3 reviewed party hostels · from €15.20/night · Hostelworld rated
San Sebastián’s nightlife runs on two fuels: pintxos and txakoli. By 11 p.m., the Parte Vieja (Old Town) is packed shoulder-to-shoulder, every bar counter buried under towers of bite-sized tortilla, anchovy skewers and txangurro croquettes. Hostels here are small but strategic: most sit within a five-minute walk of Calle 31 de Agosto, the street that turns into the city’s unofficial bar crawl every night. You’ll share dorms with surfers heading to Zurriola Beach at dawn and foodies queuing for a 2 p.m. table at Arzak. The hostel scene is tight-knit; the same faces you see over breakfast will be the ones saving you a spot in the pintxo queue by midnight. Don’t expect sprawling party hostels: this is a city of intimate, social spaces where the real action happens once you step outside.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Cool social hostel with several common areas great for spending time with other guests. A beautiful terrace is a cosy and nice area to chill and enjoy evenings. The hostel is located in the heart of Donostia, a popular party area well known for buzzing cafes, vibrant bars, and clubs.
Fun and modern party hostel. Glass terrace is located at the rooftop, along with a bar and restaurant. Enjoy daily happy hour special offer, and have fun with other guests of the hostel. The hostel offers many activities like pub crows, live music performances, hiking, quiz nights, etc.
Party hostel with the perfect location for everyone looking for urban life experience. The hostel has its own bar always crowded with people. The restaurant and the terrace are great places to bond with other travellers and locals while drinking a beer or your favourite cocktail.
Organised nights out with a local guide
A five-hour tour visiting three local pubs, starting with welcome shots and snacks. The crawl moves from Gros to the Old Town, ending at a club around 2 a.m. Guides hand out drink discounts and free entry to Dabadaba on weekends.
How San Sebastian's nightlife zones break down
A maze of cobblestone streets packed with pintxo bars and tiny plazas. Calle 31 de Agosto is the main artery, but the real finds are on Calle del Puerto, where locals queue for seafood. The area sits between the bay and Monte Urgull, so views are never far away.
The surf and student district, centred around Zurriola Beach. Streets like Calle de San Francisco are lined with dive bars and late-night kebab shops. Thursday’s Pintxo Pote turns the whole neighbourhood into a €2 buffet. It’s a 15-minute walk from the Old Town or a five-minute bus ride.
The commercial heart of the city, stretching from the train station to La Concha Beach. Hostels here are cheaper than in the Old Town, and you’re still within 10 minutes of the best bars. The area is quieter but has a handful of rooftop terraces with sunset views.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
A tiny, standing-room-only bar on Calle 31 de Agosto, famous for anchovy pintxos. The counter is lined with 20+ varieties, each costing €3.50. Arrive before 9 p.m. or queue for 20 minutes: it’s that good. The house white txakoli is €2.50 a glass.
A two-floor club in Gros, five minutes from Zurriola Beach. Downstairs plays indie and rock; upstairs is techno and house. Entry is €10 with a drink included. Doors open at midnight, but the crowd peaks around 2 a.m. when the pintxo bars close.
A beachfront terrace bar on La Concha promenade. Daytime is for cocktails (€9) and people-watching; evenings shift to DJ sets and sangria pitchers (€18). Happy hour runs 6–8 p.m. daily.
A basement jazz bar on Calle de los Reyes Católicos. Live sets start at 10 p.m. most nights; entry is €5 with a drink. The crowd is a mix of locals and hostel regulars. Whiskey sours are €7, and the vibe stays intimate until closing at 3 a.m.
A craft beer bar with 20 taps and a terrace on Boulevard Street. Pints start at €4.50; flights of four cost €12. Open until 2 a.m. on weekends. The crowd spills onto the street after midnight, making it a good warm-up spot for club nights.
A dive bar in Gros with vinyl nights and cheap kalimotxo (€2). The walls are covered in graffiti, and the jukebox is free to use. Open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s the kind of place where you’ll end up playing pool with a local fisherman.
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