- Sydney Schultheis
- May 10
- 4 min read
Donostia / San San Sebastián is a great city, there is something for everyone.
You want to spend the day beach hopping? Surf in Zurriola before strolling over to La Concha, or take a boat to the island of Santa Clara before walking over to the chiller Ondarreta.
You want to connect with nature? You can bird watch in Cristina Enea and Plaza Gipuzkoa before going for a hike along the coast to Pasaia.
But what if you want your little ones to have a good time? Here are some recommendations. Full disclosure, I have no kids… However, I did have a wonderful time exploring the city with an 18-month-old.
Tabakalera: Duh! When is this not my top recommendation? This cultural center is a great place to take a break from the city while still engaging with local culture. It is a huge building with a ton of different areas for kids to enjoy. The center atrium is full of natural light and low chairs. There is also a library and a number of rotating art exhibits. The top floor has a wonderful view of the city, and the bottom floor has a little cafeteria with a decent variety of restaurants/cafes (you can get a coffee and an emapana or a coke and a slice of pizza). It’s the perfect city sanctuary during Donostia's cold rainy days.
Tabakalera is obviously designed with little ones in mind. Cristina Enea: The entrance of this park has a wonderful playground for kids and a big green space for football, picnics, and general running about. There is a nice path up to the Cristina Enea Fondation, which usually has interesting exhibits with interactive elements for kids. On the way there, you can stop at the pond to watch ducks and swans. If you're lucky, you may even see a peacock! But remember, these are wild birds- don’t let your kids run up to them.
Aquarium: The aquarium is not cheap, but it is large and you can easily spend a whole afternoon here. The first half of the aquarium is more similar to a museum, not necessarily the most engaging for very little ones. However, there are lots of interesting exhibitions, including model ships and fossils. Additionally, there is a lovely lookout of the ocean. The aquarium itself has a number of exhibits that are especially attractive to kids, including a little cave to explore under the water and a giant cartoon axolotl next to the amphibian. Overall, this is a great option for rainy days.
Monte Igueldo: Every kid's dream, and it's equally cool to their adult counterpart. This amusement park sits atop a mountain overlooking Donostia- the views alone make it worth the visit. You can drive up or take the Funicular, both have a small fee. The park is free to enter, but you pay per ride. There are bumper-boats, a wooden roller coaster, toddler trains, carnival games, and even a house of horrors. The real star is the boat ride which takes you around the park, and provides an incredible view of the city.
One of the many gorgeous views available at Monte Igueldo. The beach: There are two beaches in the city. Zurriola, over on the side of Gros, and La Concha, the main beach. La Concha is right in the middle of the action. It is gorgeous with a wonderful view of the island situated at the center of the cove that La Concha hugs. This beach is usually more popular and busier. Zurriola is more popular with surfers and dog-owners, but there are seasons for both of these people. Ondarreta, a little trek from the city center, is also beautiful. Be mindful regarding lifeguards, the beaches are not always surveilled. Bonus: during high season, there are boats that taxi you to the island for a very reasonable price.
Zurriola has a lovely walkway around the beach. Alderdi Eder Park: This is just outside of the townhall and next to La Concha. There is a large playground and a beautiful carousel. Additionally, the park is beautifully landscaped, with lots of benches and atmosphere to enjoy yourself. A great place to let your kids run about while still enjoying the city.
Shop shout-outs:
Re-Read: This second-hand bookshop is located in Gros. It is the perfect place to buy a book to enjoy on the beach, a travel guide as a souvenir, or even a history book to better enjoy your visit! They have books in a ton of different languages, Whatsmore, there is a lovely kids area in the back. There are lots of children's books, from picture books to comics, there is something for everyone. Plus, the books are extremely reasonably priced, so if your kid falls in love with a book, it won't be a problem to buy it.
Bouiboui Shop: This small business is the perfect place to buy a meaningful souvenir, or just something delicious. In addition to the wide range of packaged products, it also has a small deli! Whatsmore, there is a lovely kids area with tons of toys for your littles to occupy themselves with. The owner is so lovely, and very welcoming to kids.
