The sea temperature at San Sebastián today is 18.1 °C (65 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 19 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 18.1 to 18.3 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 22.2 °C to 18.1 °C. Swimmable from June to October, when the sea averages 18 °C or more. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.4°C / 54.2°F | 13.1°C / 55.7°F | 13.8°C / 56.8°F |
| February | 12.0°C / 53.6°F | 12.7°C / 54.8°F | 13.3°C / 55.9°F |
| March | 12.4°C / 54.3°F | 12.8°C / 55.1°F | 13.3°C / 55.9°F |
| April | 13.1°C / 55.6°F | 13.8°C / 56.9°F | 14.4°C / 57.9°F |
| May | 15.3°C / 59.5°F | 16.2°C / 61.2°F | 16.9°C / 62.5°F |
| June | 19.2°C / 66.5°F | 20.2°C / 68.4°F | 21.2°C / 70.1°F |
| July | 21.0°C / 69.7°F | 22.2°C / 71.9°F | 22.9°C / 73.2°F |
| August | 22.1°C / 71.7°F | 22.9°C / 73.2°F | 23.2°C / 73.8°F |
| September | 20.8°C / 69.4°F | 21.4°C / 70.6°F | 22.4°C / 72.4°F |
| October | 18.2°C / 64.8°F | 19.0°C / 66.2°F | 20.2°C / 68.3°F |
| November | 15.8°C / 60.5°F | 16.6°C / 61.9°F | 17.1°C / 62.7°F |
| December | 13.4°C / 56.2°F | 14.5°C / 58.1°F | 15.2°C / 59.3°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.9°C / 44.4°F | 8.0°C / 46.3°F | 10.0°C / 50.1°F |
| February | 8.3°C / 46.9°F | 9.7°C / 49.5°F | 12.2°C / 53.9°F |
| March | 9.1°C / 48.4°F | 10.8°C / 51.4°F | 13.0°C / 55.4°F |
| April | 9.8°C / 49.6°F | 11.9°C / 53.4°F | 14.4°C / 57.8°F |
| May | 12.1°C / 53.9°F | 14.4°C / 57.9°F | 16.7°C / 62.1°F |
| June | 16.0°C / 60.8°F | 18.3°C / 64.9°F | 20.6°C / 69.1°F |
| July | 17.1°C / 62.7°F | 19.5°C / 67.0°F | 22.0°C / 71.5°F |
| August | 17.9°C / 64.2°F | 20.1°C / 68.2°F | 22.7°C / 72.9°F |
| September | 16.4°C / 61.4°F | 18.3°C / 64.9°F | 20.8°C / 69.5°F |
| October | 14.7°C / 58.4°F | 16.5°C / 61.6°F | 19.1°C / 66.4°F |
| November | 10.9°C / 51.7°F | 11.9°C / 53.4°F | 13.7°C / 56.7°F |
| December | 9.0°C / 48.3°F | 10.0°C / 49.9°F | 11.9°C / 53.4°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
San Sebastián holidays
San Sebastián, Donostia in Basque, is a city on the Bay of Biscay in the Basque Country of northern Spain, about 20 km from the French border. It curves around the shell-shaped bay of La Concha between two hills, Urgull and Igueldo, and is known for its pintxos bars and its international film festival.
Beaches
La Concha, the main beach of San Sebastián, is a crescent of fine sand in a sheltered bay, with calm water that suits families, and a white railing along the promenade above it. Ondarreta continues west towards the Peine del Viento sculptures by Eduardo Chillida. Across the river Urumea, Zurriola in the Gros district faces the open sea and is the surf beach. In summer, boats cross the bay to the small island of Santa Clara.
Things to do
The Parte Vieja, the old town of San Sebastián under Monte Urgull, is packed with bars serving pintxos, small snacks on the counter. A funicular opened in 1912 climbs Monte Igueldo to a viewpoint and a small old-style amusement park. Paths on Monte Urgull lead up to the Mota castle and a statue of Christ over the bay, and at its foot stand the San Telmo Museum of Basque history and the Aquarium. The film festival takes place every September, and the jazz festival in July. Fishing towns such as Getaria, Pasaia and Hondarribia are short trips along the coast.
Weather and best time to visit
From June to September the sea at San Sebastián is warmer than 20 °C / 68 °F.
San Sebastián has a mild, green Atlantic climate: summers are pleasant rather than hot, and it can rain in any month. July and August are the best months for the beach and the busiest, while June and September are quieter and often still sunny. Surfers prefer autumn to spring, when the swells are bigger.
Hotels and where to stay
In San Sebastián, the Parte Vieja and the Centro have the most bars and restaurants within walking distance of La Concha. Gros, by Zurriola beach, is younger and popular with surfers, and Antiguo near Ondarreta is quieter. Hotels fill up during the film festival, so book early for September.
Signature hotels: Hotel María Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel · Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra (La Concha)
Airport and getting there
San Sebastián Airport (EAS) at Hondarribia, about 20 km away, has mainly domestic flights. Bilbao Airport (BIO) is about 100 km west, with frequent buses, and Biarritz Airport (BIQ) in France about 50 km. Trains connect the city with Madrid, and the local Euskotren runs to Hendaye on the French border. The centre is flat along the bay and easy to explore on foot or by bike.