The 5 most important parks in San Sebastián
San Sebastián is known for its coast, but there are also other corners that you cannot miss, such as some of the most important parks that we will talk about below.
Urgull Park: the protagonist of the city.
This park in San Sebastián is one of the most important in the city and should be a mandatory stop on your itinerary.
Due to its geographical location, Monte Urgull has witnessed great war scenes throughout history such as the battles against the French army for the invasion of the city, which ended up almost completely destroying it on August 31st.
In addition to a tour full of viewpoints that will leave you with an incredible memory of the city of San Sebastián, places that make your visit to this beautiful park special, there are other points that you must stop and discover.
The Sacred Heart is a true symbol of San Sebastian. It is a 12.5 meter high statue that stands at the top of the mountain and has protected and cared for the city for more than 70 years.
Here you will find one of the protectors of the city, the Castillo de la Mota. Its construction dates back to the 12th century, and from that date, it became the defense of the city with innumerable fortifications and cannons prepared for it. Currently, inside the castle, there is a museum that exposes the entire history with works, relics or models of the more than 800 years of history of the city.
The English Cemetery houses the bodies of the English battalion that fell in battle during the First Carlist War. You can still see the tombstones and their many stories.
Arrivals and hours at the Urgull park
The arrival at the park begins by choosing which of the 4 paths that run through it you want to choose. The 4 options have different start:
- Basilica of Santa Maria
- San Telmo Museum
- ride new
- Port
Urgull park closes at night and its opening hours during the year are:
- From 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. from May 1 to September 30.
- From 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from October 1 to April 30.
Miramar Park: enjoy the sea views
This park owes its name to the palace that it houses on its land, which is known as the Miramar Palace.
We tell you the history of Miramar Park and the palace. And it is that it was ordered to be built by Queen María Cristina of Austria, who really enjoyed the summers in the Donosti area.
The tour to enjoy the Miramar park begins in the gardens of the Palace, walk and lie down in them observing the great views towards the Bay of La Concha. Within these gardens you will find an emblematic statue of the park called “El Abrazo” and it is a sculpture made by Chillida and given to San Sebastián.
Next, discover another of the secrets of this great park, Pico del Loro. It is a passage through which, depending on the tide, you can directly access the other beach.
The next thing that you cannot miss is the tunnel that crosses from one beach to another, having a different experience since it is a tunnel that imitates the depths of the sea. Before delving into it, stop for a moment to observe Playa de la Concha and another statue given as a gift by Chillida, the statue dedicated to Fleming for the invention of penicillin.
When you cross the tunnel, you will end up on the smallest beach in San Sebastián, Ondarreta beach.
Hours and how to get to Miramar Park
This park is located in Miraconcha, a place that you can get to by different bus lines such as 5, 16, 18, 24, 25 or 35.
The hours in winter are from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and in summer from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Cristina Enea Park: the park with the most movement.
It is one of the parks through which more people pass daily due to its location and the different facilities found in it.
The park previously belonged to the Dukes of Mansas, who donated it to the city as long as its appearance was preserved, and it has been for many years. This donation was produced due to the absence of descendants by the couple. The duchess’s name was Cristina, hence the name of the park.
The park has a total distance of 1 kilometer, recommending making 7 stops that may be interesting:
- Observe and take a good photo at the entrance gate to the park, where the carriages initially entered.
- Cross the path under the small bridge to the gardens.
- the oval. A sculpture dedicated to Gladys del Estal, a young woman committed to the environment who was murdered in a protest by the police.
- Stone sculpture of the Duke of Mandas.
- Cristina Enea’s estate, where the Dukes lived and currently houses an environmental resource center and a library.
- The place where their servants cooked and the space where the Dukes received mass.
- The pond and ponds in the park.
Arrival and hours of the Cristina Enea Park
The park is located at the junction of Egia, Riberas de Loiola and Amara. It can be reached by bus lines 9, 17, 24, 26, 27, 37 and 41. The park hours are the same throughout the year, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Aiete Park: a lung for San Sebastián
It is one of the green points of the city that helps to create a city with pure and clean air.
The Aiete palace, inside the park, was ordered to be built by the Dukes of Bailén in the 19th century as a residence, which is why it houses large buildings and exteriors full of vegetation and trees with 4 main doors.
You should start by taking a walk through all the gardens as it houses different species of vegetation that will surprise you with their beauty. Later, going up the hill you will find the Palace, surrounded by ponds where, with luck, there will be relaxed swans. Finally, access the artificial grotto through which, going down, you will directly access the forest of the park.
Hours and public transport to get to Aiete park
The park is in the Aiete area, which you can access by bus lines 19 and 31. The schedule is maintained throughout the year from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Miramón Park: the perfect family plan
This last park is the most current and therefore does not have a great history but it does have impressive views.
You can go and enjoy with your family since in addition to vegetation and living areas, there is a children’s play area for the little ones.
Arrival and time
It is located on Mount Aiete and you can get there with bus lines 32 and 33. The park does not have a closing time.
After getting to know the Parks of San Sebastián, you can get to know the rest of the city and its history or curiosities by taking a free tour in San Sebastián with our scheduled guided tours.