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To love food and the sea is to love San Sebastian. I have never visited a town that is more dedicated to making eating an art form, designated the European Capital of Culture for 2016 San Sebastian is best known for its culinary fertility and culture of eating.
My first trip San Sebastian was met with much anticipation, I had heard so much about it over the years and knew of it for its film festival and density of Michelin star restaurants. I knew that they say “pintxos” and not “Tapas” and that it had a shady history for being at the center of the Basque separatist movement. It also boasts some of the most coveted and expensive beach front property (on “La Concha” the almost perfect crescent shaped beach) in Europe. For me San Sebastian is the perfect city for a long weekend break any time of the year. Here are my recommendation on what to do in San Sebastian.
Things to do in San Sebastian
San Sebastian is not very big making it quite easy to walk across town. And the more you walk the more you can eat! The first requirement in San Sebastian is to try a selection of tapas at several bars. Go to the old town “parte vieja” start walking and you will quickly understand how seriously the basques take their food. I would pick three to four bars and have a bite in each with some local Txacoli or wine. It helps if you route the bars ahead of time, this way you wont overwhelm yourself with trying to choose spontaneously.
And if its all about eating it has to be all about cooking too. There is a brand new cooking school by San Sebastian Food in the Hotel Maria Cristina. They offer one off classes on how to make pintxos to master classes and demonstrations from the best Michelin star kitchens.
You cannot be in San Sebastian and miss the beaches, it just isn’t possible. Walk out of old town and along La Concha beach, either walk the beach or the restored boardwalk with the original cast iron lamps. For a long hike, walk all the way around to the end and see “Combs of the Winds” sculpture that is fixed into the rock. If you cross through old town the other way, cross the river you will find the Gros district and Zurriola beach where all the surfers battle the waves virtually year round.
To get a beautiful views San Sebastian and its beaches walk up Mount Urgell just above Old Town or Mount Igueldo on the west side of La Concha. Mount Igueldo, on the opposite side of the bay, has a “Funicular” that will take you up the mountain side. I also recommend a trip over to San Pedro, a small fishing village just 15 minutes by bus and take a peak into the Basque country’s fishing traditions.
Where to eat in San Sebastian
If you hear this once you will hear it a million times, eating in San Sebastian is a dream. Every where you go the food is excellent. The two things that are a must are visiting several pintxos bars in old town and the other is having a sit down Michelin star dining experience. For pintxos I love Ganbara and Zeruko. All the bars put the pintxos out on display like a buffet. They are beautiful and there is something for everyone no matter what kind of food you like. Its hard to choose just one restaurant but my all time favorite restaurant is still Arzak. If you are in town long enough take an afternoon to eat at Asador Etxebarri, it is just under an hour away in the direction of Bilbao, they take drilling to a whole new level. You will not be disappointed! Keep in mind, you should make dinner reservations the minute you know when you will be in San Sebastian.
Ibai
Calle de Getaria, 15
+34 943428764
Where to stay in San Sebastian
When considering where to stay in San Sebastian there are a few places that come to mind but it really depends on what your budget is. If you are looking for the absolute best it is the Maria Cristina Hotel. Newly renovated and in the center of town, only a five minute walk from the beach and old town. Here you will find the friendliest staff and best facilities. The other place to be is in the Villa Soro up on the hill near Arzak. More like an elegant bed & breakfast the Villa offers a chance to get out of the center. They have bikes for guest so downtown is only a ten-minute ride.
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