{"id":43532,"date":"2025-12-04T21:46:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T20:46:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/?p=43532"},"modified":"2025-12-09T17:24:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T16:24:14","slug":"san-sebastian-in-3-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/en\/san-sebastian-in-3-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Best itinerary to visit San Sebastian in 3 days + Map"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

3-day San Sebastian itinerary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s discover the best places to visit in San Sebasti\u00e1n in 3 days. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On your first day, I recommend walking along the coast from the Old Town to the Peine del Viento, stopping at Miramar Palace. You\u2019ll get beautiful views of La Concha Beach. Then head up Mount Igueldo to take in the scenery, and end the afternoon strolling through the Old Town and Mount Urgull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On your second day in San Sebasti\u00e1n, explore the city center, where you\u2019ll find several of the main attractions, such as the Good Shepherd Cathedral. Then wander through Gros, another neighborhood you\u2019re sure to love. Finish the day with a boat trip to Santa Clara Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On your third and final day, I suggest several plans for you to choose from: hiking to Pasajes through Mount Ul\u00eda, relaxing for a while on La Concha Beach, or visiting the surrounding towns, such as Hondarribia, Zarautz, Getaria, or Zumaia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udecf\ufe0f RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN SAN SEBASTIAN<\/span> On my trips to the city, I\u2019ve stayed in very different types of accommodations, and depending on your budget or needs, I recommend one or the other. The first hotel I suggest is Sansebay<\/a>, located in the Old Town with views of the harbor. The other option is Olarain<\/a>, situated on the outskirts of the city in the Antiguo neighborhood. Both can be good choices depending on your situation. In any case, further down you\u2019ll find many more recommendations to make this decision easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1 of San Sebastian in 3 days<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On your first day in San Sebastian, it\u2019s time to walk along Paseo de la Concha until you reach Mount Igueldo, passing by Miramar Palace and first stopping at the Peine del Viento. Then I recommend taking the funicular up to Mount Igueldo. From the top, you\u2019ll enjoy beautiful views of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Head back to the Parte Vieja to wander around and try the famous pintxos. At sunset, walk up Mount Urgull for a pleasant stroll and take in the sea views and the evening light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Concha Beach and the Seafront Promenade of San Sebastian<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Paseo de la Concha<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

La Concha Walk, an avenue that borders the Concha Bay, is one of the most famous places in the city and one of the best things to do in San Sebastian<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from passing by Miramar Palace, where I recommend stopping, you will also pass by the Hotel Londres and La Perla building. All this while you enjoy a pleasant walk with views of the sea along the Seafront Promenade of San Sebastian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miramar Palace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Miramar Palace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Miramar Palace is located in front of Concha Bay, between Concha Beach and Ondarreta Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although you cannot visit the interior, it is highly advisable to go to the palace and take a walk in the surrounding gardens. There are benches and the views are very nice. You will also find information panels, where can learn about the history of this English-style palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peine del Viento<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Peine del Viento<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once you pass Ondarreta Beach completely, continue along Paseo de Eduardo Chillida until you reach the end of it, where Peine del Viento is located.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a group of three sculptures designed by Eduardo Chillida, a Gipuzkoan sculptor. Here, nature and human creativity come together to create a unique place. It\u2019s a place that feels incredibly peaceful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mount Igueldo, a must-visit in San Sebastian in 3 days<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Mount Igueldo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Views from Mount Igueldo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re planning to visit Mount Igueldo by taking the cable car, keep in mind that it opens at 11:00 a.m. from Monday to Friday and at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. After having breakfast and taking your first walk around the city, it will probably be open by then. If you\u2019re going to hike to the top, you can go even earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The funicular runs every 15 minutes and costs \u20ac3.30 one-way or \u20ac4.75 round-trip. If you take the funicular up, access to the viewpoint is included in the ticket price. If you hike to the top, you\u2019ll need to pay \u20ac2.50 per person to enter the viewpoint. As you can see, it\u2019s worth going up on the funicular. However, for the descent, I do recommend walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from enjoying the views, you can have a drink at the bar with a terrace or try one of the attractions at Mount Igueldo Amusement Park, which was built in 1912.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old Town of San Sebastian<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Old Town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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3 days in San Sebastian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

