Mount Urgull, the fortress of Donostia San Sebastian.

Get to know Mount Urgull, an incredible historical complex that makes us fall in love thanks to its exciting views over Donostia San Sebastian.

Mount Urgull, home of the Castillo de la Mota, the battery of the ladies, the cemetery of the English and the battery of the Governor among others, represents one of the most interesting defensive complexes of Euskadi. One of the most visited areas by people visiting Donostia San Sebastian. And it is not surprising. And it is that, this small mountain located between the Old Part and the Paseo Nuevo of Donostia, in front of the Cantabrian Sea, in one of the ends of the Bay of La Concha, surprises us with some of the best views of all the capital of Gipuzkoa. Panoramic views that, on clear days, allow us to contemplate the city and all that surrounds it. If the history and views of Mount Urgull are not enough arguments to encourage you to visit this tourist attraction of Gipuzkoa, we hope that the fact that it is one of the green lungs of the city with more than 253,500 square meters, will help you to rethink your position. A space full of tranquility, where the sound of the sea, the smell of saltpetre and the squawking of the seagulls remind us that we are facing one of the most charming places in the city. An urban park located in a privileged space. Its location, in the heart of the city, less than 10 minutes walk from the most emblematic areas of the capital of Gipuzkoa, allows us to enjoy a beautiful historical and cultural route through much of Donostia. A plan suitable for all kinds of people and especially recommended for children. Discovering every corner of this magical place is an adventure for the youngest members of the family. A place full of legends and stories in which the canyons, towers and walls that appear in our path make us travel to the past recreating the typical scenes of the most picturesque movies. A small labyrinth, where history and vegetation are the main protagonists.

Mount Urgull, invites us to enjoy a pleasant walking route through what was once one of the fortresses of the capital of Gipuzkoa. A space in which the hundreds of trees, walls and gardens that we find along the way, make the multiple routes that climb to the highest point of Mount Urgull become a small labyrinth for all those who do not know it thoroughly. A fact, to which we will try to put remedy explaining you with all kinds of details related to it. Anyway, as you know, at the end of these lines, there is the possibility of writing a comment to let us know your doubts about Mount Urgull, we will try to answer you as soon as possible. The silhouette of the Bay of La Concha would be nothing without Mount Urgull, and is that, although once Urgull was an island, centuries ago it abandoned its original nature to become an important part of the mainland of San Sebastian. Currently, this space is one of the most outstanding elements of the coast of San Sebastian along with Mount Igeldo, the island of Santa Clara and Mount Ulia among many others. A natural watchtower, famous for housing the Castillo de la Mota and the Sacred Heart. The composition of this enclave, with the fishing port at its feet and the bay of La Concha on the horizon, makes it one of the most beautiful places in the Basque Country. The defenses that served the city until almost the nineteenth century, today act as one of the most important open-air museums in the Basque Country. Currently many of the elements of this defensive complex are preserved, among all of them, we highlight the cannon batteries, the powder magazine or the cemetery of the English.

In our opinion, climbing Mount Urgull is one of those mandatory visits that the capital of Gipuzkoa has. And, as we have said in previous articles, walking along the 4 beaches of Donostia San Sebastian or climbing the 3 mountains of Donostia San Sebastian, are, along with Mount Urgull, 3 recommendations that we make to all the people who ask us about what to see and what to do in Gipuzkoa. Anyway, if you see that the information in this article is insufficient, we recommend you to go to the tourist offices located in Boulevard 8, Frantzia Pasalekua 23 or Cervantes Plaza (in summer), we are sure that they will assist you to the thousand wonders.

Walking up to the top of Mount Urgull is one of the excursions that we most recommend to people who ask us about what to do with children in Donostia San Sebastian. And is that this rocky massif of 120 meters high makes us travel back in time to a time when the fortresses and watchtowers of our environment were essential for the defense of its inhabitants.

