San Sebastián: new hub for scientific events?

San Sebastián may be emerging as a hub for scientific events in Spain. In 2024, the Basque city hosted events in biotechnology, quantum physics, nanotechnology and more. In 2024, the city hosted a record 188 professional gatherings, attracting over 259,000 attendees. This marks a 7.4% increase compared to the previous year. 43% of these events focused on science and technology. Fields ranged from biotechnology and quantum physics to nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing. Also, notably, 50% of these events were international, with venues like the Kursaal Congress Centre, Miramar Palace, and local universities playing important roles.

In 2025, San Sebastián is set to host another series of prominent scientific conferences. These include the National Congress of the Spanish Society of Pathological Anatomy (SEAP-IAP) in May, the ‘Donostia is Science’ conference also in May, and the International Symposium on Bilingualism organised by the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL) in June. Institutions like the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), CIC nanoGUNE, and Polymat are major factors in organising these events, reinforcing San Sebastián’s position as a location for scientific discourse.

Scientific infrastructure in San Sebastián

San Sebastián’s value as a science events hub is linked to its infrastructure. Here are some of the key scientific institutions in the municipality:

Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC)

Focused on advanced physics research, hosts international symposia and academic gatherings.

CIC nanoGUNE

Specialises in nanoscience and nanotechnology. 

Polymat – Basque Center for Macromolecular Design and Engineering

Active in polymer science, also supports international research meetings.

Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL)

Hosts cognitive science and linguistics conferences, such as the International Symposium on Bilingualism.

University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)

Regional academic anchor with event-hosting campuses in San Sebastián.

Miramar Palace

University-affiliated venue.

With high-level academic institutions, growing international presence, and steady year-on-year growth, San Sebastián may be a city to watch in the scientific events landscape. For more information, visit the San Sebastián convention bureau website