Port of San Sebastian

San Sebastian, as a good coastal city, obviously has a port that has a lot to tell us about, so let’s get to it.

The first thing that may surprise tourists about the port of San Sebastian is its size, as it is a tiny port, a triangle wedged between the Old Town and Mount Urgull that can be covered in a short time. Starting at the Nautical Club and ending at the Aquarium, it will take you just ten minutes to walk from one end to the other. Although we recommend that you walk to the top of the first breakwater and then to the Red Cross to see it in its entirety. You can also climb Mount Urgull and walk along the Paseo de los Curas to see the port from the top, a unique view that also allows you to see the entire bay of La Concha.

But it’s not all about strolling, of course. In the port you can find two of Donosti’s museums. The Basque Maritime Museum and the Aquarium. The first is a small museum located in the old Consulate of the Sea building which contains very interesting temporary exhibitions.

Just a few metres further on we find the Aquarium, the oldest museum of its kind in Spain, opened in 1928. A few years ago it was completely refurbished and is now one of the best things to do with children and not-so-children in the city. Its glass tunnel running through the largest aquarium will delight all lovers of marine animals in particular and animals in general. An essential visit if you are in Donosti with your family or if you like this type of spaces. What’s more, just above the Aquarium you have a terrace with spectacular views of the bay of La Concha and the Bay of Biscay, and this is where the Paseo Nuevo begins, one of the best walks in the city.

Next to the entrance to the Aquarium, on the other hand, you’ll find a ramp leading down to the water, a great place to swim with your dog in summer, if you’re travelling with a furry friend, as this is not allowed on the beaches.

If you come in summer, or well, in the good weather season, there are also boats leaving from the port that go to the island of Santa Clara and the catamaran that travels around the bay and the coast of San Sebastian. Another two good things to do while you are in Donosti.

And if you get here, you will surely notice that there are plenty of restaurants by the sea, most of them in the arcades on the quayside. Although some of these restaurants are very touristy and some even have paella on the menu, others are totally authentic and recommended for a good grilled fish, for example. One such restaurant is La Rampa, located right next to the aforementioned harbour ramp.

You may also notice a bust of a man on your walk around the port. This man is Aita Mari, a sailor from Zumaia who lived in San Sebastian and worked as a sea rescuer when this job did not yet exist. On stormy days he helped boats and fishermen to reach port and for this reason he was much loved in San Sebastian and the Basque Country. You can find monuments dedicated to his memory in many ports in the Basque Country, as he himself died at sea trying to save others.

Finally, in the port, the church of San Pedro and San Pablo, built in the 19th century in the neo-Gothic style, is the narrowest church in Spain. As a good seafaring church, it has models of ships hanging from the ceiling and if you are lucky enough to find it open, we recommend you take a look at it, always with respect. Curiously, the church has two houses above it, which also attracts a lot of attention.

To finish the tour of the port, you can cross the Portaletas gate and go through the old city walls to return to the Old Town and continue your visit to our beloved city.