If you’re planning to visit San Sebastian as a family, you may be looking for some ideas of what to do with the little ones, where to go and what to see. There are many options, but it’s important to take the weather into account, as there are always more options when the sun is shining.
What to do in San Sebastian with kids
1. Go to the beach
If you visit in summer, the beach is the perfect place to take them. They’ll have a great time at any of the city’s three beaches, but we particularly recommend La Concha Beach, as it’s the most family friendly of the three.
La Concha is perfect because as a general rule there are not many waves and the entrance to the water is progressive and it covers little by little. In Ondarreta it is more common that it covers faster and it is common to find some stones, while in La Concha beach there are usually none. Zurriola beach has waves almost always and the sea is more dangerous there.
2. Take the tourist train
Another activity which both kids and their parents are sure to love is a ride on the sightseeing road train, known as the Tren txu-txu, which takes you around the city. From on board the train, you’ll see San Sebastian’s most popular sights and tourist attractions. It’s a fun option and sure to keep the kids amused.
It is a way to see a great part of the city without the children telling you all the time: “I’m bored”, “I’m tired”… this way you can see Donosti while they enjoy the trip as well…
3. Tourist bus
If you want to see the sights, another option is the tour bus, a double-decker bus which visits the city’s main attractions. Unlike the train, the bus allows you to hop off at any of the stops then hop back on and continue your trip later. This means that you can stop and take time to explore anything which particularly catches your attention.
4. Mount Igueldo
The city’s amusement park is located at the top of Monte Igueldo. On a nice day, it’s a wonderful place to visit with the whole family. The park has a variety of small, traditional fairground rides as well as offering some of the best views in the entire city.
We recommend you to climb to the top of Igueldo whether you go with children or not. It is one of the most striking places in the city and undoubtedly the most photographed place.
Undoubtedly, to go up I recommend you to take the funicular. A small train that goes up in a few minutes from the base of the mountain to the amusement park itself.
5. Aquarium
If the weather is not on your side, the best thing to do is to visit the aquarium. It is one of the most important in Spain and one of the most prestigious. It was remodeled a few years ago and is very nice for children. It has many aquariums and the largest of them is crossed by a tunnel that you can walk through.
6. Science Museum
If the weather is bad, we also recommend a visit to the Mueso de la Ciencia, or Science Museum. It’s an interesting, interactive museum, which allows children to learn as they play. The museum also has a fascinating small planetarium.
They have recently announced that this museum is going to be closed, so we recommend that you check in advance that the museum is open before you go.
7. Ice Palace
Otra alternativa interesante que seguro que a los críos les encanta es ir a patinar al Palacio del hielo Txuri-Urdin. Es habitual encontrarte con algún día de lluvia, sobre todo si viajas en una época que no se el verano. Si el tiempo no acompaña, ir al palacio del hielo es otra de las opciones que seguro les encanta.
San Sebastián es una bonita ciudad para visitar tanto adultos como niños. Tan sólo hay que saber que hacer en cada momento y saber adaptarse sobre todo al tiempo que haga.
8. Cristina Enea park
San Sebastian has many parks, but undoubtedly the Cristina Enea Park is the largest and most beautiful of all.
At the entrance (from the Egia neighborhood) there is a park where children can have a great time. There is a large grassy esplanade where you can play ball or just lie down to rest.
If you go up to the top of the park, you will see a water area where it is common to find a large number of ducks and peacocks.
9. Mount Urgull
A short 15 minute walk from the port will be enough to reach the top of Mount Urgull. At the top the children will find a small castle (Castillo de la Mota) with its walls and cannons pointing to the bay of the shell.
The children will enjoy the place and the adults will be able to take advantage of the spectacular views of the whole city.
10. Albaola Factory
The Factoria Albaola is located in Ondartxo (Pasajes), and its main activity is the explanation of the construction of historical boats.
It is a space open to the whole family where the ones who will enjoy the most will undoubtedly be the little ones of the house, where they will also be transmitted the value of maritime heritage and the history of the sea.
San Sebastian is a wonderful city to visit for adults and kids alike. All you need are some ideas of things to do, and a backup plan for those days when the weather is not on your side.
[box type=”info”] You can see our guided San Sebastian tours here. [/box]
