and see fishes from almost all over the world.
• Tactile Aquariums: This is mainly an attraction to young ones. Surprisingly this is an open aquarium where we find a variety of colorful sea creatures such as urchins, starfishes, jellyfishes, etc.

This beach is extremely popular amongst people mainly because it is perfect for practicing a number of sports especially surfing. The beach was earlier known as the Gros Beach and was mostly filled with people from the Gros apart from the tourists and other locals. This beach has played host to many World Championships.

You will majorly find young people in the main part of the beach playing and practicing surfing, beach volley. There is also a serene part of the area just on the right side of the beach. This is more popular with families and people who do not like to be in crowded areas.

This is an urban beach that is located in the Antiguo Quarter just below the slope of Mount Igueldo. It also forms the border of the famous sculptural work of Eduardo Chillida known as Peine de los Vientos or simply Comb of the Winds. The Pico delLoro on the other end separates the Ondarreta Beach from the La Concha Beach.

This beach is more popular among the young people as compared to the other two beaches and another good part is that vehicles can be easily parked out here. It is also very easily accessible from the New Promenade. The beach is not very wild so it is ideal for swimming or diving also.

This lovely monument is the seat of the Suffragan Diocese of San Sebastian and is under the Archdiocese of Pamplona y Tudela. It is the most prominent religious building of the city and also the largest of Gipuzkoa. This was built in the late 19th century and has been designated as a cathedral since 1953. The cathedral is built in an old Neo- Gothic style.

The main features that enhances the beauty of the cathedral are-

• Indoor Furniture: The cathedral went through extensive reforms in 1972 and is at present even more beautiful. The carvings on the walls, the pillars, the chairs and the altar of the good Shepherd are all extremely beautiful. The figures of the 4 Evangelists along with other altars and shrines make an important part of the interior.
• Stained Glass: The stained glasses of the cathedral were designed by Juan Bautista Lazaro. These occupy seven double windows and have motifs of Jesus Christ, the 12 apostles, sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary and other holy figures.
• Organ: The original set was said to be the largest in Spain. The present one consists of 5 keyboards for hands, 2 for feet and 106 stops. There are also other pipes and pedals.

In the past, the city was the summer destination for the royal family. The trend was started by Queen Isabel II who loved bathing in the Cantabrian Sea and then this trend was carried on by Queen Maria Cristina. The main reason for this choice was the number of beaches and the pleasant climate of the city.

The problem was just that the royals did not have any official residence so they decided to buy an upscale property in a good location. Thus, they bought a beautiful property from where there was a wide variety of beautiful views to see. This building also had the San Sebastian monastery inside it. This was later named the Miramar Palace and many pieces of land were later added to this property. The gardens almost reached the beaches. At this time a tunnel was also built to make way for the city tram. This way is now the public route for trams and other vehicles towards Playa La Concha.

The palace was later taken away when Alfonso XIII inherited it to make it the residence for the President of the Republic whenever he would visit the city. It was again returned to the hands of the royals. At last in 1972 the whole estate was bought by the local government and since then it serves as a public park where people can come relax or enjoy picnics.

One of the specialties of the city is the open air galleries with masterpieces of great artists that are accessible by everyone. The best part is that these art galleries are sure to catch your eye while taking a simple walk around the city!

The Combs of Winds, also known as the Peine Del Viento was a master piece created by great sculptor Eduardo Chillida and famous architect Luis Pena Ganchegui. The theme is a conversation between nature and landscape. This pure form of beauty is a visual treat. The creation is where the fierce nature of the sea is interrupted by the strength of the metal used in this formation. The most notable part is the diplomatic thought behind this. The spot is now a favorite for tourists and locals alike.

This is a historic museum situated in the Old Town inside an old 16th century magnificent building. This was earlier a place of a Dominician Convent. Used previously on as an artillery barrack, this was transformed into a municipal museum in the 20th century. The building is completely of the Renaissance style with the cloisters and the canvass decorations. Most of the decorative works were the contributions of the famous Catalan artist Jose Maria Sert. It was later renovated extensively and a brand new museum with fresh collections added was opened up in 2011.

The more popular name is La Perla Thalasso2therapy. This is a wellness center just along the La Concha Bay and has been successfully providing guests with a better health and mind along with a place to relax. This is housed in an old 20th century building with the most modern facilities and a very well equipped spa. They also have a variety of physical sports circuits to ensure perfect water therapy.

The former Plaza Nueva is now known as the Plaza de la Constitucion. It is situated in the town square that was built in 1723 by Hercules Torrelli. It was then destroyed in a fire in 1813. The boxes resembling like sections of the large building is still preserved. This is the historic place in which guests used to come for festivals and occasions such as bull fights. The tickets were all sold from the Town Hall. At present the upper levels are still untouched but the ground floor is occupied by shops, bars and restaurants, though none of these hamper the charm of this landmark building.

The former Casino that now serves as the City Hall is the governing institution of the Basque City of Spain. It is situated just next to the Bay of La Concha. This was set up in 1928 in the Alderadi- Eder gardens of the city just on the casino spot after gambling was banned in Spain. The main purpose was to make it the center of attraction and tourism and it has successfully been one of the most visited spots of the city eversince. 

This Baroque style basilica that was opened in 1774 lies in the intersection of Mayor August 31and Old Town of San Sebastian. The church can be referred to as a fine example of the blend of different styles of architectural styles such as Gothic, Churriguerescos and Neo classical. From outside, the highlight is the entrance altar of San Sebastian between two towers.

The interior is beautiful with carved octagonal towers, lovely ceilings and the altar that is dedicated to the Virgin del Coro. The Virgin was the main patron of the Saint in the city. The altar is carved in wood and this perfectly brings out the sweetness of the holy lady. At the foot of the church is the choir and a set of organs.