A Wonderful Northern Spain Road Trip

Day One | San Sebastián

Although not a massive airport, there are a variety of airlines that fly directly to San Sebastián from the UK; we’d recommend jumping on the earliest flight that you can in order to optimise your time in the city.

Once you’ve touched down, simply head to the rental car depot and pick up your hire car (we always book ours with AutoEurope or RentalCars.com); it’s a 20 km drive from the airport to the centre of San Sebastián, which should take around 25 minutes.

Drop off your bags at your accommodation, and it’s time to get out and explore this beautiful coastal city.

Known across Spain for its spectacular beaches (it’s a super popular summer holiday spot for those from the south), it is its title as the country’s gastronomic capital that attracts tourists from across the world. With the most Michelin stars per capita it’s a veritable foodie’s dream!

To introduce yourself to San Sebastián, we’d suggest beginning with a gentle stroll along La Concha Promenade, a paved walkway that stretches 2km along the coastline and takes in the city’s three urban beaches. After that, whether you fancy exploring the cultural scene, the many bars & restaurants or simply laying down on the sand, the world is your oyster!

Things to Do in San Sebastian

// Wander along La Concha Promenade.

// Feast on pintxos. Sort of but not quite like tapas, pintxos are bite-sized morsels of local delicacies speared with a cocktail stick and enjoyed standing up, hopping from bar to bar. Alternatively you can…

// …Take a food tour. If you’d prefer a little local guidance in finding the city’s best pintxos spots, consider joining either this two-hour gourmet pintxo tour (each ‘taste’ accompanied by a local drink), or should you be keen to try a more varied selection, this three-hour tour involves 12 bites and pintxos as well as six drinks.

// Hang out at the beach. As we mentioned, San Sebastián has a plethora of sea adjacent bathing opportunities (namely Playa La Concha, Playa de Ondarreta and Playa de la Zurriola). If you fancy a bit more of an adrenaline rush, you can even go surfing here.

// Explore the old town. San Sebastian isn’t just beautiful beaches and incredible food, it’s also home to a wonderful old town. Get lost in the cobbled streets, take in the varied architecture or people watch from one of the many traditional bars. P.S. – don’t miss the stunning Basílica de Santa María del Coro

// Take in the views. Hop on the antique funicular railway to the top of Monte Igueldo for excellent views over the bay, or alternatively take a catamaran tour along the coast for views back over San Sebastian.

Where to Stay

There are loads of accommodation options in San Sebastian including apartments and hotels. Our favourite Airbnbs include this popular one bed, the stylish EPELETXE, this contemporary two-bed apartment, and – if you don’t mind sharing with a host – this charming room with truly excellent reviews.

Alternatively, for those that would prefer a hotel, Axel Hotel San Sebastián is our luxurious pick, whereas Pensión Arroka and Pensión Buenpas are really excellent, good-value, contemporary room-only options.

Driving Time & Distance Travelled

Just 20 km from the airport!

Read More // If you’re new to hiring a car or just want a refresher, be sure to read our guide, 9 Essential Car Rental Tips from Travellers. Not only will it save you money, it’ll take away a lot of the stress associated with renting.