Top San Sebastian Historical Tours

Discover San Sebastian through the eyes of a local on this small-group walking tour. Leave the history books behind as you tick off the Bay of La Concha, lively streets of the Old Town, Donostia Boulevard, and more. Stroll through hidden corners and soak up the city's culture as you explore beyond the main sights. With its shorter duration, you'll also have plenty of time to shop and dine at your leisure afterwards.

Discover the History, Highlights & Hidden Stories of San Sebastián. Perfect for first-time visitors, this small-group walking tour helps you understand San Sebastián, not just see it. We'll explore the historic heart of the city, uncovering the people and events that shaped the city you see today. Along the way I'll bring its past to life with historic photographs and old postcards. I focus on engaging, memorable history rather than long lists of dates and names. As a Brit who's called the Basque Country home for over 20 years, I love helping English-speaking visitors discover the streets, stories and hidden corners that make this city so special. Whether it's your first day or your only day here, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of San Sebastián and ideas for what to explore next. There's plenty of time for questions, plus recommendations for pintxo bars, restaurants and places to visit afterwards. Join me for an engaging introduction to this wonderful Basque city!

Stroll through the historic Old Town of San Sebastian with a guide on this walking tour. Through a guide's commentary, learn about the city's people, culture, architecture, and history. With a small group of just 10 people or fewer, travelers will enjoy personalized attention and the chance to ask questions on the tour, which will stop at a local bar for a round of pintxos (tapas) and a drink.

Experience San Sebastian’s highlights and lesser-known delights on this small-group electric bike tour. Hop on an easy-to-ride bike and see more than you ever could by walking as you cruise the city's large network of bike lanes. Discover La Concha, the Boulevard, and Monte Igueldo for bird’s-eye views, and explore often-overlooked districts such as the university and sports quarter. Ideal for first-time and short-on-time visitors, with a choice of departures.

Departing from Bilbao or San Sebastián : live an unforgettable day through three of the most iconic destinations in the French Basque Country: Biarritz, Bayonne and San Juan de Luz. A complete excursion combining history, coastal elegance, traditional architecture and local cuisine. We start in Biarritz, a city of aristocratic air and spectacular views of the Atlantic. We will visit places like the Grande Plage, the Casino, the Hotel du Palais and the church of Sainte Eugénie, with free time afterwards to enjoy the surroundings. We will continue to Bayonne, where we will take a guided tour of its historic center, including the City Hall, the church of San Andrés and the Gothic cathedral. Then you will have time to have lunch and explore at your own pace. We close the day in San Juan de Luz, a charming fishing village where we combine a short guided tour with free time to stroll, shop or relax. A complete experience with guidance, transportation and the perfect balance between culture and leisure.

San Sebastián offers elegance, tradition, and coastal charm—but local insight makes all the difference. Explore the city with a local on a private walking tour. This personalized tour allows you to discover the exterior of monuments, including museums, while learning about the city’s history and culture. Museum visits can be arranged upon request. Your guide contacts you in advance to shape the tour around your interests, revealing hidden corners and local favorites beyond the obvious sights.

Visit the highlights of San Sebastian in a short amount of time on this guided bike tour. Cruise around the easy-to-bike city with a guide, stopping at more than 7 hotspots, including three beaches. This tour departs from a centrally located location at two convenient times, offering you some flexibility.

Are you looking for a way to see San Sebastián without joining a tour group? Explore at your own pace with this affordable audio walking tour. • Trace the city‘s origins as a haven for sailors, whales, and cider, to its reign as a royal beach resort and the continent‘s fine dining capital • Hear from producer, Gregory Schaefer, a chef that's been in Basque for over 10 years • Do it all in two hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Discover the hidden gems of the Basque Country on this private day tour that showcases coastal views, lush countryside sights, and traditional villages off the usual tourist trail. Opting for a private tour gives you the undivided attention of your driver-guide, and ensures a more personalized experience. Notable sights on the route include Tolosa, the Sanctuary of Loyola, the seaside beauty of Zumaia, and Getaria Fishing Port.

Finding the best pintxos spots in San Sebastian’s Old Town can be difficult without local insight. This private tour takes you through Donostia-San Sebastian Old Town with a guide, uncovering both well-known highlights and hidden corners. Along the way, receive a map and personalized recommendations for top pintxos bars—helping you eat like a local long after the tour ends.

Explore the Basque coastline and some of its most charming seaside enclaves—Hondarribia, Pasajes de San Juan, and Pasai San Pedro—on this half-day tour from San Sebastian. Opt for a dual-language tour in a larger group, or upgrade to a more intimate small-group tour in either Spanish or English. Small-group tours include 2-way transfers from your San Sebastian hotel or apartment.

Experience Biscay on a private tour from San Sebastian, starting at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the Game of Thrones islet with 241 steps, sea views, and wind-swept landscapes. Continue to Mundaka, a fishing gem in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, known for its legendary wave, harbor, churches, lookouts, and smoky grills along the quay. The route ends in Guernica, the symbolic heart of the Basque people, visiting the Tree of Guernica (Gernika in Basque), walking historic streets, and pausing before the mural inspired by Picasso’s Guernica. This private tour includes an expert local guide, hotel pick-up and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, and Gaztelugatxe tickets, offering a perfectly rounded day linking nature, culture, and memory in Biscay.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Gipuzkoa coast, without having to plan how to get around, thanks to this convenient whistle-stop half-day tour. Travel with ease in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a guide to provide commentary about the fishing villages and hidden local gems you pass—such as the pretty town of Zarautz, the quaint fishing port of Getaria, and the small village of Orio.

