San Sebastian is a compact city located on the Basque country's coast. When visiting, you can expect to come across streets lined with belle epoque buildings built during the city's heyday in the 19th century and spectacular promenades with enticing beaches. Not to mention the city is renowned for its gastronomy. In fact, San Sebastian is a mecca for foodies, considering it has the second-most Michelin stars per capita globally.

With so much to see and do, you should book your trip with Daytrip as soon as possible. We can't wait to transport you to this wondrous destination.

From the 15th to 18th centuries, it suffered through numerous sieges and wars but remained independent until 1813, when Napoleonic troops occupied it. Even then, the country persevered and held onto its customs and traditions.

Interestingly, during the 19th century, San Sebastian became a tourist destination after Queen Isabell II decided the city would be her holiday resort. Thus, with the queen's influence, the city became fashionable, urging many other aristocrats to reside in it during the summer months when the heat was unbearable in their home countries.

All of this history helped shape San Sebastian into the place it has become today. Nowadays visitors can expect to see far more than the Basque buildings made famous by the queen. There are smart suburbs and modern districts to explore alongside quaint fisherman's houses that are a nod toward the country's early history. There are numerous attractions worth visiting, including the Peine del Viento, Kursaal, and the Museum of San Telmo.

The city is also a foodie's dream destination with its high concentration of fine dining restaurants and magnificent tapas bars. It is also a place for artists and dreamers with its immersive cultural scene, including everything from jazz concerts and prestigious film festivals to fishing boat tours and street markets. So why not book your trip and get ready to explore San Sebastian in all its glory?

Stop for sightseeing

If you're planning a trip from Porto to San Sebastian, you might want to consider making a few stops along the way. Because before you even get to San Sebastian, there is much to see and do.

We always recommend walking around in Guimaraes, otherwise known as “The Cradle of Portugal”, exploring Astorga, which was founded by the Romans and still has remnants of the empire's ruin, and Leon, which boasts extraordinary history and lessons in civility. If you need more convincing---those are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites!

However, if there’s somewhere you’d like to visit that’s not on our curated list, Daytrip would happily accommodate sightseeing adventures.

Book everything in advance

You likely don't want to have your holiday ruined by long waits in line and missed sightseeing opportunities. That's why it's best to book everything in advance, and when we say everything, we mean it. For example, we recommend booking your hotels, restaurant dining experiences, attraction tickets, and transportation well in advance.

This will ensure you see and do everything you plan to when driving from Porto to San Sebastian, and it will also likely save you a few hundred dollars on costs.

There are no nonstop flights from Porto to San Sebastian, so the very fastest option is 3.25 hours, but some are up to 14! And that doesn't include the 2 hours for check-in and security or the time spent getting to and from the airport. Tickets cost between $77 and $250, depending on when you travel and the time.

However, there are direct flights from Porto to Bilbao, and from there, you need to take a bus to San Sebastian. There are also flights from Porto to Pamplona, but then a bus trip is needed to take you the rest of the way. If you go the Pamplona route, it can take just over nine hours to complete the trip.

These connecting flights are also often more expensive since two types of transportation are needed.

Porto to San Sebastian by bus

Although a bus can take you from Porto to San Sebastian, it doesn't take you the entire way. Often, you will need to catch the bus from Porto to Irun, which is an average 13-and-a-half-hour journey that costs between $44 and $61.

From the Irun bus station, you'll need to walk to the train station about 10 minutes away, and from there, take a 30-minute train trip to San Sebastian. The bus only operates trips between the two cities once daily, and the sheer amount of time it takes to travel by bus can significantly cut into your holiday time. That's why it might not be a good idea for those with limited time, even though it is affordable.

Porto to San Sebastian by train

Train travel is tricky for those who want to travel from Porto to San Sebastian because the train only takes a traveler part of the way. For example, if you want to travel by train, you must catch a train in Porto that goes to Vigo. This trip is about two hours and 22 minutes. From Vigo, you fly to Bilbao, and once in Bilbao, you need to take a one-hour and 15-minute bus trip to San Sebastian. Alternatively, you can take a 13-hour bus ride!

We got tired just explaining the steps of this journey, so we can only imagine how tired and frustrated you would feel if you chose this travel option.

Porto to San Sebastian by private car transfer

Traveling by private car with a company like Daytrip is by far the easiest and most comfortable way to get from Porto to San Sebastian. It might not be as fast as certain flights, but considering it's a door-to-door ride, it is infinitely more enjoyable.

For example, those who travel with Daytrip are guaranteed a comfortable experience with a friendly, English-speaking driver who can share travel insights and tips. In addition, Daytrip's door-to-door service is also affordable, with prices starting at $180 per seat, and you can book any time that is most convenient for you!

Daytrip can also help you live out your travel dreams with sightseeing stops along the way, and you won't need to worry about handling your luggage when you get to San Sebastian, as we'll do it for you. Don't you think it's more convenient?

Go pintxo bar-hopping, breaking up your feast with visits to the city's major sites, like the Plaza de la Constitution and the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus, a stunning Baroque church.

Monte Urgull

If you want to visit the ruins of Castillo de la Mota and the Sagrado Corazon statue, you'll want to gradually make your way up Monte Urgull. There are four pathways to crest this hill, each offering spectacular ocean views and cliffsides. However, if you want to take the best route, we recommend the one that starts next to the San Telmo Museum since you can kill two birds with one stone and visit the captivating museum first.

Tabakalera

Those interested in art should consider visiting the masterpiece of Tabakalera. This building used to be San Sebastian's premier tobacco factory, but it has been transformed into an international cultural center in recent years. Visitors can expect to explore multi-purpose plazas, beautiful exhibition halls, a library, a cinema theater, art spaces, and a restaurant with some of the most picturesque views.

Playa de la Zurriola

If you enjoy spending time on the beach, you won't want to miss out on visiting Playa de la Zurriola, one of the best beaches in San Sebastian. This beach is not only incredible for those who enjoy surfing the waves, but it's also an amazing spot to laze about and sunbathe while people watch and drink in the beauty of the Spanish coast.

San Telmo Museum

Even if you don't plan on wandering up Monte Urgull, you should still make time to visit the San Telmo Museum. During the 16th century, this museum was a Benedictine convent built to honor San Telmo, the patron saint of sailors.

Since its founding, it has also been a military barracks and a town hall until it was expanded into a museum. The museum is the perfect place to tour if you want to learn more about Basque culture, economy, and history.