San Sebastian tours

Things to do in San Sebastian

Welcome to San Sebastian, where the merging of Basque hills and ocean sets the stage for a dance of flavours and sights. Here, life’s pleasures are in the details, just like the pintxos in bustling bars. Your local guide will show you the city’s vibrant heart, leading you through the Old Town where the scent of seafood is inescapable. Private tours in San Sebastian reveal paths less taken, offering sunset views over La Concha Bay and culinary experiences that define the region. Your guide is your ticket to the soul of this coastal sanctuary. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in San Sebastian. Explore San Sebastian your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every San Sebastian tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in San Sebastian for every interest, including: History tours: Walk the ramparts of Monte Urgull to Castillo de la Mota and see cannon positions that guarded the bay, then explore San Telmo Museoa’s exhibits on Basque life. Your guide can also trace Belle Époque stories along La Concha to the Miramar Palace gardens. Nature and Wildlife tours: Take a boat to Santa Clara Island for a quiet swim and coastal views, or hike the Monte Ulía path to spot cormorants and shearwaters along the cliffs. Ride the vintage funicular up Monte Igueldo for sunset over the Cantabrian Sea. Food and Drink tours: Join a pintxo crawl through the Parte Vieja and Gros, pairing anchovy‑gilda bites with crisp txakoli and learning the “one pintxo, one bar” rhythm. For a deeper taste, visit a sagardotegi in Astigarraga to pour cider from the kupela and share a txuleta steak menu. The core areas are easy to navigate on foot, and city buses plus Euskotren cover outlying beaches and cider houses. If you prefer door‑to‑door comfort, you can book tours with private transportation or ask your guide for a chauffered option. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows San Sebastian inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Uncover San Sebastian’s charm on a private walking tour and explore some must-see neighborhoods with a local guide. There’s no substitute for local insight when exploring these areas. - Parte Vieja: A haven for food enthusiasts, this old town is famed for its pintxos bars and vibrant nightlife. It’s the perfect spot for those who want to sample the best of Basque cuisine. - Gros: Popular with surfers and young travelers, this laid-back area offers a vibrant cultural scene with its beaches, cafes, and art spaces. Ideal for those wanting a mix of relaxation and excitement. - Amara: Known for its parks and family-friendly atmosphere, this neighborhood is great for families looking for green spaces and playgrounds. It’s a peaceful escape within the city. - Antiguo: This historic neighborhood is home to beautiful architecture and scenic views of the bay. Perfect for cultural tourists interested in history and stunning landscapes. Day trip ideas from San Sebastian If you want to see more of the Basque coast and countryside, plan simple San Sebastián day trips to nearby cities and villages on your tour, so you can swap beaches for vineyards or hop over the border without fuss. Bilbao: Ride along the estuary to a city that blends bold architecture with everyday life, where the riverfront walks, striking public art, and pintxo bars in the old town suit design fans, casual photographers, and anyone who likes good food with a lively neighbourhood vibe. Getaria and Zumaia: Follow the shoreline for fresh seafood in a working harbour, txakoli vineyards on steep hills, and the flysch cliffs that show layered rock like pages in a book, which makes a great day for you if you’re into coastal scenery, light hikes, and local flavours in small-town settings. Hondarribia and Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Start in a walled Basque town with colourful balconies and a calm beach, then cross into France for a short jump to a fishing port known for pastries, seaside promenades, and compact markets, a mix that works well for food lovers and easygoing walkers who want two cultures in one day. Rioja Alavesa (Laguardia): Head inland to a walled hill town surrounded by vineyards, where narrow lanes, stone squares, and wide valley views give you a slow day that fits wine culture, history, and landscape photography without long drives; this is one of the classic day trips from San Sebastián for people who like quiet roads and bold horizons. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of San Sebastian most travellers miss.