Church of Saint Vincent San Sebastian Spain. Guide to San Sebastian: how to get there, what to see, hotels, shopping, climate and food

December 27th, 2011 , 01:12 am

From Navarre we went to the Basque Country. And the first city of this interesting country (“the country of bucks,” as Andrei Knyshev called it in his humorous book) became San Sebastian.
This is where I saw the ocean for the first time! Well, to be precise, this is the Bay of Biscay. But still - Atlantic...

The bay takes its name from Vizcaya (one of the three provinces of Basque Country). Interestingly, in Spain this bay is more often called the Cantabrian Sea.

Bay of Biscay (Golfo de Vizcaya)

The second (Basque) name of San Sebastian is Donostia. As paradoxical as it sounds, Donostia is the transformed word “San Sebastian”. Dono (saint) + stia (ending from Sebastian).
On almost all signs these two words are inseparable, because... Since 1980, the city has been officially called Donostia - San Sebastian. But in everyday life no one pronounces the full name; on the contrary, like our St. Petersburg, the city is often called simply “Sanse”.
The coat of arms depicts a sailing ship with a crown. One of the women in our group was constantly photographing manholes in different cities. So I took a photo of one.

Donostia - San Sebastian

Our first point was Mount Igueldo, which covers the city from the west. In the 20th century A fortress tower was built on the mountain, which now belongs to the Mercure Hotel.

Hotel Mercure

There is an observation deck on Igueldo with amazing views of La Concha Bay.

In the center of the bay is the picturesque island of Santa Clara, which has an area of ​​5.6 hectares and a height of 48 m. I have never been to Rio de Janeiro, but for some reason this place immediately reminded me of the Rio Lagoon. And an even greater similarity with the Brazilian city is given by the fact that on the opposite mountain, Cape Urgull, there is a statue of Christ.

Santa Clara Island

The monument was erected in 1950. The height of the figure of Christ is 12.5 m, and the height of the pedestal is 16 m.

Urgull

San Sebastian stands at the mouth of the Urumea River, which divides the city into two almost equal parts. True, the entire historical center is located on the western bank.

Urumea river

There are several bridges across the river. The closest one to the bay, Zurriola, was built in 1915. It is also sometimes called the Kursaal Bridge.

The German word "kursaal" means "healing room". Similar buildings were typical for many resorts in Europe in the 19th century. Typically it was a palace with a restaurant, casino and ballroom. Exactly like this luxurious palace and stood on the shore in San Sebastian since 1921. There was also a theater with 859 seats.
In 1973, the Great Kursaal was destroyed, but a new one could not be built for a long time.

Zurriola Bridge (Puente de Zurriola)

And only in 1996 did the construction of the modern Kursaal begin according to the design of Rafael Moneo (b. 1937). The congress center opened in 1999. Many people don’t like this building at all, but in the dark it looks much more impressive when the multi-colored lights are on.
The main hall of the complex seats 1,800 spectators.

Kursaal Palace

On one side of the congress center is the mouth of the Urumea River, and on the other is another long beach in the shape of a shell - Zurriola. The very shape of Kursaal resembles the boulders with which the embankment is strewn for protection from waves.

Urumea river

The San Sebastian Film Festival is held annually in September. The first was held in 1953. The award for best film is “The Golden Shell”. The semicircular shape is reminiscent of La Concha Bay, which is translated as “Sink”.

Zurriola Street (Avenida de Zurriola)

At the end of the 70s there was a boom in Soviet paintings. In 1976 he won "Tabor Goes to Heaven" (Loteanu), in 1977 - "Unfinished Piece for Mechanical Piano" (Mikhalkov), and in 1979 - "Autumn Marathon" (Daneliya). Neither before nor after this period did Russian cinema take the main prize in San Sebastian.

Promenade France (Paseo de Francia)

The city became a royal resort in the mid-19th century. Doctors advised Queen Isabella II to take sea air and bathe. And San Sebastian was chosen as the location. But the main reason for the popularity of the resort was Queen Regent Maria Cristina, who came here to relax almost every year since 1885. It was at the turn of the century that the city flourished - from 1880 to 1925, the population of San Sebastian grew more than 3 times (from 20 to 65 thousand).

Maria Christina of Austria (1858-1929) was born near Brno in Moravia to Archduke Charles Ferdinand and Archduchess Elisabeth. After the death of her husband, Alfonso XII, she was declared regent until her son's 16th birthday.
Perhaps the most beautiful bridge in the city is named after Maria Christina.

The first wooden bridge was thrown in this place back in 1893. And a new structure appeared in 1905. On both sides there are pedestals with rearing horses. The prototype of such a layout was the Parisian Pont Alexandre III.

Bridge Maria Cristina (Puente de Maria Cristina)

The most luxurious 5-star hotel in the city is also named after Maria Cristina. It was built in the Belle Epoque style in 1912 by the French architect Charles Mevet (1858-1914), who was the designer of three luxury Ritz hotels - in London, Paris and Madrid.
The first guest of the hotel was, naturally, Maria Christina herself. Later, Coco Chanel stayed here, as well as many celebrities who came to the film festival.

Hotel Maria Cristina

San Sebastian is the administrative center of one of the three Basque provinces - Guipuzcoa.

Salamanca Promenade (Paseo de Salamanca)

Now the population of San Sebastian is approximately 185 thousand.

The city was founded by the king of Navarre, Sancho VI the Wise, in 1180 on the site of the monastery of St. Sebastian, which was known back in the 11th century.

Street San Vicente (Calle de San Vicente)

The oldest church in the city is the Church of St. Vicente. The first temple on this site was built back in the 12th century.

And in its current Gothic form, the church was built at the beginning of the 16th century.

Church of St. Vicente (Iglesia de San Vicente)

In 1923, 4 rose windows were made. There are very beautiful stained glass windows inside the church.

Church of St. Vicente (Iglesia de San Vicente)

San Sebastian is the gastronomic capital of Spain. Suffice it to say that there are only 5 three-star Michelin restaurants in the country, and 3 of them are in San Sebastian!
There are many taverns in the city. One of them has been celebrating its 50th anniversary for more than a year.

Tavern "Cueva" (Taberna Cueva)

In my opinion, the most beautiful church in Donostia is the Baroque Basilica of Santa Maria, built in 1743-74. The facade is especially beautiful, in the upper part of which there is a figure of St. Sebastian, who gave the name to the city. Christian martyr Sebastian was killed in 288 in Rome. Emperor Diocletian ordered him to be shot with arrows. It is Sebastian who is pierced by arrows and is usually depicted in art. However, during this execution he manages to survive, and only then is he stoned to death.

Basilica of Santa Maria

From the threshold of the basilica, another significant cathedral of the city is visible in a straight line. It seems that he is very close. However, this proximity is visible, because you will have to go through almost the entire city, or rather 11 blocks!

Calle Mayor

The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd was built in the neo-Gothic style in 1889-97. The main 75-meter tower is somewhat reminiscent of Cologne Cathedral.

In 1954, a 30-ton organ was installed inside the cathedral, which was the largest organ in Spain.

Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

The main square of the city, Constitution Square, is very beautiful. It is surrounded by elegant buildings with arcades. The balconies contain numbers that were carved in the days when bullfights were held here, and tickets were sold for the balconies.

The flag with blue and white stripes represents the colors of the local football team Real Sociedad. The club was founded in 1909. The greatest successes were in the early 80s, when the team became the champion of Spain twice in a row (1981,1982), and also had 2 victories in the country's cup (1909, 1987). The Anoeta home stadium seats 32,000 spectators.

Constitution Square (Plaza de la Constitucion)

You can also see the Basque flag - icurrinha - on the streets. It was invented by the ideologist of Basque nationalism Sabino Arana in 1894. It became the official flag of the Basque Country in 1936, but a year later it was banned after Franco came to power. The dictator died in November 1975, and 2 weeks later the Basque football derby was played (Real-Sociedad - Athletic Bilbao), and the team captains brought Icurrinha onto the field. The flag was officially restored in 1978.
Icurrinha is a combination of a green St. Andrew's cross and a white St. George's cross on a red field. The color red is the historical symbol of Vizcaya. Saint Andrew is revered among the Basques, because according to legend, in 867 on his day the Basques won the battle of Padura. The green color of the cross simultaneously signifies independence and is reminiscent of the Guernica oak, a symbol of the Basque people.

Street 31 August (Calle 31 de Agosto)

But most often on the balconies you can see flags-posters “EUSKAL PRESOAK - EUSKAL HERRIRA” (Basque prisoners in the Basque Country). The poster usually shows a black outline of the Basque Country (including Navarre and part of France) and two red arrows from Spain and France.

Puerto street (Calle del Puerto)

In this photo you can see similar flags on three balconies of the white house.

Calle Narrica

San Sebastian does not have a port for large liners or cargo ships. The bay has only a small harbor for pleasure boats and yachts.

La Concha Bay (Bahia de La Concha)

The most beautiful building on the embankment is, without a doubt, the city hall.

It is clear that such a luxurious palace would not have been built specifically for the city council. This building is a former casino. It was built in 1887. It was closed in 1924, after gambling was banned.

City Council (Ayuntamiento)

Since 1928, there was a tourist office here, and the city hall moved here after 1945.

City Council (Ayuntamiento)

As I already said, during our tour, Spain chose the European Capital of Culture for 2016. It was Spain that did this for the reason that the European Union gives this right to individual countries in rotation. Nowadays, every year, 2 European cities simultaneously hold the status of Capital of Culture (and from 2020 there will be 3 at once). In 2016, this fate will befall Spain and Poland. Poland chose Wroclaw, and Spain chose San Sebastian.
In general, the idea of ​​​​choosing a cultural city in Europe came in the mid-80s. And the first capital was Athens (1985). By the way, San Sebastian will become the 4th Spanish city on this list. Before that there were: Madrid (1992), Santiago de Compostela (2000) and Salamanca (2002).

