Donostia-San Sebastian is a
coastal city in the Vizcaya Gulf (Cantabric Sea, Atlantic Ocean)
situated in the Basque Country. There are 20 km to the Frech border.
By plain:
There fligths to different Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville,... There is not any international flight from this airport. The airport is located in
Hondarribia/Fuenterrabia. From the airport you can take a bus or taxi
to reach Donostia. Airport phone number: 943668500.
Alternatively you can use the Biarritz (40 km from Donostia-San Sebastian) and Bilbao (100 km from Donostia-San Sebastian) airports, where regular and cheap flight companies operate.
By train:
From Madrid RENFE (Spanish train company) goes to San Sebastian, or
even to Irun/French border. There are also trains from Barcelona. I
would recommend you, if you take a train from Madrid or Barcelona, to
take a night one (about 6 hours from Madrid, and 7 from Barcelona).
From Paris you can take TGV (Great Speed Train, belongs to SNCF, French
train company) upto Hendaia/Hendaye and combine it, in its last 20 km,
with Eusko Trenbideak company's train that link Hendaia with Donostia
(both train stations are one in front of the other in Hendaye).From
Bilbao or Pamplona is much recommended to take a bus to reach San
Sebastian. RENFE www.renfe.es - SNCF www.sncf.fr
Renfe
EuskoTren
(Hendaia, Bilbao)
Norte Station-
Pº de Francia
Tel.: 943.28.30.89 / 943.28.35.99
Amara's Station-
Pl. Easo, 9
Tel.: 943.45.01.31
By bus:
Well linked to Spanish major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao,
Pamplona, Valencia, Alicante, Salamanca, etc. Take Continental Company
to go from Madrid, La Roncalesa from Pamplona, Pesa from Bilbao. It is
also linked with London (Euro Lines company, 22 hours including the
time for the Dover-Calais ferry), an inexpensive way to go to San
Sebastian.
Company
Destination
Telephone
La Guipuzcoana
Zestoa, Azpeitia,
Azkoitia
943.851159
Pesa
Donibane Lohitzune
(Saint Jean de Luz, San Juan de Luz, French Basque Country) Baiona
(Bayonee, French Basque Country), Lekeitio (Bizkaia), Eibar, Bergara,
Arrasate-Mondregón, Vitoria-Gasteiz
902.101210
La Baztanesa
Elizondo (Navarra)
948.580129
La Bidasotarra
Lesaka (Navarra)
943.616763
La Estellesa
Lizarra-Estella
(Navarra), Logroño (Rioja)
943.470115
La Roncalesa
Iruñea-Pamplona,
Zaragoza
943.461064
Continental Auto
Vitoria-Gasteiz,
Burgos, Madrid (and extensions to AndalucÃa:
Sevilla, Granada, etc)
943.469074
La Burundesa
Vitoria-Gasteiz
943.462360
Eusko Tren
Usurbil, Orio,
Zarautz, Getaria, Zumaia, Aia
943.450131
Turytrans
Santander, Oviedo,
Gijón
Santiago de Compostela, Tuy
By car:
From Madrid take A-1 motorway, via Burgos and Vitoria-Gasteiz;
alternatives to this road: take toll road (AP-1) between Burgos and
Miranda de Ebro, and take another toll road from Vitoria upto to
Durango (direction Bilbo/Bilbao). About 5 hours.
From Barcelona take A-2 upto
Zaragoza, then go to Pamplona. Even it is a good road, the alternative
is to take toll road. About 6 hours.
From Bilbao take A-8 toll road to
reach San Sebastian in one hour, or take the national road (2 or 3
hours, depending on the traffic). If you are not in a hurry I can
suggest you to take the national road to visit different towns and
villages in the Basque coast (Orio, Zarautz, Zumaia, Getaria, Mutriku,
Ondarroa, Lekeitio, Gernika, etc).
From Pamplona take A-15 and A-1 to
reach San Sebastian. It is just 45 minutes-1 hour.
From Paris take A-10 toll road till
the border (via Orleans, Tours, Poitiers, Bordeaux) and A-8 toll road
from the border to San Sebastian. Not paying alternatives are N-10 in
France and N-I once crossing the border.
Excellent information about Spanish
roads is in the web by DGT (Dirección General de
Tráfico, Spanish Traffic Deparment) at www.dgt.es
Distances:
20 km to the French border (Hendaia/Hendaye in Lapurdi province), 75 km
to Pamplona, 100 km to Bilbao, 465 km to Madrid, 780 km to Paris.
Names:
It is called officially Donostia-San Sebastián, in Basque is
called Donostia, and in Spanish San Sebastián. Although many
people called it just Donosti, even using Spanish.
Weather:
Temperature is moderate the twelve months of the year, but rainny
during the winter, maintaining an average of 22 ºC.
The climate is oceanic humid.
Tourist
Information center: at Reina Regente, s/n, close to the
Donostia's Boulevard, in the Victoria Eugenia building (phone
943481166).
