Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in San Sebastian?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 fun-filled 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in San Sebastian?
For many visitors, three days in San Sebastian would be just the right amount of time to enjoy the beach and other activities. In fact, lots of tourists spend roughly two to three days in the fun-filled city to check out the amazing food and terrific beaches. Below we have some suggestions on how to spend your time here.
How to spend 3 days 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.
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.
Shopping in San Sebastian is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. A mix of familiar brands and locally made items make shopping a fun activity. You'll also find many artisan food shops around town where you can take home some local wine or other culinary treats.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in San Sebastian.
Is 4 days enough time in San Sebastian?
Four days provides ample opportunity in San Sebastian to enjoy the cuisine, the beaches, the nightlife, and the shops and boutiques. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options. We have some suggestions below for your trip. Families, couples, backpackers, and students enjoy the area for its activities, too.
San Sebastian, Spain
How to spend 4 days in San Sebastian
Having 4 days in San Sebastian will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. Head to Castillo de la Mota for nice views and walks. Museo San Telmo offers an overview of Basque culture and Palacio de Miramar is another interesting place to visit.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bilbao city and Guggenheim Museum small group tour ($164)
- San Sebastian Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour ($7)
- Pamplona and Olite Royal Palace guided small group tour, lunch included ($213)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in San Sebastian?
With five days you'll have more than enough time to enjoy the beach and take in all that San Sebastian has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use San Sebastian as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the cuisine, the beaches, and the nightlife at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in San Sebastian
With 5 days in San Sebastian, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of San Sebastian, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Rioja Alavesa Wineries and Medieval Villages Day Trip ($246)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in San Sebastian.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about San Sebastian, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.