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HomeSan Sebastián (Donostia)
CityBasque Country824 km to Santiago de Compostela

San Sebastián (Donostia)

One of Spain's most elegant cities, famous for its shell-shaped La Concha beach, Michelin-starred restaurants, and pintxos culture. A world-class food destination and a major stop on the Camino del Norte.

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About San Sebastián (Donostia)

San Sebastian (Donostia in Basque) is one of Spain's most elegant cities, set around the shell-shaped La Concha bay. The city is a world-class food destination, home to more Michelin stars per square metre than almost anywhere else on earth, and its pintxos bars in the Parte Vieja (old town) are legendary.

Pilgrims will find every service, from albergues and hotels to supermarkets, pharmacies, and hospitals. The old town, Monte Urgull, the Buen Pastor Cathedral, and the San Telmo Museum are all worth exploring.

San Sebastian demands at least a rest day. The pintxos crawl through the bars of the old town is an essential experience. The city also has excellent beaches and a vibrant cultural scene.

Where to stay

Beds in San Sebastián (Donostia), night by night

Every kind of bed in one place: online booking, direct-contact albergues, walk-ins and donativos. Live prices for your night.

October 14 to October 27Each night shows how many places you can book online and the lowest price. Select a night to see the detail.
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Wednesday, October 14Albergue dorms and private rooms both count. Walk-in and donativo albergues never sell out online: arrive early in the day instead.
Prices come live from our booking partners and change with demand. Walk-in and donativo albergues are not counted here: they are in the full list at the bottom of the page.
Quick info
Coordinates43.3171°N, 1.9830°WPopulation183,977Elevation15 mRegionBasque CountryRemaining824 kmAccommodation68 places
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Where you are on the Camino
824 kmto Santiago de Compostela
Irun1% walkedSantiago de Compostela
Previous StageIrun → San Sebastián (Donostia)Camino del NorteNext StageSan Sebastián (Donostia) → ZarautzCamino del Norte
Explore

Explore San Sebastián (Donostia)

The Camino through town, with prices where the beds are. Amber is the route; each pin is a place to stay.

Select a pin to highlight the property.
Things to do

Things to do in San Sebastián (Donostia)

5 things
FoodEat Pintxos in the Parte ViejaThe old town of San Sebastian has dozens of pintxos bars, each with a counter displaying elaborate bite-sized creations. The tradition is to move from bar to bar, eating one or two pintxos at each, with a glass of txakoli (the local white wine) or a small beer. Each bar has its speciality. The quality is extraordinary. This is not tourist food. It is how locals eat, and they take it very seriously. San Sebastian has more Michelin stars per capita than almost any city in the…
RelaxationWalk the Playa de la ConchaThe Concha beach is a perfect crescent of golden sand in a sheltered bay, often described as one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Europe. The promenade along the beach is elegant, with iron railings and Belle Epoque lampposts. Walk it in the evening when the light softens and the city comes alive. On a warm day, swim. On any day, appreciate the setting. The bay, the hills, the island of Santa Clara in the middle. It is almost absurdly beautiful.
SightClimb Monte UrgullThe hill at the eastern end of the bay is topped by the Castillo de la Mota, a 12th-century fortress with a large statue of Christ on the summit. Walking paths wind through the forested hillside and the views from the top over the city, the bay, and the coast are panoramic. The climb takes about 30 minutes from the old town. There is a small museum inside the fortress and several viewpoints along the paths. It is the best free viewpoint in the city.
SightVisit the AquariumThe Aquarium sits at the foot of Monte Urgull near the harbour and is one of the best in the Basque Country. The highlight is the walk-through tunnel with sharks, rays, and sea turtles swimming overhead. The exhibits cover the marine life of the Bay of Biscay and the deep Atlantic. For a city so connected to the sea, the aquarium is a fitting attraction.
Camino MomentTake a Rest DaySan Sebastian is the best rest day opportunity in the first week of the Camino del Norte. The combination of the beach, the food, the old town, and the general atmosphere make it a city worth an extra day. The stage from Irun was demanding. The stages ahead through the Basque coast are hilly and physical. A day of rest, pintxos, and beach time in San Sebastian is not indulgence. It is strategy.
Getting here

Getting to San Sebastián (Donostia)

How to reach your starting point from major cities and airports.

By train

By Train

Renfe trains run from Madrid (5 hours), Barcelona (5.5 hours via high-speed), and Bilbao (2.5 hours). Euskotren commuter trains connect from Hendaye/France (30 minutes) and Bilbao (2.5 hours). The Renfe station is near the city centre.

By trainBy Train

Renfe trains run from Madrid (5 hours), Barcelona (5.5 hours via high-speed), and Bilbao (2.5 hours). Euskotren commuter trains connect from Hendaye/France (30 minutes) and Bilbao (2.5 hours). The Renfe station is near the city centre.

By airBy Air

San Sebastian Airport (Donostia) is 20 km east of the city with limited domestic flights. Bilbao Airport (1.5 hours by bus) and Biarritz Airport (45 minutes) are the main international options.

By busBy Bus

Alsa and Pesa run regular buses from Bilbao (1.5 hours), Madrid (5.5 hours), Barcelona (6 hours), and Pamplona (1 hour). The bus station is in the Amara district, near the centre.

By taxi or transferBy Taxi

Transfers from Bilbao and Biarritz airports are popular. Taxis within the city are readily available.

Arrival day

What to do on arrival

Your checklist for arrival day in San Sebastián (Donostia).

Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro in the Parte Vieja (Old Town) or the Diocesan Museum. San Sebastian's credential offices are well established for Norte pilgrims.

All accommodation

Places to stay in San Sebastián (Donostia)

Our Koala Picks first, then donativos, albergues and hostels, hotels, and everything else. Within each group the best-reviewed places lead.

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Practical info

Practical information

Everything you need to know for your time in San Sebastián (Donostia).

Pilgrim Office / Credencial

Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro or the Diocesan Museum in the Parte Vieja

Additional Notes

San Sebastian is expensive compared to most Camino towns. Budget accordingly. The pintxos scene is world-class. Allow extra time here if you can.