City Council (Ayuntamiento)

Outstanding cultural figures born in San Sebastian include the sculptor Eduardo Chillida (1924-2002) and the porn actress Rebeca Linares (b. 1983).

The city is also associated with the name of the famous Spanish fashion designer Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1972). He was born nearby, in the small town of Getaria, and opened his first fashion house in San Sebastian in 1919. He dressed royalty and many famous women (for example, M. Dietrich and G. Garbo).
Now the Balenciaga Fashion House is owned by Gucci.

Alderdi-Eder Garden

The ETA group carried out quite a few terrorist attacks in San Sebastian. For example, in 1995, Deputy Mayor Gregorio Ordonez (1958-95) was shot dead in a restaurant.
Opposite the city hall in the Alderdi-Eder garden, a monument to the victims of terror was recently erected. The monument is a pillar with numerous cuts, representing wounds. The author of the work is Aitor Mendizábal.

In memory of the victims of terrorism (Homenaje a las victimas del terrorismo)

San Sebastian is a very green city. If you look at the Google satellite map, there is only greenery all around.

Plaza Bilbao

There are many quiet public gardens for lovers...

Plaza de Gipuzkoa

And for children - noisy carousels.

Alderdi-Eder Garden

An elegant promenade lined with hotels and restaurants stretches along La Concha beach. The length of the beach is about 1350 m. La Concha is included in the list of 12 Treasures of Spain.

La Concha Promenade (Paseo de La Concha)

To be honest, I am very surprised by the fact that Russian tour operators do not promote the Atlantic coast of Spain at all. Canaries - please, Balearics - for God's sake, the Mediterranean coast is represented by all possible villages and hamlets from Gibraltar to France. And the Bay of Biscay does not exist as a class at all.

La Concha Bay (Bahia de La Concha)

Yes, the water is cooler here. Prices are probably higher. But does this scare off the Russians? On the contrary, our working people love such fashionable places. In addition to Sebastian, Santander is also very popular in Spain (this is Cantabria).

La Concha Bay (Bahia de La Concha)

Personally, I really liked San Sebastian! Perhaps I will put it in first place among all the cities in my northern Spanish loop.
Initially it was planned to spend the night here, but they decided to take us to the Basque village of Seston...

I fell in love with this city even before I arrived. I learned about San Sebastian by chance from a friend. I typed it into Google and saw that incredibly beautiful panorama of La Concha Bay. It was difficult to believe that this place exists in reality and not somewhere far away, but in our already native Spain, which we have traveled the length and breadth of.

Usually, when choosing Spain, our compatriots go somewhere to Catalonia, the Balearics or, well, or, in extreme cases, Andalusia. At the same time, the north of the country is undeservedly deprived of attention. It is there, in the Basque Country on the shores of the harsh Atlantic Ocean, that the amazing city of San Sebastian (or Donostia in Basque) is located. For many years it has been one of the most popular Spanish resorts among Europeans.

There are really few Russians here. More precisely, during the month of my stay in Donostia, I did not meet a single one.

Many Spaniards rightly consider San Sebastian the most beautiful city in the country. Aristocratic in French and cozy in Spanish, it captivates with its luxurious beaches and breathtaking views of Santa Clara Island. And also delicious food.

How to get there

San Sebastian is located in northern Spain, 40 km from the French border. From Moscow or St. Petersburg you can get there both by air and by land. The most popular and convenient way is a combination of the first and second. For example, plane + train/bus.

By plane

San Sebastian has its own small airport, which is called San Sebastian. Only seven airlines fly there. And only two (Iberia and its budget subsidiary Vueling) operate daily flights (from Barcelona and Madrid). There are no direct international flights (including from Moscow and St. Petersburg) to San Sebastian.

The airport is located just 15 kilometers from the city center. You can get there by taxi (8–10 EUR) or bus (1.65–2.35 EUR).

Several buses go to San Sebastian. Numbers and routes can be viewed on the official website of the airport. They all arrive right in the city center, at Plaza Gipuskoa. Finding a bus stop and taxi rank at the tiny San Sebastian airport is not difficult. They are located right at the exit.

If you are planning to fly from outside Spain, I do not advise you to look for flights directly to San Sebastian. First, you will have to make at least one transfer (/). Secondly, due to the fact that the airport is small and unpopular, tickets are very expensive. Therefore, most tourists arrive in San Sebastian through the airports of neighboring cities. The closest of them are in (102 km) and Biarritz (in France, 40 km). There are regular buses from both airports to San Sebastian.

By train

Due to inconvenient air travel, European tourists often prefer to travel to San Sebastian by rail. Trains go to Donostia from almost all major cities Spain and France. For example, from Barcelona to San Sebastian the journey will take about 5 hours and cost from 45 EUR.

Long-distance trains usually arrive at the city's main railway station Estacion del Norte. But if you change trains in the French border city of Hendaye, you will arrive at a different station Amara. It is for commuter trains.

Both stations are within walking distance from the city center.

If you plan to travel by train directly from Moscow or St. Petersburg, then the most convenient route will be via. Branded trains go from both capitals to the French capital (you can see them on the Russian Railways website). Next, from Paris, buy a train ticket to the Spanish border city of Hendaye. From there, trains run to San Sebastian every 10 minutes. The total travel time will take about two and a half days.

Somewhere in the same amount of time, but with a large number of transfers, get on a different route: branded train -, then from Nice to, from Marseille to Barcelona, ​​from Barcelona to San Sebastian. The last 3 trains run regularly, so there will be no problems with purchasing tickets.

The cost of getting to San Sebastian by train will be many times more expensive than by plane (from 400 EUR one way). This is due to the fact that in Europe railways are not cheap transport, and in our country tickets for trans-European trains are an order of magnitude higher than for domestic ones.

By bus

Buses in Europe are traditionally a cheaper alternative to trains. True, they usually take longer to travel. Spanish companies regularly travel to San Sebastian with ALSA and PESA (routes from Spanish and nearby French cities, respectively).

Donostia does not have a direct bus connection with Moscow and St. Petersburg. That is, you will have to change planes in some large European city. The most convenient route is Zurich, Zurich - San Sebastian. But these buses do not run every day, so you need to plan the time in advance. There are many other routes, mainly through France. You can view the schedule and prices on the website of the European carrier Eurolines.

Getting to San Sebastian by bus will cost you a little less than trains (from 350 EUR one way), and will take about 3 days.

You can purchase bus tickets both on the company’s website and at bus station ticket offices and sometimes from the driver. They are cheapest when purchased online.

Buses arrive at San Sebastian's main bus station at Plaza de Pío XII. It is located far from the city center (about 45 minutes on foot). From here you can get to the center by taking a taxi (there is a parking lot right next to the station) or by bus (the stop is also nearby).

By car

The distance from Moscow to San Sebastian is 3,645 km.

The distance from St. Petersburg to San Sebastian is 3,566 km.

Travel time from both cities will be about 37 hours. The cost of such a trip depends on gasoline prices and the use of toll roads. On average about 500 EUR.

Clue:

San Sebastian - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

When planning your trip, you need to take into account that Gipuzkua is one of the rainiest regions of Spain. In winter it is almost always cloudy, in summer the weather is usually good.

As for autumn and spring, the situation here is almost impossible to predict. It can be very rainy one year and sunny the next.

So it’s better to go to San Sebastian during the season, that is, from May to October. At the same time, it is during this period that there are the most tourists and the highest prices. In the off-season, Donostia dies out: there are no crowds in the historical part of the city, in the port and on the beaches. At the same time, this does not affect the work of various institutions in any way. The fact is that in addition to visiting tourists and surfers, quite a large number of students also live here (San Sebastian is home to several prestigious universities). And the locals are ready to walk in any weather!

San Sebastian in summer

Summer is the tourist season in San Sebastian.

At this time of year, the temperature here is very comfortable (on average +27 °C), and it is not as hot as in other Spanish cities. And at night it can even be a little chilly. Therefore, it won’t hurt to take a jacket with sleeves. You also need to be prepared that the sea here is not as warm as, for example, in the famous Mediterranean resorts.

Comfortable temperatures for swimming range from mid-June to early September.

In addition, in the summer, San Sebastian hosts a large number of festivals, including the famous Jazzaldia.

San Sebastian in autumn

The first two months of autumn in San Sebastian are considered the velvet season. The temperature is still above +20 °C, the brave ones can even swim (the water is about +18 °C), and there are still a lot of sunny days (although fewer and fewer). The weather usually deteriorates completely by mid-November. It's getting cold and rainy.

Among the interesting events: at the end of September, the famous film festival is held in San Sebastian, which attracts many celebrities. And in October there is a horror film festival.

San Sebastian in spring

In spring it is better to go in the second half of April. By this time it is usually quite warm (about +20 °C) and sunny. Also at this time the trees begin to bloom, it looks very beautiful.

By May, summer weather has already set in and the tourist season begins. However, if you want to swim, it is better to choose summer or early autumn for your trip. The water warms up only in June and does not have time to cool down until mid-September.

Spring in San Sebastian is not rich in cultural events and holidays.

San Sebastian in winter

In terms of weather, winter is not the best time to visit San Sebastian. The air temperature is somewhere between +5–10 °C, it rains all the time, and there is almost no sun.

However, in winter you can feel the indescribable holiday atmosphere. All kinds of Christmas markets and folk festivals take place on the beautifully decorated streets. And on January 20, you can witness the most spectacular and large-scale holiday in San Sebastian: Tamborrada (aka City Day).

