Kursaal convention centre

The Kursaal is one of the defining public buildings of Donostia-San Sebastián, the capital of Spain's Basque Country.

What is the Kursaal complex?

The Kursaal is a multi-purpose congress and exhibition complex that opened in 1999. It was designed by Rafael Moneo, one of Spain's most celebrated architects. The building was conceived to house several functions under one roof - congresses, conferences, exhibitions and cultural performances. Its centerpiece is a main auditorium seating 1,800 people, complemented by smaller multi-use halls and exhibition spaces that can be reconfigured depending on the event.

What will you find inside?

Visitors and event participants move through spaces designed with flexibility in mind - from the large auditorium hall to mid-sized conference rooms and exhibition halls. This layout allows the Kursaal to host everything from major international congresses to smaller cultural gatherings and trade fairs. Even without attending an event, the building itself is worth a look for anyone interested in architecture, as it stands as one of the notable examples of late-20th-century public architecture in Spain, the work of an internationally recognized architect.

How do you get there?

The Kursaal sits in Donostia-San Sebastián, a city on the Bay of Biscay coastline with good connections to the rest of Spain and southern France. Its exact location, at coordinates 43.324444, -1.979082, makes it easy to find using GPS navigation or mapping apps. San Sebastián has its own airport as well as rail and bus links to Bilbao, Madrid and cities across French Aquitaine, so reaching the venue is straightforward from most directions.

When is the best time to visit?

Timing a visit around the Kursaal's own event calendar is worthwhile, since the complex operates year-round but its schedule of congresses, conferences and cultural events changes seasonally. Before planning a trip, check the venue's official website or the local tourist information office to confirm which events are open to the public and which are private. San Sebastián itself is a rewarding destination in any season, so a stop at the Kursaal fits easily into a broader visit to the city.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Kursaal? The building was designed by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo and opened in 1999.

How many people does the main auditorium hold? The Kursaal's main auditorium seats 1,800 people.

Is the Kursaal only a concert hall? No - it is a multi-purpose complex combining an auditorium, conference halls and exhibition spaces, used for congresses, conferences and cultural events.

Where exactly is the Kursaal located? It is located in Donostia-San Sebastián, in the Basque Country, at coordinates 43.324444, -1.979082.