San Sebastian has become one of the most visited destinations in Spain due to the cultural and natural environment of the Basque Country. Tourists come here for the beach, the beauty of the old town and the famous Basque cuisine, and students get an education here at a prestigious university.
To visit not only San -Sebastian, but also nearby cities, rent a car from Bookingautos.
What to see in San Sebastian?
This city boasts a beautiful historic center on the Bay of Biscay, as well as other places of worship.
Old Center
Via Mayor and the basilica called Santa Maria del Coro, which you can read about in Wikipedia.
When stopping for a glass of wine in the bars on Constitution Square, notice that the balconies of the houses are numbered. The fact is that earlier they were used as stands during bullfighting. Other highlights of the old town include the town hall and the 19th-century neo-Gothic cathedral.
Monte Igueldo
You can get to this observation deck by car, on foot or by funicular. Be that as it may, without experiencing this view of the city, the journey is incomplete.
Another place worth seeing in San Sebastian is the famous Wind Crest. These Eduardo Chillida metal sculptures have become an icon of the city. To see them, walk to the end of Ondarreta beach, and they will open up at the foot of Mount Igueldo. If you rent a car, you can drive here from the city center in a quarter of an hour.
What to see near San Sebastian?
Several charming towns are on average 20 minutes by car from San Sebastian. Two of them are worth a visit.
Pasaia
The city attracts attention with picturesque houses by the sea, at the foot of a green and leafy mountain. Explore the House of Victor Hugo, Villaviciosa Palace, Arizabalo Palace, San Juan Bautista Church and other significant buildings.
Hondarribia
The city is located in the northeast province of Guipuzcoa. After enjoying a pleasant walk through the picturesque old center, taste meat and sausage pintxos in taverns.
The best restaurants in San Sebastian
Basque pintxos are not a dish per se, but typical appetizers on skewers served on bread. Spider crab, pil pil cod, marmitaco, and crumbled cod omelet are popular.
Txepetxa (+943 42 22 27, Arrandegi Street, 5). One of the most recommended restaurants in San Sebastian, so if you want to have lunch or dinner without the crowds, come for lunch or dinner as soon as the restaurant opens. Taste black olive pâté, sea urchin and other fancy dishes on skewers, whose full list can be found on the official website of the restaurant: bartxepetxa.es.
Bar Sport (+34943 42 68 88, 10 Fermin Calbeton Street). Located in the old part of the city, the restaurant is famous for its friendly staff and delicious food. Foie gras, mini burgers, mushrooms and cheese, and cheesecake for dessert make for a great lunch.
Bar Nestor (+34943 42 48 73, Arrandegui Street, 11). The bar is ready to offer guests dishes of steak with tomatoes as a side dish, potato omelet and spicy fried padron peppers.
Where can I park in San Sebastian?
When going for a walk to see the sights in the center, it is better to leave the car outside of its streets and prepare to pay for parking.
1. Blue Zone
Blue Zone paid car parks cover the entire city except for the most peripheral areas. Prices range from 4 to 7 euros per day.
2. Underground parking
Parking in underground car parks costs between 16 and 25 euros per day, but if you take advantage of promotions and pay in advance at car parks like Txofre, you can save money.
To park in San Sebastian is free, remember the following addresses:
Intxaurrondo Kalea;
Zubiaurre Pasealekua, 19;
De Txaparrene Ibilbidea, 25.
If you are driving in San Sebastian in the summer, cool off in the Bay of Biscay, and in the winter, stroll along the sea and visit the Historical Museum San Telmo.
Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental
January
€200
February
€118
March
€124
April
€142
May
€186
June
€237
July
€243
August
€252
September
€160
October
€130
November
€118
December
€145
* The average cost of renting a car in San Sebastian for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
The best month to rent a car in San Sebastian is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €17. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in San Sebastian is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €17, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
Convertible cars in San Sebastian are in high demand during the summer. This is not surprising. After all, a trip on such a car gives a feeling of freedom and independence, allows you to relax and forget about the problems of the world around you. Although you should be prepared for an increase in rental prices and possible problems with the range of available cars. If we talk about the price Mini Couper Cabrio - it will be from €73 per 1 day.
Our rental office in San Sebastian can offer you a wide selection of over 40 car models. You can rent exact car model. All cars are new and technically fully functional.
When calculating the rental price for a car in San Sebastian, seasonal demand, the class of the car itself and the duration of the rental are taken into account. In winter, renting a car is the cheapest. In the summer, rent will cost more expensive. An additional discount for long-term rentals is provided by many car rental companies, which makes your trip even more profitable for the budget. For example, in the spring months, the compact VW Polomodel can be rented for just €17 per day. Renting the same car for a week will cost less and will be only €15. The situation is similar with other models of the budget segment. Among them are Mercedes CLA, Opel Insignia Estate, VW Tiguan, which can be rented for as little as €45-€44 per day. Approximately for €73in San Sebastian you can rent a convertible car. Premium segment models are more expensive, the rental will cost from €228 per day. If we talk about exclusive models, then when ordering them, you should be prepared for an amount of 450€ or more for daily use.
Recently, in San Sebastian has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in San Sebastian, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Tesla Model X.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Car rental tips in San Sebastian
Download Google maps offline
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Early Booking Discount
San Sebastian is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose
The compact model is relevant for city trips in San Sebastian. It can be Citroen C1 or VW Polo. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Opel Insignia Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €35 per day;
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel prepayment terms
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting San Sebastian - City for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Unlimited mileage
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in San Sebastian, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
When renting a car in San Sebastian, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in San Sebastian, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Getting a car at a rental office
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our advantages
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Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
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Car rental reviews: San Sebastian - City
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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