Clue:

San Sebastian - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

San Sebastian is a small city, its area is 60.8 km². Officially, the city has 17 districts. But there is also an additional traditional historical division in the central part of Donostia, which is recognized by the authorities and indicated on tourist maps.

Most of the attractions and, as a result, hotels of San Sebastian are concentrated in the area El Centro(Center). In its composition it is customary to highlight separately Parte Vieja(Old Quarter) and (Miraconcha Quarter).

Parte Vieja is the Historical Center and the heart of the city. Narrow streets, ancient houses, an endless string of shops, restaurants and bars open until the morning. That is why, when choosing housing in the old quarter, you need to be prepared for the fact that it is quite noisy here at night.

Miraconcha is home to the famous La Concha beach and the magnificent promenade along it, the hallmark of San Sebastian. Housing overlooking this part of the city is the most expensive.

The rest of EL Centro, although there are no significant attractions, is still very pleasant to walk around. Beautiful houses, cozy squares, many cafes, restaurants, shops, large supermarkets, banks.

Of non-central ones, areas of interest are Gros, El Antiguo, Eguia And Amara vieja.

Old Amara ( Amara vieja) is located directly behind the Center. It is part of the large residential area of ​​Amara (there is also a new Amara). The main cathedral of San Sebastian is located in Amara vieja. Living here is considered prestigious by the local population.

The Gros district is the city's shopping center. There are also many open street cafes and democratic bars. And it ends with the famous surfer beach Zuriola.

El Atiguo is home to Ondarreta Beach and Mount Igueldo. This is a beautiful, calm area suitable for beach and family holidays.

Eguia is famous for its Cristina Enea park. There is also a train station and the Maria Cristina Bridge leading to it, which is considered the most beautiful bridge in the city.

The remaining areas of San Sebastian are not attractive to tourists in terms of distance and number of accommodation options.

What are the prices for holidays?

San Sebastian is one of the most expensive cities in Spain. In some indicators (for example, food, taxis) it is even ahead of Barcelona. So, when going to Donostia, be prepared that it won’t be a budget holiday (at least compared to other Spanish resorts).

Accommodation

Although, of course, everything depends on your needs. So, accommodation in the famous five-star (the only one in the city) Maria Cristina hotel will cost you at least 500 EUR per night for two (in high season), you can look for offers. In hotels of a lower rank you can find double rooms for 200–300 EUR/night. Well, the most budget option is hostels and guest houses. Here prices start from 20 EUR per bed in dormitory rooms and from 45 EUR for private rooms. You can book your accommodation at or if it’s an apartment, then .

Nutrition

If you want to try haute Basque cuisine, dinner at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants will cost you at least 100 EUR for two.

In simpler establishments you can charge the same bill for 50 EUR.

Well, a meal in the famous gastrobars will cost from 10 EUR per person.

Tours

Many domestic companies offer a wide selection of tours to San Sebastian. For example, such a tour from Moscow will cost about 2,000 EUR for two per week (without meals). You can look at prices from different tour operators and look for something for yourself, for example.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

San Sebastian combines unique nature and unrivaled architecture. For this reason, it is even called “little Paris”. All main attractions can be easily visited on foot.

Top 5

Here are the TOP 5 places you must visit in San Sebastian:

Beaches. Which ones are better

San Sebastian is famous for its gorgeous coastline, which is interrupted by picturesque mountains. They divide it into several beaches.

All beaches have toilets, changing cabins, sun loungers and umbrellas for rent, and a cafe in the immediate vicinity.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

The most beautiful church in San Sebastian is considered basilicaSanta Maria del Coro. It is located in the Old Quarter. The basilica was built in the 18th century on the site of an old medieval church. The temple was built in the Baroque style, but with Gothic elements. Above the main entrance is a statue of Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of the city.

On the same street at the other end you can see another church - San Vicente. The structure is located right at the foot of the mountain. It is the oldest (built in the Middle Ages) church in San Sebastian. In terms of external decoration, it is very modest, and sometimes even looks little like a church. This is due to the fact that San Vincente previously also served as a fortress.

Well, and finally the main temple of the city is San Sebastian Cathedral of the Good Shepherd (Catedral del Buen Pastor de San Sebastian). It is located in the Amara district and, interestingly, is directly opposite the aforementioned Basilica del Coro (as it was designed). The cathedral was built at the end of the 19th century in the neo-Gothic style. It amazes with its scope. Separately, it is worth noting its huge colorful stained glass windows.

Helpful information : All churches are active. Admission to them is free. You can go to mass (the schedule is usually in the church itself), and sometimes even witness a wedding.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

The main museum of San Sebastian is San Belmo Museum (Museo San Telmo). It is both historical and artistic. Located at the foot of Mount Urgul in a 16th-century monastery building. The museum is dedicated to everything related to the history of the Basque Country: furniture, clothing, household items, etc. It also houses paintings by famous Spanish artists, and regularly hosts all kinds of exhibitions and other cultural events.

Address: Plaza Zuloaga 1.

Entrance: 6 EUR.

Maritime Museum (Museo Naval) San Sebastian is also located in a historic building in the city's port. There is a small permanent exhibition dedicated to the shipbuilding traditions of the Basque Country, and long-term temporary exhibitions and master classes aimed at popularizing interest in maritime topics are constantly organized.

Address: Paseo Muelle 24.

Entrance: 3 EUR.

Parks

The largest park in San Sebastian (and one of the largest in Spain) is located in the Aigia district along the Urumea River, behind the train station. You can get there by crossing the Marina Christina Bridge. It is named Cristina Enea Park in honor of the wife of the Duke de Mandas, on whose estates it was founded (he transferred his lands to the city at the end of the 19th century). The palace of that same duke is also located in the park. Since 2007, the Environmental Resources Center (Centro de Recursos Medioambientales) has been located there.

Miramar Palace Park much smaller than Cristina Enea, but much more popular with tourists. This is explained by its luxurious location: it is located on a hill between the two beaches of La Concha and Ondaretta. Sitting on the grass, you can enjoy a stunning view of the ocean and the island of Santa Clara. The Miramar Palace itself deserves special attention. It is a former royal residence built at the end of the 19th century by the English architect Sheldon Warne. The entire territory of the park is also designed in the English style: neatly trimmed lawns, flower beds, stone paths. Currently, the palace is open to tourists.

Tourist streets

The main tourist street is considered to be the one already mentioned above. La Concha embankment. It is worth paying special attention here to the building of the City Hall of San Sebastian, located at the very beginning.

It is remarkable not only for its beauty, but also for its history. Until 1925, there was a casino here.

In the very heart of the city there is another important and beautiful street - Boulevard Alameda. It connects two parts of the city.

What to see in 1 day

If you plan your route correctly, it is quite possible to see all the main attractions in 1 day. For example, the route could be like this.

We start our walk from the embankment along Suryola beach (30 min.), then cross the Kursal bridge and turn to Mount Urgul. The climb up the mountain (or just a walk at the foot) can be completed in about 30 minutes. Next, we go for a walk around the Old Quarter. It will take 20–30 minutes to inspect all key places. Then we go out to the La Concha embankment and move towards Mount Igueldo.

Along the way we pass the Miramar Palace and end our journey at the end of Ondaretta beach at the famous monument: Eduardo Chillida’s sculpture Peine del Viento (“Crest of the Wind”). It consists of pieces of rusty metal on which waves break.

What to see in the area

There are many interesting places to visit in the area around San Sebastian.

For example, Chillida Lecu Museum (Museo Chillida-Leku). It is dedicated to the work of the famous Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida. The same author of The Crest of the Wind. The museum is located in a 16th-century estate. Chillida's work is displayed both indoors and outdoors. Right in the park on the hill there are abstract sculptures made of marble and metal.

The Chillida Museum is located in the town of Hernani, 8 km from San Sebastian. You can get there by train or bus in just 10–15 minutes. Entrance: 8.5 EUR.

Another interesting museum in the area is Basque Cider Museum (Museo de la Sidra Vasca). It is located in the town of Astigarraga, 6 km from San Sebastian. In the museum they will tell you the history of origin and many interesting facts about cider, show you the manufacturing process and the secrets of this drink. Entrance: 4 EUR.

You can get to Astigarraga by bus in half an hour. Also, most travel agencies in the city offer excursions from San Sebastian to the Cidra Museum followed by a tasting in one of the traditional restaurants.

Another beautiful place worth visiting - town of Zumaia. About an hour's drive from San Sebastian. It is famous for its stunning views of the rugged Basque nature.

The raging ocean and inaccessible rocks, green hills and steep cliffs. Due to its incredible landscape, this place was even chosen for filming one of the episodes of the new season of Game of Thrones.

Nearby Islands

In the center of La Concha Bay is the small island of Saint Clare. Despite its tiny size, it has its own pier, beach and even a bar.

Boats leave from the port of San Sebastian to the island every half hour. Ticket price - 4 EUR (round trip). Well, in good weather You can also get to Santa Clara by swimming!

Food. What to try

San Sebastian is one of the gastronomic capitals of Europe. He holds the world record for the most Michelin-starred restaurants per square meter. And ordinary bars will not leave you indifferent. The main culinary masterpiece of this region is pintxos (small appetizing snacks on a piece of bread). They are served everywhere: in expensive restaurants and small bars. In each one you will find a huge and unique assortment of this delicacy.

It is customary to drink pintxos with beer or wine. Be sure to try the traditional Basque white wine Txakoli!

Another popular local drink is Basque apple cider (sidra). It is made here according to a special traditional recipe and sold in large bottles similar to champagne.

If you want to cook some Basque cuisine yourself, head to traditional markets such as Mercado de la Bretxa or Mercado San Martin to get your groceries.

