Egia

Egia is a neighbourhood of contrasts which is located only a short distance from the centre of San Sebastián. It has bars where you can enjoy a fantastic pintxo-pote, a park with ornamental ponds where you will come across peacocks, and an avant-garde cultural centre in the form of the Tabakalera in addition to a vibrant cultural life which is filled with concert halls and theatres. And there’s still so much more after that.

Start your visit to Egia with a stroll along the Paseo Urumea path which runs beside the river that divides the city in two. Go deeper into the neighbourhood by passing through the underground tunnel under the railway station, but first take a moment to admire its main entrance, a replica of the old entryway which from 1906 onwards welcomed the Donostians and visitors that arrived in San Sebastián by train from different parts of the country.

Crossing through this subterranean passage, you will find yourself in front of a perfect fusion of the traditional and the contemporary: the Tabakalera. The former tobacco factory has now been converted into a focal point for contemporary art and you can wander through its halls and admire the artworks that are displayed there. We recommend going up to the rooftop terrace: there are incredible views of the city from the lookout area..

And now that you are in the heart of Egia, this is the perfect time to start discovering the streets and hidden corners of this most quirky of neighbourhoods. Just by the side of the Atotxa Tower, the only skyscraper in Donostia, you can visit the site where the Atocha Stadium used to be located, with this stadium being the temple of League Champions Real Sociedad. Here, the legendary Arconada, Zamora, Satrústegui and López Ufarte faced down figures such as Maradona, Kevin Keegan, Cruyff and Butragueño.

The Tabakalera with the Cristina Enea Park in the background

A symbol of the Belle Époque, the former tobacco factory has now been reinvented as the Tabakalera International Centre for Contemporary Culture.

What was once the workplace of hundreds of Donostian women is now the city’s iconic home of contemporary art. A meeting point for both local and international artists, its different exhibition spaces are filled throughout the year with music, dance and theatrical performances, cinema screenings, exhibitions and many different cultural events.

If you are passionate about art and culture, you should not miss out on the opportunity to stay in Tabakalera. The centre has a hotel which conceals some very special decorative features within its walls.

Don’t forget to check the cultural calendar, because no matter when you visit the city, Tabakalera is sure to have something special in store for you. And even if this is not the case, it is worth paying a visit regardless and going up to the fourth-floor café to enjoy some different views of the city.

The main façade of the Tabakalera in Egia.

A monument to the victims of the 1893 Urbieta Street fire in Polloe Cemetery

Polloe Cemetery is an important part of the city's cultural heritage. Inaugurated in 1878, it has a special artistic value which comes from the architecture of its pantheons, Neo-Classical chapels, mausoleums and niches, all which have been created by a variety of different artists.

This is the resting place of notable figures such as dukes, politicians, writers and painters. Some of the most famous figures include Luis Miner, Clara Campoamor and Rafael Ruiz Alberdi. Pay a visit to the Polloe Cemetery website or join one of the guided visits organised by Oh My Walk! if you want to learn more about the figures that lie in eternal rest here and to discover the most striking pantheons.

Walking through the pathways of the cemetery is a romantic yet melancholy experience that is linked to religion but also to the history of the Basque Country, showing elements that represent our collective culture. Enjoy the peaceful environment of this location and discover more about the history of the city among the headstones of Polloe Cemetery.