San Sebastian is the undisputed queen of the Basque resorts, the fashionable and famous La Concha bay with its deep and sparkling calm waters and stunning beach area is bounded by lush rolling hills which has drawn celebrities and sun lovers to the mild winters and hot summers for generations.

San Sebastian or Donastia - which one is it ? well either one as Donostia is Basque for San Sebastian and comes from Euskera the Basque language. It is of unknown origins and spoken by around 35% of Donostiarras (San Sebastian's residents), and is one of the two official languages of Euskadi (the Basque Country). The other is Castellano (Castilian Spanish). For this reason most of the signs in the Basque Country are in both languages.

In July and August and as you expect San Sebastian is in full flow and pretty busy, especially if you arrive during the Semana Grande week in mid-August. The week is packed with music and sports events, as well as world-famous firework displays. On August 31, it is worth walking along Semana Grande street to witness the unique candlelit ceremony held to commemorate San Sebastian's devastating 1813 fire.

The picturesque island of Santa Clara is situated closely offshore in the centre of the La Concha Bay and can be accessed from the pier located on the eastern side of the isle. It is home to one of the areas prettiest beaches in the area, although due to the tides it can only be used for part of the day. The island can be accessed by boat or you could join some of the locals and swim across !!.

Zurriola Bridge also known as the Kursaal Bridge , proudly shows off its original lamps of expressionist and futuristic styles which light up the mouth of the Urumea river. The bridge was built on the site of the old Kursaal Casino.

San Sebastian has three beaches: the Playa de la Concha, Ondaretta and the Playa de Gros. La Concha is probably the prettiest, with a wide crescent of sand stretching around the bay, but it's also the busiest . Ondaretta is less packed considered to be the best beach for swimming. The atmosphere here is more calm than La Concha's bikini party atmosphere, and locals call the beach La Diplomática.

Once you're off the beach, you'll probably want to hit the old quarter for a go at the bars and waterside restaurants crowding the narrow and noisy streets. Tapas are laid out at all but the fanciest bars for delectable bites of special treats, and shellfish merchants hang out by the harbor to hawk the freshest of fish.


Once you're off the beach, you'll probably want to hit the old quarter for a go at the bars and waterside restaurants crowding the narrow and busy streets. Tapas are laid out at all but the fanciest bars for delectable bites of special treats, fresh fish and seafood are a plenty here, search around the back streets for the best prices and you will not be disappointed. .


However, the wildest, weirdest party of the year is the Procession of Drummers, or Tamborrada, an all-night celebration that lasts from midnight January 19 to noon January 20. Adults and children take to the street to beat on drums and barrels, mimicking the rhythms played by the smartly-uniformed bands. Many of the Tamborrada tunes were composed especially for the occasion by famed composer Raimundo Sarriegi.

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Best Value Hotels and Hostels in San Sebastian

There really is a great choice of fine homely Hostels in San Sebastian . Arguably one of the best must be the Hospedaje Donosti -B&B which has received the HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2010 - Ranked top 3 for 'Cleanliness' in Europe, located in San Marciel 33 this hostel has a great atmospher and is near the beaches.

Other top rated hostels in the city include the Pension San Juan located in Calle San Juan num.13 - 3, located in the 'Old Town' between the beaches of San Sebastian, La Concha and Zurriola (Gros) the 'surf beach'. Another popular choice is the Guesthouse Ongi Etorri in Calle San Juan Num 3, again located in the old town. Hostal Olga located in Calle Zabaleta num 49 in Zurriola ,and arguably the nicest, most picturesque part of the city and has great sea views. The Pension Goiko located in Calle Puerto 6 some 5-10 minutes to Kursaal and Zurriola (surf beach) and regularly gets a rating of 90% and over by clients staying at this fine Hostel.

Other Hostels of note include the Adore Plaza, Beti Anayak Guesthouse , Guesthouse Ongi Etorri, Hospedaje Kati, Kaixo Hostel, Lagunak B&B, Lau Buru, Loinaz Pension, Pension Aries, Pension Ira-Flor, Pension Joakina, Pension Zurriola Waves, Roger's House, the Umoreonabi Guesthouse and the Uzturre Guesthouse.

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