San Sebastian, or Donostia to the locals, isn’t really the type of place you visit to check things off of a list. Sure, there’s the iconic La Concha beach, Monte Urgull and its funicular, and the cool Tabakalera (a tobacco-factory turned-arts-center). Added to that, of course, are the cider houses and the legion of pintxos bars. But after you’ve done all that it means you should take the opportunity to see a bit more of the surrounding area. It has a lot to offer, and you can enjoy different day trips from San Sebastian.
If you’re up for an adventure out of town, below are the best options for day trips from San Sebastian. Each day trip is in order of distance, with the shortest trips first and the longest day trips last.
Short Distance Day Trips from San Sebastian
Orio
The name of this lovely seaside village and fisherman’s hamlet, just a short taxi or bus ride west of San Sebastian, is pronounced the same as the iconic black-and-white cookie, despite the difference in spelling! Wander around the 12th-century historical center and then settle into a lovely no-frills restaurant for a seafood feast. Seafood lovers will relish eating morsels just-pulled-from-the-sea, that is so fresh you’ll swear you thought that hake on your plate just moved.
- Distance from Orio to San Sebastian: 17km, which is about 10.5 miles
- How to get to Orio: You can catch the UK11 bus from Libertad 34 in San Sebastián, and the journey usually takes 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic and stops. A taxi might shave a few minutes off that time — but not always.
Hondarribia
With a walled old town and a series of narrow, medieval lanes, this seaside town of 17,000 denizens is a lovely escape from the “big” city of San Sebastian, which has a population of around 200,000. Hondarribia is also home to a late-Medieval/early-Renaissance fortress that is fun to explore. Inside the labyrinth of streets, and near the marina, you will find a legion of great bars and restaurants where you can feast on freshly caught seafood delights.
Insider tip: Fans of dark 20th-century history might want to partake in a journey to see a prison that was used during the Spanish Civil War, inside the Fortress of Guadalupe—a 40-minute walk or a five-minute car ride to the west of the town.
- Distance from San Sebastian to Hondarribia: 16km or 10 miles
- How to get to Hondarribia: You can take the E20 bus from Donostia to Hondarribia, which generally takes around 40 minutes. A taxi or driving usually takes about 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Getaria
Fashionistas and foodies frequently make pilgrimages to Getaria, a classic Basque fishing village just to the west of San Sebastian. That’s because Getaria is the birthplace of famed fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga and admirers can even visit the Balenciaga Museum.
Foodies come here to hopefully eat at Elkano, a Michelin-starred restaurant that began as an outdoor seafood grill and is now an elegant restaurant that is high on the list of foodies and top chefs. If you can’t nab a table at Elkano, there are plenty of asadors (grill restaurants) and seafood spots that serve up great grilled turbot or hake cheeks and other Basque seafood specialties.
And, of course, you need not be a foodie nor a fashionista to enjoy this humble fishing village. It’s a tranquil place to spend a few hours. You can also take a vineyard tour at one of the Top 5 Vineyard Tours Nearby.
- Distance from San Sebastian to Getaria: 25km, which is around 15 miles
- How to get to Getaria: You can catch the UK10 or UK11 bus from near Libertad 34, which takes about 45–50 minutes. Driving or taking a taxi usually takes around 20–25 minutes, depending on traffic.
Medium Distance Day Trips from San Sebastian
Biarritz
The posh seaside town of Biarritz is a sister city to San Sebastian. Starting in the 19th century, both towns attracted French and Spanish elites every summer and a tourism industry grew up around those visitors, which is why both towns have excellent tourism infrastructure to this day.
This resort town is crammed with fancy grand dame hotels, elegant outdoor cafes, long beaches, and boutique shops. It’s vaguely similar to San Sebastian but with a very strong French accent.
- Distance from San Sebastian to Biarritz: 50km, approximately 28 miles
- How to get to Biarritz: You can catch a direct bus from San Sebastián’s main bus station to Biarritz, which often takes 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic and stops. Driving or taking a taxi normally takes about 25–30 minutes in lighter traffic.
Bayonne
Located in French Basque country, Bayonne is a medium-sized city with three separate quarters: St. Esprit, Petit Bayonne, and Grand Bayonne. Hemingway said it was a nice town with a river running through it. He was sort of right.
