One of the most beautiful things about San Sebastián is the easy access it offers to the surrounding area and the sheer number of incredible day trips you can take when staying in the city. This article will focus on the very best day trips into both the Spanish and French Basque Country.

I’ve also included some locations that are a little further away from San Sebastian because we are regularly asked if they’re possible to visit from San Sebastián.

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So, let’s help find and plan your perfect day trips from San Sebastián.

How to take day trips from San Sebastian

It isn’t just knowing which day trips are available to you when you’re in San Sebastian, it’s also knowing how to plan and then take the day trips from San Sebastian.

Your options are:

Choosing your day trips from San Sebastian

Whether you’re interested in history, nature, food or action, there’s something for everyone when it comes to day trips from San Sebastian. I asked a group of expert bloggers to share their favourite day trips with me to make the most comprehensive and informed list I could rather than just rely on my own experience in the region.

Day trips from San Sebastian – cities

Bilbao 

_{^{by Sabine, Discover Spain Today}}

Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country, is located about 100 km (62 miles) west of San Sebastián. It’s an excellent destination for a day trip, offering a different experience in the Basque Country.

One of the main things to do in Bilbao is to visit the world renowned Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, known for its striking architecture and contemporary art collection, the museum. Outside the museum, you’ll find iconic sculptures like “Puppy,” a giant dog covered in flowers, and “Maman,” a massive spider sculpture.

But Bilbao offers more than just the Guggenheim. A walk along the Nervión riverfront provides a great way to see the city and its famous bridges, including the Zubizuri and La Salve Bridge.

Explore the Casco Viejo (or Old Town) to enjoy typical pintxos and visit attractions like the Ribera Market, Arriaga Theater, and Plaza Nueva. Don’t miss a boat tour on the Nervión River, extending to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Vizcaya Bridge. For panoramic views of the city, take the cable car up Mount Artxanda. Football fans can also visit San Mamés, the home stadium of Athletic Club Bilbao.

This trip offers a perfect mix of culture, history, and scenic beauty, making it a worthwhile day trip.

🚗 Travelling from San Sebastián to Bilbao takes just over an hour by car.

🚌 If you’re using public transport, the bus is the best option, with frequent service and a travel time of about 1.5 hours.

Vitoria-Gasteiz

^{By Nicole, All About Rosa Lilla Blog}

If you’re looking to escape the coastal vibes of San Sebastián for a day, Vitoria-Gasteiz offers a wonderful change of scenery with its rich history, vibrant culture, and lucious green spaces. This charming city is perfect for a day trip blending history, delicious food, street art, community life and a focus on the environment.

Start your adventure in the medieval heart of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Wander through the narrow, winding streets of the Old Town (Casco Viejo), where you’ll stumble upon stunning sites like the impressive Santa María Cathedral. This Gothic gem offers both historical insights and panoramic views of the city from its tower. A visit to Santa María Cathedral is one of the best things to do in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Nature lovers will adore the city’s Green Belt, an extensive network of parks and trails that encircle the urban area. Renting a bike or taking a leisurely stroll through these green corridors is a fantastic way to soak in the natural beauty and serenity.

If you love food you will be in heaven! Vitoria-Gasteiz boasts an array of pintxos bars that rival those of San Sebastián. Head to the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca and its surroundings to sample these delicious Basque tapas, accompanied by a glass of local Rioja Alavesa wine.

This enchanting blend of history, culture, and nature makes Vitoria-Gasteiz an unmissable day trip from San Sebastián!

🚗 By car, it’s a straightforward 1.5 hours along the AP-1 highway.

🚆 If you prefer to use public transport you can hop on a direct train from San Sebastián, which gets you there in under two hours.

🚌 Alternatively, buses run regularly and offer a comfortable and scenic journey through the Basque countryside.

🚲 Vitoria-Gasteiz is the green capital of Europe so once you get to the city you will find one of the most pedestrian and bicycle-friendly places in Europe. 

Santiago  de Compostela

^{By Mark, MJTraveleguides}

Santiago de Compostela is not really a day trip option but people always ask so we’re including it anyway 😉 because we love it and it’s a fantastic place to visit on the northern coast of Spain.

