Walking Tour of San Sebastián

The aquarium is housed in the Palace of the Sea and features about 30 exhibits showcasing more than 200 species. Not only turtles, sharks, sea stars and stingrays, as well as plenty of fish there’s also a giant skeleton of a North Atlantic whale that acts as the center piece within the aquarium, as well as a 360-degree underwater tunnel that goes right through one of the aquarium’s tanks.

The Basilica of Santa María del Coro dates from 1750 was built on the site of an old Roman church. It is one of the most visited architectural works in Donostia-San Sebastián. Architecturally the Basílica has Gothic, Churrigueresque and Neo-classical elements and its portico is of Plateresque style.

San Sebastián, the Patron Saint of the city appears twice, in a sculpture located in the facade and on a painting by Luis Boccia placed in the altar presided by the Virgen del Coro, patron saint of the city.

The Real Club Náutico was founded in 1896 to improve the availability of water sports in Donostia-San Sebastián. The building was designed in 1928 by the architects José Manuel Aizpurúa and Joaquín Labayen in the rationalist style – its in the shape of a boat!

San Sebastian’s City Hall or Ayuntamiento was built between 1882 and 1887 and is an architectural gem. It is located by La Concha Beach in the grounds of the Alderdi Eder Gardens.

Originally it was home to a casino, where politicians and artists of the [link_tooltip title=”Belle Époque – The period of settled and comfortable life preceding the First World War.”]Belle Époque[/link_tooltip] enjoyed entertainment until gambling was outlawed in 1924. In 1937 the building set the scene for one of the many fights between nationalists and republicans in the Spanish Civil War and the bullet holes can still be found in the facade.

Since 1947 it has hosted the city council, which governs the Basque city.

Alderdi Eder is Basque for “a beautiful place”. This elegant park resembles an elongated tree lined plaza, dotted with benches, with shade offered by Indian tamarinds trees and palm trees. Not only is the park great for views out over La Concha Beach and Monte Urgull it is also home to an enormous old-fashioned carousel in Belle Epoque style, a huge favourite with young children. In summer it also hosts numerous street performers.

The park leads into Plaza Cervantes – look out for its bronze statue of Don Quixote riding a horse and his faithful companion Sancho Panza on his donkey.

La Concha Promenade with its elegant railing and street lamps, encircles the bay along the beach. The beach is called shell beach due to the iconic shape of the bay and has earned it the title of one of Europe’s most beautiful urban shorelines.

Walk along the promenades kilometre and a half, and enjoy either its delightful city views or look out into the Cantabrian Sea and Santa Clara Island. You will walk past the La Perla Spa built overlooking the beach.

Declared the summer capital of Europe by the Queen Regent Maria Cristina.

The Miramar Palace was built in 1893 for Queen María Cristina of Austria, who spent her summers in San Sebastián. The palace designed by the English architect Selden Womun and built by the master craftsman José Goikoa and looks like an English country house. For years it served as the summer residence of the Spanish Royal Family.

El Peine del Viento or the Comb of the Wind is a collection of three steel sculptures installed in 1977  by sculptor  Eduardo Chillida, sitting below Monte Igueldo.  The sculptures are anchored to the rocks, and the onshore wind would be continually ‘combed’ at La Concha Bay.

The Igueldo Funicular is over a hundred years old and connects the Ondarreta Beach area to Monte Igeldo in only 3 minutes. It was originally built to allow easy access to the old casino or the Dance hall at the top of Monte Igeldo, it now gives access to the iconic fairground at the summit and spectacular views over La Concha Bay.

At the top of Monte Igueldo there is an amusement park which dates back to 1912. You have to pay to enter the park, and the attractions are paid separately. A highlight of a visit is climbing up the top of the old lighthouse which gives spectacular views over the city and Playa de la Concha. You should be able to catch glimpses below of the new lighthouse Faro Monte Igueldo.

You will come across the charming Plaza de Gipuzkoa that resembles a small English wood right in the center of San Sebastián. It was designed by the prestigious French gardener, Pierre Ducasse and houses large number and variety of trees, flowers and plants, it also has a pond where ducks and swans swim around. Also notable are its large multicoloured flower clock.

The stunning Victoria Eugenia Theater was designed by the architect Francisco de Urcola and opened its doors in 1912. This lavish, belle époque venue is built in an Italian and Neo-Plateresque style. The building has hosted the Musical Fortnight and the until 1999 the prestigious San Sebastian International Film Festival Later, before the event moved across the river to the
Kursaal conference center, where it is still held today.

Following its recent transformation, Mercado de La Bretxa is now undoubtedly one of the most emblematic features of San Sebastián’s old town. The name of the market stems from local history when invading troops gained access to the city through a breach  in the walls where the market now stands.

Plaza de la Constitución or Constitution Square is a large arcaded plaza located in the heart of the Old Town ringed by various restaurants and pintxos bars. It is a great place to stop and grab a bite. Built in 1817, the Plaza was once a bullring, and you can still see the numbers which denoted ticketholders’ boxes on the walls.

Located in the heart of Old Town, San Vicente Church is one of the most typical San Sebastian churches. An old temple was here from the 12th century, while its current Gothic church was built between the 15th and 16th centuries.

The towering facade leads through to a rectangular floor plan and the interior features an elaborate gold altarpiece and a 19th-century French organ.

originally opened in 1902, the San Telmo Museum is the oldest museum of the Basque Country. It has been reopened after a five-year restoration and extension process in 2011. The museum covers the interpretation of Basque society, from prehistory to the present. The older part of the museum was originally a Dominican monastery built in the 16th century.

The summit of Monte Urgull is topped by the low castle walls of the 12th century Castillo de la Mota and a 40 foot tall San Sebastian Christ statue, Sagrado Corazon or Sacred Heart. It’s really a nice shaded walk, the views are breathtaking. While the paths are nicely paved, some parts are steep and there are stairs in some places.

You should be able to continue down the far side to reach the Aquarium.