San Sebastián Airport - Spotting Guide

San Sebastián Airport – Spotting Guide

August 2, 2023 - last modified on November 29, 2023

San Sebastian airport (EAS/LESO) it’s located in the north of Spain next to the border with France and handled roughly 380.000 pax in 2022. This airport has a 1754m long runway since 2017 and aircraft up to the A320 and 737 family can operate from there. This airport does not have many daily flight frequencies and Iberia, Vueling, Binter, Volotea and British Airways are the only operators. The spanish carriers operate all year round, Volotea operates in spring, summer and Christmas and British Airways only operates in summer. Besides the pax flights, private jets and small porpliners are a common sight.

Written by Unai Pérez (Follow him on Instagram). Last Update: July 2023

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
04/22	1.754 m (5.755ft) Asphalt
Terminals	One small terminal for all flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	In spots 3 and 4 there are fences but you can take photos through the holes in the fences without any problem
Car/Public Transport	All points can be accessed on foot and public transport. But you can use the car and park in nearby parking lots or use the bus that leaves you quite close to the spots
Drinks/Food	You will have no problem finding food and drink. Close to all points there are shops, bars and restaurants
Hotels	Actually, close to all the spots, there are hotels or places to stay nearby. There is also the option of staying in one of the 3 cities where the spots are located and moving around on foot, by car or by bus.
Season	Spotting can be done throughout the year. The best is in summer since there are more frequencies and usually better weather, although that doesn’t mean that the weather is not bad because you have to remember that it is the north of Spain and the weather is usually bad. Rainy days are usually beautiful for spotting because the planes raise a lot of water from the runway and the photos are usually very beautiful. And on windy days the landings are usually very cool to see because you can see the plane sideways or wobbling perfectly, the downside is that you risk the plane does a Go Around and being diverted to another nearby airport
Security	There is no problem with security. What you should not do is lean on or frequently move the fences that surround the airport because they have a motion sensor and the police can come
Runway Usage
General Info	The big planes always land on runway 22 but on very rare occasions they have used runway 04 to land. However, light aircraft, jets or when Iberia uses the ATR-72 (rarely) can land on runway 22 or 04, depending on the direction of the wind.

	Spot #1 – Plaiaundi Natural Park – 04 arrvials, 22 departures
WHERE	The spot is located along the waterfront of the Plaiaundi Natural Park. You can walk from the terminal and it takes approximately 15 minutes. If you go by car you can park in the parking lot at the entrance. And in case of going by bus you have to take the bus line that stops at Lope de Irigoyen 31.

WHAT	Best for 04 arrivals and 22 departures. The position is very close to the treshold of runway 04. But unfortunately the airport fence avoid taking pictures from aircraft on the ground.

TIME	From sunrise until noon.

MISC.	Small park with some picknick tables. Trees spending enough shadow on hot days.

FOCAL LENGTH

	Spot #2 – Boat Shop – 04 and 22 arrivals, 04 departures
WHERE	This spot is located next to a boat shop. It can be reached on foot easily from the terminal. By car you can park your car in front of the shop entrance, in an area where there are usually trucks parked. In case of going by bus you have to take the line that stops at N-638 – Amute. There are several lines that stop there but the best is line E25. Once there go to the end of the grassy path where there is a small jetty. ATTENTION! There is an area more or less in the middle of the path that is a small wooden bridge. It is not advisable to stand there when the plane is going to TAKE OFF from runway 04! There is a river that separates the area of spots and the runway and when they take off from runway 04 the engines raise a lot of water, leaves, sticks, dirt towards you and they can hit you in the face and get your camera wet”

WHAT	This is one of the best spots, from where you can photograph 04 and 22 arrivals, as well as 04 departures perfectly on the ground. When the plane lands on 22, it always goes to the end of runway 04, which will have the plane a few meters from you. The same happens when the plane takes off from runway 04. On the other hand when the plane takes off from runway 22, you can see the plane approaching you until it passes over you.

TIME	All day in winter. In summer from late morning until afternoon.

MISC.	Near this spot is there a bar, restaurant or cafeteria

FOCAL LENGTH	When the plane passes through runway 04, a focal length of between 18mm and 60mm more or less can be used, and for departures and arrivals on runway 22, a focal length of more than 400mm must be used.

	Spot #3 – Fire Station – Ramp
WHERE	This spot is located next to the airport fire station, at the end of a street that is used as a rest area, usually by trucks.

WHAT	Photos can be taken trough the big gaps of the crash gate. You can see the light aircraft from different angles and sometimes some private jets tend to park in front of the gate.

TIME	All day in winter. In summer from late morning until afternoon.

MISC.	There’s a green iron gate that’s and it is okay if you touch it but be careful with the fence that is next to that gate. Just in case, don’t move it too much because the police can come.

FOCAL LENGTH	For parked light aircraft you will not need much distance, focal length you can use between 18mm and 55mm but for taxiing it is better to use between 55mm and 150mm focal length

	Spot #4 – Parking lot – Ramp and runway movements
WHERE	This spot is located at the rental car park, next to the terminal. There is a barrier for cars, but you can easily pass through it by foot.

WHAT	Planes parked on the ramp infront of you. If the sight is not block, movements on the runway can be photographed as well

TIME	From afternoon until sunset in summer. In winter the sun doesn`t really come over.

MISC.	There is a fence but you can take photos through it without any problem

FOCAL LENGTH	The focal length you will need is between 18mm and 55mm

	Spot #5 – Terminal – Ramp
WHERE	This spot is inside the terminal before the security checks in the cafeteria. The cafeteria offers a fairly large window to watch the traffic.

WHAT	Best for ramp action. Runway can be seen in the distance but sight might be blocked.

TIME	From afternoon until sunset in summer. In winter the sun doesn`t really come over.

MISC.	While you are spotting you can order something to eat or drink.

FOCAL LENGTH	The focal length you will need is between 18mm and 55mm

	Spot #6 – Tower – Ramp, all runway movements
WHERE	There is a huge sidewalk, located between the control tower and the terminal, where you can stay. It is just a short walk from the terminal. Parking is available in the neighbourhood.

WHAT	From here you can see the ramp where private jets usually park as well as all runway movements if the sight is not blocked.

TIME	From afternoon until sunset in summer. In winter the sun doesn`t really come over.

MISC.	There is a fence but you can take photos through it without any problem. The terminal is very close.

FOCAL LENGTH	The focal length you will need is between 18mm and 70mm

	Spot #7 – Waterfront – 22 arrivals and 04 departures
WHERE	This spot is located on the sidewalk, which runs all along the waterfront, next to the threshold of runway 22. Just search for your preferred position. Parking is available in the neighbourhood. There are several areas where you can park near the spot. Nearest bus stop is at Sabin Arana Kalea, 3

WHAT	Best for 22 arrivals as well as 04 departures. Ground shots are not possible due the airport fence.

TIME	From afternoon until sunset in summer. In winter the sun doesn`t really come over.

MISC.	There are also plenty of bars and cafes in the area.

FOCAL LENGTH	The focal length you will need is between 18mm and 70mm