Location Monte Urgull: Its location, in the center of Donostia San Sebastian, makes it a perfect attraction from which to enjoy a nice day of sightseeing in the city. A must-see place, which allows us to enjoy many other enclaves of the capital of Gipuzkoa without wasting time in displacements. We dare to say that Mount Urgull invites and attracts people who walk around it to visit places near it. One of the most demanded Basque places of the moment.

Views from Mount Urgull: It is difficult to specify the exact point from which you get the best views of Donostia San Sebastian, but what we have clear is that the views from Mount Urgull are among the best along with those offered by places like Igeldo and Ulia. Although it is logical that the most extensive views are obtained from the top of the mountain, from the base of the Sacred Heart, we recommend enjoying each of the viewpoints that we find on our way, and is that each of them offers a totally different perspective to the previous one. A new postcard to take home. We recommend that you stop in every nook and cranny that catches your attention, it is essential to enjoy the climb, the environment invites you to do so.

History of Mount Urgull: Mount Urgull, impassive with the passage of time, is one of the witnesses of the history of Donostia San Sebastian. A space, which due to its nature of natural watchtower, in the center of the city, was converted into a military fortress in the twelfth century. Formerly, Donostia was a fortified city that the Castillo de la Mota protected from attacks by sea and land. A military complex, which defended the city with its walls and cannons from all possible threats. During the route that takes us to the highest point of this Basque mountain, we find a multitude of historical remains that attest to the importance of this enclave in a bygone era. We must transport ourselves back in time to understand the importance that this complex had in the Donostia of that time, a walled city, which suffered constant sieges and battles in the nineteenth century. Mount Urgull witnessed several of the most important events of Donostia San Sebastian, from the capitulation of the city in 1794 by French troops to the fire of 1813. In 1921, the Spanish state sold Mount Urgull to the municipality of Donostia, who began the destruction of the fortifications in order to turn it into a public park. Fortunately, due to a blasting accident, this destruction was stopped. Since then, this space has been recovered, rehabilitated, preserving most of its traditional elements. In fact, the Castillo de la Mota has been declared a National Monument and a Monument of Architectural – Historical – Artistic interest.

Climbing Mount Urgull: Currently there are 4 main roads to climb to the top of Mount Urgull, some routes, which fork merging between them continuously. A kind of labyrinth of paths, which, although it may seem difficult to follow, it is not. If you want to know how to get to Mount Urgull we recommend that you read this section carefully, we will try to guide you carefully. Although when we see Mount Urgull from below, the great tree cover does not allow us to see these paths in detail, it is possible to see the occasional winding path up the hillside. We recommend going up one of its sides and down the other, in this way, we will have the opportunity to enjoy totally different views while we go into the different spaces that hosts Mount Urgull. The 4 routes to climb Mount Urgull start from the Paseo Nuevo, from the Plaza Zuloaga (next to the San Telmo Museum, in the Old Part), from the Paseo de los Curas (behind the Aquarium) and from the back of the Basilica of Santa Maria. Depending on the route we select and the places we visit, this tour of Mount Urgull can be extended in kilometers and time as long as you wish. However, in our case, it was a route of about 4 – 5 kilometers approximately and about 2 hours long.

