San Sebastián is one of the most impressive cities in all of Spain, and for good reason.
Donostia, as it’s known in Basque, is the combination of a unique natural environment, world-renowned cuisine, impressive monuments, and landscapes. And best of all, you’re here in the middle of it all to enjoy it all.
If this is your first time in San Sebastián, or if you’ve been before but feel like you haven’t seen the most important things, that you’re missing out, stay with us.
The Main and Most Important Monuments of San Sebastián
We’re going to give you a route that no city tour can match. These are the key monuments of San Sebastián, the most popular and the most important for getting to know and understanding the local history.
Statue of the Sacred Heart
At the top of Mount Urgull, San Sebastián boasts its unique Christ of Corcovado, the figure of Christ in the statue of the Sacred Heart. Inaugurated in 1950, this figure is just over twelve meters tall and is the work of sculptor Federico Coullaut Valera and architect Pedro Muguruza Otaño.
As soon as you see the Sacred Heart, you’ll enjoy both the monument itself and the impressive views of the bay and the entire city. It’s a must-see and a fantastic way to begin your trip, seeing everything that awaits you.
Castle of La Mota
Before descending from Mount Urgull, you have one more visit to make: Castle of La Mota. A 12th-century building that has been converted into a museum, where you can learn how the city has evolved over the centuries.
Mount Igeldo Funicular
Let’s go step by step and make one thing very clear before continuing, because you should have a basic understanding of San Sebastián before proceeding. The city is surrounded by four mountains: Urgull, Igeldo, Ulia, and Adarra. All of them offer a natural escape and incredible views of both the city and the coast.
If Mount Urgull is famous for the statue of the Sacred Heart, Mount Igeldo is famous for its funicular. It’s the oldest funicular in the entire Basque Country, and when you reach the top, in addition to the hypnotic views, you’ll also find an amusement park with twenty rides, although the vast majority are designed for children.
Miramar Royal Palace
We’re running out of adjectives to describe this place. It’s not even half normal how beautiful, large, and spectacular it is. A British-style palace on the coast of San Sebastián—that sounds like we’re talking about the country’s Downton Abbey.
A building by Seldon Wornun with gardens that make it a must-see as well as beautiful. And you won’t believe how close it is to the coast. All of this creates a unique place, completely different from anything you’ve seen before.
Victoria Eugenia Theatre
You see the theatre and think, I’ve seen you before, but where? It’s normal, you’re on the right track, and it turns out this historic building is the headquarters of the San Sebastián International Film Festival. Have you noticed how every movie star who comes here falls in love with the city? There must be a reason.
Here’s a new word you can add to your vocabulary and with which you’ll look great in front of people, especially if they don’t know you, of course: Neo-Plateresque. It’s the architectural style of the Victoria Eugenia Theatre. It opened its doors in 1912 and since then has become the epicentre of local culture with initiatives and festivals throughout the year.
Hotel María Cristina
It’s impossible to pass by the Victoria Eugenia Theatre without stopping to see the Hotel María Cristina, which is a true work of art. The architect is the same one who designed places like the Ritz in Paris, Charles Mewès, so I think the concept of style and beauty is their hallmark. Since the beginning of the San Sebastián International Film Festival, it has become the base camp for all the actors and actresses who pass through the city.
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
Suddenly, it will seem like you’ve travelled across borders and landed in Germany or medieval France, but no, you are in the heart of San Sebastián. And this is one of the things that makes San Sebastián unique; its unique blend and beauty.
You are standing in front of a church that was built in the 19th century, where the most characteristic features you will find are its cross and its spire, crowning the building.
Peine del Viento
If we’re talking about famous monuments in the city, we have to go to Ondarreta Beach to see one of the most visited and well-known spots in all of San Sebastián. On this beach, at the foot of Mount Igeldo, is a sculptural group known as Peine del Viento.
Created in 1917 by the artist Eduardo Chillida, it has earned over time the status of one of the city’s emblems, as well as one of its most photographed monuments.
San Telmo Museum
Let’s stroll through San Sebastián, lose ourselves among its streets and its people, and there’s no better place to do that than the old town. In the heart of the old town, which in itself should be a museum, we’ll find the San Telmo Museum, a building dating from 1932 that perfectly explains Basque culture and history.
Constitution Square
And since we’re in the old town, also known as the Parte Vieja, you have to stop by la Plaza de la Constitución, home to the old town hall and where locals have always gathered for various festivals and events. If the Parte Vieja is the heart of San Sebastián, this square is its soul.
Aquarium
The aquarium opened in 1928 and is located at the end of Paseo Nuevo. It now houses the Museum of Natural Sciences, and if you’re wondering what the most interesting thing about it is, you won’t be disappointed; it features a 19th-century whale skeleton.
