San Sebastián (Donostia)

San Sebastián is one of the world's most beautifully located cities. During the 19th century it was a famous aristocratic beach resort of great reputation and it still conserves its exclusive and cosmopolitan ambience. Its beautiful buildings and excellent beaches still make it a privileged holiday destination. San Sebastián's bay is surrounded by hills and mountains and it has a magnificent beach. Many wealthy Spaniards rather spent their summer vacations here than in one of the resorts in Southern Spain. In Euskera (the Basque language) the city is known as Donostia, and many road signs are in Euskera only, so don't get confused. If you want to have a beach holiday in Spain, without the tourist masses; and you like some culture added to it, then San Sebastián is the best place to go. The city lies in the north of Spain, not far from the French border./coa.San Sebastián is one of the world's most beautifully located cities. During the 19th century it was a famous aristocratic beach resort of great reputation and it still conserves its exclusive and cosmopolitan ambience. Its beautiful buildings and excellent beaches still make it a privileged holiday destination. San Sebastián's bay is surrounded by hills and mountains and it has a magnificent beach. Many wealthy Spaniards rather spent their summer vacations here than in one of the resorts in Southern Spain. In Euskera (the Basque language) the city is known as Donostia, and many road signs are in Euskera only, so don't get confused. If you want to have a beach holiday in Spain, without the tourist masses; and you like some culture added to it, then San Sebastián is the best place to go. The city lies in the north of Spain, not far from the French border.

San Sebastián's main beach is Playa de Concha which continues at Ondarreta. The beach surrounds the bay Bahía de Concha on nearly all sides and at the open end of the bay lies Isla de Santa Clara. In summer you can swim from the beach to this island (rafts are anchored halfway to serve as places to rest).

In the city itself there are a number of museums and churches that can be visited. One of the better ones is the Museo de San Telmo which is housed in a 16th-century monastery. The collection includes a wide range of artifacts such as ancient tombstones, sculptures, agriculture and carpentry displays and some fine arts. There is a small but lively harbor at the eastern end of the beach, close to the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento). Behind the harbor Monte Urgull can be climbed. There is an aquarium at the far end of the port.

On the other end of the bay, Monte Igueldo is easier to ascend, as a funicular takes you up. The small mountain provides spectacular views over the city and its surroundings. In summer there is a fair-ground at the top and, especially on weekends and school holidays, it can be very busy with kids.

Budget accommodation is unknown in this city where most tourists have pockets full of money. There is a camping site not too far from the city to the west. There is a light-rail station at Amara for destinations in France and toward the border. South of that station, the bus-terminal provides coaches to most other destinations in the country. The main railway stations is on the other side of the Río Urumea in Egia.