Its strategic location and excellent infrastructures make San Sebastián a place easy to reach from anywhere in the world, no matter what your method of transport. Choose the one that suits you best and get travelling!
- How to get here
- How to get around
- Where to park
- Things to do
- Gastronomy
- Accesibility
- Accommodation
- More Information
How to get here
It is recommended not to drive into the city centre. Please be aware of traffic changes.
The centre of Donostia/San Sebastian is currently being converted into a low emission zone (LEZ), so there are being disruptions in several of the city’s streets. The city centre it’s being affected by roadworks, road closures and traffic flow changes and, especially now, we recommend parking your car and getting around on foot, on a bike or on public transport.
By plane
San Sebastián has 3 airports (2 international) within just over 100 km of the city.
Only 20 kilometers from the city centre, San Sebastián Airport has connections to the major Spanish cities; Madrid and Barcelona.
Bilbao Airport, with connections to all Europe, is 105km from the city, and Biarritz Airport, served by French and international low-cost companies, 47km.
Airport |
Airport Bus |
|
| SAN SEBASTIAN Airport shuttle service to SAN SEBASTIÁN | ||
| BIARRITZ Airport shuttle service to SAN SEBASTIÁN | ||
| There is no shuttle service. Alsa and Pesa bus companies offer this service from the Vitoria-Gasteiz Bus Station. |
Information on the accessibility to San Sebastian Airport More Information
By train
Warning
RENFE Station closed for works related to the HSR. Provisional station located in the Nestor Basterretxea square. Access by Duque de Mandas Street, next to Tabakalera.
ADIF-RENFE
The company RENFE rail service offers both long-distance train and suburban
The train station in the centre of San Sebastián, the “Estación del Norte“, offers connections to numerous Spanish cities including Madrid and Barcelona, and to international destinations such as Paris and Lisbon.
Train journeys to and from San Sebastián will gain enormously in speed with the new Tren de Alta Velocidad (high speed train), due to connect the city with other destinations in the near future.
Information on the accessibility to the Train station (Adif-Renfe) More information
EUSKOTREN
There is also an underground railway, the Metro Donostialdea, a narrow-gauge train connection with Bilbao and cities along the Basque Coast, such as Zarautz. The service linking it also Hendaye (France) and the SNCF, french rail service, with Lasarte passing through Donostia. The train is popularly known as the “Topo” or “Mole”.
Park in the free Ficoba (Irun) car park and take the train to the centre of San Sebastian.
- Duration: 35 minutes
- Price: 2.75€.
You can also get there by train from Hendaye (37 minutes).
By Car
Getting to San Sebastián by car is extremely easy. The city is connected to the rest of Spain and France by the N-1 (the national highway connecting Madrid to Irun), the AP-8 (Bilbao-Irun) and A-63 (Paris-Irun) motorways and the A-15 highway (Pamplona-San Sebastián).
Another comfortable way to get in San Sebastian is parking your car in Ficoba Exhibition Center in Irun (at the French border, 20 Kms from San Sebastian) and take the Euskotren train to San Sebastian (40 minutes ride)
Once in San Sebastián, you can leave your car in one of the more than 6,000 parking places found in different parts of the city.
By Bus
The bus station “Estación DONOSTIA Geltokia”, is situated in Paseo Federico García Lorca 1, near the RENFE train station – Estación del Norte. Contact
The underground station has 21 bays, a café, newsstand and a left luggage office with 66 lockers where you can leave your belongings. Navilens and Navilens Go app system signals posts are available all around the station. It also has two floors of parking space for up to 384 vehicles.
Eight of the city’s Dbus lines will stop in the area around the station, on the ground level: the lines 17, 24, 37 and 45 in front of Renfe train station; 9, 41, 42 at Duque de Mandas street and 27 at Gernikako Arbolaren pasealekua next to María Cristina bridge.
On the DBUS buses you can pay cash (maximum 20€ bills), with SSCARD and BASQUECARD tourist cards, with MUGI, BAT and BARIK transport cards or with contactless credit cards.
Private cars that need to leave or take friends and relatives at the bus station can use the “Estación” underground parking 15 minutes for free.
In addition to national and international routes such as those from Madrid, Barcelona, Santander, Asturias, Logroño, Pamplona, Bayonne – Biarritz or Paris the following provincial routes also have their departure / arrival at the new bus station: DO01, DO02, DO03, DO50B, DB02, DB03, DB07 and UK01.
