Where to Stay in San Sebastián: Hotels and Areas Compared

Donostia / San Sebastián is the obvious base. It is a city of around 185,000 people and holds almost every major sight: the Good Shepherd Cathedral, the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus, San Telmo Museoa, Miramar Palace, the Aquarium and the climb to Motako Gaztelua-Castillo de la Mota. Staying here puts both town beaches, Ondarreta to the west and Zurriola across the Zurriola Bridge, within easy reach on foot, with Igeldo lighthouse and the Isla de Santa Clara lighthouse on the horizon.

Pasaia, about 2.5 miles east, is a smaller coastal town of around 16,000 people built around its harbour. It suits travellers who like a maritime setting: the Albaola Itsas Kultur Faktoria shipyard museum, Castillo Santa Isabel and La Plata lighthouse are all here, and the city centre is a short hop away.

Hernani, about 3 miles inland, and little Astigarraga, around 2.5 miles out with just over 4,000 residents, are quieter options. They make sense if you have car hire and would rather return each evening to a smaller town than to the city.

As the only sizeable city in the group, San Sebastián is where you will find the widest choice, from places near the beaches to addresses close to the cathedral and the old basilica. If your days revolve around the sea front and the museums, a city base saves you any travel at all.

Pasaia, Hernani and Astigarraga are much smaller towns, so expect a more limited and local choice of places to stay. Their appeal is a calmer setting a few miles from the centre rather than a long list of options. The live hotel prices on this page show what is currently available in each, so you can weigh a city address against a quieter one side by side.

The climate shapes demand. July and August are the warmest months, with highs around 24°C and the fewest rainy days, so those weeks, along with the UK school summer holidays, are when city rooms are most sought after and worth securing early. June and September bring highs of 22 to 23°C and can be a gentler time to book. Winter is mild but wet: November averages 221 mm of rain and January 207 mm.

Most British travellers fly into Bilbao, then allow a little over an hour by road to any of the four towns. If you prefer a package with flights and transfers bundled in, you can compare Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach deals here. Travelling by sea is also possible: Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao, about 53 miles away, and from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander, about 93 miles away. If you stay outside the city, compare car hire on this page too.