Famous for being the final destination for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago, this UNESCO World Heritage site is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in all of Spain – if not all of Europe for that matter. It is the capital of the Galicia region in the north west of Spain, with stunning architecture (the city’s famous cathedral is a huge, beautiful gothic building), its medieval centre is a pleasure to walk around. 

It’s very much a religious city, full of history, and culture. The cathedral is very much the star of the show here – dating back several centuries and is believed to be the burial site of the apostle St. James.

Having visited Santiago when completing the Camino, I was impressed with the beauty of the city and I fully recommend spending a couple of days if you’re in San Sebastian and looking to visit other cities in the northern region of Spain.  

🚗 The quickest way to reach Santiago de Compostela from San Sebastian is by car, which will take roughly 6 and a half hours.

Santander

^{by Noel, Visit Spain and Mediterranean Blog}

A one day visit to Santander, Spain from San Sebastian is a fantastic way to explore the northern part of Spain.

While in town, you can’t miss the historic old town. Here you’ll find the cathedral, the Mercado de la Esperanza (public market) and the more trendy foodie venue, Mercado del Este.

You can visit historic and modern museums including Centro Botin, the Santander archaeological museum, the maritime museum and even the Magdalena Palace, which has been set up like a living museum in the natural park area called the Magdalena Peninsula.

Walking the waterfront boulevard and checking out the many quiet beaches along the peninsula is a wonderful way to experience the slower pace and the authentic vibe of Santander and its striking landscape (take a tour into the magnificent Picos de Europa from Santander).

Of course, things start to become more active after hours with many tapas bars, cafes and restaurants in the various squares of the city, but Plaza de Canadio is where locals celebrate end of day gatherings and late into the night in this bustling square filled with bars and eateries.

🚗 It’s just over 2 hrs to drive from San Sebastian to Santander

🚌 Located about 2 hours and 45 minutes west of San Sebastian in the province of Cantabria, the easiest route to get there is by bus.

Day trips from San Sebastian – visit a coastal town

The fishing villages along the Basque coast are lovely, gentle places to visit if you enjoy meandering through narrow streets, eating well and trying local cuisine. Each of these small towns has its own, distinct personality to discover.

Zarautz

Zarautz is home to the region’s longest beach and is a popular spot for surfers and beach goers. I’m not a fan of monarchies but apparently kings and queens from Spain, the UK, and Belgium have all enjoyed long, lazy summers on the beach at Zarautz. Not only is it famous for its long beach, the whole of the town is located on a colossal dune.

If you have time, it is recommended to climb the nearby Talaimendi headland – from here you’ll have magnificent views over the coast, especially at sunset.

The town is basically an open air art gallery that’s a joy to walk around: you’ll find sculptures all along the promenade and throughout the town.

The town was officially founded around 1200 years ago but, of course, it has its own Roman remains, a medieval necropolis and more. There is also a photography museum in town that is considered to be one of the best museums in Europe focusing on photography and cinema.

It took me a full day to walk from San Sebastian to Zarautz but you don’t have to walk, there are plenty of transport options to this gorgeous small town available too.

🚗 An easy 25 minute drive along the coast

🚌 There are regular buses and trains between the two towns

Getaria

Just a thirty minute drive from Donostia-San Sebastián is the tiny town of Getaria. I have visited twice – once by boat and once as I walked a section of the Camino.

Getaria is best known for being the birthplace of the fashion icon, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and for its vineyards. If you’re interested in fashion and haute couture then a visit to the museum dedicated to the designer will make for an interesting few hours. If you’re not excited by fashion, then a tour to a txakoli vineyard to learn about the region’s microclimate and famous fizzy wine might suit you better.

The town has 2 small beaches and some lovely looking restaurants. My favourite moments here were spent drinking txakoli overlooking the harbour (above), and people watching on the main plaza.

🚗 30 minutes drive from San Sebastian

🚌 There are regular trains and buses between the towns

Zumaia

The beautiful Zumaia is the entrance to the Basque Geopark, home to the astounding flysch rock formations. I stopped for only a few hours in Zumaia, but very much enjoyed my walk through the town.

