Museo Marítimo Vasco

About the museum

The Museo Marítimo Vasco is devoted to making the Basque maritime heritage known in a participatory and approachable way. It opened in 1991 under the name Museo Naval and adopted its current name in 2017. It is owned by the Diputación Foral and depends on the Historic-Artistic Heritage, Museums and Archives service of the Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa.

Its home is the former Casa-Torre del Consulado of San Sebastián, built on the harbour in the mid-18th century. It is one of the few civil buildings that survived the destruction of the city in 1813 and the only architectural remnant of the Consulado, the body that oversaw port traffic, collected duties and maintained the quays; for a time it was also used as a nautical school.

The collection exceeds 6,000 pieces and, apart from the boats, has been deposited since 2013 in Gordailua, Gipuzkoa's heritage collections centre. In addition to its exhibitions, the museum runs family workshops, guided visits to the port, and research and publishing activities.

Highlights

• Casa-Torre del Consulado, an 18th-century building beside the port
• Collection of more than 6,000 pieces on the Basque maritime heritage
• Area on inshore fishing in Euskadi with interactive content
• Guided visits to the port and family workshops

Permanent exhibition

• La pesca de bajura de Euskadi – Area in the museum's attic, next to the fishermen's guild (cofradía), on traditional and inshore fishing in Euskadi: species, seasons, techniques and the people who make it possible, with interactive content and infographics.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Thursdays (except public holidays).

Free admission also for holders of the Carné Joven, ICOM members, unemployed people and recipients of RGI, AGI or PNC benefits.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

External access ramp and a building fully accessible for wheelchair users. Internal lift to floors 1 and 2 with visual and sound alerts. Two adapted toilets on the first floor, one with a baby-changing table. Magnetic induction loop at the counter and individual loops for guided visits on request. Wheelchair on loan at reception, an accessibility kit with reading aids, an accompaniment service and rest areas along the route. Assistance dogs are admitted, with water bowls on the ground floor. The museum organises visits adapted for people with cognitive disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

Family workshops at the museum from September to June, guided visits to the port, a trail game and a baby-changing service. The museum is part of the Euskadi family tourism club.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the port, in a pedestrian area where private vehicles are not allowed. It is connected to the city's cycle lane network, and there is bicycle parking next to the building.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi, shop and bookshop during opening hours. Payment by card and in cash.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit