San Sebastián is the prized gem of the Basque region that stretches alongside. Spain 's spectacular northern coastline. This former beach town has transformed into a Michelin-starred destination known for its exceptional dining scene—seriously, consider packing some elastic waistbands.
Known locally as Donostia in Basque, this coastal city sits along the Bay of Biscay, surrounded by two picturesque sand beaches. Its charming Old Town features numerous attractive bars offering delicious local tapas and cider.
San Sebastián began as a fishing village in 1180 and experienced a resurgence as a summer retreat in the 19th century when Queen Isabel II adopted it as her preferred destination. summer residence.
This location is abundant in history and landscapes, offering expansive vistas of La Concha beach, ideally appreciated when perched high up on Monte Igueldo.
The narrow lanes of the city become vibrant every September during the San Sebastiàn International Film Festival, yet without a doubt, its main attraction remains its stellar reputation. food .
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Boasting the second-highest number of Michelin stars per capita and an impressive ratio of bars to residents, this place caters to those with distinctive tastes in dining.
The Basques have a term for this: Here's another version: Even the Basque people have coined a phrase for it: pintxo , also known as moving from pub to pub and tasting small portions of gourmet delights.
Straight after my quick trip to what’s called Europe’s loveliest bay, here’s all the places where I dined in splendid San Sebastian, along with some additional activities you can try out.
The top Pintxos bars in San Sebastian
The standing reputation of San Sebastián as a hub for modern cuisine dates back to the late period. Anthony Bourdain who made three visits to the city for his shows titled "A Cook’s Tour," "No Reservations," and "Parts Unknown."
He talked about the strong bond between cooking and social interaction, highlighting that dining is not primarily about the food but rather about uniting individuals. Bourdain found himself returning to various eateries throughout the town multiple times, which was an unusual occurrence for him.
Given all that, ordering at a pintxos bar isn’t for the faint-hearted.
At many of these traditional places, you might not come across an English menu, and you'll have to assert your presence at the counter—make sure they know what you're ordering, much like how Bourdain did.
Etiquette is key here, so make sure to quickly clear out after you've finished eating. If not, you might hear an abrupt 'vamos!' coming from behind you.
The bars are arranged such that you can get one or two pintxos ('peen-chos') along with a drink for just a few euros each.
Essentially, they're tiny snacks usually placed on a slice of bread and held together with a toothpick. You can find them filled with everything from anchovies and olives to ham and various types of seafood, showcasing an impressive range of options.
Generally, each bar specializes in a specific pintxo; you might find foie gras or sea urchin cream at Bar Sport, grilled mushrooms with egg yolk at Ganbara, or anchovies at Bar Txepetxa.
Busier attractions will likely be packed with both tourists and residents; expect plenty of noise and gesturing.
It's nearly akin to a sport, and the most effective approach is to dive in and accept the pandemonium.
Although pintxos are intended to be consumed swiftly, certain establishments offer seating. In the instance of La Cuchara De San Telmo, it pays off to plan accordingly to secure one of their four seats during the evening service.
Given all the praise we've seen about this spot on platforms like TikTok and elsewhere, we anticipated that securing a seat at the bar would be quite challenging.
Getting there 20 minutes prior to when the doors opened for dinner, we managed to secure a position outdoors. This allowed us to take our time savoring glasses of red wine priced at €2.80 (£2.30) each and sample their specialties without having elbows bumped into us by fellow guests.
The runaway favorites among the dishes were the perfectly spiced suckling pig (€19, £16.10), the exquisitely prepared steak (€17, £14.40), the savory, oil-doused peppers (€9, £7.60), and oreja de cerdo, also known as pigs' ears (€14, £11.80).
Give it a chance; it tastes great and resembles a folded omelet rather than typical animal parts.
Explore beyond the limits of the Old Town
Although many renowned pintxos places are located within the boundaries of the Old Town, venturing out for a brief stroll reveals an entirely new world of exceptional dining options.
East of the Old Town lies the Gros neighborhood, home to locally approved places like the down-to-earth Ricardo Taberna.
Here, you'll find weathered older gentlemen shouting at the television screens and gamblers sipping drinks outdoors. For €11.30 (£9.50), I got two ciders, two croquettes, and a piece of delectable cod omelette.