The Basques are the oldest
ethnic group in Europe. Their language (Euskara or Euskera) is a
prelatin language. The Basque Country, called Euskal Herria or Euskadi
in Basque language or PaÃs Vasco in Spanish, that
belongs to Spain refers uniquely to three provinces (Gipuzkoa or
Guipúzcoa, Bizkaia or Vizcaya and Araba or
Álava), but there is also forth province: Nafarroa or
Navarra, that specially in the north, has a very strong Basque fealing.
There is also another Basque Country, that formed in the French area,
formed by three provinces: Lapurdi, the most important one (Biarritz
and Baiona/Bayonne are the most important towns), Behenafarroa and
Zuberoa
The capital of the seven
provinces are: Araba/Álava (Vitoria-Gasteiz),
Bizkaia/Vizcaya (Bilbo/Bilbao), Gipuzkoa/Guipúzcoa
(Donostia-San Sebastián), Nafarroa/Navarra
(Iruñea/Pamplona), Lapurdi (Baiona/Bayonne), Behenafarroa
(Donibane Garazi/Sant Jean Pied de Port) and Zuberoa (Maule/Mauleon).
In the three provinces
belonging to the Autonomous Comunity the Basque is co-official (with
the Spanish). Navarre is divided into three areas: the Basque area,
where Basque is co-official, the mixte area, where it has not some many
strenght, and the Non-Basque area where the unique official language is
Spanish. In the French area (Iparralde) the Basque language has not any
official power
Donostia
has three beaches: Concha, the most famous one; Ondarreta and Zurriola
(also called Gros). Concha and Ondarreta are into a bay adorned with
Santa Clara Island. Zurriola beach is at open sea.
The
temperature of the water during the summer is very good, from 19 C to
22 C. But during the January and February months it goes down to 9 or
10 C.
Security:
all the beaches has guards, and there is a flag code informing about
the danger of the bath: Green flag - Free bath, no danger at all;
Yellow flag - Bath but precaution; Red flag - Bath not allowed,
dangerous sea.
The
visit though the city is relaxed, with beautiful natural views. You can
found beautiful mountain places, out from the traffic of the city, in
very few minutes walking from the city, like the case of Urgull, or
Igeldo (excellent views to the bay, where you can take a XIX century's
funicular to go up), or the less known Ulia.
Concha's
Bay: one of the most known and carismatic areas of the
city. Its walk is worldwide famous and must-do for visitors, and its
beach, the most aristocratic of the three that the city has. The bay
goes from the Igeldo mountain, until the Real Club Nautico (Royal
Nautic Club) to Urgull mountain. The Santa Clara island is situated in
the center of the bay.
San
Telmo museum, Plaza Zuloaga, 1 (Tel: 943424970). Colection of Basque
ancient utilities. It is situated in a monastery of the XVI century.
Fundated, like a church of the Dominicos between the 1530-1550 years.
Aquarium, Muelle, 34 (Tel: 943440099).
Renewed recently, so it has become in a modern museum. The Palace of
the Sea has into its instalations the aquarium, the oceanographic
museum and the naval historic museum.
Miramar
Palace, between the Concha and Ondarreta beaches.
Inagurated in 1883.
Igeldo
Mountain. To have a panoramic view of the bay. During
the summer an old funicular goes up from its base. There is a little
atraction park in the top (Tel: 943210211).
Buen
Pastor Cathedral. In the center of a large square.
Inagurated in 1897, by the architec Manuel de Etxabe. It is the largest
church in the city.
Santa
Clara Island. This little island, situated in the middle of the bay,
becomes in the summer in the fourth beach of Donostia-San Sebastian
although it is full of rocks. It is linked by a boat service with the
docks (only in summer time).
Aiete's
Palace, in the Aiete neighborhood. Take bus to reach
there. Situated in one of the hills that surrond the city center, built
in 1876.
Town
Hall Building (Casino). Inagurated in 1897 like a casino
but after the probition of the play in 1924 the casino was closed. In
1947 the Town Hall moved to the Casino and now it continued beint the
Town Hall of the city.
Victoria
Eugenia Teather. Inagurated in 1912. Now, in this
teather are celebrated the Quincena Musical and the International
Cinema Festival.
Donostia-San
Sebastian is very famous by its gastronomy. It is a city where visitors
can eat fenomenal. But this doesn't mean that we have to have a large
quantity of money. For little money we can eat in the pintxos
bars (pintxos are called tapas in a lot of place of Spain) or cideries
(sagardotegi, sidreria).
In
mid-August (the week of the August 15th, from sunday to sunday), is the
Aste Nagusia (Semana Grande, Great Week) with international fireworks
competitions every night at 23:00, all kind of music at streets,
usually free of charge, sport events like San Sebastian-San Sebastian
International cycle competition, bull flights, etc.
In the
second half of September there is the International Film Festival.
