Miramar Palace

Miramar Palace sits on a hillside overlooking La Concha Bay and displays English-style architecture with neo-Gothic details and broad gardens. The building combines classical English forms with the surrounding landscape and offers views of both adjacent beaches.

Queen María Cristina of Austria commissioned the palace in 1893 on land previously occupied by the Monastery of San Sebastián El Antiguo. The project marked the shift of the site from a religious center to a royal residence during San Sebastián's period of growth.

The palace now hosts summer courses from the University of the Basque Country and serves as a center for educational and cultural events. The spaces are regularly used for academic programs and public activities that shape the local cultural calendar.

Visitors can explore the public gardens during designated hours and attend various events, including programs during the San Sebastián Film Festival. The main entrance is accessed via stairs, and the grounds are easily walkable along maintained paths.

The palace grounds contain a hidden rocky passage called El Pico del Loro that connects La Concha and Ondarreta beaches at low tide. This natural tunnel becomes submerged during high tide, making it passable only at specific times.

Location: Donostia-San Sebastián

Inception: 1893

Architects: Ralph Selden Wornum, Jose Goikoa

Architectural style: Ingles

Part of: Camino del Norte

Website: http://donostiasansebastian.com/palacio_miramar.html

GPS coordinates: 43.31481,-1.99852

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01