Kursaal (Palacio de Congresos y Auditorio)
Two cubes of translucent glass designed by Rafael Moneo (1999) on the banks of the Urumea river, winners of the Mies van der Rohe Award. Home to the San Sebastián International Film Festival (one of the world's most prestigious) and the Quincena Musical. An icon of contemporary Spanish architecture, dramatically lit after dark.
Two stranded rocks at the mouth of the Urumea
The Kursaal makes no attempt to hide: two translucent glass cubes planted where the Urumea river meets the Bay of Biscay, beside the Zurriola beach. Rafael Moneo conceived them in 1989 as “two stranded rocks”, stones cast ashore by the sea, and that idea of engaging in dialogue with the geography rather than blending into it was what convinced the jury over proposals by Foster, Botta and Isozaki. The site had stood empty for 26 years (the Gran Kursaal of 1921 was demolished in 1973) until the building opened on 23 August 1999. In 2001 it won the Mies van der Rohe Award, the most important prize for contemporary architecture in Europe. Today it is home to the San Sebastián International Film Festival (Zinemaldia), the only Category A festival in Spain, and the Quincena Musical, the oldest classical music festival in the country. Over 300 events and 600,000 visitors a year make it one of the most vibrant cultural venues in northern Spain.
Entry is free: lobby, terraces and guided tours
Here’s the good news: visiting the lobby and public areas is free and open access when no event is on, typically 10:00–20:00 on days without major programming. There are also free guided tours (~60 min, covering the auditoriums and exhibition spaces) that take you through the building, but they require advance booking — mandatory — by email (tickets@kursaal.eus) or phone (943 003 000); without a reservation your place is not guaranteed. For concerts, film screenings or conferences, prices vary by event and tickets can be bought at kursaal.eus or taquilla.com. To avoid groups and corporate events, visit on a weekday morning (10:00–12:00). And a key warning: around the Film Festival (September) and the Quincena Musical (August, 87th edition, 2–30 August 2026) the building restricts free access, so check kursaal.eus before you show up.
Getting there and tips from those who’ve been
The address is Zurriola Hiribidea 1, 20002 Donostia. San Sebastián has no metro or tram: the only urban public transport is the DBUS bus network, and lines 17, 29, 31 and 40 stop nearby (info at dbus.eus or the Dbus app). On foot it’s 15–20 minutes from the Old Town or from Renfe/Atotxa station, a pleasant walk along the river. If you come by car, the building has its own underground car park with 500 spaces. For the exterior and lobby alone, allow 20–30 minutes. The tip that’s really worth it: come back at dusk and watch the illuminated cubes from the bank of the Urumea or from Zurriola beach; the 1,500 m² LED screen on the west facade (one of the largest in Europe) amplifies the effect and is the best photo moment at the Kursaal. The building is fully accessible (ramps, lifts, adapted toilets, induction loop) and there is free Wi-Fi in common areas. The lobby café opens during normal hours.
Frequently asked questions
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