Things to do in San Sebastian - Donostia, Basque Country: The Best Tours

May 12, 2022 Fernanda Pittenger

While many visitors come for the beaches, arts celebrations and fiestas, San Sebastian-Donostia is serious about its food and drink. The Old Quarter’s narrow, winding streets are full of bars and restaurants, and in the modern city, sidewalk cafes are all around. The city specializes in seafood. Just make sure you know not to expect dinner at 6 or 7 p.m.—that’s much too early in Spain. Instead, tide yourself over with tapas, and enjoy eating and drinking late into the night.
Restaurants in San Sebastian - Donostia

1. Full-Day Private Cultural and Gastronomic Adventure in Rioja

Ikusnahi Tours
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5.0 based on 26 reviews

Spend the day in wine country on this full-day Rioja day trip from San Sebastian, with lunch. Explore Rioja, home to some of the world’s most renowned wines, and uncover the secrets of wine production at 2 of its top wineries. After that enjoy a traditional Rioja meal and a visit to the medieval village of Briones.

Inclusions: Private experienced guide and driver, Private group, Hotel pick up and drop off, All transportation costs (petrol, parking and toll), Guided visit in 2 top wineries with premium wine tasting , Traditional Rioja 5-course lunch with wine pairing, Olive oil tasting

Exclusions: Meals, drinks and tickets that are not listed above, Gratuities

Reviewed By Agnieszka_Filipowicz

Can, getting to know the city, its architecture, history and traditions, be interesting and not boring at all? Well, difficult, specially if we talk about San Sebastian (Basque Country, Spain) so beautiful city, that just see it leaves breathless. When I came to live to San Sebastian in 2006 I was totally impressed by the beauty of this town, however I did not discovered the soul of the city until I experienced the unrivalled city tour with Ikusnahi this summer. We have been walking around the city with Ania, who explained everything in such amazing and interesting way, natural and very funny at the same time! She left space for open discussion for you to begin to discover for yourself, in an imperceptible way, that you know the city more deeply, understanding the local culture and people much better.

2. San Sebastian Market Visit and Private Gastronomic Club Lunch Experience

Okendo Kalea, 3P, 20004 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain Basque Tours
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5.0 based on 9 reviews

Shop in the market, taste it in a Private Gastronomic Club. Get introduced to the world known Basque Cuisine as the Basques do it, shop seasonal products in the local market to prepare and taste them with friends in a Private Gastronomic Club.

Inclusions: Local guide, Private tour, Market visit, Gastronomic club visit, Lunch, Beverages

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By L4869AQedwardl

My wife and I went on this tour in Spring 2019 and we just realized we never wrote a review! Better late than never. This tour was exactly what we were looking for to see Rioja region, visit some boutique and legitimate family owned winereis, visit some of the larger big name wineries, and have a perfect & authentic lunch in Laguardia! We couldn't have asked for a better day (although we should have started the day a little less hungover...woops). That'll happen when you're starting the day from San Sebastian! We ended up purchasing wine from each of the wineries that we visited - Gomez Cruzado, Roda, and Ostatu. Such an awesome day tasting full pours of several wines at each winery! We quickly got back on the horse. The tour guide we had was a lovely woman, knew her wine and history extremely well and was super nice and fun to be around for the day! Our driver was hilarious as well and made the day so pleasant. If you are looking for a Rioja full day tour - stop researching - book this tour! Cannot recommend this tour enough and I hope that anyone reading this review will take our advice and BOOK THIS TOUR!!

3. PINTXOS in San Sebastian - Private Gastronomic and Cultural Adventure

Plaza Sarriegi, San Juan Kalea, 26, 20003 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain Ikusnahi Tours
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5.0 based on 22 reviews

You will switch from traditional and family-run to modern, award-winning bars. From seafood delicacies through elaborated meat pintxos, to finish with one of the best desserts in town. You will enjoy textures and flavours of the highest quality, seasonal ingredients turned into artsy creations recognised as haute cuisine ‘in miniature’. You will indulge yourself in San Sebastian social life hopping from bar to bar, laughing, chatting with vendors and making friends with locals. This is what we call ‘txikiteo’! During the evening you will not only taste excellent dishes but also try a selection of our local, favorite drinks: beloved by Basques apple cider, crisp and sparkling ‘Txakoli’ and wines from Rioja. Moreover, the guide will give you a complete course on how to choose, order and eat pintxos. Pintxo night out is a delicious and entertaining experience that leaves you with handful of practical information and tips to make the most out of your stay in our beautiful city!