Information on the accessibility to the Bus station (Donostia Geltokia) Más información
How to get around
Donostia / San Sebastián is a city made for walking. Getting around on foot is easy and there is access to multiple public transport options that connect different parts of the city
Locals are used to moving around on foot, bike and public transport. Did you know that over 32 million trips are made on San Sebastián’s public transport annually, a figure that grows year after year? The city also has 77 kilometres of bike lanes and the walking distances between the major attractions are within a radius of about 15-20 minutes over flat terrain.
And if you travel to the city by car, San Sebastian has over 6,000 parking spaces. We recommend parking in one of the car parks and using public transport to get around, particularly during peak tourist periods.
Watch out for traffic changes in the city centre.
The centre of Donostia/San Sebastian is currently being converted into a low emission zone (LEZ), so there are being disruptions in several of the city’s streets. The city centre it’s being affected by roadworks, road closures and traffic flow changes and, especially now, we recommend parking your car and getting around on foot, on a bike or on public transport.
Walking
San Sebastian is a city made for walking. It is a city designed on a human scale and can be easily crossed on foot, thanks to short distances between attractions, extensive pedestrian sections, spectacular walks along the river and sea, and strolls through streets and avenues dotted with stunning architecture.
By Bike
Visiting the city in an alternative, environmentally friendly, active and fun way is also fully possible in Donostia / San Sebastián. Over 30 km of bike lanes, known locally as bidegorris (literally “red roads” in Basque) and more than 77 km of separate and safe bike lanes (63% of the all roads) make it easy to visit the best the city has to offer, on wheels.
From the promenades to the streets of the city centre, all of San Sebastían has been equipped for bikes, making it a quick and convenient way to visit the city.
Several bike rental shops are also available.
On public transport
Donostia has a comprehensive and efficient city bus service, managed by the Dbus company. that will move you quickly from one end of the city to another. You can pay directly on the bus with your credit card. Consulting the lines and bus tours around the city is very easy from the Dbus website!
And if you’re looking for an even easier and cheaper way to get around on public transport, you can purchase the San Sebastián Card at Donostia / San Sebastián tourism offices. This card is highly recommended for anyone who wants to use public transport to explore the city. The Basque Card is another option and includes trips to the surrounding region. Both cards offer unbeatable discounts at museums, restaurants and shops.
Schedule
Hours vary depending on the lines. Most start running around 7:30 a.m. and stop service at 10:30 p.m. You can find the schedule for each line and the frequency at the stops.
Dbus has a night bus service called “Búhos”. Most night bus lines start around midnight and end service around 4:00 p.m. The Búhos lines operate exclusively on Fridays, Saturdays and the nights before public holidays. All leave from Boulevard de Donostia / San Sebastián.
Taxis
- an Sebastian has a large, modern fleet of taxis that operate 24 hours a day. Rates are metered and official. Unlike in other cities, taxis in San Sebastian do not stop on the street, so it is best to go to a taxi rank or call:
Taxi companies
Where to park in San Sebastián
San Sebastián is a city designed on a human scale and the best way to explore it is to park your car and explore it on foot, bike or public transport.
The city has over 6,000 parking spaces in its park and ride lots, underground garages and the city’s controlled parking areas (OTA).
Watch out for traffic changes in the city centre.
The centre of Donostia/San Sebastian is currently being converted into a low emission zone (LEZ), so there are being disruptions in several of the city’s streets. The city centre it’s being affected by roadworks, road closures and traffic flow changes and, especially now, we recommend parking your car and getting around on foot, on a bike or on public transport.
Plans in San Sebastian
The greatest attraction of Donostia (the name of San Sebastián in Basque) is allowing yourself to follow the rhythm marked by the city. Taking a stroll. Enjoying every step, the harmony between the streets and the buildings, the style and elegance of its shop windows, admiring its changing landscape, its privileged natural setting.
Here we list a few activities and ideas so that you can enjoy San Sebastián at your leisure.
Restaurants Guide
You eat well in this city!!
San Sebastian has restaurants to suit all needs and all tastes. You can eat a stew or some pintxos, seated or on your feet, in a fine restaurant or in the most popular of taverns. It doesn’t make a difference… In San Sebastian, the cooking expresses what we’re perhaps unable to express with words. Every pintxo (tapa) and every dish contains the language through which we want to convey unique emotions that you won’t be able to forget.
If you are in San Sebastian at Christmas and you want to have a special lunch or dinner in a restaurant… Check out this list of restaurants that are open on these days.
