Travel advice and tips

Donostia/San Sebastián is a medium-sized cosmopolitan city that is fully equipped to receive the most demanding visitors who want to have it all: quality services, exceptional spaces, unique experiences, and a full cultural and leisure programme. Find the answers to all your questions here.

Currency

Euro, currency commonly used throughout the European Union.

Climate

Temperate climate, characterized by mild temperatures, high humidity, frequent cloud cover, and rainfall distributed evenly throughout the year.

Time zone

GMT + 1 (Paris).

Electricity grid

In San Sebastián, the standard voltage is 230 V. The frequency is 50 Hz. Plugs and sockets are type F.

Schedules of interest

Shopping

The shops are open from Monday to Saturday. The normal opening schedule is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then from 4.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Shopping centres do not usually close at lunch time, with usual opening hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Lunch and dinner

Lunch and dinner times tend to be later than other European destinations. Restaurants usually serve lunch between 1.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. and dinner between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.. You are not obliged to leave a tip. Feel free to leave a tip if you feel that the service was satisfactory.

Pintxos

Pintxo bars remain open all day; however, pintxos are served from 11 a.m. until well into the night (11 p.m.).

Night-time activities

Bars (La Gintoneria Donostiarra, Museo del Whisky, gastropubs and chill-out bars) close at around midnight during the week. On the weekends, bars are permitted to remain open until 2 a.m.

Terraces

Terraces in San Sebastián: during low season, terraces remain open until 10.30 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and until 12 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and bank holidays.

Banks

Banks are open in the morning from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Donostia/San Sebastián has more than 180 bank branches that are open Monday through Friday in the mornings.
There is an extensive network of 24-hour ATMs for cash withdrawals at any time (not all establishments in the city accept credit cards).

Currency Exchange

– Navinet currency exchange (C/ Narrika, 12). Open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (only US dollars and British pounds exchanged).
– Global Exchange currency exchange (Alameda del Boulevard, 6). Open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (more than 70 foreign currencies).
– Eurochange currency exchange (C/ Ijentea, 4). Open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Currency exchange is by appointment only, which must be requested at least 24 hours in advance).
– Quickgold Donostia currency exchange (Alameda del Boulevard, 21) Open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (More than 20 currencies available)

Other information of interest

Healthcare

Water

Tap water is safe to drink and of very good quality.

Phone – Using your cell phone

There are no roaming charges within the European Union. Anyone with a SIM card from a member state can use their phone without any additional charges for calls and texts to any other member state, as well as mobile internet connections.

Wifi

Available in most establishments and meeting places. In outdoor areas, available in gardens, promenades, parks, markets, squares, and bus stops, etc. (Map of free municipal WiFi zones).

Taxis

Taxis usually accept credit card payments, but it is advisable to ask before using the service.

Tourist tax

There is no tourist tax.

Contact numbers

Donostia San Sebastián Turismoa Offices
Citizen information
010
Lost objects
San Sebastián Tow-Vehicle Depot
Pharmacies – 24h
San Sebastián Hospital
Policlinica Gipuzkoa – Grupo Quirón Salud
San Sebastián Accident and Emergency
112
San Sebastián Local Police
Basque regional police – Ertzaintza

Interesting links