Free, tip what you liked · ★ 9.5/10 (20,793 reviews) · on Civitatis
Quick answer
Yes. There is 1 free walking tour in San Sebastian listed here, bookable for free on Civitatis. It is Free Walking Tour of San Sebastian: it meets at Plaza de Cervantes, lasts about 2h30 and is guided in English, rated 9.5/10 from 20,793 reviews.
Start times vary by date and are confirmed when you book.
San Sebastian, Donostia in Basque, sits on the Bay of Biscay a short drive from the French border. The city wraps around La Concha bay, with a green hill at each end, and its old town, the Parte Vieja, is squeezed between the port and the mouth of the river Urumea. It is small enough to cross in ten minutes and dense enough to fill an afternoon, mostly because of the bars.
The free walking tour covers the historic centre in two to two and a half hours. It goes through Plaza Gipuzkoa and the Alameda del Boulevard, the avenue that joins the old town to the newer streets, and into Plaza de la Constitución, where the Tamborrada drum festival is held every January. It passes the church of San Vicente, the oldest building in the city, walks the pintxo streets and Calle Mayor up to the Baroque basilica of Santa María del Coro, and ends by the port.
Plan your visit to San Sebastian
What to see in San Sebastian
La Concha is the city beach and promenade, with its white railings and the island of Santa Clara in the middle of the bay. At its western end, past Ondarreta beach, Eduardo Chillida's steel sculptures of the Peine del Viento are fixed to the rocks where the waves break. The city's official tourism website lists opening times for museums and the funicular.
In the old town, Plaza de la Constitución still has numbers painted above its balconies from the days when it was used as a bullring. Across the river, Zurriola is the surfers' beach, in the Gros neighbourhood.
Getting around and when to go
Everything central is within walking distance and the seafront is flat. June to September is the warmest and driest stretch, and the film festival fills the city in late September. Many travellers pair San Sebastian with Bilbao, and Bordeaux is the next big stop across the border. See the month-by-month guide for timing.
Good to know before you go
The tour explains pintxos but does not include food. Go back to the same streets afterwards: you order a couple at the bar, eat them standing and move on to the next place.
For the view of the whole bay, take the old funicular up Monte Igueldo, or walk up Monte Urgull from the old town; the paths start behind the basilica.
It rains often on this coast, even in summer. Bring a light waterproof jacket.
Buses link San Sebastian with Bilbao in a little over an hour, so it works either as a base or as a day trip.
Rest those walking legs
Where to stay in San Sebastian
Well-reviewed stays from our partner Booking.com. Check rates and availability for your dates on their site.
Yes. The Free Walking Tour of San Sebastian on Civitatis covers the Boulevard, Plaza de la Constitución, the church of San Vicente, the pintxo streets and the basilica of Santa María with an English-speaking guide. You reserve for free and tip at the end.
Where does the San Sebastian free tour start?
In Plaza de Cervantes, next to the statue of Don Quixote. Be there at least 10 minutes before the start, or you may lose your place. How to recognise the guide is confirmed in your booking.
How long is the free tour of San Sebastian?
Between two and two and a half hours. It ends by the port, at the edge of the old town.
Are pintxos included in the tour?
No. Food and drinks are not part of the free tour. The guide explains how the bars work and you can go back on your own afterwards.
How much should I tip on a free tour in San Sebastian?
There is no fixed amount. At the end you give the guide what you think the tour was worth. Our tip calculator shows the usual range for Spain.
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