Accesibility in San Sebastián
Alto nivel de accesibilidad física
Donostia / San Sebastián, a comfortable city for people with functional diversity.
If you are a person with physical functional diversity, rest assured, you can enjoy the attractions in Donostia / San Sebastián comfortably and easily thanks to the city’s high level of physical accessibility.
Accommodation
General Conditions
To make a reservation, please contact each hotel directly using the details provided.
The prices shown below have been agreed by the event organizers with each hotel. Rates are subject to hotel availability at the time of booking. Rates are per room and per day.
HOTEL MERCURE MONTE IGUELDO ****
Hotel located in a watchtower on top of Mount Igueldo. Contemporary aesthetic rooms and lounges.
Paseo de Igueldo s/n, 20008 Donostia / San Sebastián.
Tel.+34 943 21 02 11.
www.monteigueldo.com
Contact email for reservations: convenciones@monteigueldo.com
Double for single use: 100€
Double for single use (breakfast included): 115€
Reference code: EMAKUNDE23
Booking deadline: 23/09/2023
HOTEL ZENITH ****
Located in Morlans, Amara, the hotel allows to enjoy the city foot. With Nordic influence interior design and coosy rooms. Fabulous terrace with jacuzzi on the roof of the building.
Antonio María Labaien 1, 20009 Donostia / San Sebastián.
Tel. +34 943 325 325.
www.sansebastian.zenithoteles.com
Contact email for reservations: reservassansebastian@zenithoteles.com
Discount of 15% Tarifa BAR.
Reference code: RESERVA TISA CONGRESO OCTUBRE 2023.
Subject to hotel availability.
HOTEL OLARAIN
Located 300 m from Ondarreta beach, at sea level, in a peaceful, relaxing spot. Accommodation where modern elements live side by side with antiques from cultures all over the world.
Pº Ondarreta 24, 20018 Donostia / San Sebastián.
https://www.olarain.com/
Contact email for reservations: javiermarin@olarain.com
Double for single use: 69,75€
Double for single use (breakfast included): 83,30€
Reference code: EMAKUNDE23.
Booking deadline: 23/09/2023.
HOTEL ARBASO ****
In the heart of Donostia, 5 minutes from the Bay of La Concha. It hosts the Narru restaurant.
Hondarribia 24, 20005 Donostia/San Sebastián
+34 843 93 14 00.
www.hotelarbaso.com
Contact email for reservations: recepcion@hotelarbaso.com and arbaso@hotelarbaso.com
Double for single use (breakfast included): 250€
Reference code: EMAKUNDE23
Booking deadline:23/09/2023
HOTEL ZINEMA 7 ****
Hotel that pleasantly surprises one by its tribute to the “seventh art” (filmmaking). Each of its bedrooms is dedicated uniquely and individually to a film star, actress, actor or director who has been present at Zinemaldia, the San Sebastian International Film Festival, at some time in its history.
Sagrada Familia 1, 20010 Donostia / San Sebastián.
+34 943 445 000.
www.zinema7hotel.com
Contact email for reservations: zinema7@zinema7hotel.com
Double for single use: 130€
Double for single use (breakfast included): 144€
Reference code: Emakunde
Booking deadline: 23/09/2023
HOTEL PALACIO DE AIETE ****
Quiet hotel in a residential area with panoramic views of San Sebastián. It’s the closest hotel to Miramón Technology as well as to Aiete Palace, the well-known Chillida-Leku and Basozabal Golf Course.
Goiko Galtzada Berria 27, 20009 Donostia/San Sebastián.
+34 943 21 00 71.
www.hotelpalaciodeaiete.com
Contact email for reservations: info@hotelpalaciodeaiete.com
Double for single use: 130€.
Double for single use (breakfast included): 144€.
Reference code: EMAKUNDE23.
Booking deadline: 22/09/2023.
HOTEL SILKEN AMARA PLAZA ****
It is a modern building, the work of the renowned architect Peña Ganchegui. Its bold exterior and advanced technology contrast with an interior that harmonizes with the elegance of the city.
Plaza Pío XII 7, 20010 Donostia / San Sebastián.
www.hoteles-silken.com
Contact email for reservations: reservas.amara@hoteles-silken.com
Double for single use and double: 130€
Double for single use (breakfast included): 140€
Double (breakfast included): 150€
Reference code: EMAKUNDE
Booking deadline: 22/09/2023
SERCOTEL EUROPA ***
With a neoclassical fronage, beautiful and stately, on the outside. Modern and cozy inside, with the ability to make you feel that yes, you have arrived at the place you truly wanted to be.
