San Sebastián City Hall looks far too grand for a town council, and there is a reason: it was built as a casino. The Gran Casino opened in 1887, when the Spanish royal court spent its summers here and the city became one of Europe's smartest seaside resorts. It stands at the end of La Concha bay, beside the Alderdi Eder gardens, and has housed the city council since 1947.
San Sebastián City Hall at a glance
- Where: on Ijentea street, between the Alderdi Eder gardens and the old town (Parte Vieja), at the eastern end of La Concha bay.
- Built: opened as the Gran Casino in 1887; converted into the city hall in 1947.
- By: architects Adolfo Morales de los Ríos and Luis Aladrén.
- What it is today: the seat of San Sebastián's city council (Donostia in Basque).
- Time needed: 10–15 minutes outside, longer if you sit in the gardens or walk along the bay.
From gaming tables to council chamber
In the late 19th century San Sebastián grew into a fashionable summer resort. Queen Maria Christina of Habsburg spent her summers here, aristocrats and wealthy visitors followed, and the city built promenades, hotels and a casino to match. The Gran Casino, designed by Adolfo Morales de los Ríos and Luis Aladrén, opened in 1887 right by the sea, with gaming rooms, concert halls and ballrooms. It was the social centre of the Belle Époque city.
Its glory years ended in 1924, when gambling was banned in Spain and the casino closed. The building stood without its original purpose for years until the city decided to make it the new town hall, and the council moved in in 1947. It has been the seat of local government ever since, and the façade, with its symmetrical towers facing the bay and the gardens, is one of the best reminders of the city's resort era.
What to look for
- The main façade facing the Alderdi Eder gardens and the sea, with its two corner towers and ornate windows.
- The symmetrical composition, typical of the grand resort architecture of the 1880s.
- The Alderdi Eder gardens in front, with their tamarisk trees and the carousel.
- The view from the building's corner along the curve of La Concha bay towards Monte Igueldo.
A resort built for royalty
The casino was part of a bigger story. When Queen Maria Christina made San Sebastián her summer base, the city transformed itself, and the royal Miramar Palace was later built on the hill above La Concha. Grand hotels, the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the iron railings of the promenade all belong to the same Belle Époque moment. Today's City Hall is the place where you can see it most clearly: a pleasure palace that became the town's office, without losing its holiday look.
Tips for your visit
- Look at the building from the Alderdi Eder gardens for the full façade, then walk to the seafront for the bay view.
- Come in the evening, when the building and the promenade railings are lit.
- Combine it with a walk along La Concha promenade to see the city's resort architecture.
- The old town with its pintxo bars starts right behind City Hall; it is easy to continue there.
Nearby
- La Concha beach and promenade: the shell-shaped bay with its famous white railings, right in front.
- Parte Vieja: the old town, with the Basilica of Santa María and dozens of pintxo bars, a couple of minutes' walk.
- Plaza de la Constitución: the arcaded square in the old town where balconies still carry numbers from its bullfighting days.
- Monte Urgull: the green hill with the castle and the statue of Christ above the harbour, a short climb away.
See San Sebastián with World City Trail
Our San Sebastián scavenger hunt turns the city into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around 3 hours, with about 38 minutes of walking. City Hall is one of the stops, together with the María Cristina Bridge and the Good Shepherd Cathedral. You can play in English, German, French, Italian or Spanish.
If you prefer a different format, there is also a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game in San Sebastián.
Play the San Sebastián scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of San Sebastián →
Play the outdoor escape game in San Sebastián →
Facts checked in October 2026.