The Quantum Mile to bolster Donostia / San Sebastián’s R&D&i positioning

2025 Oct 30

The Quantum Mile is a scientific and technological route for the general public to discover the work of the scientific community in the field of quantum physics, where it is developing technologies to transform the future..

After the official unveiling of the IBM Quantum System Two, the first quantum supercomputer of its type in Europe and the third in the world, Donostia/San Sebastián is going a step further in its commitment to innovation by setting up the Quantum Mile; it is a route of roughly 1.5 kilometres between the seven leading centres of the city’s research ecosystem: Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Materials Physics Centre (CFM), CIC nanoGUNE, Tecnun (University of Navarra), the University of the Basque Country’s (UPV/EHU) Computer Science and Chemistry Faculties, and the new Ikerbasque building, the headquarters of the Basque Quantum partnership.

The Quantum Mile offers two alternatives: a physical walk along the route, with information kiosks combining scientific rigour with detailed content installed at each building; and a virtual experience where the laboratories can be visited using QR codes or from the project’s web platform.

This undertaking not only seeks to bolster the R&D&i infrastructure, but also to bring scientific knowledge and culture to the general public. Donostia / San Sebastián is thus strengthening its position as a science and innovation city by integrating advanced research, public-private partnership and citizen participation.