In this guide, we’ll explore the best neighborhoods to stay in San Sebastian. While Parte Vieja and Centro are my personal favorites, there are other areas worth considering depending on your travel style and priorities.
San Sebastian has several areas that make excellent bases for exploring the city:
- Parte Vieja is ideal for those who want to be in the heart of the action, surrounded by pintxo bars and historic charm.
- Centro offers a more refined atmosphere with shopping streets, elegant architecture, and proximity to La Concha Beach.
- For a quieter, more local feel, Gros is a great choice especially popular with surfers and younger travelers thanks to its relaxed vibe and easy access to Zurriola Beach.
- Antiguo provides a residential setting close to Ondarreta Beach and Mount Igueldo, perfect for families or those seeking a more tranquil stay.
- Finally, Amara is a good choice for those who prefer to lodge away from the tourist hotspots.
San Sebastian is a vibrant city and one of my favourite cities to visit for a real taste of Northern Spain and the Basque region. The following are six of my favourite districts to stay in the city.
Where to stay in San Sebastian: Best areas and hotels
1. Parte Vieja, San Sebastian’s Old Town
Although much of San Sebastian was razed to the ground during the Spanish Civil War, there is still plenty to be seen and photographed.
The Old Town area of the city is bordered by Concha Bay, Mount Urgull, and the Urumea River, offering a paradise on earth for lovers of history and historical architecture.
It is also well endowed with numerous Michelin-starred restaurants and buzzing pintxo bars where you can rest those tired feet.
With the Old Town area fully pedestrianised, narrow, cobbled streets and mysterious twisty alleyways beckon you to explore a little further, until you reach somewhere like the Plaza de la Constitución (Constitution Square).
Surrounded by bright terraced houses with their balconies adorned with multi-coloured flowerpots, the square was a one-time bullring and still shows signs of its previous life.
The largest square in San Sebastian and home to the local council until the early 1940s, it is today host to a number of high-profile fiestas and other gatherings throughout the year.
Other places of interest within the old town area include:
- San Telmo Museum: A one-time Dominican convent, the museum specialises in Basque lifestyle and ethnicity, highlighting its history, culture, customs and art.
- The Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro: Located in front of Mount Urgull, the Basilica is an impressive baroque church built between 1743 and 1774 and overlooking the Calle Major area of the old town.
- The Church of St Vicente: Built in the Gothic style of the early 1500s, the Church of St Vicente is the oldest in the city of San Sebastian and contains an impressive Romanesque altar.
Even if you’re not staying in the old town, it is a great place to spend a day/evening investigating the local eateries, doing a little people watching and being drawn into the cosmopolitan, buzzing ambience of its historic-meets-modern charm.
Accommodation at all levels is plentiful in the old town area, but, as you would expect, tends to be more expensive than similar options in the suburbs.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SAN SEBASTIAN OLD TOWN
- ($$$) Lasala Plaza Hotel
- ($$) Aldamar
- ($) Beach Break Guesthouse
2. City Centre, where to stay in San Sebastian for the first time
With the Old Town area, La Concha beach, and Gros around its borders, most of San Sebastian is easily reached on foot from the City Centre. It is also ideally suited for those who plan to explore further afield.
A part of the Alameda del Boulevard and locally known as the ‘romantic area’, the city centre is an ideal central point for those who want to explore all neighbourhoods in the city, with the public transport systems (buses and trains) having terminals and stops for all areas inside and outside the district.
Points of particular interest around the city centre include;
- The Gipuzkoa Square
- The Buen Pastor Cathedral
- The Victoria Eugenia Theatre
- The Hotel Maria Christina
- The Donostia City Hall
- La Concha Beach
All are within easy walking distance.
For shopaholics, head to Urbieta Street, Fuenterrabia Street, and Getaria Street for modern, trendy boutiques, regular local markets, and high-end international stores.
With its excellent bars, cafés, and restaurants, leafy boulevards, tranquil parks, and easy access to La Concha Beach, San Sebastián’s City Centre is perfect for every type of traveler.
Accommodation costs tend to be on a par with those in the old town area, although business hotels and apartment complexes will be a little cheaper.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN THE CITY CENTRE
- ($$$) Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Sebastian
- ($$) Barceló Costa Vasca
- ($) Hostal Bahía
3. La Concha, a great venue for a real beach holiday in the city centre
Today, it is one of Spain’s most photographed beaches. In the early 1800s, San Sebastian’s iconic Playa La Concha was just another white-sand Spanish beach used by locals for fishing, bathing, and washing laundry – but all that was about to change.
