San Sebastian Accommodation Guides
We have put together a guide of our favourite accommodation in San Sebastian from our experience of our time there and research. This includes 5 star and luxury hotels in San Sebastian, boutique hotels in San Sebastian and the best hotels in San Sebastian Old Town.
Please note: Prices below were based on peak season, per night and are in Australian Dollars. Prices were correct at the time of publishing this article.
Visit San Sebastians San Telmo Museum
Next up on your San Sebastian itinerary? Hike back down Monte Urgull to the nearby San Telmo Museum.
The culture and history of Spains Basque Country is truly fascinating, and the San Telmo Museum is one of the best places in this part of Spain to get a glimpse into the fabric of this society.
Collections here change frequently and its important to know that the signs are in Spanish and Basque only. If you decide to visit, pick up an audio guide. The guides are available in additional languages, including English.
Monte Urgull& The Port
On the peninsula that juts out of the middle of the city stands Monte Urgull, with the port wrapped around its south-western side. A walk around the port is one of the loveliest experiences of the city: its characterful buildings cling to the rocks and there are steep passageways behind them that take you quickly to the summit for glorious views of both the city and the Bay of Biscay. Even if you dont want to scale Urgull, make sure to walk around the harbor for incredibly fresh seafood from the characterful restaurants, a visit to the Aquarium, a magnificent contemporary sculpture by Jorge Oteiza, or to take a boat out to Santa Clara Island. Up Urgull itself is a tangle of trails flanked with exotic fauna that lead to a fortified castle housing a city museum. Theres also an English Cemetery and a 40-foot statue of Christ. One of the pathways leads down to the interesting San Telmo Museoa , built into the southeastern side of the hill, which is dedicated to exploring Basque culture and society.
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Best Airbnb In Gros: Entire Flat With Beach View
If you want to enjoy the best of the beaches and nightlife, this is the place for you. The apartment sits right on the beachfront and has an amazing terrace, perfect for pre-drinks. Its located in the fashion district with lots of great bars and pubs around, but dont worry, all youll hear at night is the sound of the waves.
Best Airbnb In La Concha: Stunning Beachfront Apartment
This beachfront apartment in La Concha is one of the best places to stay in San Sebastian! Its spacious, modern, and is flooded with natural light during the day. Start your day with breakfast out on the terrace and enjoy stunning views of the ocean and promenade below. Staying here youll have the beach, restaurants, and nightlife right on your doorstep.
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Panoramic Views At Monte Urgull
Grab a coffee and a pastry to go, and kick off your San Sebastian itinerary with a birds eye view of the city. Hike up Monte Urgull, the eastern anchor of La Concha beach. Its roughly a 20 minute walk up to the top, where youll be rewarded with amazing panoramic views of San Sebastians red roofs, and the beach below.
Monte Urgull was a military fortress in the 12th century, and you can still see the walls of the Castilla de la Mota fortress, which played a key role in defending the city from siege. Theres a small museum dedicated to the citys history which you can stroll through during your visit.
Take your time wandering atop Monte Urgull, where there are plenty of places to stop and take in the views of the entire city. If you havent finished that pastry yet, camp out here to do just that.
Hotel Boutique Villa Favorita
Rated 9.5 in 331 reviews
Hotel Boutique Villa Favorita in San Sebastián provides adults-only accommodation with a bar and a terrace. Among the See more
Hotel Boutique Villa Favorita in San Sebastián provides adults-only accommodation with a bar and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bath or shower. Hotel Boutique Villa Favorita provides certain rooms with sea views, and rooms are fitted with a coffee machine. At the accommodation each room is equipped with bed linen and towels.
Hotel Boutique Villa Favorita offers a continental or à la carte breakfast.
Popular points of interest near the hotel include La Concha Beach, Ondarreta Beach and Zurriola Beach. The nearest airport is San Sebastián, 22 km from Hotel Boutique Villa Favorita, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
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E Vieja Where To Stay In San Sebastian For Your First Visit
Parte Vieja is the old town and the historic part of San Sebastian. It is located on the eastern end of the La Concha beach and regroups many interesting sights.
The heart of the neighbourhood is the Plaza de la Constitucion, Up until 1940, this is where the city hall used to be located. Today, it remains a major square in San Sebastian where popular events are hosted every year. On normal days, people come here to have a drink or enjoy some pintxos in one of the many restaurants.
To get a birds eye view of the city and its surroundings, hike up the Mount Urgull. At the top, you will find old castle walls as well as a statue of Christ.
If you are into museums and interested in knowing more about the history of the Basque country, the San Telmo Museoa is absolutely fascinating and definitely not to be missed.
