San Sebastián and Zumaia

SAN SEBASTIÁN / DONOSTI
 

San Sebastián is a must while visiting the Basque Country, as the neighboring city is the ultimate summer resort featuring two of the most famous beaches in northern Spain. Its location right by the beach gives you the chance to combine beautiful scenery, shopping and culture in just one day without needing to walk too much.

We will make a city tour and visit the most important places in the city, such as the Old Town, the City Hall, Plaza de la Constitución... You will also have the opportunity to climb up the famous Urgull Hill from where you have the best view of San Sebastian and its beautiful sandy beach!

 

 

Peine del Viento
Located at the end of the Ondarreta beach, in the western area of the city and at the foot of Mount Igueldo, the Peine del Viento is one of the most popular sculptures made by the Basque artist Eduardo Chillida. The artwork is a series of terraces built of pink granite and three anchor-like iron shapes welded into rocks. This is one of the most visited places in the city for both tourists and locals. A magical spot to enjoy the sea views where the waves pound against the cliff rocks.

Playa de la Concha

The Concha Beach stands right in the centre of the city and stretches from the City Hall to the Pico del Loro (Parrot’s Beak). With its one and a half kilometer surface of white sand, this beach has its own elegant and cosmopolitan style and it is considered to be one of the best city beaches in Europe.

Old Town

The most visited place in San Sebastian is the Old Town. It is situated at the foot of Mount Urgull, it has the port on the one side, and the Urumea River on the other side, followed by the Gros district in the east. Entering in the old part you will get to know the center of Donostia and its cobbled streets like August 31, which commemorates the fire of that day in 1813. The Old Town is the meeting point in San Sebastian as it is full of bars where you can enjoy some of the best pintxos in the city, and its emblematic buildings such as the Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro and the church of San Vicente.

City Hall
One of the most majestic buildings in San Sebastián is undoubtedly the City Hall. Located next to the seaside between the Concha Beach and the old town, the building gets the attention of everyone that passes by it. With its elegant and imposing architecture, many mistake it for a palace or a museum.
 

Plaza de la Constitución

Plaza de la Constitución is a square located in the old part of San Sebastián. This square, with its arcades as its main feature, is the center of the city and the place where the city's great celebrations and events, such as the Day of Santo Tomas, usually take place.

Basilica of Santa María

Located on the southern part of Monte Urgull, in the heart of the old part of town, the Basilica of Santa María del Coro is one of the most visited architectural works in San Sebastián. The church dates back to 1750. It was built on the site of an old Roman church and is thus considered the oldest church in the city. It has a rectangular shape, with a rounded area at the back where the altar is located. The main area where people gather for mass is positioned toward the north side. One of the most eye-catching features is the large arched space above the main entrance. Two towers complete the magnificent design of the church.

Puerto Viejo

The port of San Sebastian lies at the eastern side of La Concha Bay, below the Sagrado Corazón Statue on Mount Urgull. The old port consists of a complex of white houses that might remind you of the Mediterranean Sea and have many pintxo bars and restaurants. 

ZUMAIA

The history of Zumaia dates back to 1292, which historians agree is the period when the villa emerged around the Monastery of Santa Maria. Initially, the people of Zumaia lived in the nearby valley next to the water. However they grew tired of repeated pirate attacks, so they decided to establish a walled and fortified villa to defend themselves colletively against the enemy.

Hermitage of San Telmo

Located next to Itzurun Beach and perched on the cliff formed by the Flysch, this small hermitage gained fame afterappearing in the movie "8 Apellidos Vascos". The hermitage is dedicated to the patron saint of sailors, as its location overlooking the sea is ideal. From there, you can access the rock formations and the cliffs that boast over 60 million years of history.

Beach of Itzurun
For the lovers of "Game of Thrones" this is a must-visit location because several famous scenes were filmed here. Additionally, the sand and water of this beach are said to have beneficial health properties.

 

Cliff of Itzurun and Flysch

Zumaia's famous Flysch formations become visible at low tide. This remarkable geological phenomenon dramatically transforms the beach, revealing an abrasion surface formed by millions of years of erosion. The Flysch consists of alternating layers of limestone and sandstone. Many visitors wait patiently in the afternoon until the tide recedes enough to walk among the exposed rocks.

 

St. Peter's Church

The impressive tower of the Church of San Pedro is the most prominent feature of ​Zumaia's urban area. The church is shaped like a watchtower, which it originally was, allowing for a view of both sides of the sea. The church remains the center of the city and is the only place where some remnants of Zumaia's walls can still be seen.