Best day trips from San Sebastian
San Sebastian is an excellent base for exploring the main towns of Gipuzkoa, taking a trip to Iparralde, or even visiting some of the top attractions in Biscay.
Below, I’ll go over the best places to visit around the city, including charming villages near San Sebastian and beautiful natural spots.
Before we go on, if you don’t have your own car, it’s worth mentioning that you can join organized tours, like this one to Zumaia, Zarautz, and Getaria, or this other tour to Hondarribia, San Pedro, and San Juan.
1. Zarautz, a surfers’ paradise
Let’s start with one of the most unique and beautiful towns near San Sebastian: Zarautz. This seaside destination is especially popular among surfers, as its long beach is perfect for catching waves; no matter your skill level! Plus, its promenade is really nice, offering relaxing walks right by the sea.
Beyond the beach and its beautiful surroundings, Zarautz also has a charming old town, perfect for a leisurely stroll. Among its most notable landmarks are the Church of Santa María la Real and the Narros Palace.
Its streets are full of trendy shops, surf schools, pintxo bars, and cozy cafés. In the center, specifically on Kale Nagusia Street, you’ll find the tourist office, which is a great place to stop by.
Here’s a fun fact you might not know: Zarautz is home to the famous chef Karlos Arguiñano, who also owns a restaurant on Mendilauta Kalea. One of his sons runs a bakery in town as well, called JA Arguiñano.
🛏️ RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN SAN SEBASTIÁN On my recent visits to the city, I’ve stayed in very different hotels, and depending on your budget or needs, I recommend one or the other. The first hotel I want to recommend is Sansebay, located in the Old Town with views of the port. The other hotel is Olarain, located on the outskirts of the city in the Antiguo neighborhood. Both options are great in my opinion. If you need more recommendations, this article on where to stay in San Sebastián will be useful.
2. Getaria, hometown of Cristóbal Balenciaga
Just a short distance from San Sebastián lies the charming village of Getaria. It’s a small place that you can easily explore in a short walk through its main streets but don’t let its size fool you. Getaria is full of character and well worth a stop.
One particularly interesting fact about this coastal village is that it’s the birthplace of the famous fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. At the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, you can learn all about his life and work. You’ll find up-to-date information on prices and opening hours on the official Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa website.
After visiting the museum, I recommend wandering into the heart of the village along its main street, Kale Nagusia Kalea. At the end, you’ll spot the tower of the Church of San Salvador, a Gothic-style building dating back to the 14th century. Walk through its passageway and you’ll reach the port area, where several squares and bars invite you to sit down for a drink.
By the way, Zarautz and Getaria are connected by a coastal path that runs along the entire shoreline, a great plan if you enjoy long seaside walks!
3. Zumaia and its fascinating flysch
If you want to see one of the most stunning natural landscapes in Spain, I highly recommend a trip to the Zumaia Flysch, a place near San Sebastián that will truly leave you speechless.
If you’ve never been to a place like this, you might be wondering what exactly a flysch is. It’s a type of alternating sediment formation created by the differential erosion of hard cohesive rocks (like limestone, slate, or sandstone) and softer friable ones (such as marl or shale). But honestly, the best way to understand it is to see it with your own eyes.
To witness this natural wonder, you’ll need to head to Zumaia, located about 35 km from San Sebastián. Once there, I recommend visiting the San Telmo Hermitage, perched on top of a cliff. From here, you’ll get beautiful views of the coast, and it’s also worth following the trail that starts right next to the chapel.
Another great way to admire this unique landscape is by joining a 50-minute boat tour along the Zumaia Flysch, a different perspective that lets you fully appreciate its scale and beauty.
Besides enjoying the incredible natural scenery, make sure to take a walk through Zumaia’s small old town, where you’ll find highlights like the San Pedro Apóstol Church and the San Juan Fountain. You can also visit the Zumaia Lighthouse for more coastal views.
4. Pasajes, a beautiful village near San Sebastian
One of the things I enjoyed most during my time in San Sebastián was hiking from the city to Pasajes San Juan. This route is actually part of the Northern Camino de Santiago.
The walk begins at Mount Ulia, right next to Zurriola Beach. There are several trails to choose from, some run closer to the coast with beautiful sea views, while others take you inland through the mountain’s forests. The distance from San Sebastián to Pasajes is about 7 km. I recommend walking there and taking the bus back.
Once you reach Pasajes San Pedro, you’ll need to catch a small boat across the bay to get to Pasajes San Juan, a truly charming little village. Wander through its narrow streets and recharge at one of its local restaurants. After so much walking, you’ll definitely arrive hungry and ready for a good meal.
5. Hondarribia, one of the most charming towns in the Basque Country
One of the most beautiful towns in the Basque Country is Hondarribia, and its location just 23 km from the city center makes it one of the best day trips from San Sebastián.