Budget

Top 5 pintxos bars:

1. Atari Gastroteka,
2. A fuego negro,
3. Zeruko,
4. Bodega Donostiarra,
5. Egosari.

Mid-level

1. La Muralla,
2. Lanziego,
3. Casa Urola,
4. La cuchara de San Telmo.

Expensive

Top 5 restaurants with Michelin stars:

1. Arkzak,
2. Akelare,
3. Martin Berasategui,
4. Mugaritz,
5. Kokotxa.

Holidays

The main holiday in San Sebastian is celebrated on January 20. This is the day of the city's patron Saint Sebastian. This holiday is also called Tamborrada (from the word tambor - “drum”). On this day, residents dressed in historical costumes cheerfully walk through the city playing drums. But the most important spectacle of the holiday is the children's drum parade that ends it.

In addition, San Sebastian is a city of festivals. There is a theater festival, a fireworks festival, a festival electronic music, horror films and surfer film festival.

The most famous of them are the International Film Festival and the Jazzaldia Jazz Festival. The latter is one of the main jazz events in Europe and the world. Concerts are held in different parts of the city (including on the beaches), and generally recognized world jazz stars perform at the festival.

The San Sebastian International Film Festival is one of the oldest film festivals in Europe (held since 1953) and the fourth most important (after Cannes, Berlin and Venice).

Safety. What to watch out for

San Sebastian, in my opinion, is an absolutely safe city, even compared to other European cities.

Things to do

In addition to the beach, leisurely walks and tasting pintxos, you can spend your time more actively in San Sebastian. For example, rent a bike (7 EUR for 2 hours, 15 EUR for the whole day) and ride along Paseo Nuevo. This is a unique place. The bike path runs right along the ocean and around Mount Urgull.

Also, if you are in good shape, you can rent a kayak on the beach (double kayak - 16 EUR per hour or 25 EUR for 2 hours) and swim to Santa Clara Island.

The swim does not take long, but due to the strong waves it is not as easy as it seems.

Shopping and shops

San Sebastian is a paradise for shopaholics! Both global and little-known local brands are represented here. The main feature of the city is the small designer boutiques where you can buy something unique. You need to look for such stores in Parte Vieja and El Centro.

If you want something from the mass sector, you can, for example, visit shopping mall Centro Comercial Garbera, where a large number of stamps are collected.

I also recommend checking out one of the surf shops in San Sebastian. They sell not only equipment for this sport, but also themed youth clothing.

Bars. Where to go

If you decide to go bar hopping, then go to the Old Quarter (Parte vieja) or Gros! There are especially many of them there. You're sure to find something to your taste!

There are many bars and small discos open until the morning. Among them: Iguana, Lamb, Arkaitzpe... These places are quite democratic. Prices are low (within 5 EUR per drink). Therefore, the audience is mainly young people and students (including foreign ones).

Clubs and nightlife

The only nightclub in San Sebastian, Bataplan, is located on La Concha beach. The usual electronic music plays there, DJs from clubs in Ibiza and Barcelona. Paid entrance. You can see the poster.

There is also an interesting establishment located in the port of San Sebastian. called GU. It is made in the shape of a ship. They play good music and often have live concerts. There is an entrance fee and sometimes there is no entrance fee.

Both establishments have face control and a dress code, but not too strict. Prices in clubs are much higher than in regular bars. One drink can cost around 10 EUR.

The clubs are open until 6:00–7:00.

Extreme Sports

San Sebastian is also the surfing capital of Spain and one of the main surf spots in Europe. There are a huge number of surf schools here. And every year the city hosts a large number of competitions in this spectacular sport.

The season here lasts from March to the end of October. At this time, many surfers come to San Sebastian, and among local residents There are enough fans to ride the waves. In general, it feels like everyone skates here. I have repeatedly seen both small children and elderly people doing this activity.

The most popular place among surfers is Zuriola Beach due to its strong waves. There you will also find many board rentals and instructors offering their services. Surfboards can be rented either by the hour or daily/weekly/monthly.

Near the beach there are also well-known surf schools. You can practice both individually and in groups. Equipment is provided by the school. For example, one of the most famous and oldest schools in San Sebastian is Pukas.

When planning to go surfing, you should also keep in mind that the sea in the Basque Country is very cold (even in summer). Therefore, you cannot do without a wetsuit. You can buy it at one of the surf shops in the city or rent it.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Traditionally Basque souvenirs are brought from San Sebastian. The main souvenir is the txapela, the famous Basque beret. You can buy it both in special national costume stores and in ordinary souvenir stores.

The second popular symbol in the Basque Country is the lauburu. This is a cross formed by four commas. It is considered a symbol of good luck. Laubura is depicted on almost everything: T-shirts, keychains, bracelets, etc.

There are also many souvenirs related to surfing in San Sebastian. Even if you are not into this sport, you can still bring cute keychains or pendants in the shape of small surfboards.

And of course, they sell an endless number of paintings and postcards with views of La Concha Bay.

How to get around the city

San Sebastian is a small city. Therefore, the main method of travel for tourists is on foot. If you think the walk is too far or you are tired, you can take a bus. The ticket costs 1.70 EUR.

There is also a special sightseeing tourist bus.

It runs from 11:00 to 19:00. The route lasts 1 hour. Stops are located throughout the city. Ticket price - 12 EUR.

Taxi. What features exist

It should be borne in mind that taxis in San Sebastian are one of the most expensive in Spain. Already for landing they will charge 4.5 EUR. A short trip around the city will cost you about 10 EUR.

Taxis can be caught on the street without any problems: they run constantly and are easy to identify by appearance(white with sign: TAXI). There are also parking lots. For example, next to the bus and train stations.

You can call a taxi in advance by phone. There is no single number. Usually this service is provided at the reception of hotels/hostels/apartments.

Transport rental

A popular vehicle for rent is a bicycle. There are a huge number of bike paths here. There is both a city system and many private rental points. Tariffs can be clarified on site or.

There are also numerous car rental companies at your service. But this is relevant for those who are planning trips outside the city. Getting around the city by car is extremely inconvenient.

San Sebastian holidays with children

The first place you should definitely take your child in San Sebastian is, of course, the amusement park on Mount Igueldo. It was founded back in 1925. And although the park is small and the attractions are quite old, children are sure to be delighted! There are carousels, mazes, and a horror room. But the main entertainment is to ride a boat along the edge of a cliff.

The second place to go with children is the San Sebastian Aquarium. It is considered one of the best in Europe! The aquarium was opened back in 1928, but since then it has been re-equipped many times with the latest technology. It consists of a huge aquarium with an underwater tube with a 360° view and small themed aquariums. Here you can learn a lot about marine life and even touch some of them.

Well, the most advanced place for little tourists in San Sebastian is the Eureka Science and Technology Museum (Eureka Zientzia Museoa). Here you will find fascinating interactive exhibitions dedicated to natural phenomena, scientific achievements, and the human body. All exhibits can be touched, rotated, and even experienced using simulators. Of particular interest is the huge digital planetarium.

One of the most elegant and fashionable Spanish resorts and a paradise for surfers.

San Sebastian owes the origins of resort life to the wife of Emperor Napoleon III, Eugenia Montijo, who first brought the imperial court here. Modern San Sebastian is a resort mainly for Europeans: the French or British vacation here, and you hardly see Russians or Asians here.

Along with Madrid and Barcelona, ​​San Sebastian is considered one of the most expensive cities in Spain.

How to get there

By plane

San Sebastian has its own airport, but there are no direct flights from Russia to this city. Iberia and Vueling fly here with a transfer in Madrid or Barcelona; tickets cost from 300 EUR (round trip). The airport is located 22 km from the city center. You can get from there to the center by regular buses (they run frequently, the fare is 1.65-2.35 EUR) or by taxi (8-10 EUR). Prices on the page are as of September 2018.

There are four other airports in the vicinity of San Sebastian: in Bilbao, Vitoria, Pamplona and Biarritz.

Test: 11 difficult questions about Spain for tourists | Try to answer all:

By train

Air connections between San Sebastian and Russia are not very convenient, so many tourists prefer to fly to Madrid or Barcelona, ​​and from there get to the city by land.

• The train from Barcelona runs three times a day: at 7:30, 14:10 and 15:30. Travel time is from 5.5 to 7 hours, depending on the train, the fare is from 25.90 EUR one way.

• Trains from Madrid leave 5 times a day, the first at 7:30 am and the last at 5:35 pm. The journey takes about 5 hours, the fare starts from 22.15 EUR one way.

San Sebastian is a large city, so trains come here from all over Spain, France, and there are also night trains from Paris and Lisbon.

If you are coming from France, be careful, as this country has its own San Sebastian, and it is a completely different city.

By bus

Bus service in the Basque Country, as well as in Spain as a whole, is well established. Buses are traditionally cheaper than trains, but the journey will be longer. The road from Bilbao to San Sebastian will take about 1.5 hours and cost 6-7 EUR one way. The bus from Madrid to San Sebastian takes 6-6.5 hours, a ticket costs from 15 EUR one way.

Search for flights to Barcelona (the nearest airport to San Sebastian)

Weather in San Sebastian

The climate in San Sebastian is temperate Atlantic. In summer there is no intense heat; the temperature rarely rises above +25 °C. The maximum number of tourists occurs from May to September; at this time it is almost always sunny here, but in winter and in the off-season it is often rainy.

By mid-November the weather deteriorates, and in winter there is usually no more than +7...+10 °C. In the second half of April it becomes warm again - the air warms up to +20 °C, and everything blooms.

San Sebastian is located on the ocean, so the water in the local bays is not as warm as in other Spanish resorts. Comfortable temperatures for swimming range from July to September.

