The Old Theatre (Teatro Principal), San Sebastián, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Old Theatre, known as Teatro Principal in Spanish and Antzoki Zaharra in Basque, is the oldest theatre in San Sebastián, opened in 1843. It stands in the Old Town and still stages concerts and plays, and it is one of the venues of the San Sebastián International Film Festival. For many locals it remains the city's most affectionate theatre.

The story behind it

When it was inaugurated in 1843, the Teatro Principal gave the city its first proper home for the performing arts. It was built in a classical style, and for decades it was the place to see a show in San Sebastián.

That changed in 1912, when the grander Victoria Eugenia Theatre opened in the Belle Epoque years and took much of the spotlight. The older theatre never lost its place in local affections, though, and its traditional character is a large part of its appeal today. Each September it hosts screenings during the film festival, and the festival was the backdrop for Woody Allen's 2020 film Rifkin's Festival.

What to look for

• The classical lines of the building, which give it a restrained, traditional look compared with the later Belle Epoque showpieces in the city.
• The posters and notices outside, which show what is on, from music concerts to theatre productions.
• The bilingual name, Teatro Principal and Antzoki Zaharra, a small reminder that Spanish and Basque live side by side here.
• The lively Old Town streets around the entrance, where the pintxo bars and small squares are part of the experience.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about 15 minutes to see the exterior and the setting, longer if you plan to catch a performance.
• You can normally go inside only for a show or event, so check the current programme and opening hours before you go.
• Evening is a good time to come, when the Old Town fills up and the theatre is at its busiest.
• If you are in town in September, look for film festival screenings, and book ahead because they are popular.

See it on a quest

The theatre is one stop on San Sebastian: The Basque Goddess of the Old Town, a self-guided walk through the old quarter. You reach it on foot as part of a longer route, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle in what is in front of you. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group. You can start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join.