This coastal town has a walled old quarter that radiates charm and history around every corner. Be sure to wander through its picturesque streets and sample some of its delicious local cuisine.
Some of the main sights to see in Hondarribia include the Castle of Charles V, the Gate of Santa María, the town walls, Gipuzkoa Square, San Nicolás Port, the Bishop’s Square, Kale Nagusia (the main street), Armas Square, and the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and del Manzano.
In addition to exploring the old town, you shouldn’t miss La Marina, the town’s former fishermen’s quarter. It’s a lovely area to stroll through, walk along the seafront, and stop by one of its inviting bars for a drink and pintxos.
6. Biarritz
San Sebastián is very close to the French border, so a visit to the neighboring country is a great idea. My top recommendation is Biarritz.
I’ve been to Biarritz many times, and I’m completely in love with it. The town perfectly blends classic French elegance with a laid-back surf vibe, a combination that’s hard to resist.
If you choose to visit, I recommend checking out my articles on what to see in Biarritz and where to stay in Biarritz. You’ll find all the must-see spots, my favorite restaurants, and accommodation tips in case you want to spend more than a day.
Take a stroll through the old town or along the seafront promenade, enjoy fresh oysters at the local market, relax on one of the beaches, or join a guided tour to get a deeper insight into the city.
If you don’t have your own car but still want to visit Biarritz, a good option is this organized tour to Biarritz, which also includes Bayonne. The tour lasts about 6 hours.
7. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a great day trip from San Sebastián
Another lovely town to visit near San Sebastián in the French Basque Country is Saint-Jean-de-Luz. You can easily combine a visit here with a trip to Biarritz.
In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, you can spend the day on the beach, enjoy exquisite local cuisine, stroll through the charming old town, or visit the central market to try some local products. It’s a small town, but incredibly picturesque, with narrow streets and lovely shops.
Some of the must-see sights in Saint-Jean-de-Luz include the port, the seafront promenade, the former Grand Hôtel and Casino La Pergola, Place Louis XIV, Gambetta Street, the Church of Saint John the Baptist, and the Paul Jovet Coastal Botanical Garden.
💡 ITINERARIES IN SAN SEBASTIÁN I’ve put together some itineraries for different periods of time in San Sebastián to help make planning your visit easier. Take a look at my suggested routes to explore San Sebastian in two days or San Sebastian in three days.
8. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
One of the most popular places in the Basque Country that you can visit during your stay in San Sebastian is San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. This famous islet, located between Bakio and Bermeo, is one of the most beautiful sites in the Basque coast.
It is connected to the mainland by a stone bridge with two arches. You will need to go up 241 stairs to reach the islet’s highest point, which is 150 meters above sea level. There is a hermitage dedicated to San Juan Bautista. As you see the breathtaking views, you’ll understand that every effort was worthwhile.
This amazing place is located 120 km from San Sebastian. It is a great day trip especially if you have a car, since you will be able to make more stops on your way there or on your way back. But you can also get there using public transportation. In this case, you have to take Euskotren line E4 and get off in Bermeo. From there, take the bus to Gaztelugatxe.
Entrance is free, but depending on the season, you need to book a ticket on the official Gaztelugatxe website to get in. I recommend doing it as early as possible. You can also take this boat tour from Bermeo to Gaztelugatxe.
9. Butron Castle, one of the best places to visit near San Sebastian
A remarkable place I got to visit on one of my recent trips is Butrón Castle. This neo-Gothic castle with medieval origins is located in Biscay, not far from San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, so you can easily visit both on the same day.
After belonging to the Butrón family, the castle was abandoned for three centuries until the Marquis of Cubas took charge of remodeling it, using other European castles as inspiration. Recently, it was bought by a Russian couple living in Barcelona.
The interior remains closed, but you can still admire its incredible exterior, which is definitely worth seeing. It’s about 109 km from San Sebastián.
10. Bilbao
If you’re spending several days in San Sebastián, it’s definitely worth making a trip to Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country. It’s about 100 km from San Sebastián, so the journey takes some time, but if you haven’t been before, I highly recommend it.
To plan your visit, I suggest following my one-day Bilbao itinerary. The route I recommend will take you to San Antón Bridge, the Ribera Market, Bilbao Cathedral, Plaza Nueva, Paseo del Arenal, Zubizuri Bridge, and the Guggenheim Museum.
You can also join this free walking tour, which lets you explore the city’s main attractions and learn the most interesting facts with a guide.
Map of day trips from San Sebastian
On the map below, I’ve marked all the places to visit near San Sebastián mentioned in this article. This way, you can quickly and easily see the distances between Donosti and each destination.
I hope this article on the best day trips from San Sebastián has been helpful in planning your trip to this beautiful Basque city.
If you’d like to share your experience or have any questions about your trip to the Basque Country, I encourage you to leave a comment. See you next time!
