The dominant building of the new town is the city cathedral, overlooking a busy plaza. Built from slate and sandstone quarried from Monte Igueldo, the cathedral was consecrated in 1897 and has a 75m-high bell tower. Under the foundation stone of the cathedral is a lead box containing pictures of the Spanish royal family and the pope at the time of construction.
Catedral del Buen Pastor de San Sebastián
San Sebastián
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Playa de la Concha
0.49 MILES
Fulfilling almost every idea of how a perfect city beach should be formed, Playa de la Concha (and its westerly extension, Playa de Ondarreta) is easily…
Aquarium
0.66 MILES
Fear for your life as huge sharks bear down behind glass panes, or gaze at otherworldly jellyfish. The highlights of a visit to the city's excellent…
Kursaal
0.52 MILES
Designed by Rafael Moneo and opened in 1999, the Kursaal is one of the city's most striking buildings. Consisting of two cubes made of translucent glass…
San Telmo Museoa
0.58 MILES
One of the best museums in the Basque Country, the San Telmo Museoa has a thought-provoking collection that explores Basque history and culture in all its…
Parque de Cristina Enea
0.4 MILES
Created by the Duke of Mandas in honour of his wife, the Parque de Cristina Enea is a favourite escape for locals. This formal park, the most attractive…
Monte Igueldo
1.4 MILES
The views from the summit of Monte Igueldo (181m), just west of town, will make you feel like a circling hawk staring down over the vast panorama of the…
Hotel Maria Cristina
0.34 MILES
A wonderful example of belle époque architecture, the Hotel Maria Cristina was designed by Charles Mewes, the architect responsible for the Ritz hotels in…
Playa de Ondarreta
1 MILES
Playa de Ondarreta, the western extension of the renowned Playa de la Concha, has a less glam, more genteel atmosphere. It's long been popular with the…
Nearby San Sebastián attractions
1. Koldo Mitxelena Kulturunea
0.08 MILES
Set in a grand neoclassical building dating from the 1890s, this cultural centre has a packed line-up of art exhibitions, book launches, discussions and…
2. Puente de Maria Cristina
0.18 MILES
Several bridges span the narrow Río Urumea, but by far the most impressive is the Puente de Maria Cristina. Opened in 1905, the belle époque structure is…
3. Plaza de Gipuzkoa
0.28 MILES
Designed in 1877 by French landscape artist Pierre Ducasse, who also created the Jardines de Miramar, this little park is one of San Sebastián's loveliest…
4. Plaza de Gipuzkoa
0.28 MILES
It might be called a plaza, but with its duck pond, flower beds and many trees this tiny square is as much a formal garden park as a city plaza. It was…
5. Parque de Alderdi Eder
0.3 MILES
One of the most attractive and enjoyable little outdoor spaces in San Sebastián, the Parque de Alderdi Eder is actually more of an elongated plaza shaded…
6. Tabakalera
0.31 MILES
Sun-drenched cultural space Tabakalera occupies a beautifully reconfigured tobacco factory dating from 1913. It's a hub for the arts and design, as well…
7. Hotel Maria Cristina
0.34 MILES
A wonderful example of belle époque architecture, the Hotel Maria Cristina was designed by Charles Mewes, the architect responsible for the Ritz hotels in…
8. Ayuntamiento
0.35 MILES
San Sebastián's town hall is an impressive configuration of belle époque towers and domed ceilings that stands proudly at the meeting point between Playa…