Official Website of Donostia San Sebastián Turismoa. Information on accessibility for tourists visiting the city.
Donostia San Sebastián
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Maritime route

Summary

The sea is the star of this route which begins at Monpas point, in the shadow of Mount Ulia, and ends at the foot of Mount Igeldo. Around six kilometres in length right along the shore, passing by San Sebastián's three beaches. La Zurriola, La Concha and Ondarreta, as it makes its way along the coastal “Camino de Santiago”.

Puerto de San Sebastian
Person in a wheelchair admiring the sunset in the port of San Sebastián, with Mount Igueldo in the background
Two women walking through the center of San Sebastián, next to the Urumea River and in the background the Kursaal Bridge.
Two people conversing with sign language and walking calmly in the gardens of the Miramar Palace, with La Concha Bay in the background.

Route

The routes start at Monpas. This is a regular meeting place for surf fans. From there, Paseo de Zurriola runs along the promenade and ends up in the Gros district, at the Conference Centre and Kursaal Auditorium, one of the city's architectural gems and a new focal point of culture designed by architect Rafael Moneo to resemble two rocks jutting out towards the sea.

Monpas, one of the sections of the promenade. Wide sidewalk and the sea on the left.
Section of the promenade that passes next to Zurriola beach. Wide sidewalk and railing on the right.
Section of the promenade located between Zurriola beach and Kursaal.
Section of the promenade that passes along the Kursaal side. In the background you can see the Zurriola bridge.

Crossing Zurriola bridge, an example of modernism adorning the mouth of the river Urumea, you reach Paseo Nuevo which winds its way around Mount Urgull. When the tide is high it is common for the waves to reach all the way to the promenade. Sticking close to the sea you come to Construcción Vacía, a work by Jorge Oteiza.

Paseo nuevo. Railing on the right by the sea and bike path on the left.
Access area to the public toilet of the Paseo Nuevo. In the background Mount Igueldo.
Bike path and pedestrian area of ​​the Paseo Nuevo. In the background Mount Igueldo.
Access ramp and stairs to the site where one of Jorge Oteiza's sculptures is located. In the background Mount Igueldo.

A staircase leads to the port via the Aquarium and the Naval Museum. Be sure to visit them.

Entrance to Cousteau Square, above the Aquarium. Signage with accessibility pictogram.
Walk next to the port of San Sebastián. Railing on the right and houses on the left.

At the port. sporting and fishing boats coexist against a background of colourful fishermen's houses. At the end of the port you will find San Sebastián City Hall, a former casino, and the Royal Yacht Club, a unique work in the Rationalist style, which was built to resemble a ship berthed in the quay. Walk around the pier and enjoy the sea lapping at your feet. A little further on you will come to the Talaso-La Perla Sports Centre, now transformed into the modern Talaso Sports Centre and which used to be one of the world's most renowned coastal spas. Keep walking around La Concha beach and you will see the Homage to Fleming, a work by Chillida. This is a great spot for a rest and to take in the landscape. Opposite you is Santa Clara island.

Gardens of Alderdi Eder and in the background the City Hall of Donostia/San Sebastián.
Walk along the beach of La Concha. Railing on the right and the Alderdi Eder gardens on the left.

Just off Paseo de La Concha is Miramar Palace, in the "Queen Anne's English Cottage" style, where Queen Maria Cristina of Spain held court every summer. Down the other side you come to the El Antiguo (Old) district, so called because it was where the city's earliest inhabitants lived.

Next, Ondarreta beach with its promenade and gardens housing a statue built in honour of Queen María Cristina mark the way towards the Peine del Viento (Wind Comb), one of the most beautiful corners of the city and the work of the architect Luis Peña Ganchegui and the sculptor Eduardo Chillida. This corner of the city is not accessible for wheelchair users.

Walk along the beach of Ondarreta. Railing on the right and Mount Igueldo in the background.
Walk from Ondarreta beach to Peine del Viento. Stone wall on the right hand side next to the sea and road on the left hand side.

Please note! This place in the city is not accessible for wheelchair users.