In the
second half of July there is the Jazz Festival, known by the name
Jazzaldia.
The most
important events for local is in the 20th of January, the Danborrada.
In the 21th
of December is Santo Tomas, party with very rural influence.
Shops:
for the international fashion go to the Centro (Center)
neighborhood, where you can easily found what you are looking for in
one of numerous specialized shops. For accesories, souvenirs,
hand-made, etc go to Parte Vieja (Old Town). For food, there are three
main hipermarkets outside of the city (Garbera, Alcampo and Carrefour,
Garbera is the closest), but you need a car to go there. Inside of the
city you can find a lot of supermarkets, the biggest are: Arcco
Comercial Center, in Amara neighborhood and Bretxa, in Parte Vieja, now
converted to a modern comercial center.
Sights:
San
Telmo Museum, Plaza Zuloaga, 1 (943424970). Collection of
Basque artefacts housed in a 16th century monastery.
Miramar
Palace, between the Concha and Ondarreta beaches.
Aiete
Palace, in Aiete neighbourhood. Take bus to reach there.
Igeldo
mountain. To have a panoramic view to the bay. During summer
time an antique funicular reach the top from its base. It is also a fun
area in the top.
Shopping:
For international fashion and clothes go to the Centro (Center), you
can easily find what you are looking for. For handcrafts, accesories,
souvenirs, Basque items, etc try Parte Vieja (Old Town). For food there
are three hipermarkets outside the city (Garbera, Alcampo and Pryca,
Garbera is the closest), but you need a car to reach them. Inside the
city you can found lots of supermarkets, and also a hipermarket inside
the city: Arcco, in Amara neighborhood, inside a commercial center. In
Parte Vieja you can found Bretxa, now renewed into a commercial center.
Restaurants:
Arzak (Alto de Miracruz, 21 / 943278465), Akelarre (Paseo Padre
Orkolaga, 56 / 943212052) and Martin Berasategi (Loidi, 4 - Lasarte /
943366471) are the top three restaurants in Donostia (although Martin
Berasategi is outside San Sebastian, but very close). All of them serve
Basque Cousine. Prices are expensive.
Anyway you can find
easily any other restaurant, especially in the Parte Vieja, where you
can eat good without spending much money.
Entertaiment:
In San
Sebastian pintxos (they are called tapas in a lot
of places in Spain), small portion of food, are very famous. Try to go
to the Parte Vieja and spend an evening tasting them. Pintxos are
usually be made by seafood, meat or different tortillas (omelettes).
Bars:
During nighttime lot of people goes to bars to enjoy themselves
talking, dancing, etc. You have bars of any kind. The most important
area is Parte Vieja.
Discos:
Once bars are closed you have two alternatives: go to bed or go to a
disco. If you choose second you can find several in the city. Kabutzia
(close to the port), La Perla and Bataplan (in Concha), Ku (in Igeldo,
you will need a car or a taxi to go).
Casino:
Casino de San Sebastian (in the Londres y de Inglaterra Hotel, Zubieta
street, in front of Concha beach). Also you have a bingo in front of
the casino.
Location
of the flats/apartments (vacation rentals) in Donostia-San Sebastian:
One of the
apartments are located in the historical center of Donostia, called
Parte Vieja (Old Town). The second in the area of Amara, comercial and
sport center of great interest and transport terminal for travellers to
national and international lines. The third is situated in a
residential area, close from the city center. The forth is located at
Egia neighborhood.
Description
of the apartments:
31 de
Agosto Street (Parte Vieja - Old Town). With 4 exterior bedrooms with
views to Santa Maria Church (XVII century) and to historical square
with "fronton". Three of the rooms are single but spaceful (one of them
with option to have two beds if necesary) and the forth one with two
beds. So it has space for 6 people, plus one more if necesary. It also
has a hall, equiped exterior kitchen and complete bathroom, also
exterior. All the apartment is renewed in 1998. Colour TV. Situation: Occupied until August 21st 2009. Available starting from August 22nd 2009..
Rio Deba
street (Egia). 3 bedrooms (two with two beds, and one with a double bed
1.50 m). There is a possibility to put and extra bed in the
living-room. Cool and wide kitchen with terrace. Full bathroom. 2
terraces. Fully equiped.Situation: Available..
Photo:
All
photos
Fermin Calbeton street. 3 double rooms, two beds in each bedroom. Living-room. Equiped kitchen. Two bathrooms. Fully equiped. Close to La Bretxa. Meters to beaches.Situación: Occupied until August 31st 2009. One or two bedrooms available starting from September 1st 2009..
Photos: All the photos
If
you want to put in contact write to rentsansebastian@gmail.com (Gloria) or phone to (+34)
645711594 to be attended in Spanish, or to (+34) 656750043 to be
attended in English, for any doubt you have after reading this
information, and to ask about price or availability of the apartment
you are interested in. Entire apartment preferible, but also rooms.