C/ San Martin 52, Donostia / San Sebastián.
www.sercotelhoteles.com
Contact email for reservations: reservas@sercotelhoteleuropa.com
Double for single use (breakfast included): 185€
Double (breakfast included): 195€
Reference code: EMAKUNDE23
Booking deadline: 6/10/2023
HOTEL ARRIZUL CATEDRAL ***
A boutique hotel located in the very center of the city, next to the Buen Pastor Cathedral of San Sebastián, a five-minute walk from La Concha beach.
C/ Urbieta 51, 20006 Donostia / San Sebastián.
hotelarrizulcatedral.com
Contact email for reservations: info@hotelarrizulcatedral.com
Double for single use (breakfast included): 159€
Reference code: Evento Emakunde
Booking deadline: 30/09/2023
HOTEL LONDRES ****
Magnificent 19th century building, it is one of the most renowned hotels in the city. Right on the Concha beach, its views are impressive.
C/Zubieta 2, 20007 Donostia/San Sebastián.
Tel.+34 943 44 07 70.
www.hlondres.com
Contact email for reservations: reservas@hlondres.com
Double for single use city views (breakfast included): 225€
Double city views (breakfast included): 250€
Double for single use seaview (breakfast included): 315€
Double seaview (breakfast included): 340€
Reference code: Evento Emakunde
Booking deadline: 23/09/2023
HOTEL SAN SEBASTIÁN ORLY AFFILIATED BY MELIA ****
Hotel located in the city centre a few meters away from La Concha beach and a few minutes from the Cathedral.
Zaragoza Plaza 4, 20007 Donostia/San Sebastián.
+34 943 46 32 00.
www.melia.com/es/hoteles/espana/san-sebastian/
Contact email for reservations: yune.rodrigo@melia.com
Double for single use (breakfast included): 200€
Double for single use Premium (breakfast included): 215€
Reference code: EMAKUNDE23
Booking deadline: 25/09/2023
KOISI HOSTEL
Comfortable, modern and clean private and shared rooms with bunk beds that have their own reading light, plug and multifunctional bag.
Paseo Heriz 38, 20008 Donostia / San Sebastián.
www.koisihostel.com
Contact email for reservations: mice@liberehospitality.com (Elena).
Private bedroom with maximum capacity for 6 people and with private bathroom: 163,00€ room.
Reference code: EMAKUNDE23.
Booking deadline: 25/09/2023.
More Information
Practical information
San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) is a medium-sized cosmopolitan city (186,700 inhabitants). It is renowned for its cuisine, award-winning urban beaches and Parisian-inspired architecture. The city is well prepared to welcome demanding visitors who want it all: high-quality services, unique spaces, memorable experiences and a full range of cultural and leisure opportunities.
Currency
Euro, commonly used throughout the European Union.
Climate
Warm climate, characterised by mild temperatures, high humidity, frequent clouds and regular rain spells all year-round.
Time zone
GMT + 1 (Paris).
Electric network
In San Sebastián, the common voltage is 230 V. The frequency is 50 Hz. Plugs and sockets are type F.
Water
Tap water is high-quality and drinkable.
Telephone – Use of mobile phones
There are no roaming charges in the European Union. If you have a SIM card from a member state of the EU, you will be able to use your phone with no additional charges for calls, texts or internet use in any other member state.
Healthcare
Hospital Donostia and Policlinica Gipuzkoa – Grupo Quirón Salud.
Wifi
No password in the majority of establishments and meeting venues. Available outdoors in gardens, streets, markets, squares and bus stops. (Map of the free municipal Wi-Fi areas).
Money exchange
- Money exchange Navinet (C/Narrika, 12). Open from 10:00 to 22:00, Monday to Sunday (exchange only available for U.S. dollars and British pounds).
- Money exchange Global Exchange (Alameda del Boulevard, 6). Open from 09:00 to 22:00, Monday to Sunday (more than 70 foreign currencies).
- Money exchange Eurochange (C/Ijentea, 4). Open from 09:00 to 21:00, Monday to Sunday (exchange is by appointment only and must be requested at least 24 hours in advance).
Banks and cash
More than 180 bank branches are open on midweek mornings. There is an extensive network of 24-hour cash machines, meaning you can take money out whenever you like.
Taxis
Taxis usually allow clients to pay with a bank card; however, we suggest asking before getting in.
Tourist tax.
There is no tourist tax.