Top landmarks and beaches in San Sebastian

La Concha Beach sits within a protected bay featuring white sand and clear water, ringed by mountains and a city promenade. This beach is part of the coastal landmarks of San Sebastian and provides a place to swim and walk along the shore.

Monte Urgull is a hill in San Sebastián that forms part of the city's coastal landmarks. This hill contains a fortress from the 12th century, which stands as an important landmark for the area. The mountain houses a local history museum and features observation points with views facing the ocean. From here, visitors can see La Concha Beach and the surrounding waterfront areas.

The Parte Vieja is the historic heart of San Sebastián and represents the essence of this coastal city. This medieval district draws visitors with its narrow streets full of character and everyday activity. Traditional pintxos bars, restaurants, and independent shops line the alleyways, creating the neighborhood's distinctive character since its rebuilding in 1813. It sits alongside cultural landmarks like the Konstituzio Plaza and serves as the gateway to understanding how locals live and gather in this seaside town.

Monte Igueldo rises above San Sebastian with a hilltop amusement park that draws visitors year-round. A funicular railway carries people to the top, where they find rides, games, and cafes overlooking the city and bay. From this vantage point, you can see the coastline, surrounding mountains, and the layout of San Sebastian below. This landmark offers one of the finest views in the city and serves as both an attraction for families and a spot where locals come to enjoy the scenery. This park is an important part of San Sebastian's mix of cultural sites and coastal landmarks.

The Aquarium in San Sebastián is a marine research center located along the waterfront that houses regional and international sea species in large tanks. As part of the city's cultural offerings alongside beaches like La Concha and historic sites, it features exhibits focused on ocean conservation and the importance of protecting marine environments.

The Peine del Viento is part of the coastal landmarks and cultural sites that make up San Sebastián. These three metal sculptures are anchored to rocks and face the Cantabrian Sea at the western end of La Concha Bay. The sculptures form a distinctive focal point where the waterfront meets the city's cultural landscape.

San Telmo Museoa is a museum dedicated to Basque society and culture housed in a 16th century Dominican monastery near Monte Urgull. As part of San Sebastian's cultural offerings, it complements the coastal landmarks, historic streets of Parte Vieja, and other museums that make up the city's attractions.

Zurriola Beach is a coastal stretch along the Bay of Biscay that complements the landmarks and beaches of San Sebastian. This beach offers consistent waves throughout the year for surfing and water sports, attracting both beginners and experienced athletes.

Playa de Ondarreta is a wide sandy beach about 600 meters long in this coastal city, located next to Monte Igueldo. The beach offers calm swimming areas with gentle waves and good facilities including showers, changing rooms, and lifeguards. It works well for families and anyone looking for a relaxing day by the sea.

The Miramar Palace in San Sebastián is a royal residence built in 1893 on the Monte Igueldo hill. This palace overlooks the city and now serves as a venue for summer courses and cultural exhibitions. It plays an important role in the city's cultural offerings, complementing other landmarks and museums that make San Sebastián a destination for visitors interested in both history and contemporary culture.

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro is a significant church in San Sebastian and stands among the city's cultural landmarks. This 18th-century Baroque building features detailed stone carvings on its facade and houses notable religious artworks inside that reflect the area's rich spiritual heritage.

Konstituzio Plaza sits at the heart of San Sebastian's old quarter and represents a central point in this collection of coastal landmarks and cultural sites. The plaza shows numbered balconies from its former bullfighting arena days and connects the historic streets and shops of the Parte Vieja with the waterfront life of the city.

Tabakalera is a contemporary culture center housed in a former tobacco factory in San Sebastian, complementing the city's cultural landmarks alongside sites like San Telmo Museum and Miramar Palace. The center features exhibition spaces, a cinema, and artist residencies where creators develop their work.

The Alderdi Eder Gardens in San Sebastián are public spaces near the City Hall, where you can find a carousel and tamarisk trees along the waterfront promenade. They sit among the collection of coastal spots and cultural sites that make up San Sebastián, offering a place to stroll alongside museums, sculptures, and historic quarters.

The Good Shepherd of San Sebastián Cathedral is a Neo-Gothic cathedral built in 1897 that stands among the city's cultural landmarks. Its tall spire and stained-glass windows are defining features that create a striking silhouette and fill the interior with colored light. This cathedral sits near the historic Old Town and complements the diverse sites around San Sebastián, from the beaches and mountain viewpoints to the museums and waterfront sculptures.

Mota Castle sits atop Monte Urgull as a historical fortress that complements San Sebastian's mix of coastal landmarks and cultural sites. The castle offers sweeping views of the city and sea, along with outdoor exhibits that tell the region's story.

The Eureka! Science Museum is an interactive museum in San Sebastián that complements the city's coastal landmarks and cultural sites. It features a planetarium, an astronomical observatory, and science demonstrations that encourage visitors to explore and learn.

The Chillida-Leku Museum showcases the works of sculptor Eduardo Chillida within this collection of top landmarks and beaches in San Sebastian. Located in a traditional Basque farmhouse surrounded by spacious grounds, the museum displays the artistic creations of one of the Basque Country's most important sculptors of the 20th century.

The Ondarreta Gardens form a green space located behind Ondarreta Beach in San Sebastián. This garden is part of the city's coastal landmarks and cultural offerings that blend beach time with exploration. It provides pleasant grounds for walking and picnicking while enjoying views of the water and surrounding hills.

The Palacio de Congresos Kursaal is a conference center with modern architecture and an important cultural venue in San Sebastian. It hosts cultural events, concerts, and film festivals, complementing other cultural sites in the city such as the San Telmo Museum and Miramar Palace.

The Vale Walkway is a path along the hillside in San Sebastián that offers views over Zurriola Beach and the city below. It fits among the collection of coastal landmarks and cultural sites that define San Sebastián, alongside La Concha Beach, Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo, and the historic streets of Parte Vieja.

The Maria Cristina Bridge is an ornate stone bridge spanning the River Urumea in San Sebastián, completed in 1905. It stands among the coastal landmarks and cultural sites that define this city. Four monumental obelisks rise from the bridge, marking the waterfront and giving the structure its distinctive appearance.

The Victoria Eugenia Theatre is a historic venue completed in 1912 and stands as one of San Sebastián's main cultural sites. Located near the Hotel Maria Cristina, the theatre continues to host performances of theatre, music, and dance. It represents the cultural dimension of this coastal city, which combines natural attractions like La Concha Beach and Monte Urgull with museums and performance spaces that shape the visitor experience.

Cristina Enea Park is an urban park in San Sebastián and a key destination in this collection of coastal landmarks and cultural sites. Originally created as a gift from the Duke of Mandas to his wife, the park offers visitors a chance to experience local wildlife in a green setting. The park complements the city's beaches and historic areas by providing a space where nature flourishes within the urban environment.