Where to Stay in San Sebastián Spain: Best Areas & Hotels

Trying to figure out where to stay in San Sebastián for your upcoming trip? You’re in the right place!

I’m a travel blogger that lives in Spain, and on my first visit to San Sebastián, I actually booked a hotel farther from the city center than I should have, which meant taxi rides and some steep hills I wasn’t expecting. 

Now I want to save you from the same mistake. 

In this guide, I’ll break down the best areas to stay in San Sebastián and share my top hotel picks in each neighborhood.

I’ve also included a neighborhood map and some booking tips to help you choose a location that actually works for your trip.  Let’s get started!

Before we begin, here’s a map to help you visualize how San Sebastián (also known as “Donostia” in Basque) is laid out and where each neighborhood sits in relation to the beaches and main sights. 

Basically, the city curves around La Concha Bay, with three main beaches in the city center: Ondarreta Beach on the west side near Antiguo, La Concha Beach in the middle, and Zurriola Beach on the east side near Gros. 

Most of the action is centered around the beaches and the Old Town, so staying close to this area while visiting San Sebastián puts you within easy walking distance of the main sights, restaurants, and waterfront.

San Sebastián is surrounded by three main mountains that are really more like large hills: Mount Igueldo on the west side, Mount Urgull by the Old Town, and Mount Ulia on the east side.

The Old Town sits on a small peninsula and is where much of the dining and sightseeing is concentrated, while Centro spreads out behind it with wider streets and many of the city’s classic hotels. 

You also have the Urumea River, which runs through the city and separates Centro from Gros. 

Tip: Also pay attention to the terrain layer on the map because it’s very easy to end up booking a hotel at the top of a steep hill like I did on my first visit.

Old Town, also known as “Parte Vieja” or “Lo Viejo”, is my top recommendation for where to stay in San Sebastián if it’s your first time visiting. 

It’s the area I wish I had booked on my first trip since you’re right in the heart of the action and just a short walk from both La Concha and Zurriola Beach. 

This is one of the most photogenic parts of the city, with narrow pedestrian streets lined with restaurants, small shops, endless pintxos bars, and even Michelin-star restaurants. 

You’ll hear the bells of the Basílica de Santa María del Coro ringing out with Mount Urgull rising behind it, which gives the whole area such an old world feel.

I loved the energy here, especially in the evenings when people spill out of tapas bars to drink and socialize in the streets. 

The only downsides are higher crowds and potential noise at night, so make sure to read hotel reviews carefully if you’re a light sleeper.

Here are a few of my top recommendations for where to stay in the Old Town area:

• Hotel Atari: This cute boutique hotel sits in a historic building right in the heart of Old Town, just steps from the basilica and a short walk to the beach. The rooms are modern and comfortable, and it’s perfect if you want to be surrounded by pintxos bars and sightseeing spots.

• Lasala Plaza Hotel: This stylish hotel is right by the harbor at the edge of Old Town, with beautiful views over the bay. It has bright and modern rooms, a rooftop terrace and pool, and a great location in the Old Town.

• Hotel SANSEbay: This modern boutique hotel sits next to the port near Old Town and La Concha Beach. Some rooms have sea views, and you’re right by the waterfront while still being close to all the food and nightlife.

In my opinion, Centro is the second best area to stay in San Sebastián and a great option if you want something central but a little calmer than the Old Town. 

It sits just behind the Old Town, so you’re still within a short walk of the beaches, restaurants, and main sights without being right in the middle of the bar scene. 

This part of the city has wider streets, more elegant architecture, and a more polished feel overall, especially along the riverfront. 

You’ll find several beautiful hotels here, including some with views over the Urumea River, along with lots of shopping streets, cafes, and bakeries nearby.  

Some of the main landmarks in this area are the Buen Pastor Cathedral, the Victoria Eugenia Theater, and the City Hall building.

It’s also pretty close to the train station, and a very convenient base for exploring the city while still being close to everything.

Here are a few of my top recommendations for where to stay in the Centro area:

• Hotel Maria Cristina: This is a Marriott Luxury Collection hotel and one of the most famous hotels in San Sebastián with classic, elegant rooms with marble baths. A lot of celebrities have stayed here like Woody Allen and Elizabeth Taylor.

• Catalonia Donosti: This modern mid-range hotel is very stylish with a rooftop terrace and pool, plus an indoor pool and sauna.

• Room Mate Collection Gorka: This stylish, modern mid-range hotel sits right in the city center and makes a great base for walking to the beach, Old Town, and shopping streets.

• Hotel Arbaso: This chic boutique hotel is right near the cathedral and has modern minimalist rooms, and some have large soaking tubs.

La Concha Beach isn’t an official neighborhood, but I wanted to call it out separately if staying right on the water is high on your wish list. 

There are a few beautiful hotels in really elegant buildings that sit directly in front of the beach, and some rooms come with balconies or terraces overlooking the bay. 

These hotels are typically more expensive, but waking up to ocean views and enjoying a morning coffee with the water in front of you is hard to beat. 

