Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in San Sebastian?

Q: Is one day enough time in San Sebastian?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the outdoorsy city of San Sebastian, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the cuisine, the beaches, the nightlife, and the shops and boutiques. And you'll want even more time to just relax at the beach, too. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in San Sebastian?

Not sure how much time you'll need in San Sebastian, Spain? Most people spend two to three days in San Sebastian during their visit. After all, the outdoorsy city will let you enjoy a meal at a restaurant, swim at the beach, grab some drinks at a bar, and go shopping.

San Sebastián is a resort vacation destination that has beautiful beaches and wonderful seaside promenades. The city is also considered to be a culinary capital of the world with award winning restaurants and some of Spain's best cuisine.

Do you have one or two days to visit San Sebastian? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in San Sebastian?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the outdoorsy city of San Sebastian, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the cuisine, the beaches, the nightlife, and the shops and boutiques. And you'll want even more time to just relax at the beach, too. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in San Sebastian

Don't miss La Concha Bay during your trip to San Sebastian, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The delicious food of San Sebastian is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. It is a famed culinary capital of not just Spain, but the entire world. The city has many Michelin-starred restaurants where you can experience modern or traditional recipes prepared by world class chefs. There are also pintxo bars, food markets, and gourmet food shops, that sell local ingredients and dishes. Much of the cuisine includes seafood, but you'll also find a local twist on traditional tapas. Dining is a true experience in this town.

A few tour suggestions include:

Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour with Discover San Sebastian ($191)
Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening) ($141)
San Sebastian Like A Local: Centro Neighborhood Guided Food Tour ($119)

San Sebastian is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. It's a great city for walking, with many pedestrian areas and places where you can take a stroll along the river or seaside.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in San Sebastian?

San Sebastian, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to enjoy a meal at a restaurant, swim at the beach, grab some drinks at a bar, and go shopping. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the outdoorsy city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to three days to enjoy the beach and other sights. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're here.

San Sebastian, Spain

How to spend 2 days in San Sebastian

Having a weekend (two to three days) in San Sebastian will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

The beautiful beaches await you in San Sebastian, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The city has three urban beaches that are a huge attraction during the summer months. For surfing and a lively atmosphere, head to the Playa de la Zurriola. The playa de la Concha is the most photographed and famous beach in town and Ondarreta is another beautiful option.

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. You can expect a lively nightlife scene around town with many bars and places to hang out. Some of the best nightlife is found in and around Parte Vieja, Centro, Reyes Católicos and Gros.

Public transit in San Sebastian is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There's a comprehensive bus system around town that's operated by Dbus.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about San Sebastian, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.