Taberna Dakara Bi Closed
Taberna Dakara Bi was the first pintxos bar we went to in San Sebastian. We were drawn to their solomillo con foie or sirloin steak with foie gras pintxos, which some reviewers described as being some of the best in the city. They may be right.
As you can see below, they take a hefty slice of perfectly cooked juicy steak and top it with a generous amount of seared foie gras. This was seriously delicious and one of the best pintxos we had in the Basque Country.
Dont forget to try their foie a la plancha as well which is served with an even bigger hunk of foie gras. You can see it behind the solomillo con foie below.
Expect to Pay: About EUR 2-4 per pintxo
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Casual De Las Olas Amara
There is a surfy seaside theme going on here, with murals featuring waves, camper vans and beach huts. While the two-star category reflects the lack of price-hiking frills, the big, bright rooms have great beds and bathrooms, which will suit a lot of people just fine. Book a star room if you want a coffee machine, phone chargers and other extras. La Concha beach is 20 minutes stroll away through streets lined with shops and bars. Casual hotels are always family-friendly rooms with three or four beds are available and they provide a handy complimentary baby pack including a buggy, papoose, cot and bathtub.
Spa N
For Country House Style
If you want to explore more of the Basque country surrounding San Sebastian, maybe a country house hotel style property will suit you better?
- One of the best places to stay in San Sebastián if that’s what you’re looking for is the Hotel Villa Soro. Still close to the beach and some fantastic restaurants, it also has the peaceful grounds and larger living spaces which make country house hotels such great options if you’re looking for a more permanent base.
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Hotel Maria Cristina A Luxury Collection Hotel San Sebastian
Rated 9.3 in 590 reviews
This 5-star hotel is located opposite San Sebastians Victoria Eugenia Theatre, with views over the Cantabrian Sea and See more
This 5-star hotel is located opposite San Sebastians Victoria Eugenia Theatre, with views over the Cantabrian Sea and Urumea River. Dating from 1912, María Cristina Hotel offers elegant rooms with free WiFi.
The air-conditioned rooms include a flat-screen satellite TV. Their marble bathroom comes with a separate bath and rain-effect shower, bathrobe and slippers.
Breakfast is served daily at the Breakfast Restaurant. The DRY Martini cocktail bar serves a range of drinks.
Hotel Maria Cristina has hosted movie stars including Woody Allen and Elizabeth Taylor during the San Sebastián Film Festival, held every September.
The Kursaal Convention Centre is 350 metres away. San Sebastiáns Old Town is 450 metres from María Cristina Hotel.
Best Airbnb In Centro: Cute Room In Shared Flat
If youre travelling on a budget, this Airbnb is perfect for you. The room in a shared flat is comfortable, with a great bed and a little balcony with a view of the old city streets. You wont have full access to the kitchen, but this shouldnt be a problem since there are many affordable restaurants near you.
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Area 6 Egia Former Food Supply Farms
On the hills where old farms supplied food to the city slumbers one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Sebastiàn. Originally apart from the town center, its now part of it with streets which reflect the names of the old farmhouses, providing attractive and affordable housing for families.
In 2016 San Sebastiàn became the European Captial of Culture and many cultural activities were carried out in this family-friendly neighborhood which is only a 20 minutes walk from the beaches and the city center. A very special place to stay in the Hotel One Shot Tabakalera House in the refurbished 1913 old tobacco factory.
Best Hostel In Parte Vieja: Kaixo Guest House
Kaixo Guest House has been designed as a home away from home for backpackers in San Sebastian. It offers single beds in mixed dormitory rooms with a shared bathroom. The hostel offers many amenities including a communal kitchen, a car parking and a book exchange. Activities such as hiking and pintxo workshops are organised regularly.
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Choose The Best Area To Stay In San Sebastin Spain
San Sebastián consists of 17 neighborhoods, of which some are close to the old town and others mark the outskirts. To choose the best area to stay in San Sebastián, you will find here a description of the top 6 neighborhoods with tips for accommodation and highlights.
We generally prefer to stay in the old town of any medieval city but your preferences may be different. Find your favorite area to stay in San Sebastián with our descriptions below. Youll have a blast of a time in San Sebastián wherever youll choose to stay anyway!
Maybe you will be there with your motorhome, just like we were the second time, which is why we will also list campgrounds.
Hotel Tres Reyes San Sebastin
Rated 9.1 in 760 reviews
Hotel Tres Reyes San Sebastián has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, a bar and garden in San Sebastián See more
Hotel Tres Reyes San Sebastián has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, a bar and garden in San Sebastián. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.
Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast.
Hotel Tres Reyes San Sebastián offers a sun terrace.
La Concha Promenade is 3 km from the accommodation, while Victoria Eugenia Theatre is 3.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is San Sebastián Airport, 16 km from Hotel Tres Reyes San Sebastián.