You’re still close to everything, with about a 15 to 20 minute walk along the beach to reach the Old Town depending on where your hotel is located. 

If you want classic San Sebastián views without being far from the action, this is a great area to consider.

Here are a few of my top recommendations for where to stay in the La Concha Beach area:

• Nobu San Sebastián: This is one of the most luxurious hotels in San Sebastián right on La Concha Beach with stylish design, ocean-view rooms, a huge outdoor dining terrace, and a rooftop swimming pool.

• Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra: This is a more classic, old school choice right on the bay with beautiful sea views from many rooms. You can stroll straight onto the promenade from here.

• Hotel Boutique Villa Favorita: This is a smaller boutique hotel just off the beach and some rooms have large oceanview terraces. It’s a short walk to Old Town and great if you want beach views without being far from the action.

Gros sits on the eastern side of the river just behind Zurriola Beach and is a popular area for surfers and anyone interested in water sports. 

This is where you’ll find the city’s surf scene, along with lots of casual cafes, bars, and bakeries that give the neighborhood a younger, more laid back feel. 

The buildings are more modern and not as photoworthy as the Old Town or along La Concha, but it makes up for that with more affordable accommodations. 

Gros is also still very convenient, with about a 15 minute walk to reach the Old Town and the main sights. 

If you want a fun atmosphere without the higher hotel prices, this is a great area to look at.

Here are a few of my top recommendations for where to stay in the Gross area:

• Hotel Trueba: This small boutique hotel sits just a few minutes from Zurriola Beach and the surf scene. It’s modern, comfortable, and a great pick if you want to stay near cafes and the beach without paying Old Town prices.

• Leonardo Boutique Hotel San Sebastián: This modern hotel is right in the heart of Gros, just steps from the beach and about a 15 minute walk to Old Town. It has modern, spacious rooms with a great location for exploring the neighborhood.

• Abba Hotel San Sebastián: This mid-range hotel sits near the river between Gros and the city center, making it easy to walk to both the beach and Old Town. It has comfortable rooms and a rooftop terrace with great views of the city.

Antiguo is a more local, residential neighborhood located behind Ondarreta Beach and has a much quieter feel than the city center. 

I personally wouldn’t recommend it for a first visit since it’s about a 30-35 minute walk to the Old Town and the main sights, and some parts of the area are also pretty hilly. 

This is actually where I stayed at Barcelo Costa Vasca, and while the hotel itself was fine, getting around wasn’t very convenient and I ended up taking taxis back and forth most days. 

The neighborhood tends to attract an older, local crowd and doesn’t have the same energy as other parts of San Sebastián. 

But, the plus side is that accommodations here are usually more affordable, so it can be a good option for families or if you want something quieter and don’t mind using taxis or public transportation to reach the city center.

Here are a few of my top recommendations for where to stay in the Antiguo area:

• NH Collection San Sebastián Aranzazu: This modern and stylish hotel is about a 10-minute walk from Ondarreta Beach in a quieter, more local area. It’s a comfortable option if you want to stay near the beach without being in the middle of Old Town.

• Sercotel Codina: This is a solid, more affordable stay in Antiguo with clean rooms and easy access to the beach. It’s a good choice if you don’t mind being further away from the city center.

• Barcelo Costa Vasca: This is where I stayed, and the hotel itself was perfectly fine with nice rooms and a huge pool and lawn. Just keep in mind it’s at the top of a hill, so I ended up taking taxis most days instead of walking into Old Town.

Here are a few things to keep in mind before booking your accommodation in San Sebastián:

• Beware of the terrain: San Sebastián is hillier than most people expect, and some hotels sit at the top of steep climbs. Turning on the terrain view in Google Maps can help you avoid booking somewhere that looks close but involves a serious uphill walk.

• Travel in the off season to save money: Summer is the high season in San Sebastián, and hotel prices jump significantly during this time, especially near the beaches and Old Town. Visiting in spring, fall, or even winter can save you a lot if you don’t mind cooler or rainer weather.

• Check for noise complaints: If you’re staying in the Old Town, always read recent hotel reviews for mentions of noise, since this area stays lively late into the night. Some places are well soundproofed, while others can be tough for light sleepers.

• Book in advance: San Sebastián is a popular destination with a limited number of central hotels, so good options tend to sell out quickly, especially in peak summer season and during festivals like the San Sebastián International Film Festival in September. Booking early gives you better prices and more choices in the best locations.

• Be prepared for rainy weather: San Sebastián gets more rain than many parts of Spain, so keep in mind that outdoor pools, rooftops, and terraces may not always be usable depending on the season.

I hope this guide to where to stay in San Sebastián has helped you get a clearer picture of the city’s layout and the pros and cons of each neighborhood. 

If it’s your first time visiting, Old Town is my top recommendation since you’ll be right near the beaches, main sights, and the best dining spots. 

Centro is a great second choice if you want something just as central with slightly quieter streets and beautiful hotels. 

No matter where you book, San Sebastián is compact enough to explore easily and you’re in for an amazing trip to the Basque Country!

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