San Sebastián Things to Do

IN DONOSTIA EVERYTHING IS PREPARED FOR THE TOURISTS, AS IT IS A VERY TOURISTIC CITY. BUT YOU SHOULD VISIT:
- OLD PART OF THE CITY (PARTE VIEJA) FOR GOOD EATING AND DRINKING.
- IGUELDO MOUNTAIN (GO THERE IN THE FUNICULAR), VICTORIAN TYPE AMUSEMENT PARK SPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN. BEAUTIFUL SIGHT OF THE CITY.
- ASK FOR ANY TYPICAL WALKS WE DO HERE, LIKE THROUGH THE 'PASEO NUEVO' OR TO THE URGULL MOUNTAIN.
- VISIT THE AQUARIUM, THE SAN TELMO MUSEUM, ANY OF THE CHURCHES.
- JAZZ FESTIVAL, FILM FESTIVAL, "SEMANA GRANDE" (WHOLE WEEK) FESTIVITIES WITH FIREWORK COMPETITION...
- ANYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE, CAN BE DONE HERE

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Monte Igüeldo is the hill at the left hand end of the bay, at the foot of which is the Playa de Ondarreta.

Walk past the tennis courts and get the furnicular railway (about 2 euros return, running every 15 minutes) to the top to see the splendid views, have a drink in the fairly miserable cafe, and wonder why there is a (closed) funfair up there!

Taken in the middle of Mount Igeldo and Mount Urgull, there is some kind of a dot, coming out of the water, that prevents you from enjoying a broad view over the ocean. This dot is Santa Clara Island. I haven't visited it, still, it adds a lot of charm to the whole landscape that San Sebastian offers...

Just behind the Urgull Mount (on its right, when watching the ocean), the Ulia Mount is less easy to climb on. It's a bit more empty of tourist as the paths are slightly harder to walk. Before climbing there, you have to know that you may meet some snakes (I did) and, as it is a famous place for gay people to meet, don't be mesmerized (I did not) if you suddenly see (I did) some men doing their own business...

When watching the ocean from Concha Beach, you'll see a mount on your right : it's this one, called Urgull. At the top of it, after a nice walk all along the "Paseo Nuevo", you reach a statue of Jesus, a former defensive position (plenty of canons) and the nice garden of the "Castillo de la Mota" (Castle of the mount).

After all, if there is a beach, why not laying on it ? I had decided to enjoy some sun in San Sebastian, and, believe me, that was a hell of a bet, as, in the Basque Country, you may never know what the weather will be like the day after !!! But, I've eventually been lucky...

Although the aquarium is small compared to others such as at Barcelona, it is still very pleasant (and pushchair friendly, if you can get up the front steps!).

10 Euros per adult entrance, and its location is excellent in the old harbour area.

Located in the harbour area of Donostia this little aquarium has a lot to offer.

While small in size the display tanks are well done and consist of 10 parts:

1) Tropical Rivers
2 and 3) Tropical Reefs
4) Pelagic fish
5) Oceanarium
6) Clown fish and damsels
7) Microworld
8) Dangerous fish and Morays
9) Hands on Pond and
10) Our coast

There is also a maritime museum which tells the naval and fishing history of Donostia-San Sebastian and a zoology museum which has preserved species of fish and marine life

Hours

From September 16-June 15 open M-F 10-1900
From June 16- 14 September open M-F 10-2100

Admissions