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Best Hostel In Antiguo: Koisi Hostel
The Koisi Hostel offers mixed dormitory rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Rooms are modern and bright, with pod-style beds offering some extra privacy. Theres a cafe and bar onsite, as well as a microwave and kettles. Its a bit of an uphill climb to get here, but the views over the bay are more than rewarding.
Indulge In Dinner At Arzak
Foodie capital San Sebastian is home to more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world. For that reason, experiencing fine dining here is a key part of any San Sebastian itinerary.
Arzak is known among foodies as one of the best restaurants in the world. And its with good reason! If your budget allows, visiting Arzak as part of your San Sebastian itinerary is a must.
Make sure to book well in advance and by that I mean months and months. A meal at Arzak doesnt come cheap, but the experience is worth every penny.
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Luxury Resort Hotels In San Sebastian
Travelers come to San Sebastián mostly to stop in one of well-evaluated 4-star resort hotels. Come to Astoria7 and experience total relaxation. Look at Mercure San Sebastian Monte Igueldo which offers everything for your amusing vacation: a patio, a solarium and a swimming pool and high-quality service. Enter check-in and check-out dates to see if there are rooms available.
San Sebastian City Hall
Like the cathedral, San Sebastian City Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Its located inside a former casino that was closed after a countrywide ban on gambling in 1924.
Im not sure if you can go inside but the city hall is located in the Centro district near La Concha Beach. I didnt go close enough to notice but on the exterior walls of the building are bullet holes from the Spanish Civil War.
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Best Budget Hotels In San Sebastin
San Sebastián accommodation never tends to be too pricey, so its pretty easy to find a budget room, particularly if youre booking outside of peak season.
Check out our top budget picks, ranging from hostels to private rooms! Youd be surprised at how far $50 goes in this city.
A Room in the City
Near: La Concha
Price Range: $56 $390 per night
A Room in the City is exactly what it sounds like. Set in the heart of Centro, this budget-friendly spot within easy walking distance to great shopping, Old Town, and the beach!
With a combination of dorms and private rooms, this hostel offers chic stays at their modern but cozy property. Bunks are beautifully made of wood, each with a shelf, small pouch for belongings, an outlet with a USB port and privacy curtain. The beds also have large, lockable drawers underneath for keeping your things safe.
All the bathrooms have modern appliances and are shared between dorms and private rooms. A big perk with A Room in the City is they even provide guests with towels!
The hostel has a large dining area with a vending machine as well as a large outdoor space where you can catch some sun. Youll also find a games room, a bar, and a 24-hour front desk thats happy to help with your enquiries and store your luggage.
To see prices and read reviews, check: Booking.com | Agoda
Pension Regil
Near: La Concha
Price Range: $63 $90 per night
Since Pension Regil is located at the tip of La Concha, its also next to the Old Town and Centro.
La Galeria
The Perfect San Sebastian Itinerary
How much time should you spend in San Sebastian? Two full days is the perfect amount of time to stay in San Sebastian. Youll have enough time to explore the city at a relaxed pace, without feeling like youre missing out on the highlights, and youll have enough time to see other parts of Spain.
If its your first time visiting Spain, dont miss my best tips for first time travelers to Spain.
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Bilbao Or San Sebastian: Lodging
Generally speaking, hotels are cheaper in Bilbao than in San Sebastián.
The best areas to stay in Bilbao are the Old Town , where most of the landmarks and touristic action is, Bilbao la Vieja and San Frantzisko, two trendy and artsy neighborhoods, and Indautxu, the shopping and financial district .
In San Sebastian, the best areas area Parte Vieja , Gros, Centro, La Concha, and Antiguo all located around the bay.
Here are two often recommended hotels in Bilbao:
- Hotel Barceló Nervión: centrally located, on the river. Walls a bit thin, great breakfast.
- Abando hotel: nice hotel, located in the new town across the river from the old town, easy access to everything, shops around it.
San Sebastián:
- Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra: very good hotel beside La Concha beach
- Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca: beautiful and quiet though a bit far from old town
How To Get Around In San Sebastian
San Sebastian isnt that big, but its big enough that it may make getting around on foot difficult for some people. Personally, I enjoy walking but some travelers may need to use public transportation.
If you plan on taking public transportation, then be sure to have a reliable wifi connection and the Google Maps app installed on your smartphone. Itll tell you all the different ways to get from point A to point B using public transportation like the Dbus, which is San Sebastians local bus service.
The standard fare on the Dbus is EUR 1.80 per journey. I never had to take the bus but based on what Ive read, drivers can usually offer change for bills no larger than EUR 20 so bring small change if you can.
If youre staying long enough and need to ride the bus often, then you may be interested in getting a tourist card like the San Sebastian Card, Basque Card, or Mugi Card.
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