Nature & Scenic in Donostia / San Sebastián

At the tranquil western tip of La Concha bay lies Playa de Ondarreta, a serene haven for families and those seeking a peaceful seaside escape. The surrounding gardens and the striking Wind Comb sculptures create a picturesque setting perfect for leisurely afternoons and playful kids’ adventures.

Beyond the famed La Concha, Zurriola Beach beckons the surfing community with its powerful waves and vibrant, youthful energy. Tucked behind Monte Urgull, this beach offers an authentic, less touristy surf experience amid a neighborhood that pulses with creative spirit.

Perched east of San Sebastián, Mount Ulia remains a shadowy sentinel with a history as layered as its rugged peaks. Rising to 243 meters, this modest ridge stretches out to the sea, its eastern tip sinking into the strait that whispers into the bay of Pasaia. Once a favored haunt for lovers and wanderers in the early 20th century, Ulia’s scenic overlooks still draw those craving a touch of romance amid panoramic views. Its past is tinged with mystery—an ancient whale-watching site known as Mirall, where watchers once kept vigil from a rocky outcrop, signaling the passing whales with bonfires before the species vanished from local waters. The western tip, Monpas, played a fleeting role as a clandestine military stronghold after 1898, hiding corridors and batteries from prying eyes. Today, the Park of Nurseries at Ulia’s base pays homage to its botanical legacy, a lush refuge home to old water tanks, rich flora, and fauna, once supplying the city’s gardens. And in a daring chapter of innovation, from 1907 to 1917, Ulia hosted Leonardo Torres Quevedo’s pioneering aerial ropeway, a bold experiment in safe aerial transit that predated the modern ski lifts and cable cars—an offbeat monument to human ingenuity.

Hidden in the Ulia neighborhood, the Park of Nurseries is a lush 14,500-square-meter enclave that whispers stories of botanical history. Once the source of plants for San Sebastián’s gardens throughout the 20th century, it was reborn in 2015 thanks to local efforts after years of closure. The park features historic water tanks, architectonic elements, and a surprising variety of flora and fauna, making it a quiet, offbeat haven for nature lovers and history buffs alike.

Local knowledge leads you here, where the city's natural beauty unfolds beyond the crowded beaches. A hike up Monte Ulia offers panoramic views of the coastline, providing a peaceful escape and a chance to see San Sebastián from a fresh perspective.