The Atlantic climate is quite unpredictable: in the off-season it is equally likely to be cloudy and rainy, or sunny.

San Sebastian Hotels

Most hotels in San Sebastian are concentrated in the city center (El Centro). The center, in turn, is usually divided into two parts: the Old Quarter (parte vieja) and Miraconcha.

The Old Quarter contains the main city attractions; it is very colorful and beautiful, with many bars and restaurants. However, it can be noisy at night, and since many hotels occupy historical buildings, there are interruptions in hot water and other amenities.

In the Miraconcha area, hotels are more modern, this is where main city sky beach and a beautiful promenade along it. Accordingly, prices in this quarter are the highest in the city.

Outside the historic center there are several interesting areas. It’s also convenient to live in, there are relatively few tourists, and prices are slightly lower than in the center:

• Amara vieja (Old Amara) - this residential area is adjacent to the center and is considered prestigious among the local population.
• Gros is the city's shopping center, with many shops, street cafes and inexpensive bars. This is where the Zuriola surfer beach is located.
• El Antiguo is a quiet, calm neighborhood often chosen by families with children; the family beach Ondarreta is located here.
• Eguia is a green area, home to the large urban park Cristina Enea and the main train station.

The most luxurious hotel in San Sebastian is Maria Cristina, a luxury collection 5*, the only five-star hotel in the city, located overlooking the Bay of Biscay. From June to October, the hotel's restaurant is run by Michelin-starred French chef Hélène Darroze. A double room here costs from 500 EUR per night.

A 4* hotel in the city center will cost from about 80-150 EUR, a good three-ruble note can be rented from 60 EUR, a room in a guest house - from 45 EUR per day for a double room, and a bed in a hostel - from 20 EUR per day per person.

Beaches of San Sebastian

Famous Playa de la Concha(Playa de la Concha) in the shape of a crescent is located in the city center in a quiet bay, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Tourists and locals love it for its well-groomed environment and beautiful views. Right on the shore is the hydropathic resort la Perla, which offers health and beauty treatments.

In the center of the bay, which follows the shape of a shell, is the small island of Santa Clara with a small lighthouse on top, surrounded by many sailing yachts. On both sides of the bay there are two mountains: on the left there is a beautiful castle and an amusement park, on the right there is a statue of Christ.

Playa de Ondaretta(Playa de Ondaretta) - a quieter and calmer clean beach with coarse yellow sand. This is a popular place for a relaxed family holiday; there are also frequent waves, and then surfers come to this beach. It is separated from Playa de da Concha by the Pico del Loro rock: for the convenience of vacationers, a tunnel has been cut through it.

Beach Playa de Zurriola(Playa de Zuriola) was formerly known as Playa de Gros. It is open to all winds and therefore very popular among surfers; there are always a lot of young people here. In 1994, a breakwater was built here for safety, and the beach area was expanded by adding sand. There are sports grounds, many beach bars, surf schools and board rentals, and concerts, festivals and parties are often held here.

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Shopping in San Sebastian

The people of San Sebastian have a reputation in Spain for being fashionable. In the Old Town there are many shops and boutiques of both luxury and mid-price segments. Most of the brands presented are Spanish (some of them do not reach Russia), but there are also other popular European brands. Most of the shops are located on Libertad Avenue.

It is best to buy Spanish delicacies at the Mercado San Martin and Mercado de la Bretxa food markets, and interesting souvenirs at prices lower than in other shops are sold in the Akuna matata store.

Cuisine and restaurants

Basque cuisine is considered the best in all of Spain. It is in San Sebastian that there are several restaurants that have earned Michelin stars.

There are only two restaurants in the world awarded three Michelin stars: one of them is located in Paris and the other in San Sebastian.

Restaurants in San Sebastian serve traditional Basque dishes, seafood in all possible variations and the famous pintxos. Pintxos are a local variation of Spanish tapas, small sandwiches or canapés with all sorts of fillings. They are served everywhere here - from small eateries to elegant restaurants with signature cuisine. They are usually washed down with beer, wine, in particular the traditional Basque white sparkling wine Txakoli, or apple cider (sidra). It is made here according to a special traditional recipe and sold in the same bottles as cava (Spanish sparkling wine).

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Excellent pintxos are served at the Casa Valles gastropub next to the Cathedral. The Nagusia bar on the street of the same name is a real museum of pintxos, with perhaps the largest selection in the city. Prices start from 2.90 EUR per piece. For seafood, you should go to the La Mejilonera restaurant, for traditional Basque cuisine (there is also a lot of seafood there, and the meat is excellent) - to La Cuchara de San Telmo or to La Zurri Jatetxea in the Old Town.

Arzak is the same restaurant that was awarded three Michelin stars. This is a family restaurant of new Basque cuisine, the menu is updated every six months, the signature dish is smoked white tuna with fresh figs and pine nuts. The tasting menu costs from 200 EUR per person excluding drinks.

In more affordable establishments you can have dinner for 50 EUR for two; for lunch, many of them offer a set menu costing from 10 EUR per person. You can also have a snack at pintxos bars for 10 EUR per person, excluding drinks.

Guides in San Sebastian

Entertainment and attractions of San Sebastian

Despite the fact that San Sebastian has burned almost to the ground several times throughout its history, some architectural monuments have still been preserved here. In the Old Town, called Alde Sajarra, it is worth visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro (named after the patron saint of San Sebastian), built in the Baroque style; the church of St. Vincent, a neo-Gothic building from the 19th century, and the ethnographic museum of San Telmo, whose building at the foot of Mount Urgull housed a monastery in the 16th century. Today, historical evidence of the richest Basque culture is kept here, and the walls of the museum are painted with frescoes based on the history of the region and Basque legends.

One of the most unusual museums in the city is the Sea Palace Aquarium near the port. In fact, these are two small museums in one - the first tells about the history of Basque fishing, the second about the naval history of the region. The museum has transparent tunnels, through which you can observe sharks and other marine life.

The old quarter in the city center (parte vieja) is one big attraction in itself. In its center is Constitution Square, which once served as a bullfighting arena. On the square there is an ancient library building - formerly the city hall, and nearby - the neoclassical Ayete Palace - the former residence of Franco, and the Miramar Palace, located between the beaches of Playa de la Concha and Playa de la Ondaretta - former residence of Queen Maria Cristina.

Where to go in San Sebastian

The calling card of the city, its symbol has become the La Concha embankment with its famous balustrades and lanterns. Thanks to the proximity of France, the new quarters of San Sebastian are imbued with motifs of French romantic architecture: buildings in the Art Nouveau, Belle Epoque styles and even the futuristic cubes of the Kursaal Congress Center, which was recognized as the best building in Europe in 2001.

The top of Mount Igueldo, reached by cable car, offers panoramic views of the city and coastline.

There is a beautiful pedestrian promenade along the bay - a great place for romantic walks. In its western part there is a symbolic sculpture “El Peine del Viento” - “The Comb of the Wind” by Eduardo Chillida. It symbolizes the finitude of the beach and the mainland itself, washed on three sides by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Essentially, these are intricately twisted rails embedded in a rocky dead end, through which rusty iron balls pass waves. The essence of the monument is to remind that nothing man-made can resist the forces of nature.

To the west of San Sebastian begins the picturesque rocky coast of the Costa Basca - the birthplace of the sparkling wine “txakoli” and the region of many ancient cities.

5 things to do in San Sebastian:

1. Stop by the tourist office for free advice on your city break.
2. Regardless of the weather, get your feet wet in the Bay of Biscay.
3. Climb the hill to the statue of Christ.
4. Visit as many tapas bars as possible in an evening.
5. After warming up with cider or something stronger, go to the disco and party until the morning.

Maps of San Sebastian

Events

Life in the city is vibrant. In July, San Sebastian hosts Europe's most famous jazz festival, Jazzaldia, and in September, the international film festival. Among other cultural events, it is worth noting a theater festival, an advertising festival, a surfing film festival, an electronic music festival, and a children's “tamborrada” on St. Sebastian's Day (a competition for young drummers on the city streets). Several times a year, stages of various world and European sailing regattas take place in San Sebastian.

Even on a hot day San Sebastian feels cool
early morning. It seems like there are never leaves on the trees
completely dry. The streets look as if they had just been watered.
On the hottest day, some streets are shady and cool. Ernest Hemingway. "Fiesta"

We entered the Basque country through Nice, and then wandered by bus - resting in Playa d'Aro, Saint Jean de Luz, Biarritz, San Sebastian. But we had such an idea. San Sebastian is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Basque Country, 14 km from the Spanish-French border, and has a double Basque-Spanish name: Donostia-San Sebastian.

Amazing city. Originally it was the port of Navarre. Later Castilian rule increased its prosperity, and it was here that the Cantabrian Armada fought against its enemies. At the beginning of the 19th century, the city was under the rule of Napoleon during the Spanish War of Independence, from which it suffered greatly: after the liberation, only a few dozen buildings remained here. Both the Spanish kings and the dictator Franco loved to relax in San Sebastian. And it was “opened” to the sophisticated public by Queen Isabella II (daughter of Maria Christina) in the mid-19th century. Photo from Plaza Isabel in Madrid. At that time there was a military fort here, and with it there was a fishing village. Indeed, the location was ideal for a resort: a quiet, secluded semicircular bay with a wide strip sandy beaches It ended with hills on both sides, and in the middle of the bay the rocky island of Santa Clara rose out of the water, covering it from the open water. San Sebastian quickly became fashionable. And it doesn't come out to this day. When Queen Maria Cristina built her residence here, the city began to fill with aristocratic audiences. A luxurious resort town was built on the site of a military-fishing settlement. There are not too many Russian tourists here - unlike the Mediterranean coast of Spain, which has long been developed by our compatriots. Today's San Sebastian is a solid city, fairly homogeneous in style, mostly 5-6 floors high, which acquired its current appearance in the Art Nouveau era and subsequently adapted to the given style.

