Travel to San Sebastian with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on San Sebastian with single trip travel insurance from Essential Travel

Travel to San Sebastian

Dubbed the ‘Pearl of Cantabria’, the sophisticated seaside resort of San Sebastián stands on an oyster-shaped bay with wooded headlands and the beautiful Santa Clara islet supplementing its gorgeous setting. The seaside resort is also noted for its great museums, interesting buildings and abundance of eateries.

Getting there

San Sebastián Airport is 20kms east of the city and receives a variety of flights from across Europe and Spain. Travellers from far away destinations will probably be routed through Madrid or Barcelona. There is a rail station near the airport terminal with connections to the centre of the city; taxis are also readily available. By car from Madrid, take the N-1 toll road north to Burgos, then follow A-1 to Miranda de Ebro, where you can continue on the A-68 north to Bilbao and then the A-8 east to San Sebastián. From Pamplona, take the A-15 north to the N-1, which leads to San Sebastián. Trains, including Talgo 200 and AVE high-speed trains, go from Madrid’s Chamartin Station. San Sebastián also receives trains from Bordeaux and Toulouse in France. Buses also run from Madrid, but the journey is long and uncomfortable.

Information on San Sebastians key attractions

There are three city beaches which lie at the foot of Mount Igueldo: playa de la Concha, playa Ondaretta and playa de Gros. Views from the summit of the mountain are remarkable. Behind the promenades are gardens and belle époque villas. Additionally, the charming old quarter is a maze of cobbled streets and splendid architecture and is a delight for strolling. Additionally, you can still see parts of the old city walls.

Out and about

If you have a car, there are many interesting drives and attractions nearby. Pamplona lies to the south, and is famous for the bull-running festival of San Fermín early every July. Revitalised Bilbao has a delightful old quarter of restored townhouses, stylish shops and superb restaurants; the Guggenheim Museum is the highlight with its elaborate building and paintings. Also of interest, Santander has great beaches and sports amenities.

Leisure options

For dining, drinking and entertainment, the old quarter has it all, from traditional tapas served up in narrow and noisy streets to delicious fresh fish in one of the fine waterside restaurants. The best bars and clubs are along the Paseo de la Concha (beach promenade) and in the Reyes Católicos, behind the baroque cathedral.

Safety

Always be alert to pickpockets, especially in the high season. Driving and water sports are potentially dangerous activities and visitors in an unfamiliar environment are more susceptible to having an accident. When travelling to San Sebastián, we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family

Weather in San Sebastian

The best time to visit San Sebastian is during July - September when the average temperature hovers around 20C. The winters are not too cold, the temperature usually drops to about 10C. Autumn and spring are mild seasons with temperatures reaching about 15C although there can be frequent showers.

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