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Is San Sebastian, Spain, worth visiting?
San Sebastian is one of Spain's best small cities to visit, especially for foodies. The seaside ambiance, numerous cultural attractions, and world-class dining means there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Where should you visit when traveling from Porto to San Sebastian?
If you plan to travel from Porto to San Sebastian, you should consider stopping at a few places. Some of the best places to stop and explore include Leon, Burgos, Guimaraes, and Astorga, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Azpiroz Viewpoint and the Necropolis of Argineta are lesser-known options.
How to reach San Sebastian?
There are many ways to reach San Sebastian, but we recommend DaytripтАЩs private car service. Not only will you be greeted by a professional English-speaking driver, but you'll also get to choose when and where to be fetched and dropped off. Not to mention, driving by private car is far simpler and takes away much of the hassle often faced when driving in an unknown country.
What airport do you fly to for San Sebastian?
When it comes to flying, there are a few options. You can fly from Porto to San Sebastian directly or from Porto to Pamplona Airport or Vigo Airport and then take a bus, train, or taxi the rest of the way to San Sebastian.
How do you get from Portugal to San Sebastian?
How you get from Portugal to San Sebastian depends on where in Portugal you are, but usually, you can take a flight, train, bus, taxi, private car, or a combination of these transportation options. Generally, traveling by private car service Daytrip is the most convenient, affordable, and time-efficient.
Is San Sebastian an expensive city to visit?
San Sebastian is moderately priced compared to other cities in Europe, but the high demand among tourists and the high quality of life of the locals mean it's more expensive than other places in Spain. A hotel room starts at $56 (тВм51.50) per night, and you can expect to pay between $12 and $18 (тВм11тАУ16.50) for a meal in a mid-range restaurant.
Since it sits right on the Douro River, it's unsurprising that Porto is a historic city, but do you know where else you should visit if you want to see another magnificently historic city? That's right. San Sebastian. So why not drive from Porto to San Sebastian with a private car service like Daytrip?
At Daytrip, we understand your need to tour Porto, considering it is a quaint town in Portugal with much to offer. Travelers know it as an illustrious city with old-world architecture, beautifully painted tiles that can be seen seemingly everywhere, stunning museums, and, of course, port wine cellars. But after you've seen Porto, it's a good idea to head toward San Sebastian тАУ found in Spain тАУ next, and our professional drivers will be ready to transport you there.
San Sebastian is a compact city located on the Basque country's coast. When visiting, you can expect to come across streets lined with belle epoque buildings built during the city's heyday in the 19th century and spectacular promenades with enticing beaches. Not to mention the city is renowned for its gastronomy. In fact, San Sebastian is a mecca for foodies, considering it has the second-most Michelin stars per capita globally.
With so much to see and do, you should book your trip with Daytrip as soon as possible. We can't wait to transport you to this wondrous destination.
About San Sebastian
San Sebastian didn't appear in written documentation until the 11th century when a monastery was built in the area. This town depended on the Monasterio de Leyre in Navarre, which the Navarran King Sancho El Mayor built. Over time, the monastery drew in settlers, and by 1180, it had become a small fishing village that later became a significant maritime power in Spain.
By the 13th century, San Sebastian was a recognized seaport that sent cargo to the Americas and the rest of Europe. Because of its unique geographical location, San Sebastian was often sought out as a navy and military stronghold, but the city managed to largely resist Roman invasion and hold onto its roots.
From the 15th to 18th centuries, it suffered through numerous sieges and wars but remained independent until 1813, when Napoleonic troops occupied it. Even then, the country persevered and held onto its customs and traditions.
Interestingly, during the 19th century, San Sebastian became a tourist destination after Queen Isabell II decided the city would be her holiday resort. Thus, with the queen's influence, the city became fashionable, urging many other aristocrats to reside in it during the summer months when the heat was unbearable in their home countries.
All of this history helped shape San Sebastian into the place it has become today. Nowadays visitors can expect to see far more than the Basque buildings made famous by the queen. There are smart suburbs and modern districts to explore alongside quaint fisherman's houses that are a nod toward the country's early history. There are numerous attractions worth visiting, including the Peine del Viento, Kursaal, and the Museum of San Telmo.