Although each of the mentioned routes surprises us with totally different spaces, we have decided to recommend the path that begins next to the port of Donostia San Sebastian, an emblematic space, which helps the visitor to discover that in Euskal Herria the sea has been fundamental in our history as a people. And it is here, in the port, where we find 2 museums closely linked to the sea, the Aquarium and the Untzi Museoa, the Naval Museum. The path in question begins at the back of the restaurant Bokado Mikel Santamaria. A large sign indicates it, there is no way to get lost. The route runs along asphalt tracks and stairs, discovering viewpoints and natural landscapes of great value as we pass by. The city is simply amazing from the heights. After getting to know the different spaces we find along the way (batteries, powder magazine…) we arrive at the walls of the Mota Castle, the fortress, which currently houses the Casa de la Historia, a museum about Donostia San Sebastian that reveals some of its lesser-known secrets. At its highest point, we find the Sacred Heart, a monument that can be accessed from inside the museum. Once we have enjoyed the summit, it is time to start the descent. In our case, we did it after visiting the cemetery of the English, an old military cemetery surrounded by a thousand and one legends and of which there is hardly any data. A place that gives you goose bumps. Once finished this last visit, we have several options, go down the path that leads to the Paseo Nuevo, near our starting point, or head down the path that leads directly to the opposite side, near the Basilica of Santa Maria. In our case, we chose to go down to the Paseo Nuevo to see the waves breaking and enjoy the pintxos of the restaurant Bokado Mikel Santamaria, a local, which allows us to enjoy their creations while enjoying the sea. Next to this space, we find the sculpture “Empty Construction” by Jorge Oteiza, an imposing work of art, which defies the sea every time the waves invade its territory. After the visit to Mount Urgull, we have many options, from following the Paseo Nuevo to reach the Kursaal to follow the Paseo de la Concha to finish at the Peine de los Vientos. If you are tired of walking, the Aquarium or the Naval Museum of the city can be a great option, especially if you are traveling with children. Anyway, we have only shown you one of the options for touring Mount Urgull, we recommend you to choose one that meets your tastes and needs.

What to see in Mount Urgull: Mount Urgull keeps in its interior dozens of surprises, but among all of them, we must highlight the battery of the Ladies, the battery of the Governor, the Castle of La Mota, the Sacred Heart and the cemetery of the English, 5 places that give us different points of view of this place. In addition to visiting these spaces, it seems essential to enjoy its greatest treasure, the views over the sea and the city of Donostia San Sebastian. And the fact is that this natural vantage point located on the edge of the sea hides dozens of viewpoints where you can rest and enjoy the views. Mysterious paths that lead us to unusual corners.

The best views of Donostia San Sebastian: The dozens of viewpoints that we find on our way make Mount Urgull one of the best places from which to admire the beauty of Donostia San Sebastian. One of the best places from where to capture the moment and turn it into a postcard or simply upload it to one of our social media profiles. We are sure that your friends and family will love it. And is that all the slopes of Mount Urgull give us stunning views of the Cantabrian Sea and the capital of Gipuzkoa. The most sought after photo is undoubtedly the one of the Bay of La Concha, a photo to remember.

Bar del Monte Urgull: This place, popularly known as the Polvorín, is the famous summer bar of Mount Urgull, an indispensable place in any visit to the top of this mountain. By the way, remember that it is only operative during the summer season, during the rest of the year there are only the wooden tables at the back. As you can see, the Polvorín bar, Urgulleko Polboriña in Basque, is the perfect place to quench your thirst while enjoying the views.

Where to eat on Mount Urgull: The truth is that there is no gastronomic offer on Mount Urgull. The closest ones are found at its feet, in the Old Part. It is here, where in addition to the dozens of pintxo bars that we find in this environment is located the bar and restaurant Bokado of Mikel Santamaria, a place that we visited to enjoy a good hamaiketako (lunch at 11 o’clock in Basque).

How to get to Mount Urgull: Although the most common is to walk, there is a bus that connects the center of Donostia with the top of Mount Urgull during the summer, from June 1 to September 30. It is a minibus, number 39, which makes the route Paseo Salamanca – Urgull with a frequency of 30 minutes. A short trip, about 10 minutes approximately, which helps all those people who cannot climb by their own to reach the top of this mountain. The usual schedule is as follows.

These schedules are only indicative, we recommend that you visit the official website of DBUS, Donostia’s public bus company, to confirm the schedules indicated.

The 3 mountains of Donostia San Sebastian: Mount Urgull forms together with the mountains of Igeldo and Ulia, the 3 watchtowers of Donostia San Sebastian. Spaces for recreation, from where you can enjoy stunning views of the city while we know part of the culture and history of Gipuzkoa.

Boat tours in Donostia San Sebastian: The different boat tours that exist in the Bay of La Concha are a great option to know the Santa Clara Island and the city from the sea. A good, nice and cheap experience that we highly recommend. You can learn more in detail about these maritime routes by reading our article: Boat routes in Donostia San Sebastian. In case you want to book your place online you can do it here. Fast, safe and without commissions.

