10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in San Sebastian

Monte Urgull is a tree-covered hill and vantage point in the middle of San Sebastian’s Old Town. It’s surrounded by a historic military fortress and museum, making it a popular place to visit during the day. However, the hill also makes a great sunset spot, with wonderful city and ocean views in every direction.

While the fortress and museum are closed at night, you can still admire the views. Walk up to the summit on a path from either side of the hill from Plaza de Zuloaga or behind the Aquarium Donostia San Sebastian. The walk is a lovely way to see parts of the old town and enjoy sceneries of the harbour.

Sunset boat cruises and sailing trips leave from the San Sebastian Marina. This romantic activity generally includes 2-3 hours of sailing around La Concha Bay in the evening with the setting sun as your backdrop. From the boat, you can enjoy a unique perspective of the city and coastline.

You’ll find several boat tour agencies just on the edge of the Old Town. Many of the sunset cruises include drinks and snacks for some light sustenance before dinnertime. There's also the option to hire a private charter for an extra special evening in San Sebastian.

Parque de Atracciones Monte Igueldo is a family-friendly amusement park on a mountainside in San Sebastian. Located on the western side of the Bay of Biscay, the complex offers plenty of activities and incredible panoramic views. Open until after dinner every day, it’s a great place to take the whole family for a fun evening in San Sebastian.

The amusement park has a scenic funicular that runs every 15 minutes until closing time. You’ll find plenty of attractions and rides for the kids to enjoy, including the Terror House, Boat Pond, Bumper Cars and Carousel.

Gros stretches from the slopes of Monte Ulia to the mouth of the River Urumea and back to the Egia neighbourhood in San Sebastian. The youthful and vibrant oceanfront district is known for its lively nightlife and surf culture. Zurriola Beach is a magnet for hardcore surfers, while the bustling streets are where you’ll find pintxo bars hosting live music virtually every night of the week.

The streets of Gros are also filled with world-class restaurants and unique shops. It especially draws a younger crowd, thanks to the thriving surf culture in the neighbourhood. For music lovers, it’s also home to the Heineken Jazzaldia festival, held every year in July.

Reyes Catolicos Kalea is a pedestrianised street running south of Artzain Onaren Katedrala in San Sebastian’s city centre. The street, called Catholic Kings, is known for its many traditional bars. It has been a notable dining destination for many generations.

You can find some of the city’s oldest tapas bars and coffee shops on the walkable street. At night, it’s buzzing with activity – many bars open until after midnight. Being home to more traditional places, it’s a great place to meet locals on a night out in San Sebastian.

Egia is a trendy art and cultural neighbourhood beside the River Urumea. It’s often referred to as the SoHo of San Sebastian, with a vibrant artsy and creative scene. There are many art galleries, cultural centres, performance theatres and unique bars inside the historic buildings.

No matter what kind of night you’re looking for, Egia offers plenty for night owls with parties, clubs, concerts and performances throughout the week. On the weekends, it's particularly lively late into the night with pintxo and tapas bars open until the early hours of the morning.

Pintxos bars are some of the most iconic nightlife destinations in San Sebastian. The Basque word pintxo is derived from pinchar, which means ‘to pierce’. You’ll find skewers of food to graze on while you enjoy a drink with friends. There are usually pintxos ready to eat, as well as made-to-order options at these bars.

It’s common to hop from one pintxos bar to the next, sampling some of the local food and drinks throughout the evening. Locals tend to wash down the skewers of food with wine, beer or Tempranillo. The city’s most popular pintxos bars usually stay packed and loud well into the night.

Tabakalera is a popular cultural centre in San Sebastian, housed in a converted tobacco factory just north of Cristina Enea Park in Egia. The complex offers a wide-ranging program of activities and productions linked to music, fashion, performing arts and various forms of art.

You can find the latest schedule of events, performances, and exhibitions on Tabakalera’s official website. If you’re also feeling peckish, the building houses a restaurant, pub and coffee shop – great for meals and drinks before a show.

Victoria Eugenia Antzokia is a performing arts centre within the De Okendo Plaza in San Sebastian, overlooking the Urumea River. The sandstone building was created by architect Francisco de Urcola in intricate Spanish Renaissance style. It has been the main hub of performing arts in the city since 1912, with various events and performances throughout the year.

The 20^th-century building is as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside. It's worth visiting for a show or performance depending on the current program. Victoria Eugenia Antzokia is also the main venue for the annual International Film Festival that takes place every September in San Sebastian.

Jazz bars can be found all over San Sebastian. The city is very passionate about music, with many popular jazz bars scattered throughout its lively neighbourhoods. Some of the most iconic jazz venues can be found in Parte Vieja or the Old Town. Here, you’ll find live jazz, salsa and blues music throughout the week.

From multi-storey venues to underground basement bars, there are a variety of jazz bars to stumble upon along the cobblestoned streets. On weekends, most venues open until the early hours of the morning.