If you’re looking for a city where you can start a new chapter in your life or enjoy a second home, let us tell you that San Sebastián is a sure bet. To sum it up, we can say that it’s one of the most beautiful places in Spain (and that’s saying a lot), while also being a city that offers a high quality of life and practically everything a family needs to live happily and comfortably.
Want to learn more about the benefits of living in Donostia, tips, and its best neighborhoods? Just keep reading to find out all about it…
Donostia, a city located in a prime setting
San Sebastián is the capital of the Basque province of Guipúzcoa and covers an area of 60.89km². In Basque, it is also known as Donostia, and you may occasionally hear some people refer to it as “La bella Easo.” It is a city located in northern Spain, on the shores of the Cantabrian Sea, and is just 50 kilometers by road from France, as are the towns of Biarritz and Bayonne.
According to 2022 data, it has a population of 188,743, with the largest age group being those between 40 and 64 years old. Twenty-seven percent of its residents have a college education, and 13% have vocational training; meanwhile, 9.6% of the population is of immigrant origin, with Honduras, Nicaragua, and Colombia being the most represented countries in this regard.
Unpredictable weather
Living in Donostia means being prepared for somewhat harsh weather on quite a few days of the year. This is especially true in winter, because it’s a long, cold, windy, and damp season; meanwhile, clouds are a constant feature in the skies, no matter what month it is.
In any case, the temperatures are pleasant, as they typically range from 6°C to 25°C; the lows rarely drop below 1°C in the winter, and the highs rarely rise above 29°C in the summer. As for rain, umbrellas are a must, because the wet season (with 1 mm or more of precipitation) lasts up to 8.1 months a year, with the period from September 18 to May 21 being the heaviest in this regard. In fact, on any given day during this period, there is a 27% chance of precipitation.
Advantages of Living in Donostia
Quality of Life
Yes, San Sebastián isn’t exactly a cheap city to live in. In fact, it’s among the most expensive in all of Spain. But if you can afford it, it also rewards you with a quality of life that ranks not only among the best in the country, but also in all of Europe. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic (2019), the “Urban Indicators” report published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) ranked it as the best capital city in Spain based on socioeconomic indicators, such as income level and unemployment rate.
Gastronomy
This is an advantage you’ll also be able to enjoy in many other parts of the country. But that doesn’t make it any less valuable, because both the Basque Country and San Sebastián can delight your palate day after day. It’s no surprise that this city in Gipuzkoa boasts as many as 16 Michelin stars and has the great advantage of offering a wide variety of dishes to suit every taste.
Thus, its proximity to the Cantabrian Sea allows it to offer fresh, seasonal products. Furthermore, the Basque Country has its own quality seal, Eusko Label, to certify agri-food products that are produced, processed, and/or prepared within the Autonomous Community and that exhibit a level of quality, distinctiveness, or uniqueness that exceeds the general average.
There are plenty of dining options, starting with the famous pintxos (tapas-style appetizers), followed by elaborate dishes such as baked txangurro, hake kokotxas, baby squid in their own ink, marmitako, or cod al pil pil; and ending with desserts such as pantxineta or cheesecake.
Easy to transport
Living in Donostia also means getting around with ease. In fact, it’s a city designed for walking, although it also offers accessible alternatives such as more than 30 kilometers of bike lanes and another 77 kilometers of segregated lanes for the safe passage of cyclists, as well as a comprehensive bus network that covers virtually every major point in the city.
Thanks to these advantages, you can get from one of the city’s main attractions to another in 15 to 20 minutes, always on flat ground. And if you’re looking to travel outside the city, in addition to road and rail transportation, Hondarribia Airport (located about 20 kilometers from the city) offers flights to Madrid, Barcelona, and Gran Canaria, as well as occasional flights to London.
Leisure and Culture
Visitors with a passion for music, art, or film will also be delighted by San Sebastián. It’s no surprise, then, that the city hosts the International Jazz Festival in July, featuring major international stars of the genre; meanwhile, the Boga Boga Festibala is a new independent music festival with a distinct San Sebastián spirit. These are joined, among many other activities, by the prestigious San Sebastián International Film Festival, which takes place every September, and the DFERIA Theater Festival in March.
