Mysterious Urgull Hill: Window to San Sebastian Walking Tour
San Sebastian, Spain
From USD 41.19
Office phone number: +34 639 267 948
Mysterious Urgull Hill: Window to San Sebastian Walking Tour
San Sebastian, Spain
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Looking for an energetic introduction to San Sebastian that offers you a slice of history, a spot of exercise and the absolute best views over our beautiful city? Then look no further! From the historic Old Town, we’ll take you on an adventure up Urgull Hill where you’ll hear stories about Donostia and its rich and colourful past, enjoy spectacular vistas across the city and get an overview of its must-do sites from a local, with a spectacular bird’s eye view that is sure to get you orientated con rapidez! After this tour, you’ll feel like a proper Basque — beret optional!
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Highlights
- Soak up a dizzying array of spectacular views across the Bay of Biscay and the city of San Sebastian from atop Monte Urgull
- Work up an appetite for lunch in one of the world’s top foodie cities with a morning hike
- Discover the colourful history of the city as you pass castles and old garrisons and soak up the sights of Old Town
- Enjoy a drink with us in one of our favourite local bars
- Spend time with a local guide who will give you all the insider information you need to enjoy your stay in San Sebastian
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Schedule details
- Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Meeting point:
Zuloaga Plaza, on the steps leading to Urgull Mountain, next to the entrance of San Telmo museum.
View on Google Maps.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.30 AM
- Ending point:
Port / Old Town of San Sebastian
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, one drink at the end of the tour.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide, bus tickets if required.
Starting in pretty Zuloaga Plaza in San Sebastian’s delightful Old Town, your expert local guide will lead you towards the beginning of an exhilarating walk up Monte Urgull, an impossibly picturesque hill overlooking the city.
Our first stop will be at batería del Gobernador, from which we will enjoy truly spectacular views over the Gulf of Biscay, the east side of the city and the popular Zurriola surfing beach in the Gros neighbourhood.
Further up, we’ll see the English Cemetery, where soldiers who fought and died with the British Expeditionary Force are buried. We’ll spend some time here, learning about the Siege of San Sebastian and read some of the soldier’s stories in stone.
Our next stop will be a shooting range (which is no longer in use, thankfully) before continuing our walk up to the charming old castle and the city’s history museum.
Our uphill walk ends at the foot of the Sacred Heart statue, rewarding you for your physical exertion with the best views over the city. Cameras at the ready!
A visit to the castle jail is next on the agenda as we make our way back down the hill, to see eerie drawings that prisoners created centuries ago. Along the way, we’ll stop at another viewing point (we told you that you’d be spoilt for choice with all the wonderful vistas on offer!) and hear about the region of San Sebastian, known as Gipuzkoa and get an overview of its now legendary gastronomic culture.
We’ll pass by yet another battery of cannons, called Las Damas (meaning ‘ladies’ in Spanish), so called because the women of San Sebastian used to visit the nearby water fountain and would stop to chat with the soldiers garrisoned there.
This is a great spot to stop for a bird’s eye view of the city, where your guide can show you some of the main, unmissable spots around the Concha Bay: The City Hall, Hotel Londres, the Concha, Ondarreta Bay and Igueldo Mountain. The importance of the pretty promenade railings of La Concha will also be explained.
You will definitely be thirsty by now! A much needed drink at one of our favourite bars in the city is up next, to help the history you have just learned to digest quickly!
Your tour will end on Subida del Castillo street, where we’ll take some time to admire the most recent artistic representations of the city in graffiti and the very famous street artist, Bansky, who has left his mark here.
We will say goodbye at the port, once a busy fishing harbour, and now largely a marina for yachts. Here there are plenty of lovely restaurants and pintxos bars to visit, after building up a healthy appetite on our walk! Before you go, don’t forget to ask your local guide for tips on what else to do during your stay in stunning San Sebastian.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, one drink at the end of the tour.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide, bus tickets if required.
Dress standard: Please wear comfortable walking shoes (no high heels or thongs/flip-flops!). A rain jacket or umbrella would be handy in case it rains.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information: During this tour there is a steep climb up to the hill of Urgull. The total gain of altitude is 123 metres. This hike is not recommended for those suffering from heart problems or high blood pressure and should be avoided by those with hip or knee replacements or anyone who is afraid of heights. Please contact us if you have any concerns regarding the physical requirements of the tour; private tours are available for those looking for a slower pace.
Closure of sites: If the museum on the top of the Urgull Hill is open, we’ll stop to visit. If it is closed, we will continue with our tour.
Child Policy: Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +34 639 267 948
Email address: info@sansebastianurbanadventures.com
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