{"id":51192,"date":"2025-10-15T16:11:47","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T14:11:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/excursiones-desde-san-sebastian\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T16:11:55","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T14:11:55","slug":"day-trips-from-san-sebastian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/en\/day-trips-from-san-sebastian\/","title":{"rendered":"Day trips from San Sebastian: 10 top places + Map"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Best day trips from San Sebastian<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, I\u2019ll go over the best places to visit around the city, including charming villages near San Sebastian and beautiful natural spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before we go on, if you don\u2019t have your own car, it\u2019s worth mentioning that you can join organized tours, like this one to Zumaia, Zarautz, and Getaria<\/a>, or this other tour to Hondarribia, San Pedro, and San Juan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Zarautz, a surfers\u2019 paradise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Zarautz Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 Mar\u00eda la Real and the Narros Palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its streets are full of trendy shops, surf schools, pintxo bars, and cozy caf\u00e9s. In the center, specifically on Kale Nagusia Street, you\u2019ll find the tourist office, which is a great place to stop by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a fun fact you might not know: Zarautz is home to the famous chef Karlos Argui\u00f1ano, who also owns a restaurant on Mendilauta Kalea. One of his sons runs a bakery in town as well, called JA Argui\u00f1ano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udecf\ufe0f RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN SAN SEBASTI\u00c1N<\/span> On my recent visits to the city, I\u2019ve 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<\/a>, located in the Old Town with views of the port. The other hotel is Olarain<\/a>, 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 Sebasti\u00e1n<\/a> will be useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Getaria, hometown of Crist\u00f3bal Balenciaga<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Church of San Salvador<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Just a short distance from San Sebasti\u00e1n lies the charming village of Getaria. It\u2019s a small place that you can easily explore in a short walk through its main streets but don\u2019t let its size fool you. Getaria is full of character and well worth a stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One particularly interesting fact about this coastal village is that it\u2019s the birthplace of the famous fashion designer Crist\u00f3bal Balenciaga. At the Crist\u00f3bal Balenciaga Museum, you can learn all about his life and work. You\u2019ll find up-to-date information on prices and opening hours on the official Crist\u00f3bal Balenciaga Museoa website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After visiting the museum, I recommend wandering into the heart of the village along its main street, Kale Nagusia Kalea. At the end, you\u2019ll 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\u2019ll reach the port area, where several squares and bars invite you to sit down for a drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Zumaia and its fascinating flysch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Itzurun Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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 Sebasti\u00e1n that will truly leave you speechless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve never been to a place like this, you might be wondering what exactly a flysch is. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To witness this natural wonder, you\u2019ll need to head to Zumaia, located about 35 km from San Sebasti\u00e1n. Once there, I recommend visiting the San Telmo Hermitage, perched on top of a cliff. From here, you\u2019ll get beautiful views of the coast, and it\u2019s also worth following the trail that starts right next to the chapel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another great way to admire this unique landscape is by joining a 50-minute boat tour along the Zumaia Flysch<\/a>, a different perspective that lets you fully appreciate its scale and beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides enjoying the incredible natural scenery, make sure to take a walk through Zumaia\u2019s small old town, where you\u2019ll find highlights like the San Pedro Ap\u00f3stol Church and the San Juan Fountain. You can also visit the Zumaia Lighthouse for more coastal views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Pasajes, a beautiful village near San Sebastian<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Pasajes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the things I enjoyed most during my time in San Sebasti\u00e1n was hiking from the city to Pasajes San Juan. This route is actually part of the Northern Camino de Santiago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s forests. The distance from San Sebasti\u00e1n to Pasajes is about 7 km. I recommend walking there and taking the bus back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you reach Pasajes San Pedro, you\u2019ll 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\u2019ll definitely arrive hungry and ready for a good meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Hondarribia, one of the most charming towns in the Basque Country<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Hondarribia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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 Sebasti\u00e1n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the main sights to see in Hondarribia include the Castle of Charles V, the Gate of Santa Mar\u00eda, the town walls, Gipuzkoa Square, San Nicol\u00e1s Port, the Bishop\u2019s Square, Kale Nagusia (the main street), Armas Square, and the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and del Manzano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to exploring the old town, you shouldn\u2019t miss La Marina, the town\u2019s former fishermen\u2019s quarter. It\u2019s a lovely area to stroll through, walk along the seafront, and stop by one of its inviting bars for a drink and pintxos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Biarritz<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Rocher de la Vierge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

San Sebasti\u00e1n is very close to the French border, so a visit to the neighboring country is a great idea. My top recommendation is Biarritz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been to Biarritz many times, and I\u2019m completely in love with it. The town perfectly blends classic French elegance with a laid-back surf vibe, a combination that\u2019s hard to resist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you choose to visit, I recommend checking out my articles on what to see in Biarritz<\/a> and where to stay in Biarritz<\/a>. You\u2019ll find all the must-see spots, my favorite restaurants, and accommodation tips in case you want to spend more than a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> to get a deeper insight into the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have your own car but still want to visit Biarritz, a good option is this organized tour to Biarritz<\/a>, which also includes Bayonne. The tour lasts about 6 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a great day trip from San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Saint-Jean-de-Luz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another lovely town to visit near San Sebasti\u00e1n in the French Basque Country<\/a> is Saint-Jean-de-Luz. You can easily combine a visit here with a trip to Biarritz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s a small town, but incredibly picturesque, with narrow streets and lovely shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the must-see sights in Saint-Jean-de-Luz<\/a> include the port, the seafront promenade, the former Grand H\u00f4tel and Casino La Pergola, Place Louis XIV, Gambetta Street, the Church of Saint John the Baptist, and the Paul Jovet Coastal Botanical Garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\ud83d\udca1 ITINERARIES IN SAN SEBASTI\u00c1N<\/span>\nI\u2019ve put together some itineraries for different periods of time in San Sebasti\u00e1n to help make planning your visit easier. Take a look at my suggested routes to explore San Sebastian in two days<\/a> or San Sebastian in three days<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Gaztelugatxe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most popular places in the Basque Country<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entrance is free, but depending on the season, you need to book a ticket on the official Gaztelugatxe website<\/a> to get in. I recommend doing it as early as possible. You can also take this boat tour from Bermeo to Gaztelugatxe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Butron Castle, one of the best places to visit near San Sebastian<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Butron Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A remarkable place I got to visit on one of my recent trips is Butr\u00f3n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After belonging to the Butr\u00f3n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The interior remains closed, but you can still admire its incredible exterior, which is definitely worth seeing. It\u2019s about 109 km from San Sebasti\u00e1n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Bilbao<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Bilbao<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re spending several days in San Sebasti\u00e1n, it\u2019s definitely worth making a trip to Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country. It\u2019s about 100 km from San Sebasti\u00e1n, so the journey takes some time, but if you haven\u2019t been before, I highly recommend it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To plan your visit, I suggest following my one-day Bilbao itinerary<\/a>. The route I recommend will take you to San Ant\u00f3n Bridge, the Ribera Market, Bilbao Cathedral, Plaza Nueva, Paseo del Arenal, Zubizuri Bridge, and the Guggenheim Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also join this free walking tour<\/a>, which lets you explore the city\u2019s main attractions and learn the most interesting facts with a guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Map of day trips from San Sebastian<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the map below, I\u2019ve marked all the places to visit near San Sebasti\u00e1n mentioned in this article. This way, you can quickly and easily see the distances between Donosti and each destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n