Most of the buildings in the center and in the Old Town are built from local light yellow stone (ship house - there are many of these here).

San Sebastian in Spain is considered an elite resort city. In France there is Biarritz, in Spain - San Sebastian. Both of them are located on the shores of the Bay of Biscay, at a distance of 50 km from each other. So. San Sebastian. Donostia in Basque: Dono (saint) + stia (Sebastian). City to which the title was awarded Capital of Culture Europe 2016. Here is a map of the city's attractions
The city became a royal resort in the mid-19th century. Doctors advised Queen Isabella II to take sea air and bathe. And San Sebastian was chosen as the location. But the main reason for the popularity of the resort was Queen Regent Maria Cristina, who came here to relax almost every year since 1885. It was at the turn of the century that the city flourished - from 1880 to 1925, the population of San Sebastian grew more than 3 times (from 20 to 65 thousand). Now it’s about 180 thousand thousand.

This is the beach. Zuriola Beach. It is located on the other side of Mount Urgul and the Urumea River. Both mountains Urgul and Igeldo are visible in the distance. This 800-meter long beach is considered a favorite among surfers. Surf schools and board rentals are located here. This beach is also popular among young people and students. However, ordinary people also swim along the edges of the bay. On the embankment lined with black tiles there are sculptures made of black stone. From morning to evening on the nearby streets you can meet people with boards under their arms, hurrying to the ocean or returning from there. So we landed at the beach of Surriolla and Kursaal. This is a “miracle”. To be honest, I didn't notice him. Downstairs there are just long glass display cases. And even when I was sitting by the beach waiting for the bus again, I didn’t pay any attention to this building. It is very ugly, from my point of view. And grey!! True, I looked into the glass of the building as if into a mirror, but from below it does not seem so ugly. The Urumea River flows into the ocean.

And this nightmare is, as Wikipedia says, the Palace of Congresses and the Kursaal Auditorium - an architectural complex of buildings consisting of a large auditorium, multi-purpose and exhibition halls. The palace was built according to the design of the Spanish architect Rafael Moneo and opened in 1999. The concert hall of the Kursaal Palace of Congresses and Auditorium, with a seating capacity of 1,800, is home to the largest international film festival in Spain, the San Sebastian Film Festival, held since 1953. In particular, film and jazz festivals are held here every year. Kursaal stands on both the ocean and the river, where the Urumea River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The German word "kursaal" means "healing room". Similar buildings were typical for many resorts in Europe in the 19th century. Typically it was a palace with a restaurant, casino and ballroom. It was just such a luxurious palace that stood on the shore in San Sebastian since 1921. There was also a theater with 859 seats. In 1973, the Great Kursaal was destroyed, but a new one could not be built for a long time. And in the end they built such a nightmare!!

Here's another look from Kursaal to the other side. Salamanca embankment (Paseo de Salamanca). Hotel San Sebastian. There, at the top of the observation deck, the flag of the Basque Country flutters above it. From there I descended from Mount Urgul. I will go there again from the statue of Christ.

The climate in San Sebastian is temperate Atlantic. In summer there is no intense heat; the temperature rarely rises above +25 °C.
The weather in the Basque Country is different from other regions of Spain: it is much windier and rainier. Rainy days are not uncommon on the Atlantic coast. Tourists want warmth, but even in August it is not hot in San Sebastian, and the ocean is colder than the sea. Here, all Spanish inscriptions and names are duplicated in the Basque language, “Euskara,” which is unlike any other European language. San Sebastian, the main city of one of the three provinces of the Basque Country - Gipuzkoa - is called Donostia in Basque. This city, however, has another unofficial name - “Paris on the Atlantic” «. San Sebastian is an expensive resort, I would even say very expensive. Cannes, they say, is a rural holiday in comparison. The Urumea River divides the city into two parts.

Along the river, the most representative buildings of San Sebastian are lined up opposite each other. The house with the dome is the Maria Cristina Hotel. The most luxurious 5-star hotel in the city. It was built in the Belle Epoque style in 1912 by the French architect Charles Mevet (1858-1914), who was the author of three elite Ritz hotels - in London, Paris and Madrid. The first guest of the hotel was, naturally, Maria Christina herself. Later, Coco Chanel stayed here, as well as many celebrities who came to the film festival. Accommodation at the famous five-star (the only one in the city) Maria Cristina hotel will cost you at least 500 EUR per night for two (in high season). In hotels of a lower rank you can find double rooms for 200–300 EUR/night. Well, the most budget option is hostels and guest houses. Here prices start from 20 EUR per bed in dormitory rooms and from 45 EUR for private rooms.

Nearby is the Victoria Eugenia Theater, the center of cultural life of San Sebastian.

There are several bridges across the river. The closest one to the bay, Zurriola, was built in 1915. It is also sometimes called the Kursaal Bridge. Beautiful bridges. We cross the river along the Kursaal bridge and find ourselves on the green and spacious Donostia Boulevard. This region is called the “other” or “green” Spain. Here, even at the end of summer, you will not find the characteristic southern landscape with sun-scorched grass. The mountain meadows are fresh, the trees of the middle zone are green in the forests, and on the ocean shore you can see palm alleys, pine trees, and thickets of heather. Here the towns combine Spanish joie de vivre with French charm, as part of Euskadi, the historic Basque Country, is in France.

Here you can pick up a map of the city at the tourism center. Donostia Boulevard runs along the isthmus of a peninsula stretched into the ocean.

Such a wonderful trolleybus!! Touching dandelions!! Only in different photos the back of the bus turned out to be larger than the front. Let's go through the market.
Hidden in the depths of the houses is the rectangular Plaza de la Constitution, the main square of the Old Town, where bullfights were once held. This is where the market is located! The market occupies an entire block. The open-air part of it faces Raimundo Zarriega Square. The building, or rather the market buildings, are located on the spot where in 1813 the British troops who besieged San Sebastian were able to make a breach in the fortress wall. "The Breach", or La Brecha in Spanish (La Bretxa in the Basque language) gave its name to the future market. There are no eateries in the market. The reason is very simple. La Bretxa is located in the Old Town, in the heart of the pintxos neighborhoods. There are such an incredible number of them, and their repertoire is so rich that few would even think of eating at the market.

Today is the winemakers' holiday. Music is playing. There is a performance on stage. People with numbers (coupons) come up to the tables in the niches and take different wines to try!! Mostly older people. What kind of wine day it is not clear. The main square of the city, Constitution Square, is very beautiful. It is surrounded by elegant buildings with arcades.

The balconies contain numbers that were carved in the days when bullfights were held here, and tickets were sold for the balconies. And in the market
such an abundance of deliciousness. All possible!! My eyes are wide open!! Grandmothers cleverly sell this bountiful harvest. There are girls to help grandmothers. Everything is so clean and tidy.

And here's a fish
and all kinds of seafood. Of course, in San Sebastian you have to eat fish and seafood (“Pescados y mariscos”). Here is the fish pavilion.
It’s not for nothing that San Sebastian is a city of gourmets. Let's go to the store. Cow. Or a bull?? It is, after all, a country of bullfighting.
You can have a snack if you wish in the cafe. It is said that San Sebastian ranks first in the world for the number of Michelin stars per square meter. There are only two cities in the world with three three-star restaurants: San Sebastian and Paris. It is no coincidence that gastronomy is a local attraction. In the old part of the city there are many bars and restaurants specializing in “pintxos”, which are examples of gastronomic art in miniature.
A visit to these establishments is part of the local culture and a kind of ritual that is mandatory for tourists. There are a lot of bars. They have a whole block allotted to them. You can walk all day and all night from door to door and enjoy different delicacies. Tapas is a snack for one tooth: a tartlet, a rosette with olives, nuts. Often their price includes the price of the ordered drink. “Tapas” is translated as “lids” - historically, a glass of wine was covered, like a lid, with a small sandwich. If tapas is a pan-Spanish phenomenon, then pintxos were invented in San Sebastian. "Pintxos" means "skewers" or "pins" in Basque.
But often mini-portions of regular dishes are also classified as pintxos. The main course alone cost about 12 euros, and pintxos with the same name cost about 3. So before you take a large portion, there is a great opportunity to try a mini portion of this dish. The cost of pintxos is 2-3 euros. For a full meal, 3-4 pieces are enough. As in all of Spain, the menu of the day is used here - “menu del dia”. It includes a first and second course (choice from 3-5 items), wine, dessert and sometimes coffee. It turns out profitable. This menu of the day costs 9-15 euros.

The city is especially busy in August. At the end of Holy Week. Spaniards, French, Italians come here. There is also a fireworks festival at this time!!

The peninsula ends with Urgul Hill. Between the hill and Donostia Boulevard lies the Old Town. There are not a lot of attractions in San Sebastian. And the Old Town can be called “old” with a big stretch. At the foot of Mount Urgull, which means pride, stood the Church of St. Vincent, the oldest temple in San Sebastian. Gothic Church of San Vicente - 16th century. The first temple on this site was built back in the 12th century. But everything is so squeezed by narrow streets that you still have to look for angles for open filming. And I don't have time.

