Hotels in San Sebastián

Old Town

Between Mount Urgull and the Boulevard, the Old Town has the city's best-known pintxo bars. Here you have Plaza de la Constitución, the basilica of Santa María del Coro, the fishing port and La Bretxa market. La Concha beach starts a step away. Choose it if you are coming to eat and go out, and accept that the streets stay lively until late.

Best-rated in this area: Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, with a score of 9.1 from 6,339 reviews.

Centro and the Buen Pastor

The Centro, also known as the Área Romántica, is the district of straight streets and elegant buildings between the Boulevard and the Buen Pastor cathedral. It has the shops of Avenida de la Libertad and the Victoria Eugenia theatre. It is quiet at night and a few steps from La Concha and the Old Town. Amara's Euskotren station is a short walk south.

Gros and Zurriola

Across the Urumea river, Gros has its own beach, Zurriola, a favourite with surfers. The Kursaal stands at the entrance to the neighbourhood. There are lots of pintxo bars with a more local feel than in the Old Town.

It is the most convenient area if you arrive by train or bus, as the Renfe and bus stations are right by the María Cristina bridge.

Best-rated in this area: Koba Hostel, with a score of 8.8 from 2,756 reviews.

Antiguo and Ondarreta

At the western end of the bay, Ondarreta beach is more sheltered and family-friendly. At the end of the promenade is Chillida's Comb of the Wind sculpture, and the funicular up Mount Igueldo starts here. The Miramar palace and gardens separate this beach from La Concha. It is a quiet residential area, ideal for families, and the centre is a long walk along the sea or a city bus ride away.

Best-rated in this area: Hotel Ilunion San Sebastián, with a score of 9.0 from 5,443 reviews.