There are 2 beaches, both of which are of interest to geologists as the town is situated along the flysch coast. On the Itzurun Beach it’s even possible to find ammonite fossils.

In Zumaia you can visit the home of the painter Ignacio Zuloaga and see his collection of works by artists including El Greco, Diego Rivera and Goya.

Here, the rivers Urola and Narrondo meet and it’s a pleasure to walk along either one them watching people paddle board and kayak.

🚗 A pleasant 40 minute drive

🚌 There are regular buses and trains between San Sebastian and Zumaia

Irun 

Irun (along with Hondarribia, see below) straddles the French border. I actually stayed a few nights in Irun, using my time to explore thoroughly.

The highlight of this small town is its museum, Museo Romano Oiasso, which explains in loving detail, the Roman history of the town. I loved the museum generally but what made my visit here extra special was how excited the staff were to share their town’s history with me. Their enthusiasm was entirely contagious and I found myself both fascinated and signing up to their museum email list to learn more.

I was also extremely lucky here because I visited the museum, as a school group was on its way to the not-open-to-the-public-without-prior-reservation, Ama Xantalen Baselizako Museoa, in the Ermita Karrika. Because I asked about it, I was allowed to join the school group and then get my own private tour of this small Roman necropolis housed in, and under, an old church.

From Irun, it’s possible to walk into France, which I did, just to pick up French pastries for my kids and to be able to say I’d gone to France for breakfast.

🚗 25 minute drive

🚌 There are regular buses and trains between Irun and San Sebastian

Hondarribia

You can’t walk from Hondarribia to France like you can from Irun because the River Bidasoa is wide here but you can take a quick boat, bus or train from Hondarribia to Hendaye in France. It’s very easy, and requires no border checks.

If you visit Hondarribia, you’ll probably take a walk around the gorgeous old city, the Casco Historico, (see photo above) where you’ll admire the church, city walls and gorgeous old buildings and then you’ll head down to the beach. I sat on the beach for a while enjoying watching families play on this gentle beach, before continuing to walk along the coast until I reached the port, whereupon I climbed on the port walls and watched stared at France a while, watched a sea kayak tour group and had a generally very pleasant time.

🚗 30 minute drive

🚌 There are regular buses and trains from San Sebastian

Day trips from San Sebastian – nature & adventure

The Basque region is full of spots of outstanding beauty. I spent a few days hiking along the coast and fell head over heals in love with the area. It’s become a place I long to explore more. Let’s take a look at a couple of the easiest, and most accessible options for people staying in San Sebastian.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan then you’ll love this spot. If you’re not a Game of Thrones fan then you’ll still love this spot, you’ll just have no clue what people are talking about! I’m not a fan, I’ve never seen the show in case you’re wondering. Apparently this is Dragonstone.

Essentially, this is a cliff-side trail down to the narrow stone bridge/stairway you can see in the photo above. The 241 steps lead up to the small church. If your legs work well then this is 100% worth your time as the views are breathtakingly out of this world. You’ll be rewarded with magnificent coastal and sea views.

There is a nice view point about half way down from the carpark if you don’t think you can make it all the way up the steps.

It’s important to know that this is a very popular day trip for people visiting the Basque Country. There is a decent sized carpark but the earlier you can get there the better.

⭐️ It’s free to walk here BUT at busy times you are required to have pre-booked and to show your ticket when you arrive. I went on a weekday during off-season and we didn’t need tickets but you should always check this for yourself. → Reserve your ticket here

🚽 There is a bathroom at the top by the carpark but once you start walking, there are no services

🚗 1hr 50

Top tip: if you’re driving from San Sebastian, take the scenic route, and stop off in Guernica to explore the famous town and see a replica of Picasso’s most famous painting depicting the horrors of the Spanish Civil War there.

🚌 Complicated and slow, you’re better off taking a tour if you don’t have a car

Flysch route

These coastal formations are some of the most fascinating and beautiful formations I’ve ever had the good fortune to see. My brother and I walked many kilometres out of our way while we were hiking to see these rocks and it was worth every extra kilometre.

