Will parking be difficult to find in San Sebastian in August? Any advice or tips?

Hi L,

I can't tell you from personal experience, but in planning for my upcoming visit I have found many places that say it is.

Have you checked with your hotel? Many of them have arrangements with local parking garages.

In one word - difficult.

You can't park in the old town, it's pretty much a pedestrian zone. Anywhere near the hotels is going to be difficult.

On one trip we got lucky. Found a place to park about 3 blocks away from the hotel.

On my last trip, I was staying in the old town. I found a self-park garage nearby. 48 hours was about 38 euros, cash only.

Lots of large underground parking garages in central San Sebastián, expensive though, expect some 20€/day. Used to be free parking out at the university in Avenida de Tolosa. Buses all the time to the city center, or a 30 min walk along the beautiful La Concha Beach promenade.

San Sebastián is very walkable and the public transportation in the area is excellent and cheap. Most of the city center is pedestrianised.

On-street parking is virtually non-existent.

We've stayed at the Hotel Parma twice, they have allocated places at an underground garage about 500m from the hotel (15€) per day.

On a trip two weeks ago we stayed at the Pension Urkia and parked at the San Martin Centre, literally across the street. Cost us 25€ for parking for one night, almost as much as the pension!

This may be problematic then. We planned to drive down from Bourdeax through Biarritz. Should we be taking a train or bus as a more practical alternative?

Well, there are many underground car parks, they're just expensive. Are you staying in San Sebastian? If so, contact your hotel before you decide what to do.

However, you really don't need a car in the city, we take ours because we live three hours' drive away and driving works best for our short stays (usually two nights). If I were going to use public transport, I think I would drive to Biarritz and turn the car in there.

Just driving in the city can be a challenge at times, but there are several underground parking garages, good if you only them for the day. I've never had a car while staying in the city except when the hotel provides parking, as does the Villa Soro, or has a convenient parking garage nearby, like the Maria Cristina.

And as noted above, street parking is seldom an option.

Cathinjoetown,

Which do you prefer? Parma or Urkia?

Every Spaniard who can afford it will be in that area - to get away from the hellish heat everywhere else. Yes - you need to assume a hotel garage - or have them tell you the nearest public garage for a place to put your car. Assume $30 per night and up.

weber6560,

Parma and Urkia are two very different things. I've stayed in Urkia, it's great location right in the city center and close to the La Concha beach, but it's also small rooms, leaf thin walls and very basic. Fine for having somewhere central to crash.

Parma is hotel standard. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/parma.en.html

Kimhe's assessment is pretty much spot on. Both locations are good--Parma for the old town and Urkia for La Concha but really there's not more than .5 to 1 km between them.

Both are very clean with Urkia being much more basic but fine for us for a 1 or 2 night stay. Certainly better value for money, 40 euros v. about 140 (off season, twin). Both rates go up in July. We would prefer the Londres but difficult to book.

The Urkia does not have AC which in July we need for heat/humidity and to drown out street noise, which can go on until 2 or 3 am. Both have stairs to climb if that is an issue.

Quirks--one room at the Urkia (#1) has no window, just a 12" x 12" opening to an air shaft, no alternate fire exit, I would not accept it. The rooms at the front have French doors and Juliet balconies. There are no services or breakfast but no need as cafes are everywhere. Our room was small but fine for one night with one very small case. Parking at San Martin Center was literally across the street.

Quirks--Parma is on two floors, the ground floor is below street level about 8 steps. The rooms on that floor only have opaque transom windows. Some of the first floor rooms have water views but with the windows open you feel like you're talking to the people in the street.

We love San Sebastian, are going again in July, but still have not found a hotel we love. OP's solution of a flat is great and it looks fantastic but we usually go down for just a night or two.

Sorry, I got OP's confused. Was referring to the thread about two sisters and friends in san sebastian, great report.

we spent a week end last september. We booked a small hotel Bahia Bernardo in the centric district of Gros. The parking was provided bu the hotel through an arrangement with a public parking called Txofre.
Both the hotel and the parking were a good value proposal.
San Sebastian is not cheap.Concerning the parking we saw other car parks that charged twice the rates we paid.

I am from San Sebastián and I would strongly recommend to park your car in the public garages located in the center of the city. Parking outside the center is cheaper, but it`s not worthy since you will lose a lot of time...Parking in the street is almost impossible and expensive, I don`t even try.

I think the best garages are Kontxa Parking (amazing view of La Concha beach from there!), Okendo Parking (close to the theatre) and Boulevard (also near the theatre).

Public garages have the same price in the center of the city (24€ per day), but many hostels have special agreements with them and you can save much money. You should ask the hostel before booking.

Enjoy our beautiful city!

Another alternative you might consider is staying at the Leku Eder:

http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/leku...16f792b;dcid=2

http://www.lekueder.com/eng/index.htm

We have stayed twice now, once last year in October and another time maybe 8years back. The views are amazing and the rooms are really nice. They have free parking and there is a bus that runs down the hill and we have even kindly been offered rides into the city by other guests coming and going. It is also nice to be able to take a cab at night for dinner. It makes a nice relaxing change from staying in town and they have ample free parking. We have a house in France so have made the drive many times down and have decided this is our favorite place to stay even though we are normally kind of "city folks"