San Sebastian Hotels: hotel accommodation in San Sebastian, Spain

This short break guide about San Sebastian, Spain will help you to make the most of your trip. Lists of what's on in San Sebastian and recommended hotels will save you time when planning your city break.

About San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastian is a typical lazy beach town amidst an ancient setting. The town dates back to the Roman Age and still holds onto many traditions from the past throughout the year. It is also a very religious town and has many, many fiestas, ceremonies and parades dedicated to the cause throughout the year. Located along the southern part of the Bay of Biscay, it's beautiful coastline makes it a popular resort town.

Although it is a vacation hotspot, the town still manages to maintain its laid back vibe. Most locals surf and you can see everyone from a 7 year old boy to a 40 year old woman carrying their board around town. San Sebastian also has many cozy restaurants, some of the best in-city beaches in Europe, lively bars and excellent designer clothing shops. It is one of the best destinations in Spain to take in historical architecture and relax all at once.

What is on in San Sebastian in 2008

Our mini-guide to what's on in San Sebastian lists the top events and attractions in 2008. If you take your short break in San Sebastian, Spain when these events are taking place, add them to your list of things to do in San Sebastian.

1. Parade of the Three Wise Men -San Sebastian participates in the country wide celebration of the coming of the Three Wise Men into their own town. After the Wise Men arrive into the center of town, a large procession full of floats, hundreds of children throwing candy and toys, and towns people who simply want to join up in the march through the streets winds its way through San Sebastian. Afterwards, the town organizes a festival that includes street performers, music, dancing and other fun forms of entertainment. This is a free event.

2. Mount Igeldo - A hike up Mount Igeldo, at the Western most point of the bay, is worth anyone's while. Once hiker's reach the top, spectacular views of the beaches and town unfold below. Following another short easy route will take you to the statue of Christ that sits atop the mountain, overlooking San Sebastian.

3. Carnival - Much like its sister Carnival in Brazil, the Spanish version brings out the big guns and displays a variety of sporting, cultural, musical and culinary showcases from February clear through March. Nearly every major town in Spain has its own version that takes place for a fortnight, including San Sebastian. Other major Carnival town close by are Puerto del Rosario (February 1 - 10), Morrojable (February 7 - 24), and Corralego (February 27 - March 1). This is a free event.

4. Holy Week - March brings the largest religious celebration of the entire year. Holy Week celebration includes the Passion Play, Dance of Patatu and Easter festivities including parades, plays, masses and feasts throughout the city. Msost of these events are free of charge and take place throughout March.

5. La Concha and La Zurriola Beaches - These are the two main beaches of San Sebastian, although there are a handful of smaller once. La Concha features an inlet, an island and boats that guests are able to rent and take into the bay. La Zurriola lies just east of the old town and river and has been claimed by the surfers due to its waves. There are also a number of other beach sports going on daily. Surf lessons are about 65EUR per hour.

6. Mora Olive Festival - The small town of Mora de Toledo, just outside of San Sebastian, boasts some of the richest olive groves in all of Spain. Each year the town dedicates a week of its time to celebrate their pride and joy with an Olive Festival. The first day brings many games, competitions, tastings, an olive market and fiesta, as well as the crowning of the festival queen and lighting of the olive branch as a sign of peace. The second day the trees are blessed in a celebratory mass. Afterwards the queen is welcomed in a huge parade complete with carriages and horses decked out to the nines. At twilight, Mora de Toledo's running of the bulls takes place followed by live music, dancing and merry making. On the final day, a dedication to Andalusian culture takes place, which includes an olive stone throwing competition and parties into the wee hours of the morning. This is a free event.

7. First Week of May - The first week of May in San Sebastian brings a flourish of activity to San Sebastian. Dos de Mayo celebrates the lively, fierce, independent spirit of the Spanish peoples. The following day is the 2^nd of May Festival which commemorates the uprising of Madrid against the French in 1808. The 3^rd is the annual Festival of the May Crosses when the entire town hang brilliantly decorated crosses from every balcony, doorway and street corner available. The 4^th commemorates the miracle of Santa Eulalia, the fateful day when an old church on a hill collapsed and tumbled down into the sea just moments after mass participants exited the building. All the while the Riberio Wine Festival goes on just outside of San Sebastian's border in Ribadavia. All of these celebrations include masses, parades, entertainment, dancing, music, drinking, delicious foods and as much fun and good cheer as anyone might imagine! This is a free event.

8. Foz Horse Fair - Horses have always played an important part in Spanish history. This horse fair, held in the small seaside town of Foz, close by San Sebastian, allows horses to romp and play in the surf; quite a beautiful site. Foz is also home to a wild mountain pony which locals round up and race down the beach. This is a free event, unless you purchase a horse or pony.

9. Paseo de Kaiko - This small aquarium holds local sea animals and is located on La Concha beach. There is also an older amusement park close by that is open from 10:00am - 9:00pm. A ride up the mountain in a cable car to the rides costs about 1.20EUR and another 1.50EUR once riders reach the top.

10. Running of the Nudes - In response to the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, which is not far from San Sebastian, protestors converge to run the streets in their underwear. The most daring of them all strip all the way down to their birthday suits! Although it is surrounded by drinking and merrymaking, the Running of the Nudes also tries to showcase the inhumane truth that the bulls are frantic, terrified and can easily hurt themselves with one slip on the pavement. The run begins at 1pm on the given date in July. This is a free event, except for your own humility!

Recommended San Sebastian Hotels

Hotel review website TripAdvisor allows travelers to thoroughly assess San Sebastian hotels that they have visited. The unbiased evaluations really help to find the best hotels and avoid the worst. The top 10 San Sebastian hotels recommended by review are:

1. Pension Bellas Artes

2. Saiaz Getaria Hotel

3. Silken Amara Plaza Hotel

4. Villa Soro

5. Hotel Maria Cristina

6. Hotel Niza

7. NH Aranzazu

8. Hotel Palacio de Aiete

9. Hotel Record

10. Pension Alameda

San Sebastian Airport

San Sebastian has access to several airports.

There is a small airport that is roughly 20 kilometers from the center of town, just outside of Hondarribia. A bus route to and from this airport departs from the Plaza Gipuzkoa about once an hour and takes 30 minutes to reach its end destination, making about 4 stops along the way. The bus costs 2EUR.

There is also the Biarritz airport in France, about 50 kilometers away that has excellent bus and train connections to San Sebastian.

Further out at about 100 kilometers there are airports in Bilboa, Spain and Vitoria, Spain that also have good bus connections to San Sebastian. The cost for a bus ride into San Sebastian will be approximately 8EUR from either of these airports.