Best Day Trips from San Sebastian

Award-winning gastronomy, charming beaches, places from series such as Game of Thrones, the route of San Ignacio de Loyola, film festivals, film cliffs, rich culture... There are many things to see and do in San Sebastian and the surrounding areas.

With this post I will help you to make the most of your visit with the best excursions around San Sebastian. Are you ready? Because it starts now!

Explore a traditional Spanish winery and vineyard with its own wine collection. This type of excursion from San Sebastian is an oenological, cultural and gastronomic adventure through La Rioja to seduce your senses. Taste a variety of Spain's finest wines at a relaxed pace in the countryside, but not before strolling through two charming villages.

This type of tour often includes stops in San Vicente de la Sonsierra and Briones. In the first village you catch excellent panoramic views over the Ebro river, the walled buildings and the sea of vineyards at the foot of the Toloño mountain range.

The next stop is usually Briones, with its streets steeped in the past. The Ermita del Cristo de los Remedios hermitage and an imposing Gothic church - the Iglesia de la Asunción - the ancient sandstone buildings that together make this region one of the most beautiful in La Rioja.

Interesting details

• Price: From 255 € per person.

• Duration: 8-9 hours.

• What you should know: The village fiestas are great fun and, if you schedule this tour during the last weeks of June, you can enjoy them.

• What the tour may include: Transfer to and from your accommodation. Lunch. Tour of the wine cellars. Wine tasting. Local guide service.

• Pros: The walk through the vineyards is a delight and if accompanied by experts, with samples of the local gastronomy you can live an incredible experience. Just what this type of excursion offers.

• Cons: The walk is beautiful, just bear in mind that it will take a couple of hours each way from San Sebastian.

Fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of San Sebastian? You're in luck. On this type of excursion through Hondarribia, San Pedro and San Juan you explore these fishing villages on a relaxing tour from Donostia.

The first stop often takes place in Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía in Spanish), right on the border with France. Hondarribia is one of the most beautiful towns on the coast of Gipuzkoa. Stroll around the harbour, the old town and the famous Marina quarter, which is well worth a visit.

After a stop at one of the many terraces, you will go on to the old fishing village of San Juan (Pasaia) before crossing the bay of San Pedro by boat. These two colourful villages form part of the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela from the north. Passing through the bay is the best way to tour Guipúzcoa, and you can also visit the Albaola factory where the ship San Juan was built.

The distance between Donostia and Hondarribia - only 25 kilometres from the centre of San Sebastián - makes this half-day excursion perfect for escaping the hectic city life, not to mention that the accommodation on offer is significantly cheaper than in San Sebastián.

Interesting details

• Price: From 50 € per person.

• Duration: 4-5 hours.

• What you need to know: The Albaola Factory and the boat ride surrounded by colourful scenery make it an attractive tour to share with the family.

• What the tour may include: Transfer to and from your accommodation. Professional guide service.

• Pros: It's a midday tour so you'll have the rest of the day to explore the surroundings.

• Cons: Food and drinks are not usually included.

If you are looking for an excursion that takes you from the coast of Spain to the coast of France, this is the kind of tour of the coast of Biarritz and the French Basque Country from San Sebastian that has your name on it.

The tour usually makes its first stop in Biarritz, where its beaches and therapeutic waters used to be the summer destination of choice for European royalty. Appreciation for the land is widespread, and the area is now mostly known as a haven for surfers.

And once you leave the beach behind, you move on to Saint Jean de la Luz, a picturesque seaside town where ocean views and speciality pastries such as Les macarons de Saint Jean de Luz and Bayonne chocolate await you.

Interesting details

• Price: From 209 € per person.

• Duration: 4 - 8 hours.

• What you need to know: You can choose between the half-day or full-day tour. The tour is usually for small groups.

• What the tour may include: Transfer to and from your accommodation. Professional guide service. Lunch.

• Pros: This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the history of the Basque Country by witnessing the footprints along the coast of the Cantabrian Sea. The guides are usually enthusiastic and knowledgeable not only about the official facts but also about ancient and modern anecdotes.

• Cons: Because of the hikes, it may not be the ideal excursion with children.

Because "winter is here", it is worth doing the Game of Thrones Route in San Sebastian. Get to know the Basque region of Bilbao, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Zumaia on one of the best day trips from San Sebastian.

This type of full day trip to Bilbao and Gaztelugatxe usually starts with a minibus ride to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe where the hermitage of John the Baptist is located. The viewpoints with the waves in the background lapping against the islet offer an experience that must be experienced at least once. As you leave the hermitage behind you find the stone bridge crossed by Daenerys and Jon Snow in the seventh season of Game of Thrones.

The steps to the Iron Throne continue up the 241 steps of the walkway. Then the group moves on to the Guggenheim Museum. The route continues along the Westeros route, after glimpsing the entrance to Dragonstone Castle via Zumaia, to visit the beach where Snow met the mother of dragons for the first time.

During the excursion, stops are made for lunch, refreshments and of course, the respective pintxos to complete this series tour with a Basque accent.

