San Sebastian on a whim!

I don't think relaxing there since it attracts a lot of tourists. The weather there was cool in July; given the weather the time year matters; I went to this great festival on the beach that is known internationally may not be for everyone
https://jazzaldia.eus/en/past-editions/
I took the day trip to see the Guggenheim in Bilbao.
Bilbao is mellow not buzzy touristy like San Sebastian.
If you go take the bus or rent a car quicker than the train.

You are never guaranteed beach weather on the north coast of Spain. San Sebastian's beach is beautiful to look at, though. The town is, indeed, very touristy. Bilbao is much less so.

Traditionally a rainy area, it´s also true that climate change seems to be altering this fact. Less rain, but do not think of Donostia-San Sebastia as a resort town in any way. A working city that happens to have three beautiful beaches. I would definitely visit Bilbao and the Guggenheim plus its beautiful old quarter, as a minimum experience there. Getaria to the west and Hondarribia to the east make also great day or half-day excursions.

About locations to visit, the forum provides an interesting mix of "nope, never", "meh", and "I can't wait to back..." As an interested observer who will be there in June, San Sebastian is one of those places, and seems to be mailgned quite often here. Of course, we all seek different things and react in different ways. I've never been disappointed by advice on this forum. But people who know me and who have been to San Sebastian sing its praises quite loudly and vociferously.

One of those friends suggests renting a car or hiring a car service for drives in either direction along the coast. France is just down the road, and as suggested by others, Bilboa is nifty, too. And I'm told meals in San Sebastian are mouth-wateringly great.

If adventure is what you seek, go where you've never been. If you're lucky, you'll have a good story or two to share with friends when you get home.

We're looking forward to our stay there, and 3-4 days is what I've been told is optimal.

We loved everything about the Basque country from Bilbao on into the small Basque towns in France…and all the pinxtos and txaloli along the way! The Guggenheim was great; the Peine de Veinte at La Concha Beach was a quick, fun stop in San Sebastion; but our very favorite was Chillida-Leku, a short distance from San Sebastion. Highly recommend a visit there.

Hi from Wisconsin,
We loved the Basque coast of Spain. Great villages and cities. I would say, get a car. San Sebastian, we considered it a down day. Not wasted, I mean the parking situation was modern. they have so may tourists, it was one of the few places along the coast were we felt the tourism pressure.

The beach...it makes a great photo. The wind of the Bay was a bit too much.

wayne iNWI

I’m planning a visit to San Sebastián for a couple nights in September. It doesn’t have a lot of famous sites but is famed for being the oceanfront Basque culinary capital with a score of Michelin-starred restaurants. The amazing architecture of the Guggenheim in Bilbao ( 1-hr west by bus or car) is perhaps the most famous regional attraction. 25 minutes east of San Sebastián is the small, well-preserved medieval town of Hondarriba, complete with its own castle. Even Hondarriba has a Michelin-starred restaurant among its seafood restaurants.
France is right over the border from Hondarriba and, if you pick up a car just outside of Hondarriba at San Sebastian Airport ( coded EAS which should be called “Hondarriba Airport” HON) you can reach St.-Jean-de-Luz, just 30-minutes east of Hondarribia. This is the town where the corsairs- pirates- based themselves centuries ago. There are some picturesque French villages such as Ciboure, Sare, Ainhoa and Espelette all just a 30-40 minute drive out of Honarriibia. And about a 90-minute drive from San Sebastián you’ll find Olite. Olite is a medieval walled-town that once was the seat of the Kingdom of Navarre. And that explains the spectacular Royal Palace towering over Olite. It looks like something from a move set. Now a Spanish Parador reportedly with its own great restaurant, there’s also a winery near the Palace. Today, anyone can stay overnight at Olite’s Royal Palace for less than €110.
So, yes, while you might get restless spending all four nights in San Sebastián/Donostia, there are plenty of intriguing places nearby.
Have a great Trip!