Ulia is one of San Sebastián’s best-kept secrets. Located on the eastern slope of the city, this elevated and wooded neighborhood lies between Zurriola beach and the cliffs leading to Pasaia. It offers a serene, nature-connected lifestyle—away from the city bustle yet close and well connected to the center. Its irregular layout, green paths, and low residential density make it an ideal retreat for those seeking a more authentic, discreet, and aesthetically refined way of life.

Lifestyle in Ulia San Sebastián

Living in Ulia means waking up to birdsong, walking through Atlantic forests, and seeing the sea as part of your daily view. Homes are scattered and surrounded by vegetation, offering a slower, more introspective pace of life in close connection with nature. Just minutes from Gros, Ulia Donostia provides an alternative lifestyle: quiet, elevated, green.

The area is home to residents who value privacy, silence, and often possess an artistic or intellectual sensibility. There is no city noise or heavy traffic here—just dirt paths, vegetable gardens, coastal trails, and a community that lives in respectful harmony with its environment. It’s the ideal place for those who want to be close without being inside, and for whom exclusivity means choosing quality of life over ostentation.

Real estate offerings in Ulia are rare and highly distinctive. The area is dominated by single-family homes, independent villas, and a few renovated rural or artistically styled buildings. Properties sit on large plots with private gardens, terraces, fruit trees, or views of the sea or the mountains. Some homes are inherited estates, others lovingly restored with deep respect for history and surroundings.

There are no mass developments or high-rise buildings. Each home has its own identity, story, and relationship with the landscape. Buyers are typically seeking a truly unique place—off the beaten path—where they can live at their own pace surrounded by natural beauty and honest architecture.

Ambience and Atmosphere

The atmosphere in Ulia is deeply introspective. The neighborhood retains a sense of authenticity that’s rare in the city. Neighborly relations evolve slowly, daily routines follow the rhythm of light and season, and outdoor space becomes a natural extension of the home. Ulia breathes at a different pace. Silence, greenery, sea breeze, and the slope of the mountain create an enveloping, almost literary mood. It’s a place for pausing, creating, contemplating—a more internal San Sebastián: less immediate, but more essential.

Points of Interest

Ulia’s greatest value lies in its geography. From its paths, you can access some of the Basque coast’s most spectacular routes, like the Camino de los Faros toward Pasaia, winding through cliffs, marshes, and natural lookouts. Mount Ulia offers numerous hiking trails, picnic areas, and historical remnants such as old watchposts and war bunkers.

At the base of the mountain, near Gros, is Lobo—one of the neighborhood’s most beloved cafés, often the first stop before heading into nature. You’ll also find artist-run residences, community gardens, and creative workshops housed in former dwellings.

Living in Ulia is, above all, a personal statement. It means choosing a natural environment without compromise—where beauty comes from the landscape, quality of life from the surroundings, and luxury from the freedom to gaze at the sea from home.

Price per m²: €5,323