7 Best Day Trips from San Sebastián

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 of 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, you can enjoy them if you schedule this excursion during the last weeks of June.

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

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

The first stop often takes place in Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía in Spanish), right on the border with France. Hondarribia is one of the prettiest 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 trip surrounded by colourful scenery make this an attractive tour to share with the family.

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

If you're looking for a getaway that combines maritime history, coastal scenery and a rich gastronomic tradition, this excursion to Pasajes is an excellent choice. Discover this charming fishing port and its surroundings while touring one of the most authentic corners of the Basque Country.

The excursion starts in Pasajes de San Juan (Pasaia Donibane), a small fishing village with narrow streets, stone houses and a history linked to the sea. You will stroll through its old quarter and learn about its links with great explorers, such as Blas de Lezo. From there, the excursion continues to Pasajes de San Pedro, where you will find the Albaola Museum, a shipyard that reproduces traditional Basque boats and offers a fascinating insight into sailing in past centuries.

In addition to its rich history, Pasajes is an ideal destination for enjoying the local gastronomy. During the excursion, you can sample fresh fish and seafood in a restaurant overlooking the port, an essential stop for lovers of Basque cuisine.

Interesting details

• Price: from 60 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus with expert guide.

If you are looking for a unique experience in the Basque Country, this excursion to Zumaia, Zarautz and Getaria is a perfect option to combine nature, culture and gastronomy. Along the way, you will visit stunning coastal landscapes, charming fishing villages and enjoy the exquisite Basque cuisine.

The tour begins with a visit to Zumaia, famous for its spectacular geological formation known as Flysch, a succession of cliffs that reveal millions of years of history. This place is so impressive that it has been the setting for films and series. The route then continues to Getaria, a picturesque fishing village known for being the birthplace of the explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano and for its tradition of making txakoli, a local white wine.

The last stop is Zarautz, a destination famous for its long beach and lively promenade. Here, you can enjoy a break to sample the famous Basque pintxos and discover why this area is considered a gastronomic paradise.

Interesting details

• Price: From 58 € per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• What you should know: The hikes are usually long, we recommend wearing trainers for comfort.
• **What the excursion may include **: Shuttle service to and from the hotel. Transfer by minibus or private car.

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 María: La Antigua - Zumárraga

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.

Details of interest

• 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 **: Round trip transport service from the hotel. Entrance fees to the three temples. Lunch.

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 coastline 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, among the cliffs and rocks of the Biscayan 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 excursion may include: Round trip transport service from the hotel. Entrance to the Gernika Peace Museum. Lunch. Professional guide service.

During this excursion 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: Transport service to and from your accommodation. Entrance fees to the Castle and Sanctuary in Lourdes. Lunch. Professional guide service.