San Sebastian

About San Sebastian
In San Sebastian you can do anything you want – from lying on the beach to skiing in the Pyrenees.

This city is called San Sebastian in Spanish and Donostia in Basque. Both names are in usage and both names have the same meaning which is a virtuous Sebastian. This city is located some 20 km from the French border and it is the capital of the province of Gipuzkoa in Basque. Pyrenees are about 150 km away. Furthermore, San Sebastian is located in a Bay named Biscay. It has 3 beautiful beaches:  Playa de Gros, Ondarretta and Playa de la Concha. Around 200,000 people live in San Sebastian at the mouth of the River Urumea.

San Sebastian consists of several districts
Antiguo is one of the oldest parts; it is considered that it dates from the 12th century. This quarter is behind the Miramar Palace. The monastery of San Sebastián el Antiguo is placed here as well. At the end of the 19th century, when San Sebastian began to develop rapidly, this was the industrial zone.

Zaharra Amara is on the river’s left bank. It was named after a farm and in its center is the famous Plaza Easo.

Gros is a part of the city that was built on the sand. Playa de Gros lies there and this part is very attractive, modern and full of commercial contents.

Parte Vieja is an old town. It was fortified until 1863, when it was destroyed. It contains the two parish churches – Santa Maria and San Vicente churches.

Some other parts of San Sebastian are Amara Berri, Intxaurrondo, Egia, Trintxerpe, Altza, Loiola, Ibaeta, Martutene, Zubieta and Igeldo. Each of these districts has some monuments and places to see.

City Attractions
Buen Pastor Cathedral was made in Neo-Gothic style and it is located on the highest point of the city; it also has a tower of 75 meters. Contemporary Culture Centre is built in a tobacco factory and it is across the Botanical Park Cristina Enea. The open-air museum of the most famous Basque artist Chillida Leko, the Naval Museum, San Ignacio de Loiola Church, City Hall of San Sebastián and Gipuzkoa Square are many other tourist attractions that should be seen.

Festivals that will delight and surprise you
Cavalcade of the Three Kings is held every January in front of the City Hall. There is another festival held in honor of San Sebastian -festival of drums. In February, there are the Carnival and Day of the Piñata. In March, International Competition for Piano takes place here.