Monte Igueldo (San Sebastián)

Monte Igueldo is the hill at the western end of La Concha bay in San Sebastián, and its summit is the classic viewpoint over the bay, Santa Clara island and the city. Most people ride up on the wooden-car funicular that has run since 1912 from Plaza del Funicular, about 300 m from the Peine del Viento sculptures; there is also a road to the top with parking. The summit holds a small old-fashioned amusement park, also open since 1912. It suits families and anyone after the postcard view of San Sebastián; skip the rides if you want a wild hilltop, and check the opening days outside summer.

Quick facts

• Names: Monte Igueldo in Spanish, Igeldo mendia in Basque, often Mount Igueldo in English. The amusement park is the Parque de Atracciones Monte Igueldo.
• Where: west end of La Concha bay, above Ondarreta beach, Donostia / San Sebastián (Gipuzkoa). The park’s address is Paseo del Faro 134.
• Coordinates: 43.3210, -2.0097 (summit viewpoint).
• Height: about 184 m at the top of the park (OpenStreetMap).
• Funicular: built in 1912 and still running with wooden cars. Lower station at Plaza del Funicular 4; upper station at the summit, about 300 m away in a straight line.
• Amusement park: open since 1912; old and modern fairground rides, with a separate charge.
• Contact: +34 943 213 525, info@monteigueldo.es (funicular and park, Turismo Euskadi).
• Prices: we could not confirm current funicular or ride prices; check monteigueldo.es.

Access and parking

By funicular: Turismo Euskadi calls the funicular the most popular way up. The lower station is at Plaza del Funicular 4, near the Peine del Viento (Haizearen Orrazia) sculptures at the end of Ondarreta beach; on OpenStreetMap the walk between them is about 300 m. The upper station is next to the park at the summit.

By bus: OpenStreetMap shows city bus 16 (Igeldo) and route tb7 (Atotxa Erreka–Itsasargia) stopping at Funikular plaza, beside the lower station, and tb7 also stopping at Itsasargi near the summit. Both are run by DBUS. We could not confirm the tb7 timetable or season, so check DBUS before relying on it.

By car: the Paseo del Faro road climbs to the top. OpenStreetMap marks a car park about 190 m from the viewpoint and a paid customer car park nearby, and Turismo Euskadi lists parking among the park’s services. We could not confirm the parking fee.

On foot: the road is the obvious walking route. The GR 121 coastal path has information boards near Ondarreta, at the foot of the hill (OpenStreetMap).

What to expect

The view is the reason to come. From the terraces at the top you look straight down on La Concha bay: Santa Clara island in the middle, Monte Urgull and the old town on the far side, Ondarreta and La Concha beaches curving between them, and the hills behind. Turismo Euskadi says this is where the best-known images of San Sebastián are taken.

The funicular is part of the trip. Turismo Euskadi describes it as more than 100 years old, still with wooden cars, from the time when visitors went up to the casino and dance hall at the top. Today people ride it to the park or for the views.

The amusement park mixes old and new rides. Its listed attractions include the Swiss Mountain (Montaña Suiza), the Mysterious River, a labyrinth, the Pool, pony rides, bumper cars, a merry-go-round, a funhouse, a house of horrors, a slide, a trampoline, games of skill, the Igeldo Pirate Park, a train and activities for toddlers. The Tower (El Torreón), an old wood-fired lighthouse at about 180 m, houses an exhibition about local life and customs; OpenStreetMap marks it as a paid attraction.

Also at the top: a hotel, bars and a restaurant. The Igueldo lighthouse stands on the seaward side, about 280 m from the viewpoint; OpenStreetMap gives 1854 as its date.

Practical details

Amusement park opening hours as listed by Turismo Euskadi (checked November 2026):

• Winter: weekends and public holidays, 11:30–14:00 and 16:00–19:00.
• Spring: weekends and public holidays, 11:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:30.
• Summer: weekdays 11:15–14:00 and 16:00–20:00; weekends and public holidays 11:15–14:00 and 16:00–21:30. During Semana Grande (Big Week) until 23:30.
• Autumn: weekends and public holidays, 11:30–14:00 and 16:00–20:00.

The page gives no season dates, no funicular timetable and no prices, and the operator’s own site could not be checked for this guide. Confirm on monteigueldo.es or by phone before you go, especially on weekdays outside summer.

• Services: bar and café, restaurant, self-service, shops and parking (Turismo Euskadi).
• Dogs: Turismo Euskadi’s dog-friendly route says you buy a funicular ticket for yourself and one for your dog.
• Groups and birthdays: the park takes group visits and birthday parties.

Accessibility and safety

Best time to visit

For the rides, come in summer, when the park opens every day, or on a weekend or public holiday the rest of the year. For the view alone, any clear day works, and the terraces are there whether or not the rides are running. Evening hours run later in summer, and during Semana Grande (Big Week) the park stays open until 23:30.

Nearby alternatives

• Isla de Santa Clara, 0.8 km away: the island in the middle of the view.
• San Sebastián town guide, 1.9 km away: our guide to the city below.
• Zarautz, 12.7 km away: the next beach town west along the coast.
• Getaria, 15.8 km away: the coastal village further west.
• Flysch Route: Zumaia to Deba, 20.5 km away: a coastal walk further west.

Distances are in a straight line from the summit viewpoint.

FAQ

How do I get to the top of Monte Igueldo?

Take the funicular from Plaza del Funicular 4, near the Peine del Viento at the end of Ondarreta beach. City bus 16 stops beside the lower station. You can also drive up the Paseo del Faro road.

Do you need tickets for Monte Igueldo?

The funicular and the rides are paid. We could not confirm current prices; check monteigueldo.es.

Is there parking on Monte Igueldo?

Yes. OpenStreetMap shows a car park about 190 m from the summit viewpoint, and Turismo Euskadi lists parking among the park’s services.

Is the Monte Igueldo amusement park open every day?

Only in summer. In winter, spring and autumn it opens on weekends and public holidays, according to Turismo Euskadi.

Can I take my dog on the Igueldo funicular?

Yes. Turismo Euskadi says you buy a ticket for your dog as well as for yourself.

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