Mount San Sebastian - Urgull (Monte Urgull) is located in the very center of the city, behind its historical part. The mountain is famous for the fact that on its top there is a huge statue of Christ, as if blessing the city. There are several options for climbing to the top of the hill, in particular one of them is located behind the Church of Santa Maria del Coro.
After Napoleon's invasion, little survived here: two churches and about thirty houses. The Baroque Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro is considered the most beautiful church in San Sebastian. It is located in the Old Quarter. The basilica was built in the 18th century on the site of an old medieval church. The temple was built in the Baroque style, but with Gothic elements. Above the main entrance is a statue of Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of the city. The only pity is that the old streets are so cramped that it is not possible to take beautiful pictures of the temples from afar. Today is a day off and there are holidays and weddings everywhere. The facade is especially beautiful, in the upper part of which there is a figure of St. Sebastian, who gave the city its name. Christian martyr Sebastian was killed in 288 in Rome. Emperor Diocletian ordered him to be shot with arrows. It is Sebastian who is pierced by arrows and is usually depicted in art. However, during this execution he manages to survive, and only then is he stoned to death. Magnificent baroque portal.

Let's wander around the old narrow streets until we get to the port... Like everywhere else, there are trays with all sorts of things - come and buy them.

This is already very close to the embankment with the port. And here is the port!! A quiet harbor for boats, yachts, ships. A hotel is visible on the mountain in the distance.

Today there is also a swim event. The needle of the Cathedral sticks out in the distance to the left.

The audience is darkness. No less participants!! And over there, in the distance on the right, two turrets are the Miramar Palace.

The main tourist street is considered to be the above-mentioned La Concha embankment (Playa de La Concha). Tourist "tram". More like a train. Someone is even catching fish.

Yes, before the race up the mountain we were also at the City Hall. Beautiful building. It is clear that such a luxurious palace would not have been built specifically for the city council. It is remarkable not only for its beauty, but also for its history. This palace, built in the New Renaissance style from sandstone, was considered in Europe the most elegant casino of the era.
Until 1925, there was a casino here. There is a casino in the city and (now only in a different building) is located in a different location. During our stay, marriage registration took place.

The newlyweds and guests gathered at City Hall. Here, side by side with dark, active Spaniards, live stately fair-haired Basques, who are called the most mysterious people of Europe. Here is the square in front of City Hall. Monument.

But such old architecture!! Houses and ships are often found here. Beauty!! A little bit of the city. So many bicycles. Europe is moving away from cars. Russia will not catch up in any way and will soon stop moving in megacities altogether. Get stuck in an eternal traffic jam!!

A little boulevard. Beautiful gazebo. How strange it is. Oaks, pines, palms. Some kind of natural mix.
And I return to the port and go up the mountain. Here is the climb up the mountain. The hill is strewn with houses of different ages. There are a large number of plane trees in the city. I'm going up here.

On the right you can see where the entrance to the climb is. Not far to the right, the church-basilica of Santa Maria del Coro is hidden in the houses. I climb the Urgull hill. You can get there on foot along several paths.
The entire territory of Monte Urgull is a green park with many shady paths, benches, and observation platforms.
Besides Christ, whose statue, more than 12 meters high, towers over the city, as if blessing it,

at the top there is also a dilapidated former English medieval fortress La Mota and a small museum of the history of the city in it. The entrance is free. From the museum, a staircase leads to an observation deck.
Alas, I didn’t go up there. One of the paths leads to a modest cemetery for English sailors (they defended the fort from Napoleonic soldiers. View of the ocean!! Or rather, the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean!!
Another view of the ocean. Yachts in the distance. And a lot of traces from flying planes. I love space, distance, width, height!! I love pictures from above!! And the same words always come to mind - “why don’t people fly like birds”??

The view from the museum on the mountain also opens to La Concha Bay. In the left photo you can see in the distance the spire of the Buon Pastor church - Cathedral of the Good Shepherd... I didn't see him up close. Built in 1889-1897, the 75-meter tower is quite impressive. Visible from Christ to La Concha beach between the hills of Igueldo and Urgul. The name translates as “shell”.
This is exactly the shape of this famous beach. Located directly in the center of San Sebastian. Its length is 1,450 m. This is the most visited beach in the city. It is especially loved by tourists not so much for its well-groomed nature, but for the incredibly beautiful landscape that opens from there. In the center of the bay, a small island of St. Clare, popularly nicknamed “Turtle,” sticks out of the water. I will show this island from the Miramar Palace. Let's admire the arched bay with a strip of yellow beaches resting on another hill - Igueldo. On this mountain top there is a beautiful castle (now a hotel) and an amusement park.
Well, from the statue of Christ, wandering along the shady paths, I accidentally end up on the observation deck!!
I hide my arm in a cast behind my back. Here it is – the ocean!! Here is the flag of the Basque country. Icurrinha.

Icurrinha is a combination of a green St. Andrew's cross and a white St. George's cross on a red field. Red is the historical symbol of Vizcaya. Saint Andrew is revered among the Basques, because according to legend, in 867 on his day the Basques won the battle of Padura. The green color of the cross simultaneously signifies independence and is reminiscent of the Guernica oak, a symbol of the Basque people.
The observation deck offers views of the endless bay and Zurriolla beach. Here the river flows into the ocean.

And this is a look at the embankment below! Toy people and cars. But the boulders are very impressive!! Having admired the ocean, I go down the paths

These photos are from the descent. .
I'm downstairs again.
Another attraction of San Sebastian is the San Telmo Art Museum, which is located in the building of a former monastery. Or maybe it’s not it. But most likely it is. Since according to the map it should be right on my descent from the mountain. Another look at the blue of the ocean hitting your eyes. And it's time to return to Kursaal. The bus is waiting for us there.

The circle is closed! Suriola beach.
And then a trip to Miramar Park. It is not possible to get directly from Moscow to San Sebastian. Usually a transfer in Madrid is added. The cost of such flights is around 25 thousand rubles. Flights are operated by Iberia Airlines. A good option is to fly to Bilbao. Air tickets - about 17-18 thousand rubles. Bilbao has a major international airport. Bilbao Airport (BIO)– 105 km. from the city. International airport to which all of Europe flies. When choosing a destination, it’s tedious to type Donostia, not San Sebastian, into the search engine. You can travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian by local train. Trains depart from Bilbao every hour. 3 hours to Donostia. The fare is 6.90 euros. Pesa buses run from Bilbao Airport to Donostia. The schedule is on the Pesa website. In this case, the bus will be preferable (schedule - on alsa.es). It goes 1 - 1.15 and costs 6.50 euros. Many people prefer to fly to Barcelona (tickets are around 15 thousand). From Barcelona to San Sebastian – 400 km. They can be overcome either by rented car, or by train, or by bus. Train schedules and fares can be found at renfe.com. You can fly to Madrid. Train and bus from Madrid to San Sebastian. Travel time and prices are approximately the same (from 5 and a half hours to 7 and a half). The fare costs around 38-48 euros. Airport Biarritz Airport (BIQ)– 40 km. from the city, French airlines and low-cost airlines such as Ryanair fly here. Still, Bilbao is preferable. And the city itself is very interesting. By car: From Madrid it is easy to get to San Sebastian via the N1 motorway, the A15 from Pamplona, ​​the AP-8 from Bilbao and the A-63 from Paris. From budget 2* hotels I recommend: Hotel La Galeria – located near Ondaretta beach, the hotel itself is a historical building of the 19th century, in the French style. This hotel has the coolest view of La Concha Beach. Hotel Parma - in the city center, near the old town, almost on the bay, next to the Congress Hall. Even more budget vacation You can do this if you live not in San Sebastian itself, but in the town of Zarautz.

Go for it, curious ones, thirsty for discovery!! The world is so big and beautiful!! Like these gorgeous sunflowers of San Sebastian!!

San Sebastian is a city in northern Spain and the capital of the province of Guipuzcoa, which belongs to the Basque Country. This city, also called Donostia, has a rare combination of qualities - fresh, bright, friendly, intelligent during the day and lively at night. The main evening entertainment here is not discos, but devouring delicacies in pintxos bars and restaurants.

The local beaches can compete in terms of amenities with best beaches Europe, and some of them real paradise for surfers. San Sebastian hosts significant international festivals of cinema, jazz (Jazzaldia), electronic music and hosts many other interesting events.

You can see the city of San Sebastian in this video from above:

In San Sebastian you can see architectural masterpieces such as the Cathedral or the Victoria Eugenia Theatre. And just 35 km away, nature shows its masterpieces - in the Costa Basca Geopark, where it’s hard to believe your eyes.

The Old Town (Parte Vieja) is located on the left (western) bank of the Urumea River with excellent pintxos bars and inexpensive apartments (in the outskirts of Fermin Calbeton Kalea). Centro Romantico, south of the Old Town, attracts many shops and beautiful architecture from the late 19th century. On the right (eastern) bank of the Urumea River lies the district of Gros, with its surfing beaches and laid-back atmosphere.

How to get to San Sebastian

Photo: Map of San Sebastian with attractions

San Sebastian Airport is located on the border with France near the town of Hondarribia. From here you can get to San Sebastian by bus - the journey takes about 1 hour, price from 2.5 €.

Bilbao (about 100 km from San Sebastian) has an airport that accepts international flights. From here you can get to San Sebastian by bus (PESA) - the journey takes 1 hour 15 minutes, price from 17 €.

When to go

San Sebastian's northern location makes it a stark contrast to Spain's southern cities. It is a humid and rainy place, with relatively 'dry' months being July, August and September. The air temperature at this time reaches 23-26°C, and the water near the shore can warm up to 22-24°C. Summer and early autumn are the best times to travel.

October is not yet cold and there are spectacular waves; November is extremely rainy. Winters in San Sebastian are mild with a minimum temperature of 6-9°C (at night), but there are storms and a lot of rain.

Story

The name Donostia is nothing more than the Basque version of the name San Sebastian (“don” is the saint, “stia” is short for Sebastian).

