Holy Week is presented every year as a pause in the middle of the calendar, a time to stop, travel, enjoy and reconnect with what we like. In this context, San Sebastián is a city that has it all: sea, mountains, culture, architecture, good food and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you are visiting for the first time or if you are a regular in the city, there is a wide variety of plans for Easter that you can enjoy as a couple, with friends, with family or even alone.
In this article you will find a complete and updated guide to activities for Holy Week 2025 in San Sebastian. Although it is not a city known for its massive processions, the capital of Gipuzkoa offers top-level tourist, cultural and gastronomic alternatives. Discover what to do during these days, how to make the most of your visit and what corners you can’t miss.
Discover here the best plans for Holy Week in Donostia.
Holy Week 2025 will be celebrated from April 13 to 21. During these days, the city maintains a special rhythm: many shops are open, bars and restaurants operate at full capacity and museums and cultural centers adapt their programming. In addition, there is usually a good atmosphere in the streets without reaching the summer crowds, which is ideal for those looking for a quieter and more authentic experience.
San Sebastián during Holy Week is a perfect mix of calm, cultural life, Basque tradition and breathtaking landscapes.
Walks through La Concha Bay and its surroundings
A classic that never fails. Walking through La Concha bay is one of the best plans for Holy Week, and for any time of the year. From the Peine del Viento to the Miramar Palace or the historic center, walking along the beach or along the promenade is a relaxing and photogenic experience.
You can start the day in the Antiguo neighborhood, having breakfast facing the sea and then walk along the beach to the center. If you go up to Monte Igueldo by funicular, you will get one of the most spectacular views of the entire Basque coast.
If you feel like extending the walk, you can go around Monte Urgull along Paseo Nuevo and reach Zurriola beach, more open to the Cantabrian Sea, where you will see surfers all year round.
This tour is ideal whether you are traveling alone or as a couple, and also highly recommended for families with children. It can be done on foot, by bike or even on an electric scooter.
Pintxos route through the Old Town and Gros
Gastronomy is one of the great pillars of San Sebastián, and during Holy Week many bars and restaurants open normally. One of the plans for Holy Week most enjoyed by tourists is the pintxos route through the Old Town.
Some essential bars:
- Gandarias: Basque tradition and quality pintxos
- Borda Berri: creative cuisine with intense flavors
- La Cuchara de San Telmo: small hot dishes with a signature touch
- Txepetxa: specialists in anchovy pintxos with different sauces
You can also explore the Gros neighborhood, where the gastronomic offer is more modern. On Zabaleta Street and its surroundings there are bars with fusion, vegetarian, Asian or signature cuisine. It is an area with a young atmosphere and many options for informal breakfast or dinner.
Tip: If you travel as a family or group, the ideal is to eat at a bar in several places and share. It is part of the San Sebastian experience.
Museums and cultural spaces open during Holy Week
Donostia offers an active cultural life also on these dates. Some museums adapt their programming or prepare special activities for the holidays.
- San Telmo Museum: Basque history, art and culture in a spectacular building. Ideal for those who want to better understand the soul of the Basque Country. They usually organize children’s workshops and very interesting temporary exhibitions.
- Tabakalera: center of contemporary culture, cinema, design, visual art. It has a free observation deck on the top floor with views over the city, a spacious cafeteria and a specialized bookstore.
- San Sebastián Aquarium: an ideal plan to go with children or if the weather is not good. The transparent tunnel that runs through the main aquarium is always a hit.
- House of Peace and Human Rights: less known space, but with exhibitions on justice, memory and human rights.
- Kursaal Center and Victoria Eugenia Theater: check their agenda, as there are usually concerts, theater, cinema or shows for all audiences during these dates.
What to do in San Sebastián during Holy Week if it rains
The weather in the north can be variable in April. Therefore, it is useful to have alternative plans for Easter in case the weather is not good. Aside from museums, there are many other activities you can do indoors.
- Wine or cheese tastings: in several specialized stores in the center you can book a guided gastronomic experience.
- Urban spas and thalassotherapy centers: like La Perla, right on La Concha Beach, where you can take a bath with sea views even if it’s cold outside.
- Basque cooking workshops: some establishments organize workshops to learn how to cook pintxos or typical dishes. A different and tasty way to get to know the local culture.
