San Sebastián, Spain

Our four nights in San Sebastián, Spain were full of sun, wine, cider, and pintxos topped with seafood and meats. This city was very affordable and walkable, with friendly people and plenty to do over four nights.

If you are an active traveler, you probably don't need any more time, but if your travel is more leisurely and you are happy to do your favorite activities more than once, you could stay here much longer. There were certainly some day trips we did not do.

Where to Stay and Transportation

If you are flying from overseas, you can choose from several airports. We flew into Biarritz Airport (BIQ), just over the border in France, about an hour away. You could take a bus and a local train into San Sebastián from BIQ, which would be an affordable option, but we opted to spend about $130 on an Uber to save time.

We stayed at Hotel Intelier Villa Katalina for four nights in a balcony room with a view. Our stay included breakfast for two people and cost 1,344.58 EUR (approximately $1,454.94 USD).

There are more affordable nearby hotel options, but for this trip we decided to spend a bit more for a larger, nicer room.

Our Four-Day Itinerary and Costs

Here is our full itinerary of what we did and the costs involved if you are interested in planning your own trip to San Sebastián! All prices reflect what we paid during our visit and may have changed since then.

Day 1: Arrival, Walking Tour, and Pintxos

• Arrival: Landed at BIQ Airport around 1pm and took an Uber to our hotel.
• Hotel Intelier Villa Katalina: Four nights in a balcony room with a view, including breakfast for two people, for 1,344.58 EUR ($1,454.94 USD).
• Lunch at Polka: Two beers, two meat croquettes, calamari, and a cocktail for 41.40 EUR ($44.81 USD).
• Free Walking Tour with Go Local: Free tour plus a 25 EUR ($27.18 USD) tip.
• Dinner at 1813 Taberna: Two beers and nine pintxos for 41 EUR ($45.00 USD).
• Grocery Store: One-liter bottle of tempranillo for 2.50 EUR ($2.71 USD).

Day 2: Local Food, Wine, and Mount Urgull

• Txakolina Bodega and Pintxoak: Two glasses of txakolina for 5.90 EUR ($6.41 USD).
• Lunch at La Viña: Two glasses of txakolina, two glasses of red wine, bread, an appetizer of octopus and peppers, just under one kilogram of chuleta de buey steak, and a slice of cheesecake for 91.40 EUR ($99.37 USD).
• Casa Vergara: Two glasses of white wine and a bottle of water while sitting outside the Basilica de Santa María del Coro for 7.80 EUR ($8.48 USD).
• Aita Mari: Two glasses of red wine for 5 EUR ($5.44 USD).
• Mount Urgull: Hiked to the top for free.
• Sidrería Beharri: Two Basque ciders, two pintxos, and peppers for 15.50 EUR ($16.85 USD).
• Loco Polo: Four mini ice cream pops for 5.90 EUR ($6.41 USD).
• Bar Amazonas: Two glasses of red wine for 5 EUR ($5.44 USD).

Day 3: Mount Igueldo, Beachfront Dining, and Local Restaurants

• Mount Igueldo Funicular: Round-trip ride for two people for 9 EUR ($9.78 USD).
• Mount Igueldo Boat Ride: 4.50 EUR ($5.06 USD).
• El Rincón: Two chocolate crepes for 5 EUR ($5.44 USD).
• Mount Igueldo Bathrooms: 1 EUR ($1.08 USD) for two people.
• Lunch at Hotel Niza's Bar Biarritz: Seafood paella appetizer, pork entrée, and two glasses of red wine for 44.10 EUR ($47.94 USD).
• Bar Amazonas: Two Ambar beers for 7 EUR ($7.61 USD).
• Dinner at Alderdi Zahar: Two Zahar set menus and two glasses of wine each for 91.75 EUR ($99.31 USD).
• Bodega Donostiarra: Two glasses of red wine for 5 EUR ($5.44 USD).
• Souvenir: Hand-painted souvenir for 15 EUR ($16.29 USD).

Day 4: Basque Cider House Experience

• Cider House Day Tour: Tour including lunch and drinks for two people for 154 EUR ($166.70 USD).
• Dinner at Gandarias: Two kalimotxos and four steak pintxos for 21.20 EUR ($23.05 USD).

Planning Your Own Adventure?

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