A summer’s day on the Concha beach, sun and beautiful people; an autumn afternoon contemplating the beach from Mount Igueldo; a Sunday morning keeping out of the rain in the bars of the Old Part of the city and making the best of the tasty ‘pintxos’ (tapas); a springtime, mid-day aperitif in one of the cider country houses on the outskirts that only open their doors in the cider season. San Sebastian, ‘Donostia’ is a city in which one can convince oneself that places have a powerful influence on the state of mind. San Sebastian is friendly, an accomplice, dazzling. Orderly in its structure and daily routine; clean in its outward appearance.
San Sebastian is a city that one can wander through with no set destination, simply to just be there. Its stately bearing seduces us at each step, beginning with the Boulevard where we come across a series of buildings dating from the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, of a marked French style, with large attics in which we can imagine Bohemian existences. The major architectural attractions of the city date from this period, such as the Cathedral of the Good Shepard, the Peñaflorida Institute, the Miramar Palace, the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, the María Cristina Hotel… Venues where the high class citizens of the beginning of the 19th century would stroll, to see and be seen, particularly in the Casino, nowadays the headquarters of the City Corporation, built in its era specifically to attract high-class tourism.
This past glory as summer residence of the bourgeoisie is what gives San Sebastian that distinction which, night after night shimmers even more brightly on the waters of the Bay of Biscay in its own light, and especially, on the shores of the Gros beach. There stands the Kursaal Palace, a magnificent auditorium designed by Rafael Moneo, which irradiates a cubic light that illuminates the nights of a city endowed with an unparalleled elegance.

Arzak:
This is one of Spain’s best restaurants. For many years, Juan Mari Arzak has been considered the undeniable number one, introducing innovation through the new cooking that he has led and promoted in Spain. He continues to be a leading figure in Spain and throughout the world.
Alcalde Jose Elosegui, 273

Akelarre:
This establishment has marvellous views of the Bay of Biscay, and is run by Pedro Subijana, recognised by 3 stars from Michelin, and a promoter of the overhauling of Spanish cooking that has made it a world leader.  A classic.
Pº Padre Orcolaga, 56 (Bº Igueldo)   

Miramon Arbelaitz:
Located within Parque Tecnológico de Donosita, it offers the work of José Mari Arbelaitz, a cook with a Michelin star. He is avant-garde with tradition, offering ambitious cooking, ingenious and well-crafted culinary creations.
Pº Mikeletequi, 53

Urepel:
One of the most widely-accepted restaurants in San Sebastián, it uses the highest-quality raw materials and offers succulent dishes based on traditional roots, with touches of creativity that are never strident.
Pº Salamanca, 3

Casa Incolaza:
This is one of the legendary restaurants for Basque cooking. The restaurant is a part of the history of San Sebastián. Classic market cooking with innovative touches.
Aldamar 4 – 1º

Redondo:
Traditional Basque cooking, with a wine cellar that is considered one of the best in Spain, with some 100,000 bottles of wine from all over the world.
Pº de Igueldo, 57

Kursaal:
Minimalist glass dining room. The cooking uses the latest creative, sophisticated techniques. It mixes Mediterranean and Basque flavours.
Av Zurriola, 1
   
La Muralla:
This small, welcoming spot located in the city’s old quarter offers traditional Basque dishes made in an innovative way with seasonal products.
Embeltran, 3   

Bodegón Alejandro
This is an updated version of the old San Sebastián pubs. A team of young, cultured, and very solvent cooks keep up the gastronomic roots of traditional Basque cooking.
Fermín Calbetón, 4

Lanciego:
This establishment offers unpretentious market cooking.  It offers a certain creative curiosity and tasty, satisfying food.
Trinfo, 3

Etxekalte Jazz Club:
The best of the city’s older clubs, it offers varied music and good cocktails, ideal for having a drink in the heart of San Sebastián.
Mari Kalea, 11

Branka:
The best views of the city and a privileged location, next to the “The Comb of the Winds.” Alternative music, live jazz concerts…an elegant atmosphere.
Paseo Eduardo Chillida, 13   

Warhol:
This Pop-Art fashion bar, as the name indicates, is inspired by United States artist Andy Warhol. It is small, original, and very charming, frequented by the most “in” people in San Sebastián.
Sanchez Toca, 3

Pokhara:
Here there are soft light, comfortable chairs and a lot of charm. The atmosphere is cool and select, beautiful people gather here. It has lovely cocktails and you can have coffee in the afternoon in the best surroundings.
Sánchez Toca, 1

Molly Malone:
This is an emblematic San Sebastián pub that never goes out of style, one of the spots best loved by the nobility of San Sebastián, with young people and a quiet atmosphere.
San Martín, 55   

Ezpala:
One of the best-known bars in the city’s old quarter, it offers commercial, danceable sounds and a young crowd.

