Hotels in San Sebastian

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San Sebastian (Donostia) is an elegant coastal city in Spain’s Basque Country, famous across the globe for its extraordinary culinary scene and stunning natural setting. Nestled around the beautiful shell-shaped La Concha Beach, the city offers a perfect blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty.

The heart of San Sebastian is its vibrant Old Town (Parte Vieja), a labyrinth of narrow streets packed with bars serving pintxos (Basque tapas). This area is a food lover’s paradise and a major social hub. You can take a funicular up Monte Igueldo for iconic views over the bay, or climb the historical Monte Urgull to find the city's enormous Christ statue. With beautiful Belle Époque architecture and world-class dining, San Sebastian is a truly indulgent destination.

San Sebastian is a small city where the action is focused on the beaches and the Old Town. Your hotel location should prioritise walkability and access to the culinary and scenic highlights.

The most popular area is the Old Town (Parte Vieja) and the adjacent Centre district. Staying here puts you right in the middle of the pintxos circuit, moments from the La Concha Beach promenade, and close to cultural sites like the San Telmo Museum. This location is unbeatable for dining and atmosphere, though it can be lively at night.

For a quieter, more relaxed stay, look at the area around Ondarreta Beach or the elegant Romantic Area. The Romantic Area is characterised by beautiful 19th-century architecture and is conveniently located near the train station and the main shopping streets, offering easy access to the Miramar Palace Gardens.

San Sebastian is served by San Sebastián Airport (EAS), which is a short distance away, but many visitors arrive via Bilbao Airport (BIO) or Biarritz Airport (BIQ). The city's main train and bus stations are centrally located, making travel to and from other Spanish and French cities straightforward. Once in the city, the best way to get around is on foot, as the core area is very compact, with local bus services available for accessing the mountains or outer districts.

Hotel prices in San Sebastian are notoriously high and highly seasonal. The absolute peak season is from June to September, driven by the pleasant summer weather, beach visitors, and major cultural events, including the San Sebastián International Film Festival in September, which causes prices to soar.

The best value is consistently found during the low season, from November to March. The shoulder seasons of April/May and October offer better rates but require booking well in advance. A unique tip for San Sebastian is to focus your search on a mid-week stay. Due to its status as a major foodie weekend destination, booking your hotel for a Sunday to Thursday stay will often provide significant savings compared to the packed Friday and Saturday nights.