Question about San Sebastian
 

Hi there. Some friends and I will be going to Bilbao in mid-October and we're planning to see San Sebastian. How much is there to actually see in San Sebastian (other than the beaches)? Should we stay in San Sebastian or just stay in Bilbao and make a day trip?

Stay in San Sebastian! There is so much to see( read a guide book for details) eat and explore. San Sebastian is the culinary capital of Europe. Day trip to France, a Pays Basque trip

Donostia in mid-October? Beaches? Yes, you really need to read up on the area.

Not a beach resort town. When I do a tour there, one day (not staying there) is normally more than enough. Small city, great lively old quarter, Comb of the Wind, old fishing port, Paseo Nuevo and not much else unless you get out of the city. A day trip will cover it all.

"How much" there is to see in San Sebastian / Donostia depends on your interests. Have you consulted a good guidebook? In comparison to the cost of your trip, the cost of a guidebook will be nugatory, and you will have a wealth of information at your fingertips.

FWIW, I far preferred Bilbao to San Sebastian.... And if mikelg thinks you can visit San Sebastian in a day trip, I'd be hard pressed to disagree. JMO.

Since Bilbao and Donostia are so different in nearly every aspect, its best to spend a few days in both, rather then travel back and forth. But if your time is limited, I'd opt for Bilbao if you enjoy the vibes of being in a lively city, or San Sebastián if you enjoy the more relaxed nature of a picturesque beach town.

We rented an apartment in SS for a week last year. We took a daytrip to Bilbao but could have spent more time there.I would split it up. They are both wonderful.

Maybe San Sebastian doesn't qualify as a beach resort town (not sure why you say that) as it is a town with two beautiful beaches virtually in the town centre, one on either side of the old town which is full of pinxtos (tapas) bars and restaurants.

In my experience, I have lots of guests that think that SS is a beach resort, and that´s far from the real thing. It´s sometimes funny to see people wandering in flip flops in the city or looking for beach bars. As you say, it´s a town with three beaches (not two), Zurriola, La Concha and Ondarreta, beautiful (one of the most beautiful cities in Europe) but with not much to do or see in the town (apart from the pintxos bars, that you have in any town in the Basque Country too).

Yes, there is a difference between a beach town; San Sebastián-Donostia, Hondarribia, Getaria, Lekeitio, and a beach resort; Llafranc, Sa Pedrissa, Sitges, the neighborhood of La Barceloneta or Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz (Pays Basque) where one can walk around in flip-flops and find a beach bar.

I will suggest you to stay in San Sebastian. There are so many places to visit in San Sebastian. You can visit Monte Urgull and Parte Vieja , one of the best tourist attractions.

Depends on your definition of "see". The only world renown site in either of those cities is the Guggenheim which is magnificent but most people would only spend less than half a day there. I found just 'being' in San Sebastian to be more interesting than Bilbao but think they both deserve a few days. While the sea side setting is certainly the most spectacular thing in San Sebastian I don't think of it as a beach resort. It's an actual city.

Here's my recent trip report where I describe both of them and links to photos of both. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-of-france.cfm

http://andiamo.zenfolio.com/p494569692

I guess it depends on how one defines "world renown." The Vizcaya Bridge, just outside of Bilbao, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum has quite a good reputation and is well known among many fans of art.

I did a solo trip to Spain and started off in San Sebastian at a co-worker's recommendation. I'm really glad I went. I was only there for 1 night and 2 half days but it was beautiful. There's definitely a beach right in the middle but there's the Old Town to wander around and sights at either end of the beach. Also tons of pinxto bars.

Here's a blog post I wrote with my itinerary, pics, and recs:
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2014/...-in-spain.html

Enjoy trip planning!