Flysch began forming under the sea 110Ma ago when sediment slowly accumulated over millions of years. Flysch layers can be limestone, or sandstone. In some cases the deposits are formed from enormous underwater sediment avalanches usually caused by the ocean floor sinking, which occurred when the Bay of Biscay opened and created turbiditic layers.

What we can see today along this awesome section of coast occured (apparently) during a period between the Cretaceous and Oligocene periods when the Iberian plate collided with the larger European plate causing all that sediment to fold, fracture and raise itself.

The best places to see it yourself if you’re not on a tour are:

⭐️ Flysch Begiratokia – Baratzazarrak as far as I remember, there is a carpark here and it’s a pleasant 500m walk to the mirador

⭐️ Flysch de Sakoneta – google suggests it’s possible to drive all but the last section to reach this section of the coast. We definitely saw people around who didn’t appear to have hiked in like we had but I have no personal experience of trying to drive here.

Hiking

The Basque region is just crying out to be hiked. I spent a few days hiking the camino trail from San Sebastian to Deba and I’ve already made it clear to everyone I know that I will return to hike more in this area.

Follow the Camino del Norte

The Camino de Santiago de Compostela is not the only Camino route in Spain. There are numerous caminos you can choose from. And while, yes, they began as a religious or spiritual walk, you really don’t have to believe in anything to walk one, you just have to want to walk and enjoy being surrounded by nature. I used it as an opportunity to spend quality time reconnecting with my brother after many years of us living on different continents, and it was exactly what we needed.

Zugarramurdi Caves

^{by Anna, At Lifestyle Crossroads}

A day trip from San Sebastian to the Zugarramurdi Caves is great idea for fans of mysterious and haunted places in Spain. While technically the caves belong to the region of Navarre, San Sebastian is the closest city for a daily visit to this unique landmark.

Located in the picturesque Basque countryside, the caves of Zugarramurdi are known as the region’s hub of witchcraft. Back in the 17th century, Zugarramurdi was a famous site of the Spanish Inquisition’s witch trials.

The main cave is full of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. On top of that, it used to be a meeting place for local witches, giving it an eerie vibe even today.

After visiting the caves, you can stop at the nearby Witch Museum to learn more about the region’s history and folklore. The exposition provides a detailed narrative of the events that led to the prosecution of local women accused of witchcraft by the Spanish Inquisition. The museum showcases the cultural and social contexts that fuelled the witch hunts, while examining the broader European witch craze during the Middle Ages.

🚗 Just over an hour to drive to the caves

Day trips from San Sebastian – food & drink

As I mentioned above, San Sebastian is a foodie city, so it’s hardly surprising that the region is also something of a gastronomic win. The most popular tours tend to focus on local wines, rioja in the south and txakoli along the coast, and cider. I generally recommend taking tours to visit alcoholic places because why go if you can’t indulge?

Wine tasting

If you’re interested in a wine tour to learn more about the world famous rioja then it’s to the Rioja Alavesa you’ll want to go. if it’s the traditional, and relatively unheard of txakoli vineyard tour that takes your fancy then it’s a day trip along the coast for you.

Visit a cider house

^{By Claire, Why Visit Barcelona}

Cider is a typical Basque drink thanks to the wide range of cider apples that grow in the region, and the cider houses dedicated to making this crisp, alcoholic drink.  Basque cider is known as sagardoa and around San Sebastian, you can arrange a visit to one of the Cider Houses to see how the cider is made, taste different ciders and eat a delicious meal.

If you have your own transport or want to arrange a taxi you can book a meal and a tour of the cider house yourself, but the easiest way to visit is to join a guided tour from San Sebastian so the transport, tour, tastings and meal are all taken care of.

You’ll learn about the different types of apples used in the cider-making process, and how the cider is produced, from apple to fermentation and bottling – as well as how to taste cider directly from huge barrels in the cellar.

As the cider is not carbonated, it is best served poured from a height to aerate it, so when the tap in the barrel is opened, the cider shoots out and you catch it in your glass!  It is a lot of fun and a great way to bond with others on your tour as you try not to waste a drop!

