Neighbourhoods
Parte Vieja (Old Town)
The pintxo-bar epicenter — dense, walkable, essential.
Gros
Surf-town energy next to Zurriola beach.
Things to do
Pintxo crawl, Parte Vieja
Never sit down, one or two pintxos and a small glass per bar, then move — that's the actual local rhythm.
Monte Urgull walk
Free, forested, and the best panoramic view of La Concha bay.
La Concha beach, early
Genuinely one of the world's best urban beaches — arrives crowded by noon in summer.
Eating & drinking
Any bar with a crowded counter in Parte Vieja
Crowded means fresh pintxos — that's the actual signal to look for, not a guidebook list.
Day trips
Local logistics
City-specific transport and safety notes — for country-wide context, see the Spain guide.
Small and entirely walkable; a bus covers the beach-to-old-town hop if needed.
Very safe; no notable areas of concern.
Pacing & budget
Pacing: 2 days is tight but workable; 3 lets the food pace feel unrushed, which is the whole point of visiting.
Budget: One of Spain's pricier cities — food quality here justifies a higher daily budget than the national average.
Visa, money, culture & transport for all of Spain
Currency, key phrases, getting around by train, and everything that applies to your whole trip — not just San Sebastián.