Inclusions: Private guide, Private group, Hotel pick up, 5 pintxos y 5 drinks - enough for a full meal

Exclusions: Meals, drinks and tickets that are not listed, Gratuities

Reviewed By Agnieszka_Filipowicz

Can, getting to know the city, its architecture, history and traditions, be interesting and not boring at all? Well, difficult, specially if we talk about San Sebastian (Basque Country, Spain) so beautiful city, that just see it leaves breathless. When I came to live to San Sebastian in 2006 I was totally impressed by the beauty of this town, however I did not discovered the soul of the city until I experienced the unrivalled city tour with Ikusnahi this summer. We have been walking around the city with Ania, who explained everything in such amazing and interesting way, natural and very funny at the same time! She left space for open discussion for you to begin to discover for yourself, in an imperceptible way, that you know the city more deeply, understanding the local culture and people much better.

4. San Sebastian and Basque Coast Private Tour from Bilbao

The Best of Basque
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5.0 based on 37 reviews

This private San Sebastian city and coastal tour gives you the opportunity to experience the amazing Basque city of San Sebastain. San Sebastian is one of the most beautiful and elegant cities in Europe. The city has some of the best gourmet pintxo (tapas) bars in the the region, a quaint old quarter, and an absolutely stunning beach in the city center. You will also experience the dramatic and rugged coastline of the Basque Country where we will stop for some visually stunning photo opportunities. We make a stop to see ancient Flysch cliff formations of Zumaia and the GeoPark. The scene overlooking the Atlantic Ocean will leave a lasting impression. This was also a shooting site for season 7 of the Game of Thrones television show. Lastly, we will stop off in the small port city of Getaria for lunch (not included) where you will have the chance to taste some of the finest fish/seafood in Europe!

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Driver/guide, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Port pickup and drop-off, Round-trip private transfer, Transport by private luxury vehicle, Fully insured and licensed by the Basque government

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By Tedoi

I did the 4 day tour - first rate stuff. Zach and Irene were tremendous and super- friendly. I was picked up at my hotel daily and driven round the Basque country in great style. Whilst I was expecting Guernica/Gernika to be special, ( which it was) there were a few other gems which I wouldn't have found on my own, the fishing town of Bermeo the salt mine and the sheep farm to name but 3 unexpected high-lights. They gave good recommendations on restaurants, and the few I tried did not disappoint. Highly recommended.

5. San Sebastian City Bicycle Tour

Del Buen Pastor Plaza, 22, 20005 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain Local Experts Tours by Donostyle
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5.0 based on 12 reviews

San Sebastian is the perfect city to move around on a bike. Visiting the city's hot-spots while riding a bike is a must-do that should not be skipped. Join this 2.5-hour guided tour to discover San Sebastian's most spectacular corners that otherwise would be missed while touring its three beaches .

Inclusions: All activities, Local guide

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By 289saniaa

The explanations provided during all the tour were accurate and very extensive but at the same time funny. The tour guide was fantastic. He was a local young guy full of energy and good vibes. I would definitely recommend this tour if you are visiting San Sebastian.

6. French Basque Countryside Tour from San Sebastian

Go Basque
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5.0 based on 18 reviews

A wonderful way to take a day off from exploring San Sebastian and head into the peaceful countryside of the French Basque region. You will cross the border into France through a mountain pass used by smugglers in the past and visit the typical villages of the French Basque Countryside. During the journey, you will learn about the way of life of local farmers and the importance of this charming area to the Basque Country, all while encountering beautiful mountainous and countryside scenery. You will travel as part of a small group with a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 6. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By rickst418

Thought I completed this review before. Our guides were excellent. Great cultural knowledge. Friendly and went out of their way to make the trip great!

