Paseo de la Concha

The promenade's white railings, designed by Juan Rafael Alday in 1916, frame views of Santa Clara Island's tidal beach. These wrought-iron structures, now a protected heritage site, mark the boundary between the city and the sea. Beneath the promenade lies La Perla, an underground complex with thermal pools and wellness treatments, its name derived from the Spanish word for 'pearl' - a nod to the island's submerged sandbar. The 1.35km crescent-shaped beach, framed by Monte Igueldo and Monte Urgull, offers protected waters where swimmers can reach the island via floating barges.

The promenade's Belle Époque facades house the Café de la Concha, with panoramic bay views, and the Miramar Palace gardens, where Queen Isabel II once walked. During festivals, the Peine del Viento sculptures - wind-sculpted stainless steel forms - become temporary stages for music. The funicular to Monte Igueldo offers views of the entire promenade, its arc of white railings still holding the secret of the submerged island's hidden beach.

Today, visitors stroll past the 1916 railings, now a protected heritage site, and take the funicular to the hilltop. La Perla's thalassotherapy pools draw wellness seekers, while the beach's shallow waters accommodate families. The promenade's shaded areas and cycling lanes make it a year-round destination, its history unfolding with every step from the Old Town to Ondarreta's golden sands.

Sources: Wikimedia Commons, Paseo de La Concha: San Sebastian Travel Guide, Playa de la Concha Guide: San Sebastián's Royal Beach, Beach of La Concha ( Spain ) Travel Guide 2026 - Danana GO!, La Concha Beach: the beach that enchants San Sebastián, La Concha Beach: Tickets, Hours & What to See, La Concha & Centro - Best Urban Beach in Europe & Seafront Promenade - DAIZ