Where to sleep: In Donostia San Sebastian there are hundreds of hotels, but if you are looking for a good value for money, we recommend the NH Collection Hotels and the Hotel La Galería, two establishments that, although they are located at the other end of the Bay of La Concha, next to the Peine de los Vientos, are still a very good option to enjoy a great experience in the capital of Gipuzkoa.

Other fortresses of Euskal Herria: The Castle of Mount Urgull, the Castle of La Mota, is not the only fortress that we find in our lands, and, as we have already told you other times, the presence of buildings such as the Castle of Butron or the Fort of San Marcos make Euskal Herria can boast of fortresses of great beauty scattered throughout its territory. Here is a small representation of this type of buildings.

These spaces are but a small representation of the fortresses that you can find all over the Basque Country, a sample of our incredible historical heritage.

See the breaking of the waves from Mount Urgull: The huge waves that crash against the wall of the Paseo Nuevo have become a spectacle. This promenade, inaugurated in 1916, is not only one of the most beautiful routes in the capital of Gipuzkoa, but also one of the places from where the beauty and strength of the sea can be best appreciated. In the harsh winter days, when the warnings are turned on by the onslaught of waves of more than six meters, watching these huge water monsters crash again and again against the stones that protect the city is simply amazing. Of course, be very careful. No skipping the indications of the security forces. We recommend watching the breaking of the waves from the top of the path that descends from Mount Urgull to Paseo Nuevo. That one of these giant waves falls on a person is much more than a scare, it can kill people, do not play.

What to see near Mount Urgull: The old town, the town hall, the port, the new promenade, the San Telmo museum or the Kursaal are just a small sample of what you can see around this mountain of Donostia San Sebastian. It all depends on the time you have available and the preferences of each of you.

Frequently asked questions about Mount Urgull: In this section we will try to answer all your questions about Mount Urgull. Anyway, if you think we have left unanswered any of the questions you ask about this mythical place, we recommend you to leave us a comment in this article, we will try to answer you as soon as possible.

• Is there public transportation to go up to Mount Urgull? Yes. A minibus, but only in high season, in summer.

• Are there baths on Mount Urgull? Yes. There are several bathrooms scattered throughout this space, the most used are the ones next to the Polvorín, next to the bar.

• Is it possible to enter Mount Urgull by car? No. Only authorized transports are allowed to reach the summit.

• Is it possible to climb Mount Urgull with a child seat? The large number of stairs that we find on our way makes us answer “no” to this question. In any case, the minibus service can be useful to go up to see part of this fortress.

• What are the hours of Monte Urgull? From May 1 to September 30 from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm and from October 1 to April 30 from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm.

• How much does it cost to visit Mount Urgull? Visiting each and every one of the attractions found in this Basque mountain is totally free. Zero cost.

• How long does it take to climb Mount Urgull? It all depends on the route you choose, the stops you make and the places you visit, but the average time is usually around 2 hours.

• What are the differences between Mount Urgull and Mount Igeldo? Both mountains are impressive, offering incredible views of the city. The most notable difference lies in their highest point. While the first one has a castle at the top, the other houses an old amusement park. Two very different spaces but of great interest.

• Is it possible to access Mount Urgull with a dog? Yes, as long as the current regulations are complied with, after all, it is still a public park. In this aspect, the only problem is found in the museum, and is that this space does not allow the entry of pets.

• Is this route recommended for children? Yes. Although in some sections it can become heavy, it is classified as a family type route.

Video: We have taken the liberty of uploading a short video about Mount Urgull to our YouTube channel to complement the text and photos in this article. We hope you like it and that it helps you to get a better idea of what awaits you in this enclave of the Basque coast. If you want to follow our adventures in Basque lands, if you want to keep track of us and not miss a single detail of our stories, we recommend you to subscribe to our YouTube channel, we are sure you will find more than one video that will catch your attention.

As you have been able to see, Mount Urgull represents one of those must-see places in Euskadi. A place that has enchanted us and that we recommend you with eyes closed.