Busabout Adventures

A Busabout Pass for the Western Loop will take you to the best of France and Spain.  Cycle through ancient vineyards and salsa dance the night away! Start from any city on the loop and travel at your own pace - stay as long as you like at each stop .... then when you've finished exploring, jump on the next bus and move on to the next destination.  Click on the destinations in the map to find out more...

The bus station is a 20-minute walk south of the Parte Vieja, and the train station is just across the river. Cross the bridge and you’re in the centre.

In summer, most people head straight for the shore. Playa de la Concha and Playa de Ondarreta are among the most beautiful city beaches in Spain, and beyond them is Isla de Santa Clara, an island in the middle of the bay; you can reach it by boat (adult return trip €2.60; h10am-8pm Jun-Sep) from the harbour. To beat the crowds, head to the Playa de la Zurriola (also known as ‘Playa de Gros’), east of the Río Urumea, which is popular with surfers.

For views over the bay, head up to Monte Urgull, topped by low castle walls and a statue of Christ. It takes 30 minutes to walk up – a stairway starts from Plaza de Zuloaga in the Parte Vieja.

Even better are the views from Monte Igueldo. Drive or catch the funicular ((943 21 05 64; return trip €1.60; h11am-6pm Mon-Fri, 11am-8pm Sat & Sun Nov-Mar, closed Wed Nov-Mar & Jan, to 8pm daily Apr-Jun & Sep 15-Oct, 10am-10pm Jul-Aug) to the Parque de Atracciones, an old-timey funfair. At the foot of the hill is Eduardo Chillida’s abstract iron sculpture Peine de los Vientos (Comb of the Winds).

San Sebastián’s Aquarium ((943 44 00 99; www.aquariumss.com; Paseo del Muelle 34; admission €9; h10am-8pm Sep, May-Jun, 10am-7pm Mon-Fri, 11am-8pm Sat & Sun Oct-Apr, 10am-9pm Jul-Aug) has 10 large tanks teeming with tropical fish, morays, sharks and other finned creatures.

Donosti-Net ((943 42 94 97; Calle Embeltrán 2; per hr €3; h9am-11pm) A one-stop travellers’ stop, with email, office services and even a spot to leave your luggage (per day €9).
Police ((091)
Tourist office ((943 48 11 66; www.sansebastian
turismo.com; Reina Regente 3; h8am-8pm Jun-Sep, 9am-1.30pm & 3.30-7pm Mon-Sat, 10am-2pm Sun Oct-May)

San Sebastián’s gastronomy is one of its major draws, and its tapas, here called pinxos, are famous. Nibble your way through the Parte Vieja, especially along and around Calle de Fermín Calbetón, which is crammed with bars. You can’t go wrong at Bar Sport ((943 42 68 88; Calle de Fermín Calbetón) or Egosari ((943 42 82 10; Calle de Fermín Calbetón 15).

Caravanserai ((943 47 54 18; Calle de San Bartolome 1; mains €5-8), Sit-down fare is cheap and abundant at Caravanserai, which offers a ‘vegetarians’ corner’ and outdoor dining.

Alderdi-Zahar ((943 42 52 54; Calle de Fermín Calbetón 9; mains €9-15, menú €11) This simple restaur­ant serves local seafood and hearty Basque fare and offers a good-value lunch menú.

Sidreria Donostiarra ((943 42 04 21; Calle Embeltran 5; mains €5.50-17), For a memorable meal head here, where local hard cider is served from the barrel.

The Parte Vieja is a fun place to be nearly every night of the week. Around 8pm the tapas bars start hopping as people make a predinner round of pinxos, and the revelry lasts until midnight midweek and until the cock crows on weekends.