Backpacking in the Basque Country: Staying at the Urban House Hostel in Donostia (San Sebastian)
After my 100th country celebration and a mini African jaunt to Tunisia and Algeria, the cheapest flight out of Algiers was to Barcelona, so I decided I would head from Barcelona up north to the Basque Country for the first time. I had never been to the Basque Country despite having met quite a few from there on my travels. I booked a bus from Barcelona to San Sebastian and I was ready to explore the Basque. As a backpacker I wanted a cheap and easy hostel in the central area and one that had wifi. I found the Urban House Hostel online and this was the place to stay.
Backpacking in the Basque Country
Donostia is the local name for the city but most people refer to it as San Sebastian. Both are interchanged in equal proportions and this is a strikingly gorgeous city to chill out in. The beaches are pure gems and the nightlife in the bars and restaurants is hard to beat. San Sebastian as a city has more Michelin starred restaurants than anywhere else on planet earth. Here are my top 5 things about the Urban House Hostel.
1. Free WiFi
I was able to get online and get some emails answered, though most of the time I was out seeing the city as I loved it!
The Urban House Hostel has free WiFi
2. Perfect Location
The Urban House Hostel is located on Gipuzkoa Square, so this means you get the best of both worlds. You are close to the bus and train station as well as being in the new part of the city, yet you are a short walk to the old town and even better – in between the two beaches.
Great location on Gipuzkoa Square
3. Tours
You won’t be short on ideas when you check into the Urban House Hostel – reception will give you a map straight away and all the tours and information you need are on the wall by reception.
Out touring the Basque Country
4. Decent Night’s Sleep
Oh yes and after a few jars in the local bars in town, it was time for a decent night’s sleep. I was in a cosy 4 bed dorm and fell asleep instantly. The travel blues recently have taken their toll, I won’t lie – I was glad of a cosy bed here!
A decent night’s sleep in my dorm
5. Value for money
Dorm beds from €13 Euros a night mean this will fit any kind of backpacking budget you had in mind. The money you save, you can spend on cervezas, pinchos and the local speciality drink Txakoli or Chacolí.
Great value hostel for touring Donostia
So when you make it to Donostia/San Sebastian, kick things off by booking into the Urban House Hostel. I later headed to the city of Bilbao and stayed at the Akelarre Hostel.
Sunset in Donostia, Basque Country
Here are the details for booking the Urban House Hostel:
Plaza de Gipuzkoa, 2
20004 Donostia-San Sebastíán
Phone: +34 943-428-154
Email: [email protected]
Here is a video from my room in the Urban House Hostel:
Hi Jonny, thanks for this. The last bus to Pamplona is 2030 and I may be stuck there for the night this trip (depending on Paris-Biarritz connection). The Urban House is almost a straight shot from the Amara Station. Looks like you were there in winter.
Hi Ted,
It’s a perfectly located hostel the Urban House. I didn’t make it to Pamplona on this trip – will save it for the bull fighting someday though! I was there in April, just a few weeks ago.
Safe travels. Jonny