7. La Rioja Small Group Tour: Winery Visit, Wine Tasting and Traditional Lunch

Local Experts Tours by Donostyle
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Spain is widely famous for its wines' high quality, and the cradle of these wines, the land that provides its name to the apellation of La Rioja, is not far from our city. Enjoy a visit to a wine cellar (bodega), having a relaxing walk through the wineyards, learning the wine-making process from the grape harvest to the maturation and finishing the experience with a wine tasting  with a expert and a complete lunch with local products and the best wines. Definitely the best way to know the basics of the best Spanish wines!

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transportation by car, Local guide, Wine tasting, Lunch

Exclusions: Infant lunch is excluded

Reviewed By 289saniaa

The explanations provided during all the tour were accurate and very extensive but at the same time funny. The tour guide was fantastic. He was a local young guy full of energy and good vibes. I would definitely recommend this tour if you are visiting San Sebastian.

8. French-Basque Countryside Private tour Discover the hidden beauty of Pyrenees

Basque Guides
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Explore the Pyrenees and the French Basque countryside with a private guide Tour to France. Discover the countryside like a local, be part of the comunity life during a day trip to the Pyrenees mountain range charmy villages. We will take you along the hidden roads and off the track towns, exploring the farmers lands, cheese makers, honey, jam, wine producers area.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Fuel surcharge, Driver/guide, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle, Bottled water

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By schorschi21

Iker gave a virtual presentation via Internet of his Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum Private tour. It was very interesting to get to know this amazing city and Iker showed a lot of impressing photos so that everybody could perfectly imagine the tour. At the same time, he answered a lot of individual questions, showing a very good knowledge of art, the city's history, food etc. All in all, we got a vivid image of Bilbao and will book him as soon as we will be able to visit this city for real.

9. Bilbao And The Bay Of Biscay from San Sebastian

Baskme
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Cosmopolitan, open, welcoming, vital, elegant and modern; Bilbao combines traits of a unique and characteristic cultural heritage, with a new aesthetic social revitalization process. Every village and town along the Basque Coast has been forged by the sea. The Cantabrian Sea has shaped both the landscape and our people for thousands of years and promises an unbeatable view.

Inclusions: PRIVATE GROUP, ALL TRANSPORTATION COSTS, LOCAL BASQUE DRIVER/GUIDE

Exclusions: TICKETS FOR THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, Lunch

Reviewed By davidsG4736KD

Can’t say enough great things about our day-tour with Andoni. As big GOT fans, it was an absolute blast to visit the filming locations for Dragonstone (Yes, you visit more than one!). The hotel pick-up from San Sebastian was a huge plus, as the locations we visited were around an hour west of San Sebastian. Andoni was as professional as they come and ensured we were completely comfortable and relaxed the entire day. He showed us the best kept secrets throughout the area and truly got to know us. We would have never had seen anything close to what we did without his guidance. My wife and I both agree that this was the highlight of our entire vacation. Would reccomend 10/10.

10. La Rioja Explore Tour - Private experience

Experience San Sebastian
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

If you like vino then this is the tour for you. We'll take you behind the scenes and show you a special, personal side to this famous wine region. Say goodbye to the coast for the day and we’ll wind our way through the mountains of the Basque Country until we’re met by the sunny hills of La Rioja, carpeted with endless rows of grape vines. We’ll take you to a very special, four generation, family run Bodega where they’ll show you the whole wine making process. Then hit the relax button, it’s the tasting and tapas session on the patio overlooking the valley. Off down through the vines we’ll stop off at a famed bodega and prepare to be wowed. Next it’s over to the eleventh century town of Laguardia to amble through the sun drenched cobbled streets visiting the hidden cellar caves full to the brim of the regions finest. Topped off with a local restaurant for a 3 course traditional feast. Its an incredible way to spend the day and see what else this unique area has to offer.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, 3 course lunch & drinks, Guided winery tour including tasting & tapas session, Guided cellar cave tour including taster., Bottled water, Wine or coffee in Marques de Riscal, Private transportation, Visit to 3 different wineries

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Reviewed By pedrodW4845KU

Amazing experience¡. I couldn´t imagine places so nice¡. Borja took great care and we really enjoyed the day¡. I recommended it 100%.

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