Can I drink the tap water?

How good is the tap water in San Sebastian, Spain ?


1 people said I drink filtered tap water, 1 people said I love the tap water here.

All in all, 50% of folks here drink from the tap.



How good is the tap water in all of Spain?


50 people said I drink filtered tap water, 113 people said I love the tap water here, 74 people said The tap water is not safe to drink.

All in all, 48% of folks here drink from the tap.


Can you drink the tap water in San Sebastian then?


What residents and travelers say

Residents and travelers in San Sebastian have a varied but generally positive view on tap water quality. Many locals report that the tap water is safe and drinkable, although taste perceptions can vary by neighborhood due to differences in the water source and pipe infrastructure. Some visitors find the taste slightly chlorinated or mineral-heavy, while others describe it as fresh and clean. On platforms like Reddit and travel forums, it’s common for travelers to mention opting for bottled water during their first days, but locals often drink straight from the tap without issues.

Experience at a building or neighborhood level can differ: older buildings with aging plumbing might impart a slight metallic or off-flavor, prompting some residents to use filters or bottled water selectively. In newer areas or places with updated infrastructure, the water taste and quality tend to be consistently well-received. Still, some cautious individuals prefer installing water filters at home, which can reduce any residual taste concerns and provide peace of mind.

Regarding habits related to refilling water bottles, San Sebastian is increasingly accommodating with public water fountains and refill stations in tourist areas, which locals and tourists appreciate for both convenience and environmental reasons. The tap water's reliability and safety encourage these refill norms but again vary slightly by exact location.

For the most accurate and current information, including water quality reports and any health advisories in San Sebastian, refer to official sources such as the Basque Health Department (Osakidetza), IHOBE - Basque Environment Agency, or the Basque Government Official Website. These sources provide detailed assessments and official guidance for residents and visitors alike.





Further reading on tap water in San Sebastian


To verify tap-water quality and advisories in San Sebastian, check the official sources such as the IHOBE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https://www.ihobe.euskadi.eus">IHOBE (Basque Environment Agency) and the Basque\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https://www.osakidetza.euskadi.eus">Basque Health Department (Osakidetza). Additionally, the Basque\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https://www.euskadi.eus">Basque Government and the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition provide national water quality data. For real-time updates, follow official municipal water utility accounts or regional health departments on social media like Twitter. Avoid unofficial blogs and ensure information is from recognized authorities.



Answers in San Sebastian vs. Spain

Not enough comparable data yet to rank San Sebastian within Spain, its continent, or globally.

Top 10 cities in Spain

Best (by % who love it)

  1. Madrid (67%)
  2. Barcelona (44%)

Worst (by % who love it)

  1. Barcelona (44%)
  2. Madrid (67%)

Tap water by country



How big is our data?


6295

CITIES

178

Countries

46.1K

USERS

16.7K

LOVE TAP WATER

Tap water by city

Looking for other cities in Spain?

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Other resources



Is it safe to drink tap water in Spain? : r/askspain   - Oct 30, 2021 ... Spanish tap water is safe, and in the few cases it's not, warnings must be issued. That said, the taste varies; cities downstream from mountain ...

Can I drink the tap water in Spain? Water Quality in Spain?   - Mar 3, 2024 ... San Sebastián: With excellent hygiene parameters, San Sebastián's tap water is also low in mineral content, giving it a great taste. Gran ...

Tap Water in Spain : r/SpainAuxiliares   - Jul 29, 2022 ... Somthing that came to mind was the question of is it ok to drink the tap water in Spain. From what I read it seems it's safe, ...

Guide to the areas in Spain with the best and worst drinking water ...   - San Sebastian, located in the north of Spain in the Basque Country region, is the second Spanish city with the best quality water to come from its taps. This is ...

Can you drink the water in spain? : r/askspain   - Jul 10, 2024 ... Im staying in Malaga with my family and when we first arrived we asked a dude working at the airport if we can drink the tap water (im from ...

Great... just need "drinking water" - Review of San Sebastian Hotel ...   - May 23, 2017 ... San Sebastian Hotel Boutique: Great... just need "drinking water" - See 214 traveler reviews, 132 candid photos, and great deals for San ...

Moving to Bilbao. A guide for foreigners thinking of/moving to Bilbao ...   - Aug 24, 2022 ... Its 1-1,5 hours from Logroño, Santander, San Sebastian (aka Donosti) and Vitoria (aka Gazteiz). ... You can drink and cook with tap water without ...

Grocery store - Donostia - San Sebastian Forum - Tripadvisor   - Jun 13, 2007 ... Is it safe to drink water out of the tap, or do people buy it? 4 replies. Sort ...

Where can I wash my bike in Donostia-San Sebastián (Spain) : r ...   - Aug 7, 2025 ... ... to some sort of (drink) water tap and using bottles to spray water on the bike. Also bought a sponge to wipe a bit. Worked well. V_es. • ...

American and Filipina looking for guidance on retiring in Bilbao : r ...   - Oct 1, 2024 ... ... tap water, etc (I mention this just to give an idea of what kind ... How many days for Bilbao and San Sebastian? 1 upvote · 7 comments ...

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