San Sebastian, on Spain’s Basque Coast, is likely one of the culinary epicentres of the world. Not solely does it boast extra Michelin stars per capita than anyplace else in Europe, but it surely additionally has among the finest seafood in Spain, it’s the house of pintxos and has hundreds of reasonably priced and engaging eating choices.
It’s removed from only a place to eat although. It’s one of many surf capitals of Europe, surrounded by beautiful mountains and boasting quite a few beautiful seashores, together with high-end buying, among the finest craft beer breweries in Europe and exquisite historic structure.
It’s usually coined because the Rio of the Northern Hemisphere as a consequence of its quite a few sweeping bays surrounded by lush inexperienced mountains. It’s an unimaginable vacation spot, which is a foodie and outside lover’s dream.
Be a part of us as we discover the perfect issues to do in San Sebastian….
12 Greatest Issues To Do In San Sebastian
#1. Pintxos
Because of the metropolis’s unimaginable foodie repute, it might be amiss of us to not begin by speaking about some tasty grub. Pintxos are a Basque speciality – it’s a sort of eating the place you eat little small bread dishes, topped with tons of of various flavour combos, whereas sipping a cool beer.
There are tons of of various pintxos bars across the metropolis, packed to the rafters with locals and vacationers alike.
They’re an absolute establishment on this a part of the world and it’s an absolute should once you go to San Sebastian. We suggest Pintxos bar hopping via the Outdated City the place there are tons of of pintxos bars subsequent to one another, in a community of slim streets.
Diners spill out onto the road creating a really atmospheric vibe.
You possibly can go to specialised seafood pintxos bars, vegetarian pintxos bars and lots of conventional meat choices. These tiny holes within the wall are ultra-atmospheric and a beautiful place to spend a day or night. An effective way to get acquainted with San Sebastian tradition.
#2. Michelin star eating
Pintxos are tremendous tasty and tremendous reasonably priced, however if you happen to fancy one thing fancier, then you definately don’t need to look far in San Sebastian. As we’ve already talked about – the town is likely one of the culinary capitals of the world, with extra Michelin stars per capita than anyplace else in Europe.
There are 16 Michelin stars in whole within the metropolis and three of the nation’s whole of 9 eating places with 3 Michelin Stars are primarily based in San Sebastian.
That’s some achievement for a metropolis with a inhabitants of simply over 186,000. The area is on the forefront of European delicacies and the world’s cooks are famend for his or her ingenuity, with 33 eating places listed within the acclaimed information.
We suggest delving into the information and having fun with one of many tastiest restaurant scenes in Europe…
#3. Browsing
The Basque Nation is likely one of the finest locations to surf in Europe. The geography of the land, within the Bay of Biscay, creates good surf circumstances, with robust currents channelling throughout the Atlantic straight into the path of San Sebastian.
There are two giant sandy bays within the metropolis, but it surely’s the easterly bay, known as Zurriola which attracts in surfers of their many hundreds.
It’s uncommon to have a day go by with out seeing tons of of surfers out within the water and many individuals watching on from the seaside. Town is a hotspot for the game, with a number of surf associated companies across the city – together with surf oriented clothes manufacturers, board outlets and health courses.
There are lots of locations to lease a board round Zurriola and plenty of surf faculties, which supply newbie classes proper as much as superior teaching. Absorb a slice of native tradition by taking to the water.
#4. Craft beer
The Basque Nation has a world-renowned repute for producing excellent wine, with the well-known Rioja area solely an hour and half’s drive inland from San Sebastian. However it isn’t simply wine which claims the plaudits right here – the area additionally take beer very severely they usually’re extra captivated with their beer than many locations round Spain.
The world boasts a lot of glorious craft breweries, which have claimed quite a few awards lately.
The brewery known as Basqueland is on the forefront of the Spanish craft beer scene and it’s simply exterior San Sebastian the place it’s made.
You possibly can go to the brewery for a tour and drink scrumptious craft beers on web site, you too can discover it bought throughout the town and at a small taproom simply off Zurriola seaside.
They aren’t the one noticeable identify although, Mala Gissona is one other glorious native beer producer. Ensure that to drink some chilly ones within the solar throughout your go to to San Sebastian.
#5. Mountain climbing
Nearly your entire Basque area is made up of beautiful lush hills and mountains, which drop proper all the way down to the ocean. Getting out into the bountiful provide of lovely nature is a should when visiting San Sebastian.
There are glorious mountaineering routes within the space, starting from superior degree mountain hikes, all the way in which all the way down to household pleasant, manageable routes.
You don’t need to go far to get a style of nature both – the town is surrounded by mountains on a number of sides and you’ll find nicely signposted routes, which rise straight out from the town and seaside.
For those who don’t have time to move out into the larger mountains exterior the town, don’t fear, there is a wonderful route which climbs out of the western facet of the town to the highest of Monte Igueldo. It offers beautiful views throughout the town, the mountains behind and the encompassing shoreline.
There’s additionally a wonderful and simply accessible hilly route on the japanese facet of Playa de la Concha, reverse Monte Igueldo, to the highest of the smaller Monte Urgull. One other great place with stunning views throughout the town and surrounding panorama.
#6. Monte Igueldo
Attending to the highest of Monte Igueldo is one thing that shouldn’t be missed throughout a keep in San Sebastian. We’ve already talked about there’s a nice mountaineering path to its peak, rising out from Playa de la Concha, but when that’s too taxing, we’ve received you coated.
There is a wonderful funicular service, which climbs from sea degree to the highest of the mountain, operating all year long.
From the highest of the mountain you not solely have beautiful views throughout the native panorama, however there’s additionally a historic amusement park, with household pleasant video games and rides, together with a zipline park.