Starting from a simple fishing village, San Sebastian became one of the key ports of the Kingdom of Navarre, gaining the right of self-government in 1174. The city flourished with fishing and whaling, as well as trade with Europe and later with the New World.

By the 19th century, San Sebastian became a place where Spanish rulers took refuge from the heat. This caused the city to become filled with elegant modernist buildings characteristic of this era.

Half-forgotten after the Second World War, San Sebastian is booming as a fashionable holiday destination and hosting high-profile international festivals.

Attractions

Photo: Cathedral of Buen Pastor

Cathedral del Buen Pastor late 19th century - an impressive neo-Gothic structure made of sandstone quarried from Mount Igueldo. Particular attention should be paid to the organ of 9,536 pipes, which at the time of its construction (1954) was the largest in Spain. The height of the bell tower of the Cathedral is 75 meters. From here we head north to Plaza Gipuzkoa.

Palacio de la Diputacion located in the west of Gipuzkoa Plaza in a pleasant park area. On the facade of the luxurious building from the late 19th century you can see five busts of prominent personalities, and on the attic is the coat of arms of Gipuzkoa.

Located right in front of La Concha Bay and next to Alderdi Eder Park. The elegant palace, which originally served as a casino, has been the building of the city hall since 1947.

Photo: San Sebastian City Hall

At the Victoria-Eugene Theater can be reached by walking from City Hall along Boulevard Zumardia, where the Tourist Office is located. The majestic early 20th century eclectic building on the banks of the Urumea River is inspired by the Paris Opera.

Exactly diagonally to the north-west there was a solemn Constitution Square. This is the main place for folk festivals and the starting point for excursions. The square square is densely surrounded by buildings, and access to adjacent streets is possible through arches.

Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro 18th century - the magnificent Baroque church is decorated with a sculpture of the martyr St. Sebastian, a clock and the shield of the city. The 8-sided columns inside the basilica reach up to 15 m in height. From her doorway you can see the doors of the Cathedral at the other end of the city, since the building is located exactly opposite and there are no obstacles.

Church of San Vicente (Iglesia de San Vicente) 16th century - the oldest temple in Donostia in the late Basque Gothic style. The austere appearance of the church is explained by the fact that in those days churches could combine religious and defensive functions. The church has preserved a luxurious original altar from 1586.

Photo: Church of San Vincente

From Plaza de Zuloaga You can climb Mount Urgull, but before that you should visit the San Telmo Museum on its slopes.

On the top Urgull Mountains In addition to stunning views, tourists can expect the ruins of the 12th century La Mota fortress. The castle houses the “Looking at San Sebastian” museum. There is also a beautiful statue of the Sacred Heart of Christ installed here.

Photo: Mount Urgul

Aquarium Donostia– this is a great opportunity to see large sharks, fancy jellyfish, stingrays and other water inhabitants. For greater effect, a breathtaking tunnel with a three-dimensional view is equipped, and thematic sections are also open. The oceanographic museum is also interesting.

Miramar Palace late 19th century - a pearl of refined English style almost on the beach of La Concha, which served as a summer royal residence.

Photo: Miramar Palace

Mount Igueldo is a real entertainment complex, which can be reached by taking the old funicular from 1912 (runs 4 times per hour). On the mountain there is an Amusement Park with a roller coaster, racing along which you can see magnificent panoramas. No less beautiful views await tourists at the observation platforms of the park.

Tabakalera Museum of Contemporary Art located on the east side of the Urumea River. The museum owes its name to its location in a former tobacco factory. On an area of ​​1.3 hectares there is a huge exhibition of contemporary masters, a cinema, a library, a cafe, a hotel and much more.

Cristina Enea Park– an ancient park on an elevated area where you can spend a wonderful time among exotic trees. Pay attention to the palace of Duke Mandas, who founded the park in the 18th century.

Photo: Duke Mandas Palace

Church of San Ignacio de Loyola 19th century - temple in the Old Town, dedicated to Saint Ignatius de Loyola, a native of Guipuzkoa. The best organ music in the city is played here.

Palace of Congresses Kursaal (Palacio de Congresos y Auditorio Kursaal)- the clearest example of the modern architecture of the city by Rafael Moneo. Every year the palace hosts several hundred events and more than half a million people. Opened in 1999, it increased the influx of tourists and became, contrary to the opinion of the townspeople, the pearl of cultural San Sebastian. From the left bank you can get to the Palace through the original Kursaal Bridge.

Saint Clare Island- a piece of land 700 meters from Ondaretta beach, reminiscent of a turtle swimming in the sea. You can get there by boats, which depart from the fishing port in the summer season (June-September).

Beaches of San Sebastian

Photo: La Concha city beach in San Sebastian

The wide beaches of San Sebastian are close to ideal - golden sand, excellent infrastructure and breathtaking panoramas. The idyll can only be disrupted by a storm that affects the ocean.

• Ondaretta– a beach near Mount Igueldo, which is considered one of the best in Europe. There is coarse golden sand here, there is always a fiesta atmosphere, the waters are calm;
• La Concha– a magnificent city beach at 1,350 meters. Excellent infrastructure, protected from waves. There is a beautiful promenade;
• Zurriola or Gros– a windy beach in the east of the city where it is dangerous to swim. This is a place for surfers and cultural events.

Attractions in the surrounding area

Photo: Sanctuary of Loyola

In the town of Hernani, 11 km from San Sebastian, there is an interesting open air museum sculpture by Eduardo Chillida (Musseo Chilida-Leku). Visitors can see 40 large abstract sculptures made of granite and iron while walking among beeches, oaks and magnolias. And in an old farmhouse from the 16th century, smaller works by the sculptor are exhibited.

Sanctuary of Loyola- one of the most revered Basque shrines, which is located near the city of Azpetia, which is about 45 km from San Sebastian. The place is gloomy, but very popular among pilgrims. In the Sanctuary you can visit the house where the founder of the Jesuit Order, Ignacio Loyola, was born in 1490.

Geopark Costa Basca located between the cities of Zumaia and Mutriku, just 30 km from San Sebastian. Here there are spectacular rock layers - flysch. To see its beauty you need to go by car with stops at Acantilado Flysch, Mirador Flysch, Mirador Virgen de Itziar (viewing platforms of the park).

Photo: Hondarribia - a medieval city

Hondarribia or Fuentarrabia (Hondarribia)- a medieval town 22 km from San Sebastian, separated from France only by the mouth of the river. The fortress wall, the mansions of wealthy Basques, the charming Old Town, and the Gothic church of Santa Maria de La Asuncion are well preserved.

If you wish, also visit the pleasant town of Oñati.

Stop by the city's travel agency and purchase a San Sebastian card (valid for 5 days), which will allow you to visit the main attractions cheaper or even free of charge. In addition, it entitles you to free travel, discounts and a free city tour (Boulevard Zumardia, 6).

To buy a guide, visit the Elkar store on Rue Fermin Calbeton. To rent a car, look for similar offices right at the airport.

Shopping

In the Old Town and Centro Romantico you can find many boutiques and brand stores. The best place to buy Spanish products is at the San Martin shopping complex. Great souvenirs at prices lower than other stores - the Akuna matata store, which sells everything from magnets (3€) to scarves from the local football team (9.5€).

Things to do in San Sebastian

10 cases in San Sebastian:

1. Visit the magnificent Cathedral of the Good Shepherd;
2. Try all the variations of pintxos with local txakoli wine;
3. Take a funicular ride to Mount Igueldo;
4. Meet “face to face” with a shark in the Aquarium;
5. Hire a boat and go to St. Clare Island;
6. Consider how the mysterious flyschs were formed in the Costa Basca Geopark;
7. Appreciate the power of the ocean wave on Gros Beach;
8. Enjoy some jazz at the July Jazz Festival;
9. In one fell swoop, buy souvenirs at the Hakuna Matata store;
10. Buy home local cheeses, wine, olive oil and jamon.

What and where to eat

Photo: Tapas – pintxos

The Basque region, of which San Sebastian is a part, offers gourmets its own version of tapas - pintxos. Here it is not just a snack, but real art. We advise you not to limit yourself to those pintxos that are on display; order and try everything: with crab meat, shrimp, peppers, mushrooms, pate and other delights. All this is washed down with local sparkling wine - Txakoli.

In addition to pintxos bars, San Sebastian has many fish restaurants, as well as establishments with traditional Basque food. Moreover, the choice of budget establishments is quite decent.

Establishments

Gastropub CasaValles be close to Cathedral. This is a great place to have a hearty meal of tapas, tortillas, octopus, jamon and refresh yourself with a glass of beer. There are set menus from 13€.

Pinchos bar Nagusia on the street of the same name, it resembles a pintxos museum - there are so many variations here (from 2.9€). This is the best place to get acquainted with pintxos, especially since it is located close to the tourist office.

Restaurant LaMejilonera on Puerto Street surprises visitors with an endless fantasy of shellfish and sauces (prices from 3 €). There are always a lot of people here and you won’t be able to sit comfortably, but you will be satisfied with the shellfish and squid.

La Cuchara de San Telmo– bar-restaurant near the San Telmo Museum with creative Basque cuisine. There is very tasty meat, squid, shellfish, fish and there are always a lot of people. We recommend veal cheeks in red wine.

Restaurant La Zurri Jatetxea in the Old Town - this is simple and high-quality Basque food, good portions and reasonable prices. You can get a “lunch” for only 11-12€, including a drink. Very popular with local workers (a good sign).

Restaurant Arzak(3 Michelin stars) – a place for connoisseurs of haute cuisine. Chef Juan Marie Arzak always surprises with new flavors and bold design. The establishment is located on the outskirts (Avenida Alcalde Jose Elosegui, 273).

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