San Sebastian, the city
On the banks of the Bay of Biscay and surrounded by green mountains, San Sebastian is a delightful city that provides a feast for the senses. No matter what words people use to describe San Sebastián, nothing can compare to the pleasure of taking in its wonderful surroundings, strolling through its streets and gardens, or sampling the area’s renowned gastronomy.
The best-known image of San Sebastián, but no less eye-catching for all that, is its almost perfectly shell-shaped bay, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. The city, home to 180,000 people and the cultural and tourist capital of the Basque Country, works its seductive charm on visitors and caters for all tastes.
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We invite you to discover and experience the delights of San Sebastián, take part in its customs, uncover its charms and enjoy a city that lives and breathes sport like few others.
Donostia-San Sebastián's splendour during the Belle Époque, when it was a place for the European aristocracy's summer holidays, has left beautiful constructions, such as the Grand Casino (present Town Hall), the Miramar Palace, summer residence of the Court, or the bridges over the Urumea River. The houses of the Old Quarter, full of bars and restaurants, date from previous times.
In the Old Quarter, the local passion for gastronomy is palpable. From the miniature cuisine of the 'pintxos' to the restaurants of the creative cuisine masters, good eating is one of Donostia's commandments. Another distinguishing element is the intense cultural life, going from small performances in the different quarters to great events, such as the Jazzaldia, the Musical Fortnight, or the International Film Festival.
Donostia-San Sebastián is a cultural, tourist, service, and congress focal point. Many of these events are celebrated in the Kursaal Palace. The two glass cubes provide an avant-garde image to a classical setting that also offers contemporary shapes in the sculptures by Eduardo Chillida (the Wind Comb) and Jorge Oteiza (Empty Construction) that, as the donostiarras and the visitors, show above the sea.
