San Sebastián, also known as Donostia-San Sebastián and San Sebastián is a city and municipality located in the Basque Autonomous Community, Spain. It lies on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, 20 km (12 miles) from the France–Spain border. The capital city of the province of Gipuzkoa, the municipality’s population is 188,240 as of 2020, with its metropolitan area reaching 436,500 in 2010. Locals call themselves donostiarra (singular), both in Spanish and Basque. It is also a part of Basque Eurocity Bayonne-San Sebastián.
The main economic activities are almost entirely service-based, with an emphasis on commerce and tourism, as it has long been one of the most famous tourist destinations in Spain. Despite the city’s small size, events such as the San Sebastián International Film Festival and the San Sebastian Jazz Festival have given it an international dimension. San Sebastián, along with Wrocław, Poland, was the European Capital of Culture in 2016.
The georgraphy of San Sebastian.
The city is located in the north of the Basque Country, on the south eastern coast of the Boy of Bascay. San Sabastian has three beaches Cocha, Ondarreta, and Zurriola and is surrounded by hilly areas.
San Sebastián lies at the mouth of the Urumea river, and it was in large part built on the river’s wetlands during the last two centuries. The city centre and the districts of Amara Berri and Riberas de Loiola lie on the former riverbed, which was diverted to its current canalized course in the first half of the 20th century.
The History of San Sabastain.
The first evidence of human stationary presence in the current city is the settlement of Ametzagaña, between South Intxaurrondo and Astigarraga. The unearthed remains, such as carved stone used as knives to cut animal skin, date from 24,000 to 22,000 BC. The open-air findings of the Upper Paleolithic have revealed that the settlers were modern human hunters, besides pointing to a much colder climate at the time.
There were Roman settlements (from around 50-200 AD) in what is now the Old Part of the city, according to excavations carried out in the convent of Santa Teresa, on the slopes of Urgull.
San Sebastián is thought to have been in the territory of the Varduli in Roman times. 10 km (6 mi) east of the current city lay the Basque Roman town of Oiasso, which was for a long time wrongly identified with San Sebastián.
Places to see in San Sabastian.
Explore Parte Vieja (Old Town):
The Old Town of San Sebastián is tucked between the base of Monte Urgull and the Alameda del Boulevard. This bustling area is one of the most popular places to see and be seen for both tourists and locals alike. A highlight of the Parte Vieja is the arcaded Plaza de la Constitución, a large public space that once hosted bullfights while the spectators watched from the rows of balconies above.
Notable attractions nearby include the Neoclassical municipal library and the traditional food stalls at the Mercado de la Bretxa, a 19th-century covered shopping hall.
Also near the Plaza de la Constitución is the 16th-century Iglesia de San Vicente; this Gothic church is San Sebastián’s oldest church and has a richly carved retablo dating to 1584.
Monte Urgull & Monte Ulía: Historic Sites & Nature Walks:
Beginning at the aquarium, the Paseo Nuevo encircles the entire Monte Urgull, which is crowned by the Castillo de la Mota, a formidable 12th-century fortress, and a statue representing the Sacred Heart.
The promenade of Paseo Nuevo invites leisurely rambles on warm sunny days, especially during summertime, when the beach-vacation ambience fills the air. During wintertime, waves can crash above the sea wall onto the promenade. Tourists marvel over the views of La Concha Bay, the Cantabrian Sea, and the rocky shoreline extending to the Urumea River.
Where you should go in San Sabastian.
- San telmo museum,
- Plaza Zuloaga, 1, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa,
- https://goo.gl/maps/WStYJrRCmHpXEwNS9
- Zurriola beach,
- Good Shepherd of San Sebastián Cathedral
- Urdaneta Kalea, 12, 20006 Donostia, Gipuzkoa,
- https://goo.gl/maps/SdsPwx575dux2QyW9
- Kursaal,
- Zurriola Hiribidea, 1, 20002 Donostia, Gipuzkoa,
- https://goo.gl/maps/3faxaGYSfKAEAVyQA
- Aquarium Donostia / San Sebastián,
- Zurriola Hiribidea, 1, 20002 Donostia, Gipuzkoa,
- https://goo.gl/maps/3faxaGYSfKAEAVyQA
