Hotels near Kursaal

The Kursaal Congress Centre and Auditorium is the boldest piece of modern architecture in San Sebastián - two translucent glass cubes by Rafael Moneo that glow at night, set right where the Urumea river meets Zurriola Beach. Completed in 1999, the design was meant to look like two beached rocks.

It is the main venue for the September San Sebastián International Film Festival and the Jazzaldia jazz festival, and hosts concerts and conferences year-round. Even without an event, the waterfront plaza around it is a fine place to watch surfers on Zurriola and the lights come on across the river.

Pro Tip: Guided architecture tours run on selected days if you want to see inside. Otherwise, come at dusk when the cubes are lit - it is the best time to photograph them from the Zurriola bridge.