Camping Igara de San Sebastián

We left without staying, despite having paid for four nights, and lost about €200. We had two tired kids in the car. The tent area was a muddy, gloomy corner, with tarpaulin and loose hoses around it. There were around ten cramped pitches, waterlogged and uneven, with big roots sticking up. They were nothing like the green grassy pitches shown online, and I’m not sure our tent would have fitted. We were told we could drive down to unload, but couldn’t leave the car there because the pitches were so small. We’ve camped all over Spain and had never left immediately before. Reception said to email about a refund, then refused and were extremely rude, making what I consider alarming false claims. I expect they may say more in response, based on other bad reviews I’ve since read. Avoid booking a tent pitch. Maybe the campsite is nice for other stays, but we didn’t find out. To correct the owners’ reply: they never offered us a mobile home or a shorter stay, that claim is an outright lie. Please be careful dealing with this campsite. And it wasn’t raining, though that doesn’t change much.

We’ve stayed at this campsite twice and have no complaints. The grounds and sanitary facilities are clean, and the staff are helpful. There’s a private shuttle to the next bus stop for trips into the city, and it’s a lovely area for cycling or hiking. Prices are fair to high in peak season, but there aren’t many other options nearby.

The site is at least a 20-minute drive from San Sebastian old town, and we booked in our motorhome because of the shuttle. It only ran from 10 till 1pm and 5 till 7pm, so getting back before 5 meant a long walk. After seven hours out, that’s likely for many people. A mid-afternoon shuttle would help. The pitches feel like an add-on to the holiday homes and the site’s other camping options. They’re narrow, small, and backed right up to a hillside. Looking forward, all we could see was the dirt track serving the pitches, with dense trees beyond, so it felt boxed in. The showers were like a leisure centre, with lockers for clothes. To keep toiletries, towels, and a change of clothes dry, you’d need a plastic bag hanging from the door knob. There was plenty of hot water, though. The laundry was constantly being used by the owners to wash linen for the self-catering units, and €9 for a wash cycle seems far too much. The amenities are spread over several levels with lots of steps, which may not suit everyone.

Our pitch was small but easily big enough for our 6.3 m campervan. We had a great three-night stay in early June, with friendly staff, a lovely pool, and a super bar and restaurant. It’s a lovely cycle into the city, though the ride back is uphill, and there’s a shuttle bus if you prefer. We’ll be back.