The city is also a foodie's dream destination with its high concentration of fine dining restaurants and magnificent tapas bars. It is also a place for artists and dreamers with its immersive cultural scene, including everything from jazz concerts and prestigious film festivals to fishing boat tours and street markets. So why not book your trip and get ready to explore San Sebastian in all its glory?
From Porto to San Sebastian: travel tips
Travel tips help you travel wisely, so why not keep the tips below in mind when driving from Porto to San Sebastian on your next adventure? We promise they will help you enjoy your travel experience even more!
Don't forget to sample the local cuisine
Along the way from Porto to San Sebastian are some of the best restaurants you'll ever encounter. So why not stop and grab something to eat every few hours, considering that the trip by car takes about seven hours? And when you get to San Sebastian, you'll get to sample some of the most delicious dishes in the world since this city's food is second to none! We hope you have a healthy appetite.
Stop for sightseeing
If you're planning a trip from Porto to San Sebastian, you might want to consider making a few stops along the way. Because before you even get to San Sebastian, there is much to see and do.
We always recommend walking around in Guimaraes, otherwise known as тАЬThe Cradle of PortugalтАЭ, exploring Astorga, which was founded by the Romans and still has remnants of the empire's ruin, and Leon, which boasts extraordinary history and lessons in civility. If you need more convincing---those are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
However, if thereтАЩs somewhere youтАЩd like to visit thatтАЩs not on our curated list, Daytrip would happily accommodate sightseeing adventures.
Book everything in advance
You likely don't want to have your holiday ruined by long waits in line and missed sightseeing opportunities. That's why it's best to book everything in advance, and when we say everything, we mean it. For example, we recommend booking your hotels, restaurant dining experiences, attraction tickets, and transportation well in advance.
This will ensure you see and do everything you plan to when driving from Porto to San Sebastian, and it will also likely save you a few hundred dollars on costs.
How to get from Porto to San Sebastian
If you've decided to visit San Sebastian, you're likely salivating already, considering it's one of the best places in Europe to visit if you're a foodie. But before you can dig into a scrumptious plate of grub, you must know how to travel from Porto to San Sebastian. Yet, you needn't fret, as we've got it sorted. So look below to learn a few more efficient ways to travel between these cities.
Porto to San Sebastian by flight
For many people, a flight from Porto to San Sebastian is the first thing that comes to mind, but is it the fastest? Unfortunately, this is not always the case, considering that many different flight routes are available and offered by varying airlines like TAP Portugal, Volotea, Transavia France, and Iberia.
There are no nonstop flights from Porto to San Sebastian, so the very fastest option is 3.25 hours, but some are up to 14! And that doesn't include the 2 hours for check-in and security or the time spent getting to and from the airport. Tickets cost between $77 and $250, depending on when you travel and the time.
However, there are direct flights from Porto to Bilbao, and from there, you need to take a bus to San Sebastian. There are also flights from Porto to Pamplona, but then a bus trip is needed to take you the rest of the way. If you go the Pamplona route, it can take just over nine hours to complete the trip.
These connecting flights are also often more expensive since two types of transportation are needed.
Porto to San Sebastian by bus
Although a bus can take you from Porto to San Sebastian, it doesn't take you the entire way. Often, you will need to catch the bus from Porto to Irun, which is an average 13-and-a-half-hour journey that costs between $44 and $61.
From the Irun bus station, you'll need to walk to the train station about 10 minutes away, and from there, take a 30-minute train trip to San Sebastian. The bus only operates trips between the two cities once daily, and the sheer amount of time it takes to travel by bus can significantly cut into your holiday time. That's why it might not be a good idea for those with limited time, even though it is affordable.
Porto to San Sebastian by train
Train travel is tricky for those who want to travel from Porto to San Sebastian because the train only takes a traveler part of the way. For example, if you want to travel by train, you must catch a train in Porto that goes to Vigo. This trip is about two hours and 22 minutes. From Vigo, you fly to Bilbao, and once in Bilbao, you need to take a one-hour and 15-minute bus trip to San Sebastian. Alternatively, you can take a 13-hour bus ride!
We got tired just explaining the steps of this journey, so we can only imagine how tired and frustrated you would feel if you chose this travel option.