It’s time to return to the center of San Sebastian to explore the most beautiful part of the city, the Old Town (Parte Vieja). Here you\u2019ll find many of the sights to see in San Sebastian in 3 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The places that you can not miss during your walk through this area are the Alameda del Boulevard, the Donostia City Hall, Plaza de la Constitucion, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro, San Vicente Church and San Telmo Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you visit these places, be sure to enjoy some of the most famous pintxos in San Sebastian<\/a>. I recommend you go to Paco Bueno, Atari Gastroleku, La Mejillonera, Borda Berri, Bar Sport, Txuleta and Bar N\u00e9stor. For dessert, don’t miss the opportunity to try La Vi\u00f1a’s cheesecake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f Another way to explore the Old Town is by joining this free tour of the city<\/a>. It\u2019s a guided tour where you pay what you want. It\u2019s a great way to learn about the city\u2019s history and discover some interesting facts. Check out the best free tours in San Sebastian<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mount Urgull<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Mount Urgull<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To end your first day in San Sebastian in the best possible way, I recommend you take a pleasant walk through Mount Urgull. You can go around it through Paseo Nuevo or visit the interior thanks to the different paths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I accessed Mount Urgull through the entrance located very close to San Telmo Museum. I visited several areas of the mountain, such as Baluarte del Mirador, the English Cemetery and La Mota Castle, and I rapped the day up by watching the sunset from the bar located on the same mountain. The name is Urgulleko Polbori\u00f1a.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2 of San Sebastian in 3 days<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the second day in San Sebastian, it\u2019s time to visit several places in the city center and the Gros neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the city center, you\u2019ll find very interesting spots such as Plaza de Gipuzkoa, the Good Shepherd Cathedral, Mar\u00eda Cristina Bridge, and Zurriola Bridge. Then, I recommend taking a stroll through Gros and along Zurriola Beach. In the afternoon, if you feel like it, you can take a boat trip to Santa Clara Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gipuzkoa Square, the first public park in San Sebastian<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Gipuzkoa Square<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first stop will be in Gipuzkoa Square, where the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa headquarters are located. It is also the first public park in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The square, apart from being full of plants and flowers, houses a pond with ducks, a marble hour table and a monument dedicated to the musician from San Sebastian, Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Usandizaga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good Shepherd of San Sebastian Cathedral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cathedral of the Good Shepherd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Not far from Plaza de Gipuzkoa, you\u2019ll find the Good Shepherd Cathedral of San Sebastian. It was inaugurated in 1897 and is built in a neoclassical style. Its tower reaches 75 meters in height. This cathedral is located just one kilometer from the Basilica of Santa Mar\u00eda del Coro, with no buildings in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maria Cristina Bridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Maria Cristina Bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once you have finished walking through the center of San Sebastian, cross the Maria Cristina Bridge and head to the other side of the Urumea River. This bridge is one of the most beautiful ones in the city. It was built in 1904 and designed by Jos\u00e9 Eugenio Ribera and Julio Mar\u00eda Zapata.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gros and Zurriola Beach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Gros<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you cross Mar\u00eda Cristina Bridge from the city center, you\u2019ll arrive in the Egia neighborhood. Before heading into Gros, you can visit Tabakalera<\/a>, a cultural center located in a former tobacco factory. You can also stop by Cristina Enea Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, walk towards Gros, one of San Sebastian\u2019s main neighborhoods. It\u2019s a fairly modern area with a more youthful vibe. In Gros, you\u2019ll find plenty of bars, caf\u00e9s, and shops. I recommend wandering through its streets and discovering some of its most interesting corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main tourist attraction in Gros is Zurriola Beach, where there are usually many surfers. If you travel to San Sebastian in the summer, you can take advantage of the afternoon to stay on this beach. I also recommend you walk along the promenade until you reach the sculpture of the Paloma de la Paz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Zurriola Bridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Zurriola Bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This time, return to the center of San Sebastian by crossing the Zurriola Bridge, built in 1915. It stands out for its white and green street lamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you cross this famous bridge, you\u2019ll see the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the Mar\u00eda Cristina Hotel on your left, two of the most iconic buildings in San Sebastian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boat cruise to Santa Clara Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Santa Clara<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This activity is completely optional, but if you have time and feel like it, you can join this boat trip to Santa Clara Island<\/a>, located in La Concha Bay. Besides seeing the island up close, you\u2019ll also enjoy a pleasant boat ride. The trip lasts half an hour and costs \u20ac8 per person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 3 of San Sebastian in 3 days<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a lot to see in San Sebastian in 3 days, especially if you include the city\u2019s incredible surroundings. For your third day in the city, I\u2019m going to suggest several plans. Pick the one that appeals to you the most!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hike up Mount Ulia to Pasajes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Pasajes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the things I really enjoyed on my visit to San Sebastian was hiking up Mount Ulia all the way to the town of Pasajes. Even if you don\u2019t have time to complete the entire route, I highly recommend hiking Mount Ulia to enjoy the views of the city from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do want to walk to Pasajes, keep in mind that the route takes about 2 hours. Once you reach Pasajes, you can take the boat from San Pedro to San Juan and explore the town. It\u2019s very charming. I recommend returning to San Sebastian by bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy La Concha Beach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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La Concha Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of San Sebastian\u2019s main attractions is its beautiful coastline, which you can enjoy any time of the year, but especially in the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you\u2019re visiting during the warmer months and get a sunny day, a great plan for your third day in San Sebasti\u00e1n, especially if you feel like doing something relaxing, is to spend some time at La Concha Beach. Did you know it\u2019s considered one of the best city beaches in the world?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exploring the areas around San Sebastian<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Guetaria<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Flysch of Zumaia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the surroundings of this city, you\u2019ll find many places worth visiting. Since you\u2019re spending 3 days in San Sebastian, it\u2019s a great idea to make a trip to towns like Hondarribia, Zarautz, Getaria, or Zumaia. Each of them has its own charm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another good option is the Chillida Leku Museum<\/a>, founded by Eduardo Chillida, the creator of Peine del Viento. The museum is located in a traditional farmhouse in Hernani and features a landscaped space full of trees and steel and granite sculptures. If you\u2019re interested in art, it can be a very rewarding visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides these places, there are many other spots near San Sebastian that are worth exploring. If you want to know more, I recommend checking out my article on the best day trips from San Sebastian<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have your own vehicle, I encourage you to use it, as it will be the most convenient option. Otherwise, you can use public transport or join an organized tour:<\/p>\n\n\n\n