City in Basque Country, Spain
San Sebastián
Elegant Basque beach city with pintxos bars, surf and green hills, great for food lovers alone. Costs are among Spain's highest, rain is frequent and the city is small and busy in summer.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,930–4,050Comfortable, one person · €2,600–3,600Details
- Value for money21/100Better value than 20% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–SepWarmest: Aug, 24°CDetails
- Internet263 MbpsFixed broadband, Spain medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent tap water from local reservoirs; locals drink it freely.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$68–124Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundDbus city busesVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless work almost everywhere; some pintxos bars and markets prefer cash.Details
Where to stay in San Sebastián
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Parte Vieja | Pintxos bars, lively evenings, central; noisy and touristy |
| Centro and Gros | Surf beach, local bars, cheaper than the old town |
| Antiguo | Residential, near Ondarreta beach, calm long stays |
| Egia and Amara | Cheaper rent, local life, 10–20 min from the center |
Apps that work in San Sebastián
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Renfe: High-speed and regional train tickets
- ALSA: Long-distance bus tickets
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and reliable at ranks; apps have limited coverage, so book by phone or taxi app for early flights.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Spain.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; some pintxos bars and markets prefer cash.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Many Spanish ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros per withdrawal; Euronet machines cost more. Always decline the conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected. Round up at bars and leave 5–10% for good restaurant service; check whether service is already included.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere. Bizum, used to split bills, needs a Spanish bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen countries; passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months past departure.
- The EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps since April 2026: fingerprints and photo at your first entry. Allow extra time.
- ETIAS, the planned €20 online authorisation, isn't required yet (October 2026); check travel-europe.europa.eu for its start date.
Emergency numbers
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Phone shops and airport kiosks sell prepaid SIMs (Orange, Vodafone, Digi, Lebara); about €10–25 for 30–100 GB. Passport required to register. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Spain
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.