Spend a full day touring from San Sebastian to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Guernica. Walk the rocky path to the hermitage featured in Game of Thrones, then explore Guernica's historic sites including the Tree of Guernica with its history and Picasso's mural inspired by his Guernica painting. Travel comfortably by private coach in a mid-sized group with entrance fees included for a seamless Basque Country experience.

Explore the best of the Basque French coast on this private tour, visiting Bayonne, Biarritz, and San Juan de Luz with round-trip transfers from San Sebastian. Extend your knowledge of Basque culture and enjoy free time for lunch near the beach in Biarritz. This private tour allows you to customize the itinerary to your preferences.

On this Shared Walking Tour of Hondarribia you will discover one of the most picturesque villas in the Basque Country, where history is breathed in every corner. We will stroll through the walled historic quarter, with its cobblestone streets, houses with wooden balconies and the imposing Plaza de Armas, presided over by the old castle of Charles V. We will continue to the lively Marina, the fishing quarter full of color and life, to know its seafaring atmosphere and its gastronomic tradition. A close and pleasant tour to enjoy Hondarribia in all its essence : its medieval legacy, its seafaring character and its unique charm facing the sea.

This half-day excursion from San Sebastian offers a well-paced introduction to Bilbao, combining panoramic viewpoints, historic heritage and contemporary art. Travelling by private transport with a local bilingual guide, the tour begins with a stop at the Artxanda Viewpoint, providing a clear overview of the estuary, bridges and urban development of the city. The experience continues with a guided walking tour through Bilbao’s Old Town, including the Seven Streets and the Ribera Market, where the city’s commercial roots, industrial past and social transformation are explained. The visit then includes an audio tour inside the Guggenheim Museum with the provided audio guide, highlighting its iconic architecture and key exhibitions. After a short break for lunch on your own (please note that lunch is not included), the group returns to San Sebastian, arriving mid-afternoon. A complete yet efficient way to experience Bilbao’s highlights in just a few hours.

Get your cultural and gastronomic game on with this private tour in San Sebastian, focusing on the city’s top sites and culinary scene. Your driver/guide shows you some of the best basque bars in town, and the best places to get small bites to eat. You might never find some of these on your own.

Discover pintxos tradition on a small-group food tour in San Sebastian's Old Town. Visit several venues, including pintxo bars, restaurants, and gourmet shops. Taste local specialties like Iberian ham, mussels, and marinated anchovies, and enjoy glasses of Basque wine in a small-group setting, for a more intimate experience.

After a decadent getaway in San Sebastián, end your trip on a high note with this private transfer service. Meet your driver directly at your San Sebastián accommodation, hop aboard your executive vehicle, and get settled while your luggage is stowed. Enjoy one last scenic trip through the region en route to either Bilbao Airport or San Sebastián Airport.

Discover San Sebastian your way with Ciceru’s self-guided walking tour—audio and text in 7 languages, right on your phone. No app, no hassle—just press play and explore! Start at the port, uncovering its maritime past and the city's deep connection to the sea. Continue to City Hall, once a casino, then stroll through Plaza de Guipúzcoa, a green oasis. Admire Hotel María Cristina, a Belle Époque icon, and explore Victoria Eugenia Antzokia, a cultural landmark. Step into Plaza de la Constitución, where history and tradition meet. Pass by San Vicente Church, the city’s oldest, and uncover the stories behind Trinidad Plaza, rich with Basque heritage. End at Paseo de los Curas, where breathtaking bay views provide the perfect finale. With 9 interactive stops and riddles, this self-guided tour lets you explore at your own pace. Perfect for history lovers and curious travelers, it blends discovery, challenge, and fun. Explore San Sebastian one riddle at a time!

Discover the Basque Coast on an exclusive private tour with door-to-door pickup across Gipuzkoa. Choose your custom Txakoli winery experience: visit a oceanfront winery in Hondarribia or the rolling hillside vineyards of Getaria, the origin of Txakoli. Tour the facility, learn the art of the traditional pour, and enjoy a guided tasting paired with local specialties. Next, explore medieval Hondarribia. Walk along ancient walled streets, aristocratic mansions, and colorful fishermen's houses on Calle San Pedro. Conclude with a gourmet pintxos route in La Marina, featuring a VIP stop at the world-famous Gran Sol to sample champion-level creations. 100% Private & Flexible: Comfortably tailored to your rhythm in a luxury vehicle. Seamless Travel: Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

This tour is limited to a very small group of maximum 7 people, creating a relaxed and personal atmosphere that’s impossible on standard day trips. Led by a warm, knowledgeable local guide, the day feels more like traveling with a friend than following a script. The small group size allows for flexibility, easy conversation, and time to enjoy each place properly, from everyday life in Bayonne to the coastal charm of Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. It’s a social and well-paced way to experience the French Basque Country from San Sebastián.

This visit gives you a chance to learn about the work of Basque farmers visiting a 16th-century farmhouse. Afterwards, the trip continues through the landscape until we reach the Cider House. You will get to know the family that runs it and the steps required to make Basque cider will be explained. You will then taste the product, first in the bottle and then sitting down to a traditional cider house menu. * The guided tour, as it is a shared service, may be in several languages depending on the origin of the clients.