The Top 10 Things To See And Do In San Sebastian

San Sebastian’s city hall was constructed between 1882 and 1887 and is an architectural masterpiece. The Ayuntamiento is located between La Concha Beach and the old city alongside the marvellous Alderdi Eder Gardens. Originally it was home to a casino, where politicians and artists of the Belle Époque enjoyed entertainment. The building set the scene for one of the many fights between nationalists and republicans in the Spanish Civil War and the bullet holes can still be found in the facade. Since 1947 it has hosted the city council, which governs the Basque city.

The Museo de San Telmo is now the biggest museum for Basque history from prehistoric times to modernity. It was first inaugurated in 1902 and is the oldest museum in the Basque Country. San Telmo is located at the foot of the Urgull Mountain and exhibits more than 26,000 historic artifacts. The original part of the museum consists of a Dominican convent, dating back to the 16th century, while the new building was constructed recently. The mixture of renaissance, Gothic and contemporary design creates a fascinating play of architectural styles and the extensive collection of Basque artifacts provides an exciting insight into the country’s history.

The cathedral was inaugurated in 1897 and was influenced by the style of medieval German and French churches. Today it is home of the diocese of San Sebastian and is considered one of the most significant religious buildings in the Basque country. The organ consists of more than 10,000 whistles, making it one of the biggest in Europe. The neo-Gothic architecture shows the artistic prowess of its builders and the tower is a popular symbol for San Sebastian. A marvelous feature ’The Cross of Peace’ by the sculptor Eduardo Chillida can be found on the facade of the cathedral.

This historic building was opened in 1893 to serve as a summer holiday home for the Royal Family. The British architect Seldon Wornum designed the building in an English cottage style and its location offers fantastic views over the bay. In 1972 the gardens were opened to the public, while the building itself usually remains closed. It is worth venturing to the small hill between the city center and the Antiguo neighborhood to stroll through the fantastic landscape and marvel at the beautiful views over La Concha.