You too can dine on the high of the mountain on the Mercure Monte Igueldo resort or at a wide range of native stalls. The views from the highest are an absolute deal with and we extremely suggest a go to.
#7. Go to the island of Santa Clara
One factor you may’t miss whereas strolling alongside the beautiful Playa de la Concha seaside is the sight of a sizeable island out in the midst of the bay.
The rocky outcrop, known as Santa Clara, shelters the town from the stormy Atlantic Seas and is an imposing visible sight out within the bay. However you are able to do extra than simply have a look at it.
You possibly can go to the island all year long, with a daily shuttle boat service between June and September. Many individuals additionally take to kayaks and paddleboards to make the quick journey out to the island, the place you too can discover glorious sheltered swimming spots and some small eateries and bars in the summertime.
A beautiful escape from the town through the busy summer season months and an excellent spot to get an excellent view of the town from a distinct perspective. It’s a haven for hen life too and there are quite a few forms of lizards, some solely discovered on the island.
#8. Seashore
We’ve spoken lots about San Sebastian’s coastal life-style and it goes with out saying that spending time on the seaside is an absolute should whereas visiting the town. Town boasts two giant horseshoe formed bays – Playa de la Concha, which is the town’s sheltered bay, and the most secure place to go swimming.
On the top of the summer season it’s thronging with folks and at occasions generally is a little too busy for our liking, however except for the height faculty vacation interval, it’s an exquisite spot to spend a day. Together with a 1.3km beautiful seaside, which is shrouded by mountains, there are additionally a number of tasty eating places, bars and cafes close by.
It’s additionally received a stunning lengthy promenade, with good operating and cycle routes. A good solution to burn off the tasty excesses from the earlier evening.
The easterly sandy bay, Zurriola, is equally stunning, however has browsing at its coronary heart, as we touched upon earlier. You will discover 100s of individuals out within the water on daily basis and it’s a incredible spot to cross the time whereas watching amateurs and execs take to the waves.
Many locals flock to the seaside after work to play sports activities and watch the stun drop behind the mountains to the west. It’s one other of our favorite locations in San Sebastian.
#9. Discover the Outdated City
San Sebastian’s Outdated City, known as Parte Vieja, is an architectural gem, with many examples of ornate Basque structure in a community of slim streets. The world oozes authenticity, with many tiny pintxos bars spilling out with drinkers onto the road from lunch time onwards.
You possibly can eat extremely nicely on this a part of San Sebastian and for discount costs, with 100s of eateries sitting inside a really small geographical space.
Alongside the pintxos bars, you’ll additionally discover a number of cool espresso outlets, small boutiques and spectacular Gothic structure, which dates again to the 1500s.
Many Outdated Cities round Europe have misplaced parts of their character as a consequence of mass tourism, however Parte Vieja has very a lot maintained its genuine buzz, with many locals nonetheless dwelling and dealing within the space.
One in every of our favorite issues to do within the metropolis is to wander aimlessly across the historic streets, bar hop and munch on some tasty pintxos.
#10. Museo San Telmo
We’ve talked lots concerning the pure wonders round San Sebastian, but it surely’s additionally a bustling hub of creativity too and has a number of glorious galleries and museums. One in every of our favorite spots is the Museo San Telmo – an enormous museum, which celebrates Basque Heritage and creativity.
It has incredible artwork collections courting via the ages, with common pop-up and visiting exhibitions, together with a everlasting assortment showcasing probably the most embellished Basque artists. It’s a should for artwork lovers whereas visiting the town and free to everybody on Tuesdays.
#11. Hit the mountains
We’ve talked about nature lots thus far and extremely suggest getting out the town for a day and discover up into the gorgeous Basque mountains. There are lots of stunning mountaineering routes all through the entire area and it’s a haven for cyclists and MTBs, with difficult mountainous street routes and lots of devoted MTB trails via the dense forests.
There are lots of quaint Basque villages up within the hills full of welcoming household eating places serving up hearty Basque mountain meals, together with many nice eating eating places.
#12. Eat probably the greatest steaks on earth
You’ll have to depart San Sebastian for this little tour, however the carnivores amongst us will likely be rewarded extremely. A 30 minute drive inland from San Sebastian you’ll attain the small city of Tolosa, which is surrounded by steep mountains.
It’s right here the place you’ll find probably the greatest steak eating places on earth.
Casa Julian has featured on many TV programmes and been coined by many meals critics and Forbes Journal as the perfect steak you’ll find anyplace on the planet.
The small household restaurant seems to be unassuming on the surface, however inside you’ll be handled to a steak like no different.
It’s been going for the reason that Fifties and solely has one essential dish, beautiful beefy goodness, cooked over an open flame in entrance of diners.
The constructing has barely modified in that point both, with the partitions blackened from the cooking course of through the years. It’s a really sensational place to eat.
Ultimate Ideas
San Sebastian is kind of rightly known as one of many culinary epicentres of the world and you’ll depart the town feeling extraordinarily happy within the meals division. It’s a metropolis the place the eating scene caters for all budgets, from Michelin star special day meals, all the way in which all the way down to discount pintxos feasts, which may depart you stuffed for lower than €10.
However it gives a lot far more, with a relaxed tempo of life in a surprising coastal setting. Town gives an unimaginable steadiness of nature and metropolis life, with the ocean on its doorstep and mountains in each path.
We predict it’s one of the vital visually spectacular cities in the entire of Europe, with an unimaginable browsing tradition and a group who really feel related to sea. We’ll admit, scripting this has made us extremely hungry, now get on the market and eat your method round one of the vital scrumptious cities on earth.