The meal in each of the cider houses follows a set menu of cod omelette, roast cod with vegetables, grilled T-bone steak, and cheese with quince jelly and walnuts, as well as some Basque sweet biscuits – and all the cider you can drink!  It’s a wonderful way to experience this Basque tradition.

Day trips from San Sebastian – the French Basque Country (Les Pays Basque)

It’s right there for the taking so why not cross the border and enjoy a day in France while you’re in San Sebastian? You generally don’t even need a passport (but please take one with you since both countries do require people to carry I.D.) to go to France from Spain.

Biarritz

^{Daniela, Ipanema Travels}  

You can’t visit Donostia-San Sebastián and the Basque Country without visiting the French the Basque Country. The lovely Biarritz is an easy day trip.

One of the most famous and posh beach resorts, Biarritz is quite small and walkable. By walking along the coastline, you’ll see most of the attractions. Start from the Côte des Basques Beach and walk all the way to the Lighthouse (Phare de Biarritz). Along the way, you’ll see the famous Villa Belza, the lovely beach of the Old Port (Plage du Port Vieux), the Rocher de la Vièrge – the rock formation with the statue of Virgin Mary on top, the quaint Le Port des Pêcheurs (the Fishermen’s Port), and Rocher du Basta, among others. Between Rocher du Basta and the Lighthouse is the Grand Beach (La Grande Plage) with the opulent Palace of Biarritz (Palais du Biarritz) – the summer residence of Napoléon III, today a hotel.

If you are into museums, you can visit the Biarritz Aquarium and Musée Asiatica (Oriental Art Museum). There are also two lovely churches in Biarritz not to be missed: the Gothic Revival Sainte-Eugénie Church and the Imperial Chapel (La Chapelle Impériale). This was the private chapel of the imperial couple Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie.

🚗 Just over an hour to travel between the two cities

🚌 Direct from San Sebastian to Biarritz airport or direct to Biarritz city from Hendaye

Hendaye

Just because I could, I went to Hendaye three times while I was in the area. First I went over on the local train, then I took the boat from Hondarribia and then finally, I walked from Irun.

Hendaye, is a lovely small beach town with a laid back vibe. People come here to learn to surf (I believe the waves don’t get big and there are plenty of surf schools). The food is good and the souvenir shops are very, very French (read elegant and delightful). A stroll through the marina or along the paths in the Bay of Chingudy is also a lovely way to spend an hour or two.

🚗 A short 30 minute drive

🚌 There are regular buses and trains between San Sebastian and Hendaye

Saint Jean de Luz

^{by Leyla of OffBeatFrance}

One of the best day trips from San Sebastian isn’t in Spain – it’s over the border in France: Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

This isn’t just a beautiful seaside town but it packs plenty of history. It’s best known as the site of Louis XIV’s marriage to the Infanta Maria-Theresa in 1660 in the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, still as it was all those centuries ago, with its ship-like galleries and ornate altar. 

The houses in which the King and his fiancée each stayed before the wedding can still be visited, and the town’s past as a haven for Basque corsairs makes this town unlike any other along the coast.

The Grande Plage, a sandy beach, is perfect for families, the seafront kept safe from crashing waves by three dykes out in the bay, built by Emperor Napoleon III. But the town is also known for its surf, and there are several other beaches for those who want to catch a wave.

The town has a picturesque port, with fishing nets piled high on the wharf and small colorful boats bobbing in the water. Nearby, the pedestrian rue Gambetta showcases plenty of local artisans whose skills have been handed down the generations.

This is also where you’ll find French Basque culinary delicacies, some of which date back centuries, like the Basque macarons which Louis XIV apparently liked so much, or the Gateau Basque, and many other specialties.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz’s compact size makes it ideal for walking, so you can discover its narrow streets and their traditional half-timbered Basque houses. Cross the River Nivelle to the adjacent village of Ciboure and catch the view of Saint-Jean-de-Luz across the port.

🚗 Saint-Jean-de-Luz is easy to reach from San Sebastian by car in 30 minutes or bus in 40 minutes. It’s a town that has it all – beaches, surf, gastronomy, history, scenic beauty, making it a lovely day trip that will be full of discovery.

So, where will it be? We hope you’ve picked somewhere excellent! Have a great time and ¡buen viaje!