- Escape rooms and virtual reality rooms: perfect for groups of friends or families with teenagers.
- Bookstores with cafeteria: like Garoa in Gros, where you can spend a quiet afternoon with books, coffee and good music.
Family and children activities
San Sebastián is an ideal city to enjoy with the family during Holy Week. Apart from its beaches and parks, it offers proposals designed for the little ones.
- Monte Igueldo: amusement park with a vintage feel, where children and adults enjoy alike. The Swiss Mountain and the House of Terror are his classics.
- Cristina Enea Park: very large green space with peacocks, ponds and play areas.
- Tourist train: leaves the Boulevard and travels through the key points of the city with explanations adapted for the whole family.
- Santa Clara Island: If time and sea permit, you can take a boat from the port and spend some time exploring this small island.
- Activities in museums: both the Aquarium and the San Telmo Museum usually offer special children’s activities on these dates.
Romantic plans for couples
San Sebastián has a romantic aura that makes it one of the most special cities for couples getaways. Whether for a relaxed trip or to celebrate something special, there are multiple ideas that will make your Easter unforgettable.
- Sunset from Paseo Nuevo or the Monte Igueldo viewpoint
- Dinner at one of the signature or Michelin-starred restaurants
- Boat ride around the bay (active duty weather permitting)
- Picnic on Mount Urgull with views of the city
- Night in a charming hotel in the Old Town or the romantic neighborhood
You can complement these plans with some cultural activity or a visit to txakoli wineries around the city.
Routes through charming neighborhoods
A different way to discover Donostia during Holy Week is to explore its neighborhoods calmly, getting off the usual tourist routes.
- El Antiguo: quiet neighborhood, with a beach, beachfront cafes and a lot of local atmosphere.
- Egia: with an alternative feel, it is perfect for discovering small bookstores, murals and cafes.
- Gros: ideal for those looking for surfing, design shops and more modern gastronomy.
- Amara: residential area with good parks, shopping areas and tranquility for walking.
Taking short walking routes through these neighborhoods will allow you to see another side of San Sebastián, more everyday and authentic.
Excursions from San Sebastián for a full day
If you are going to spend more than three or four days in the city, you can take the opportunity to take some excursions in the surrounding area.
- Hondarribia: one of the most beautiful towns in the province, with walls, alleys and views of the sea.
- Getaria and Zarautz: ideal for trying grilled fish or visiting txakoli wineries. It is easily reached by train.
- Pasajes San Juan: small charming port that looks like something out of a postcard. You can go by bus or walking from San Sebastián.
- Loyola Sanctuary (Azpeitia): for those interested in religious heritage and Basque baroque. A place with history and a lot of beauty.
- Bidasoa Greenway: for those who enjoy walking or cycling. Nature, river and tranquility.
Seasonal gastronomy: sweets, recipes and markets
During Holy Week there are also special culinary options that you cannot miss:
- Pantxineta: typical San Sebastian dessert based on puff pastry, cream and almonds
- Torrijas: although more typical from other areas of Spain, more and more local pastry shops offer them
- Cod pil-pil or Vizcaína style: traditional dishes in many homes and restaurants during these dates
- Fresh seafood at La Bretxa Market
Visit the city’s traditional markets and gourmet shops to take a little piece of Basque culture home.
Practical tips for traveling to Donostia during Easter
- Accommodation: book in advance, especially if you are traveling in a group or family
- Transportation: you can easily get around on foot, by bus or by bike. Dbus offers good urban connections
- Holidays: in the Basque Country on Easter Monday it’s not a holiday, so that day everything returns to normal
- Clothing: the weather is changeable. Wear layered clothing, comfortable shoes, and something warm.
- Useful apps: Dbus, Donostia Turismoa, Euskotren and Google Maps to get around without complications
Conclusion
San Sebastián is an exceptional destination to enjoy a different Holy Week. Through its walks, its cuisine, its culture and its landscapes, it offers a complete experience for those looking for something more than religious tradition. The plans for Easter in Donostia adapt to all types of travelers, from those who want to disconnect on the beach to those looking to delve into local life, discover neighborhoods with soul or try new ways of traveling.
The city awaits you with open arms: quiet but vibrant, discreet but full of possibilities. This Holy Week 2025, let yourself be carried away by the beauty of Donostia and discover why so many people return again and again.
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