In 1845, on the advice of her physician, Queen Isabel II of Spain began ‘taking the waters’ in La Concha Bay, to help alleviate various skin complaints.
With her entourage in tow, it wasn’t long before other members of high society, artists, writers, and the wealthy from around Europe began to visit La Concha, lifting the prestige of magnificent San Sebastian up a notch or three.
With the arrival of mass tourism, what had always been just another Spanish city beach began to find fame on thousands of holiday picture postcards and in visitor photo albums. It has regularly been voted the best urban beach in Spain.
The beach is a crescent moon-shaped bay, blessed with soft, sparkling white sand and calm, shallow, azure waters, making it ideal for the whole family. It is flanked on either side by mounts Urgull and Igueldo, and in the centre of the bay lies Santa Clara Island.
The island boasts a good density of natural vegetation for nature lovers, a pretty but small beach with limited amenities, walking trails, and a lighthouse. It can be reached by boat trips, kayaks, paddleboards, or by swimming.
La Concha beach offers all the usual beach amenities, including sunbeds and parasols, as well as changing rooms, showers, and toilets. You can also hire paddleboards and kayaks directly from the beach or enjoy other waterborne activities that are available.
The beach authorities also offer assisted bathing facilities for those with disabilities, ensuring all visitors can make the most of their stay in San Sebastian.
To the rear of La Concha Bay is a wide promenade lined with tourist shops, bars, and restaurants. The Paseo de la Concha is also a popular spot for locals and visitors to stroll during the evening, to enjoy a meal, a drink, or simply watch the sun set.
Other attractions of interest close to La Concha beach include Club Nautico, the Miramar Palace and San Sebastian town hall.
For your beach stay in San Sebastian, to the rear of the promenade, you will find plenty of visitor accommodation, from apartments to hotels, and all just a short walk from one of Europe’s premier beaches.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN LA CONCHA
- ($$$) Nobu Hotel San Sebastián
- ($$$) Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
- ($$) Hotel Niza
4. Gros, a popular place to stay for a water sports-based holiday
Located between Monte Ulia and Kursaal Palace, on the Urumea River’s eastern side, and opposite the city centre, Gros is a popular place to stay in San Sebastian with those who prefer a little more action than just rubbing on the sunblock.
Sitting behind Zurriola beach, a popular surfing and ball games beach, Gros has built itself something of a reputation in San Sebastian as the place to head to with the young and young-at-heart water sports and nightlife enthusiasts.
Its regular offshore winds and Zurriola’s sandy substrate are suitable for both novice and intermediate surfers, and kite surfers to enjoy their stay in San Sebastian.
Around Gros you will also find surfing schools and rental units where you can hire all the equipment you need.
Away from the sea and sand, you will find a good selection of pintxos gastro bars, entertainment bars, restaurants, and clubs where you can socialise the night away – and watch the sun come up.
There is also a good selection of visitor shops, fashion stores and boutiques for when mum wants to enjoy a little window shopping.
In the town centre, you will find numerous squares, including Plaza Cataluña with its children’s playground and picnic area.
If an all-day happy hour sounds like a good idea, head to Gros on a Thursday, when the hospitality sector offers reduced prices on food and drink.
If walking and nature are your forte, head to the Monte Ulia end of Zurriola Beach, where you will find trails leading into the hills. A steady 30-minute walk will take you to the summit, offering excellent photo opportunities overlooking the beach.
There is also a children’s playpark close to the top where you can rest awhile and enjoy a picnic while the little ones burn off some energy.
A wide selection of accommodation is available around Gros for your stay in San Sebastian, including guest houses, Airbnb and plenty of economically priced apartments, two and three-star hotels, and sumptuous villas.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN GROS
- ($$$) Hotel Villa Soro
- ($$) HOTEL ARRiZUL CONGRESS
- ($) Pension Kursaal
5. Antiguo, good place to stay in San Sebastian for the whole family
The oldest district in San Sebastian, Antiguo dates back to the 11th century when it was a monastery.
Nestling between Ondarreta Beach and Monte Igeldo, it began to expand its services in the 12th century and became the social and spiritual centre for the surrounding villages.
History, culture, shopping centres, friendly family bars, a beach, amusement park, fairground, takeaway food stalls and fine dining restaurants. It’s all available should you choose Antiguo for your next stay in San Sebastian.
Ondarreta Beach lies between the Palacio Miramar gardens and Monte Igeldo, and is Antiguo’s closest beach. It can be reached in a few minutes by walking, by cab, or by public transport, depending on your apartment’s location.