Just one street over is Casa Galicia, where a dish of octopus flavored with paprika will cost you just €4 (£3.30). Order two plates though.
Make your way to a cider house.
The area is renowned for its cider (or cidre A 10-minute cab ride from the heart of San Sebastián will bring you to Astigarraga, the birthplace of the beverage.
Reserve a lengthy luncheon at one of these orchard-themed bars prior to your visit, ensuring yourself an extraordinary afternoon.
We reserved a table at Astarbe Sagardotegia, a historic cider house established in 1563, where the current production is overseen by the 15th generation of producers. The menu features smooth T-bone steaks along with delightful cod omelets from their skilled kitchen.
As soon as you sit down, you're presented with a glass. You may help yourself to explore a compact chamber containing multiple large vats brimming with an assortment of ciders.
There, you will encounter a trained individual. txotxero (or cider connoisseur), who inserts a key into one of the barrels, causing a stream of golden liquid to arc out, prepared to fill your waiting glass.
Don’t worry if you spill more on the floor than into your cup during your initial try.
Don't overlook the dessert options.
While San Sebastián is famous for pintxos, you shouldn't overlook its delectable desserts.
The custard-filled pastries from Otaegui bakery cost €2.25 (£1.90). Thus, it makes financial sense to treat yourself.
As we strolled, we munched on chunks of chocolate filled with hazelnuts—both milk and dark varieties—which were broken into pieces according to your preference and priced based on their weight.
The Basque cheesecake is a specialty from this area, and La Vina gained recognition as being the pioneer for making it first.
Even with its recent surge in popularity on TikTok It’s definitely worth checking out, however, there’s no reason to queue for more than 20 minutes.
We arrived at 9 pm when the place was presumably busiest, and we were quickly guided in to grab whatever open spots we could manage while pushing our way towards the bar. All done with courtesy, naturally.
In an era where disappointments abound, a serving of this dessert genuinely meets expectations. is worth the hype.
Every bite offers a symphony of smooth, velvety delight. Despite how sinful it seemed to devour it alone in the hotel room, I found myself craving multiple servings during my short stay in the city. Each one cost me €6.50 (£5.50).
View the city from Monte Igueldo
After being well-fed and hydrated, ready to burst, a brief trip on the funicular will take you up to Monte Igueldo. From here, you're treated to spectacular vistas of the surrounding area.
The hotel and restaurant offer wines if you fancy one, but the real attraction is the tiny amusement park operating atop the mountain.
Starting with the somewhat dubious Casa Del Terror and moving on to the mysterious Mysterious River ride through a winding water channel, there’s an abundance of activities to amuse both children and grown-up children.
Shop ’til you drop
Although the Old Town overflows with cultural heritage, the New Town offers a shopping area that might tempt you to spend quite a bit of money.
Whether you're looking for fashion from high-street brands such as Zara and Mango, or seeking beauty products at Sephora alongside an array of Spanish designers like Bimba Y Lola, there's plenty to explore once your dining session concludes.
Where to find San Sebastián and where to lodge
Getting to San Sebastián
You cannot find non-stop flights from the UK to San Sebastiàn; however, you have the option to travel via neighboring airports such as Bilbao Afterwards, hop on a bus or train.
Starting from Bilbao, the journey takes approximately 1.5 hours by bus and costs between £7 and £17, varying with different operators.
Vueling offers direct flights from London Gatwick to Bilbao, with fares beginning at £43.
Where to stay
Best value: Located in Gros, Okako exudes style through its minimalist design and is just a 15-minute stroll from the Old Town and a mere 10 minutes away from Zurriola Beach. Ideal for guests who prefer spending more time outside their room yet enjoy small luxuries like having a coffee maker and a fruit basket filled with muffins, the starting price for single rooms is €99 (£83.90) per night.
Best splurge: If you're looking to indulge, consider the Hotel Maria Cristina, situated between the historic district and the modern area. Built-in 1912 by the designer of the renowned Ritz hotel in Paris, this establishment is now part of the Marriott group, offering impeccable five-star comfort. However, be prepared for the price tag; rates start from around £641 per night for accommodations in June.
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