Porto to San Sebastian by private car transfer
Traveling by private car with a company like Daytrip is by far the easiest and most comfortable way to get from Porto to San Sebastian. It might not be as fast as certain flights, but considering it's a door-to-door ride, it is infinitely more enjoyable.
For example, those who travel with Daytrip are guaranteed a comfortable experience with a friendly, English-speaking driver who can share travel insights and tips. In addition, Daytrip's door-to-door service is also affordable, with prices starting at $180 per seat, and you can book any time that is most convenient for you!
Daytrip can also help you live out your travel dreams with sightseeing stops along the way, and you won't need to worry about handling your luggage when you get to San Sebastian, as we'll do it for you. Don't you think it's more convenient?
Things to do when you get to San Sebastian
San Sebastian is one of the most unique travel destinations in the world, and it's definitely a place you'll want to explore with its enchanting culture, fairytale architecture, and delicious food on nearly every corner. But what are the absolute must-dos when visiting? To help you narrow down your travel list, we've shared what to do after you've driven from Porto to San Sebastian.
Eat through Parte Vieja
Parte Vieja is the center of San Sebastian's cultural and social life. Its narrow, winding streets are filled with pintxo bars, which are reason enough to plan a whole visit around. Pintxos are the Basque version of tapas and a major reason why San Sebastian is such a gastronomic destination.
Go pintxo bar-hopping, breaking up your feast with visits to the city's major sites, like the Plaza de la Constitution and the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus, a stunning Baroque church.
Monte Urgull
If you want to visit the ruins of Castillo de la Mota and the Sagrado Corazon statue, you'll want to gradually make your way up Monte Urgull. There are four pathways to crest this hill, each offering spectacular ocean views and cliffsides. However, if you want to take the best route, we recommend the one that starts next to the San Telmo Museum since you can kill two birds with one stone and visit the captivating museum first.
Tabakalera
Those interested in art should consider visiting the masterpiece of Tabakalera. This building used to be San Sebastian's premier tobacco factory, but it has been transformed into an international cultural center in recent years. Visitors can expect to explore multi-purpose plazas, beautiful exhibition halls, a library, a cinema theater, art spaces, and a restaurant with some of the most picturesque views.
Playa de la Zurriola
If you enjoy spending time on the beach, you won't want to miss out on visiting Playa de la Zurriola, one of the best beaches in San Sebastian. This beach is not only incredible for those who enjoy surfing the waves, but it's also an amazing spot to laze about and sunbathe while people watch and drink in the beauty of the Spanish coast.
San Telmo Museum
Even if you don't plan on wandering up Monte Urgull, you should still make time to visit the San Telmo Museum. During the 16th century, this museum was a Benedictine convent built to honor San Telmo, the patron saint of sailors.
Since its founding, it has also been a military barracks and a town hall until it was expanded into a museum. The museum is the perfect place to tour if you want to learn more about Basque culture, economy, and history.
When is the best time to visit San Sebastian?
San Sebastian is a popular holiday destination, but when should you visit? If you plan on traveling from Porto to San Sebastian, we recommend visiting between May and September since these are the months when the weather behaves the most. Try to visit towards the start or end of this range for fewer crowds and slightly lower prices. Not to mention, September is when the popular cultural events occur.
However, don't feel limited. You can plan to visit whenever you wish, but keep in mind that San Sebastian sees about 200 days of rain yearly, so be prepared for light to heavy rain showers year-round by packing an umbrella or raincoat.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the hallmarks of the Portuguese national identity.┬аThe Cradle of Portugal┬а
Astorga
A stopping point on the UNESCO-listed Camino de Santiago, this ancient city is an architectural treat, and the birthplace of European chocolate.┬аSweet Heritage┬а
Leon
This ancient city was the seat of Spanish Christianity, and its refined history culminates in its UNESCO-listed High Gothic Cathedral.┬аHigh History┬а
Burgos
Once the seat of the Crown of Castile, this medieval cityтАЩs myriads of landmarks, including its UNESCO-listed Cathedral, will leave visitors in awe.┬аThe Catholic Capital of Castile┬а
Azpirotz Viewpoint
The stunning panoramic views of lush valleys and rolling hills will make you forget you're just off the main road.┬аValley Views┬а
Necropolis of Argineta
This medieval burial ground exhibits some of the oldest Christian inscriptions in the Basque Country.┬аThe Etchings of History┬а
