10 Things to Do in San Sebastian on a Small Budget

Alderdi Eder means “beautiful place” in the Basque language, and that perfectly describes the allure of this park and gardens. The gardens within the park are well known in the city of San Sebastian as the perfect place to take a walk, enjoy some scenery and take some beautiful pictures.

The park is right across from Town Hall and La Concha beach, making it a convenient stop for your holiday. Events often occur in the park, and you can find other attractions, such as the puppet theatre, a velodrome and a casino.

San Sebastian Old Town is the heart of the city, and you’ll find it’s effortless to lose yourself in all its opportunities. This popular neighbourhood is easily accessible by public transport, walking and biking.

You’ll find all kinds of wonderful stops for a tasty treat, historical landmarks, boutique shopping and much more. See some incredible architecture at one of San Sebastian’s beautiful churches, walk the fishing port or visit the aquarium on the beach. The port and life around the docks is a Basque tradition you’ll get to see first-hand.

Playa Zurriola is definitely one of the best places to catch a wave and get some sun. This spot is located just on the other side of Urgull hill and is often packed with people looking for a great place to surf and other sports like volleyball, tennis and football.

At the east end, you’ll find the Kursaal Congress Centre and Auditorium, which holds many cultural events and festivals. You could also spend your day taking the 4-mile promenade from beach to beach for some amazing sea views. Playa Zurriola is great for spending a whole day enjoying the beach or just a quick visit.

The Naval Museum of San Sebastian is a huge part of Basque culture and tradition and is very important to the city. The museum pays tribute to the local traditions and history and is located inside an 18th-century house on the seaport. With free entry on Thursdays, this could be a great first-day stop on a weekend trip.

The museum has 3 different floors to explore. The first 2 house long-term and rotating exhibits that have a sea theme. The 3rd floor is a venue for classes, workshops and smaller exhibitions. There is also a naval library to explore that is always open to anyone interested.

Public transport is a great option when visiting a new city. San Sebastian is an extremely walkable city. If you’re looking for other ways to get around or trying to connect to different parts of the city faster, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Bikes are often available to rent throughout the city, and there are many bike lanes to get from one place to another. The city’s buses are also a great option if travelling a greater distance between attractions. San Sebastian has plenty of options to make the bus lines affordable and easy to use.

The Comb of the Wind, also known as the Haizearen orrazia, is a collection of 3 sculptures by Eduardo Chillida arranged by the Basque architect Luis Peña Ganchegui. This sculpture can be seen on the west end of La Concha Bay. The steel sculptures weigh 10 tonnes each and are embedded in natural rocks.

These 3 sculptures were placed to mark where the city ends, and the sea begins. This spot is unique to visit if you want to see some local art and experience the nature around San Sebastian.

The San Telmo Museum houses everything Basque society offers, from arts to culture to architecture. The museum is located in Donostia and features everything from historical to modern representations of San Sebastian. It was built in an old monastery and features beautiful architecture inside and out.

The museum offers both temporary exhibitions that switch out periodically and permanent exhibitions. Most exhibitions are focused on Basque life, but occasionally they feature surrounding cultures as well. No matter what, you're bound to learn something new at the San Telmo Museum.

Sagues is a great place to hang out if you’re looking for somewhere to relax central to the city of San Sebastian. You can catch beautiful seaside sunset views, ride the waves during the day or visit one of the many fantastic places to eat nearby.

This area offers beautiful hotels to stay in if you’re on the hunt for a scenic place to stay. There is also a beachside skatepark and a yearly festival. Start your day or end your night looking out over the ocean at one of the terraces, bars or restaurants in Sagues.

Catillo de la Mota (Motako Gaztelua) is a well-known historical landmark with its 4 towers and barbican gateway. This medieval castle still stands nearby in the town of Medina del Campo. Built on a hill, the walk up to the castle is part of the adventure and pays off with gorgeous panoramic views.

Take a day trip up to the castle on the hill and spend an afternoon wandering through the preserved architecture. You’ll find tunnels and bridges to explore, all representative of 14th-century Basque culture.

Mercado de la Bretxa is a great place to stop if you’re already taking a tour through San Sebastian's Old Town. This started as a traditional marketplace in the 1800s and expanded into something a little more modern like we see it today.

This marketplace features several different shops to browse, selling everything from flowers to artisan cheeses and more. You can find a mixture of major chains and shops selling local goods. Any foodie will find exciting new cuisine in the Mercado de la Bretxa.