There are actually two rivers running through this Roman outpost: the Adour and the Nive. If you have limited time, stroll around the medieval and hilly Grand Bayonne. And if you time your visit for July when the annual weeklong Fêtes de Bayonne takes place, a raucous five-day street party, be prepared for a chaotic bash of French Basque proportions.
- Distance from San Sebastian to Bayonne: 50/55km, about 30/34 miles
- How to get to Bayonne: While Bayonne may only be 32 miles east of San Sebastian, the bus journey typically takes around 1 hour 10 minutes (traffic and stops permitting). Driving or taking a taxi will take about 30–35 minutes in good traffic.
Larger Distance Day Trips from San Sebastian
Bilbao
The “Bilbao Effect” was coined after architect Frank Gehry’s dramatic, chaotic, and beautiful structure housing the Guggenheim Museum went up in 1997. That’s because the Basque Country’s largest city was chiefly off the radar with tourists until the museum flicked on its lights. And then, suddenly everyone had to come to see the architectural spectacle.
While the Guggenheim is certainly one of the wonders of the world, Bilbao is far from a one trick pony. This city of 350,000 people is teaming with energy and its streets are flanked by cafes and bars serving up appetizing pintxos and pouring a lot of txakoli, the Basque semi-fizzy wine. If you’re looking to have a bigger city experience while in San Sebastian, point yourself to Bilbao.
- Distance from San Sebastian to Bilbao: 97-100km, which is approx 62 miles
- How to get to Bilbao: Frequent direct buses depart from San Sebastián’s main bus station and take about 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on traffic. If you´re travelling by car the journey will take a similar duration.
Pamplona
Famous for the “Running of the Bulls”, the capital of the region of Navarra, Pamplona has medieval city walls you can walk on and admire. You can also wander around Casco Viejo (the old part of town) where there are cafes and bars everywhere.
When you’re ready for a coffee, plant yourself at Cafe Iruña, a spot on Plaza del Castillo that’s been serving drinks and snacks in a neo-Baroque environment since 1888.
- Distance from San Sebastian to Pamplona: 61km, around 38 miles
- How to get to Pamplona: Both trains and buses go between San Sebastian and Pamplona. Buses make the trip in about 1 hour 10–15 minutes. Train travel is possible, but typically takes over 1 hour 40 minutes depending on schedule and stops.
Logroño
The capital of La Rioja, this medium-sized town of 150,000 denizens is a seriously off-the-radar destination that will reward you with a great tapas bar scene in which you may be one of the few tourists in town. In the Old Town, in the shadow of the city’s cathedral (where there’s a painting attributed to Michelangelo), are two narrow, 100-yard (or 100-meter) streets:
- Calle del Laurel and Calle St. Juan are both crammed with diminutive tapas bars where the party spills out onto the streets.
- Some bars have an array of options while others may only serve one thing, such as an excellent take on the tortilla, crispy patatas bravas, or a pig ear sandwich.
The Camino de Santiago runs through Logroño, so don’t be surprised if you spot a few limping visitors trudging around the town at night looking for sustenance for the next day’s trek toward Santiago de Compostela.
- Distance from San Sebastian to Logroño: 160-170km, or 100-105 miles
- How to get to Logroño: Bus is the best way to get between San Sebastian and Logroño. Direct buses operate between the two cities, with journey times typically around 2 hours 15 minutes, depending on traffic and schedule.
FAQ´s – Day Trips from San Sebastian
How much do buses cost for day trips from San Sebastian?
Bus fares vary depending on the destination, distance, and operator. Short trips like Orio or Hondarribia typically cost just a few euros, while longer trips to Bilbao, Pamplona, or Logroño may cost €10–€15 or more. Buying tickets in advance or using multi-ride cards can sometimes save money.
What should I bring for a day trip from San Sebastian?
It’s best to bring comfortable walking shoes, a reusable water bottle, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), and a light jacket in case of coastal winds. If you plan to visit museums, churches, or historic sites, consider a small backpack for essentials and snacks.
Will I be able to speak English on these day trips?
Many tourist-focused services, restaurants, and museums in towns like Biarritz, Bilbao, and Pamplona have staff who speak some English, but smaller villages may have limited English-speaking options. Learning a few basic Spanish or Basque phrases can be helpful and is often appreciated by locals.
If you’d like to bring back a little bit of San Sebastian back home, why not check out our Authentic Basque cooking class in San Sebastián? And this is no ordinary class! Located in the kitchen of a historic family restaurant in the heart of the Old Town, you’ll be taught the basics of regional cooking from a professional chef.