10:30
San Telmo Museoa
Old TownThe museum of Basque society, in a 16th-century convent at the foot of Urgull. Good shelter, better content.
What to do in San Sebastián when it rains
It rains a lot here, and the city is built for it. An indoor plan worth doing.
Rain comes unannounced in Donostia and it won't ruin the trip: there's a museum, a market, a cider house and miles of covered bars. This plan keeps you dry most of the day and eating well — exactly what a grey sky calls for.
The plan, hour by hour
- 13:00
La Bretxa or San Martín market
Old Town / CentreLocal produce under cover and bars inside to snack without stepping outside.
- 14:00
Lunch at a cider house
SurroundingsTxotx, cod omelette and txuleta. The most Basque indoor plan there is; many open year-round.
- 17:30
San Sebastián Aquarium
Old TownShark tunnel and the city's seafaring history, right at the end of the port. Great with kids.
- 20:00
Covered pintxos in the Old Town
Old TownThe old town's streets are arcaded and the bars are full: dinner on your feet without getting wet.
Tips to nail it
- Wear shoes with grip: the Old Town's cobbles get slippery in the rain.
- Many cider houses are out of town; check how to get back before you go if you're carless.
- If it clears, swing by the Peine del Viento — with swell and rain it's pure spectacle.
Frequently asked questions
What can you do in San Sebastián on a rainy day?
Museums (San Telmo, Aquarium), covered markets, a cider-house lunch and a pintxo crawl through the arcaded Old Town streets. The city works perfectly in the rain.
Does it rain a lot in Donostia?
Quite a bit, especially in autumn and winter, but it's usually intermittent. With a raincoat and this indoor plan your day stays intact.