Oh! And living in Donostia also means being close to some of the best museums and cultural venues in northern Spain: the Chillida-Leku, featuring the work of the famous local sculptor and artist Eduardo Chillida; the San Telmo Museum, where you can explore Basque history and culture; or the Aquarium, where you can enjoy one of the most modern and spectacular oceanographic centers on the continent.
Best Neighborhoods and Areas to Live in Donostia
Old Town of San Sebastián
Located at the foot of Mount Urgull, it is one of the most beautiful areas of the city, nestled between the port and the Urumea River on one side of the bay. It features cobblestone streets steeped in history, with major points of interest such as the Basilica of Santa María del Coro, the Church of San Vicente, and the aforementioned San Telmo Museum. Not surprisingly, it’s a lively neighborhood that really comes alive in the Plaza de la Constitución, where the famous Tamborrada is celebrated every January as part of the local festivities.
In any case, the old town isn’t just the historic district. It’s also surrounded by nature, since one end of it overlooks the Cantabrian Sea. A visit to its pier reveals beautiful fishermen’s houses and moored boats, making it an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Downtown and Romantic District
South of the Old Town lies the romantic district of San Sebastián. This neighborhood is known for its late 19th-century buildings, but today it combines this bohemian charm with modern entertainment and dining options. What’s more, it’s the perfect place to sit on the terraces of its bars, sample traditional dishes at its restaurants, or go shopping.
In a way, it has a Parisian flair that gives it that special romantic charm, because even its boulevard features an iconic bandstand reminiscent of Gustave Eiffel’s works. Not to mention its green spaces, such as Gipuzkoa Square, the Paseo de Francia, Cristina Enea Park, and the Alderdi Eder Gardens at City Hall. And all of this is crowned by the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, inaugurated in 1897 and inspired by medieval architecture.
At CULMIA, we highly recommend this place to live in Donostia—and we’re even making it easy for you thanks to our Harribitxi Donostia promotion. It’s located in a renovated building at Plaza Gipuzkoa No. 2, right in the heart of the city’s romantic district, in an elegant, eclectic-style setting. It consists of 15 exclusive 2- and 4-bedroom homes with storage units, direct garage access, and commercial spaces—with the added bonus of having the best the city has to offer just a short distance away: in fact, La Concha Beach is just a 3-minute walk away!
Gros Area
Finally, another very attractive option for living in Donostia is the Gros neighborhood. With direct access to Zurriola Beach, this is the perfect spot to enjoy the sports and leisure activities the provincial capital has to offer. Of the three areas mentioned, it’s the most cosmopolitan and youthful, because its waters are perfect for surfing and its streets are bustling with life—people chatting, having a drink, riding bikes, or playing sports like basketball, skateboarding, or running.
What’s more, Mount Ulía offers the best of nature right in the heart of the city, with its spectacular trails through the forest, its breathtaking cliffs, and its spots for a snack or a picnic. In other words, it’s the perfect place to spend the day, just before heading down to the Sagüés area, a lively neighborhood that offers the city’s best sunsets every day.
And finally, there’s its cultural offerings, because in Groos you’ll also find the Kursaal Palace—a complex of two buildings designed by Rafael Moneo that host numerous conferences and events each year. Not surprisingly, these buildings house the Kubo Katxa Gallery, the city’s perfect venue for showcasing the best exhibitions of avant-garde visual art.
Living in Donostia: Always a Good Choice
As you can see, San Sebastián is a spectacular city that offers residents every convenience. The beach, recreational activities, excellent transportation links, and delicious cuisine are just some of its most obvious advantages, which more than make up for other, less positive aspects, such as the high cost of living and the damp, particularly cold climate in winter. That’s why we recommend choosing it if you’re looking to buy a new home in a prime location and also want to enjoy a new lifestyle.
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