Details of interest

• Price: From 235 € per person.
• Duration: 8-9 hours.
• What you should know: The hikes are usually long, we recommend wearing trainers for comfort.
• What the tour may include: Shuttle service to and from the hotel. Transfer by minibus or private car. Lunch, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks. Entrance to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Entrance to the hermitage of San Juan.
• Pros: These are all-inclusive tours where you spend a memorable day following in the footsteps of the iconic HBO series. On the other hand, the atmosphere is breathtaking and the walk through the streets of Bilbao is sure not to leave you indifferent.
• Cons: Be prepared to walk, but be prepared to enjoy a 10-star experience.

The Basque Country is rich in natural gems, avant-garde architecture and history, and spirituality has an important place in the latter. Gipuzkoa is home to three of the most important churches in Spain, just 6 kilometres from San Sebastian's Paseo Marítimo:

Sanctuary of Loyola - Azpeitia

The route to the three temples follows the Ignatian Way, where art and spirituality become one, following the pilgrimage route that Saint Ignatius of Loyola took in 1522 on his way to Jerusalem.

It is the birthplace of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. He was born there and grew up to become a knight of the royal court. The Jesuits were born there and, guided by the saint, built this sanctuary during the 17th century.

The Hermitage of Santa Maria: La Antigua - Zumarraga

This hermitage is a faithful exponent of the Basque Romanesque style, which is why it is considered the Cathedral of hermitages in San Sebastian. The oak woodwork inside the Hermitage of Santa Maria is worthy of admiration. It is said that the saint prayed there before setting out on his pilgrimage to Jerusalem and later the space was a key element during the wars after the 18th century.

Sanctuary of Arantzazu - Oñati

It is said that the image of the Virgin Mary appeared to the shepherd Rodrigo de Baltzategi in 1468. The event was quickly hailed as a miracle and a modest sanctuary was built.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola chose this place to pray his last vigil before going to Montserrat. The faith and the land remained of the structure, which was later modified by almost a dozen Basque architects until the imposing Sanctuary of Arantzazu was built.

Interesting details

• Price: From 196 € per person.
• Duration: 6-7 hours.
• What you should know: It is possible to go directly from the airport. In those cases where you visit San Sebastian in 2 days or you have a tight schedule, it is convenient.
• What the tour may include: Shuttle service to and from the hotel. Entrance fees to the three temples. Lunch.
• Pros: This is an all-inclusive tour that will leave believers and atheists alike breathless. One of the must-visits in the San Sebastian area.
• Cons: During some special times the hermitage of La Antigua closes its doors as the tour is readjusted directing visitors to the hermitage of San Telmo.

This excursion is ideal for those who wish to explore the surroundings of San Sebastian in 1 day. The tour takes you to some of the most beautiful places on the Basque coast, such as Guernica and its Peace Museum, the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, while the left wave of the Biscayan coast of Mundaka and the fishing village of Bermeo catch you with their sea breeze.

The first stop on the tour is usually thePeace Museumin Guernica, where you learn all about the tragic bombing that took place there during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The museum was opened in 1981 and displays various works of art and artefacts related to this event.

Moving on with the excursion, you head for Mundaka, on the border with the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Once there, you make your way to discover the picturesque fishing village and its coastline, famous for its surfing waves that attract professional surfers from all over the world.

The last stop on the tour is Bermeo, a traditional fishing village that between the cliffs and rocks of the Biscay coast, showcases the Basque coastal lifestyle at its best.

Details of interest

• Price: From 205 € per person.
• Duration: 8-9 hours.
• What you should know: During the summer they celebrate: the Basque Festival or Euskal Jaia, the festival of San Pedro, as well as various surfing competitions. And in February, the Euskadi carnival, one of the oldest and most popular in Spain, attracts thousands of visitors. If you want to take part in the busiest tourist season, make sure you book your trip during these times.
• What the tour may include: Round trip transfer service from the hotel. Entrance to the Gernika Peace Museum. Lunch. Professional guide service.
• Pros: This is an all-inclusive tour to let yourself be seduced by the charms of the Basque Country.
• Cons: The journey time between San Sebastian and Mundaka is approximately 90 minutes. Consider that it will take about 3 hours to get there, with beautiful scenery all around.

During this tour you will be able to attend mass in the basilica and visit the House of Bernadette as well as walk around the sanctuary itself to learn about the history of Lourdes. You will also have time for private contemplation or prayer in this sacred place.

Lourdes is a 2 hour drive from San Sebastian and during the first part of your tour your guide will take you to visit the heart of Lourdes, including a stop at theChateau Fort, where you can take in breathtaking views of the countryside and surrounding area from the top.

Daily masses are held here for visitors seeking spiritual renewal or healing through prayer. After mass (which lasts about an hour), you can go to the cave or crypt of the Immaculate Conception and drink water from the miraculous spring that gushes from the grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous.

You can then explore the House of Bernadette before returning to San Sebastian. The Houseof Bernadette and her relics.

Details of interest

• Price: From 260 ¤ per person.
• Duration: 7-8 hours.
• What you should know: This type of tour is often done in small groups so the time at each stop is adjusted to the group.
• What the tour may include: Shuttle service to and from your accommodation. Entrance fees to the Castle and Sanctuary in Lourdes. Lunch. Professional guide service.
• Pros: This tour combines the best of two worlds: the beauty of nature and the spirituality of a historic pilgrimage site.
• Cons: This type of tour is less popular with children.