Txukun:
Frequented by the city’s youth and located in the old quarter, this is a fun place to spend some time and have a drink.
Fermín Calbetón 37

El Nido:
This excellent bar is located in the Reyes Católicos district. It has a nice atmosphere at night and an ideal terrace for sitting in the sun, whether it is summer or winter.
Larramendi Kalea, 13

La Kabutzia:
On the shore of the Bay of La Concha, this is the city’s most charming area. A discotheque, a monument, a ship. It has a unique style that never goes out of fashion, and offers sessions of music and drinks while looking out at the beauty of the Bay of Biscay.  This is a discotheque to see and to visit when the night falls.
Paseo Muelle

PINTXOS:
Going out to eat pintxos (skewers of meat) around San Sebastián is one of the most enjoyable things to do while visiting the city.  There are many establishments where this little food has become a speciality.
We recommend the 10 best establishments for pintxos:
•    Rte Casa Vergara:
The quality of the pintxos that decorate the bar of Casa Vergara has twice won it the Award of the Basque Label of Quality in the provincial pintxo contest of Gipuzkoa
Mayor, 21
•    Txuleta:
It offers one of the most varied ranges of pintxos in the city.
Plaza de la Trinidad, 2
•    Alex:
Taste a wide variety of pintxos in what is called “miniature” cooking. Their select wine cellar also stands out.
Larramendi, 10
•    Intza:
This spot offers a magnificent bar of pintxos and cazuelitas. Another interesting feature is its covered terrace, where you can enjoy tasting these two specialities.
Esterlines, 12
•    Mil Catas:
It has a magnificent selection of wines and the city’s most select “miniature” cooking.
Zabaleta, 55   
•    La Espiga:
Located in Centro de Donostia San Sebastián, there is an excellent restaurant and pintxo bar.
San Marcial, 46
•    Casa Vallés:
This bar is one that has been around forever, where you can enjoy traditional pintxos and sandwiches.
Reyes Católicos
•    Gandarias:
This San Sebastián restaurant has a magnificent bar for pintxos, and also combines traditional cooking and nouvelle cuisine.
31 de agosto, 23
•    Branka:
On Paseo Eduardo Chillida near the “Comb of the Winds” is the restaurant Branka. It is highly recommended for eating pintxos while looking out over the sea.
Eduardo Chillida, 13
•    Mesón Martín:
Near the Plaza de Gipuzkoa, in the city centre, we have this restaurant, a bar for pintxos that is worth visiting.
El Cano, 7

Aranaz Darras:
One of the earlier antique dealers in the city of San Sebastían, the establishment opened in the year 1945, combining the selling of antiques and the practice of Decoration and Interior Design.
Echaide, 5

Lukas Gourmet:
This is a wine cellar and delicatessen boutique where one can acquire San Sebastián’s best wines and products.
Plaza Julio Caro Baroja, 1-2

Pablo Gaztelu:
Boutique specialised in decoration and interior design. Its roots are in the city, and the shop’s singular, classic, elegant style makes it one of the city’s best-known and most exclusive.
Portuetxe, 83

Barrenetxe:
One of the most prestigious pastry shops in San Sebastián. Among its products are 35 different types of bread and traditional sweets made by hand with the best raw materials.
Pza. Guipúzcoa, 9

Moon rocks:
This exclusive San Sebastián brand of clothing and accessories is located in a special place, the arch of the port, where Lo Viejo meets El Puerto.
Puerto, 26

Muggus:
This urban fashion establishment offers the work of the best and youngest San Sebastián designers, right in the heart of the city.
Edificio Beixa 53ª, Local 3

Kukuxumusu:
This is the most international producer of drawings. “Kukuxumusu,” in Basque, means “the flea’s kiss.” This company from Pamplona makes t-shirts with funny pictures and often related to the San Fermin festival. San Sebastián is home to one of the first shops opened in the area.
Mayor, 5

Idoia Odriozola:
This business was founded in 1887. It specialises in typical Basque outfits and accessories.
San Juan, 5

Aquarium:
The Palace of the Sea in the Gipuzkoa Oceanographic Society, between the Port and the Paseo Nuevo, is a place that visitors must see. The ocean aquarium, with many animals, is a touching aquarium, and new species are brought together with other elements already existing in the Aquarium, like the skeleton of a whale captured off the coat of Guipuscoa in the last century.

Plaza de la Constitución:
One of the most charming places to see, it is located in the heart of the Parte Vieja, and its main Neo-classical building houses the Municipal Library. The numbering of the balconies is a holdover from the times when the square was used for bullfighting and the balconies were rented as boxes to watch from.

Monte Igueldo:
Located on the west of the urban part of San Sebastián, this is a large natural park. From the top, one can see the whole city.

Aiako Harria (Peñas de Aia):
This natural park is an area of great geological value, where you can see the oldest formations of the Basque Country. The place used to be a mine, and some signs of this mining activity can still be seen, making the landscape even more singular.

Kursaal:
On the lot left by the old Casino del Kursaal, the brand-new Centro Kursaal has been built, the new hub of San Sebastián’s cultural life, and a bid for the future.

Peine del viento (“Comb of the Winds”):
One of the city’s symbols, this is a group of sculptures by the artist Eduardo Chillida, probably his most important, best-known work. It is located at one end of the Bay of La Concha, on one of the rocks that looks out over the Bay of Biscay.

Teatro Principal:
This is the oldest of San Sebastián’s theatres. Inaugurated in 1843, it took on its current appearance at the end of the 19th century.  Besides the usual plays, it also houses the majority of the screenings of the San Sebastián Film Festival.

Monte Urgull:
A mountain located between the Parte Vieja of San Sebastián and Paseo Nuevo, next to the sea. There are forts on this promontory. Formerly used for military purposes, today they are used for exhibitions.

Playas de San Sebastián:
The beaches of San Sebastián are La Concha, Ondarreta and La Zurriola, right in the middle of the urban heart of the city. La Playa de La Concha was made popular by Queen Isabel in 1845, and it continues to be considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe.

Cristina Enea Park:
This is the city’s largest park, with a surface area of 94960 m2. The Duke of Mandas gave the land where the Cristina-Enea Park is located to the city of San Sebastián. The noble placed a series of conditions on the gift to the City Hall, such as that the park be open to the public during the day, that the trees not be cut down, and that the name be maintained in his wife’s honour.