The beach features a half-kilometre stretch of golden sand up to 100 metres wide, providing ample space even on the busiest days. All amenities, including parasols and sunbeds, are available.
To the rear of the beach is a wide, popular promenade, lined with shops and bars, and behind that a full range of visitor accommodations.
One of the big pluses of using Ondarreta Beach to get your sand and sea fix, is the plethora of other attractions nearby for the whole family.
Walking along the promenade on La Concha Beach will get you to the Miramar Tunnel. At nearly 30m in length and joining La Concha Beach to Ondarreta Beach, it gives the impression of walking along the seabed.
Visiting the tunnel after dusk, when the lights come on, provides an even greater perspective of what this subway is designed to showcase. Technology, renewable energy, art and architecture.
Standing just short of 400m above sea level, Monte Igeldo can be easily picked out from pretty much anywhere on La Concha Beach. And just like the beach itself, it should be right up there near the top of your list of places to visit during your stay in San Sebastian.
For those who baulk at the idea of climbing a flight of stairs, don’t worry. You can climb aboard the funicular, circa 1912, and one of three still operating in the Basque Country, which will transport you to the summit for some amazing views of the coast and city.
For hikers and nature lovers who prefer to walk, there are numerous trails that take you through the woods to enjoy the local flora and fauna as you climb to the top.
For the whole family, the Monte Igeldo fairground at the hill’s summit is just jaw-dropping. Over 20 fabulous rides, sideshows, dodgem cars, carousels, ghost trains and much more, all mimicking popular fairground attractions of the early 1900s.
A more modern addition to the summit is the ‘Canopy’, the city’s first zip-line, where locals and visitors alike can enjoy an adrenaline-fuelled ride through the treetops.
Evenings can be spent enjoying get-togethers with family and friends in excellent local and international restaurants catering for all tastes, buffet restaurants, takeaways and Basque pintxo bars.
You will also find plenty of smaller family bars, some with entertainment, some not, but don’t expect to find bars open until the early hours. For late-night drinking, you need to head for Gros.
Visitor accommodation in Antiguo ranges from studios to large family apartments, and some hotels.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN ANTIGUO
6. Amara, for those who prefer to lodge away from the tourist hotspots
In any city that’s relatively expensive compared to other tourist destinations, it’s always worth looking a little further out for the best deals on accommodation.
Especially so, if you prefer to immerse yourself in the culture, lifestyle and cuisine of the places you decide to visit. Amara is a case in point.
A district built in the late 1800s, much of it on the dried-out bed of the Urumea River, Amara has much going for it.
It is a district where many resident families have roots dating back to its very beginning. Where small, local businesses have traded from the same locales for decades and where modern amenities and new start-ups have learnt to integrate with historical architecture and a laidback lifestyle.
All this from a neighbourhood that is just a 20-minute stroll, or a 5-minute cab or bus ride, from the likes of San Sebastian’s old town, city centre, or beach areas.
Although perhaps a little short of the usual big tourist attractions such as castles, cathedrals and grand palaces, it makes up for it with other, more subtle attractions.
Pleasant crowd-less walks along the riverbank, quiet picnic lunches with like-minded residents in landscaped parks, and sampling local cuisine in family-run restaurants and famous Basque tapas bars.
There is a good and varied selection of accommodation in Amara, from guest houses, Airbnb, apartments, and business-style hotels, most of which are very competitively priced.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SAN SEBASTIAN IN AMARA
- ($$) Hotel Zinema7
- ($$) The Social Hub San Sebastián
- ($) Pensión Amara
FAQs about Staying in San Sebastián
The City Centre is ideal for first-time visitors. It’s central, walkable, and offers easy access to La Concha Beach, the Old Town, Gros, and public transportation.
Gros is the go-to neighborhood for vibrant nightlife. Located behind Zurriola Beach, it’s popular among young travelers and surfers.
While Parte Vieja is historic and charming, it’s also very lively and may be noisy at night. Families might prefer Antiguo, which offers quieter surroundings and family-friendly attractions.
Yes, the Amara district tends to have more affordable accommodations and gives visitors a more local, authentic experience away from tourist crowds.
La Concha is perfect for a beach vacation. It’s one of Europe’s best urban beaches and is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and beautiful promenades.
Parte Vieja blends all three beautifully. It’s rich in historical landmarks, near beaches, and packed with pintxo bars and cultural attractions.
Antiguo is family-friendly. It offers proximity to Ondarreta Beach, Monte Igeldo amusement park, and plenty of space for children to play and explore.