San Sebastián

Donostia

An elegant seaside city famed for its crescent-shaped La Concha beach and one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. Its old quarter is packed with legendary pintxo bars, making it a food lover's paradise.

Things to do

• Walk La Concha Bay — Stroll the curving promenade along one of Europe's most beautiful urban beaches, framed by Monte Igueldo and Monte Urgull.
• Hike Monte Urgull — Climb the wooded hill above the old town to the Castillo de la Mota and the Sagrado Corazón statue for panoramic bay views.
• Ride the Monte Igueldo funicular — Take the historic funicular up Monte Igueldo for sweeping views and an old-fashioned amusement park at the summit.
• Explore Parte Vieja (Old Town) — Wander the narrow lanes packed with pintxo bars, tiny plazas, and the Baroque Basilica de Santa María del Coro.
• Visit San Telmo Museoa — Discover Basque history, art, and ethnography in a renovated 16th-century convent at the foot of Monte Urgull.
• See the Peine del Viento sculptures — Admire Chillida's iconic iron sculptures embedded in the rocks at the western end of Ondarreta beach.
• Day trip to Getaria — Visit this nearby fishing village, birthplace of Juan Sebastián Elcano, known for grilled fish and Getariako Txakolina wine.

Food to try

• Pintxos crawl — Hop between bars in the old town sampling bite-sized creations like gilda (anchovy, olive, guindilla pepper) and tortilla de patata.
• Bacalao al pil-pil — Try this classic Basque salt cod dish emulsified in olive oil and garlic into a silky, garlicky sauce.
• Txuleta (grilled beef chop) — Seek out a thick, well-aged rib steak cooked over coals, a Basque grill-house specialty.
• Idiazabal cheese with membrillo — Sample this smoky sheep's milk cheese from the Basque highlands, often paired with quince paste.
• Txakoli poured tableside — Drink the slightly sparkling, crisp local white wine, traditionally poured from a height to aerate it.
• Michelin-starred tasting menu — Splurge on a multi-course meal at one of the city's renowned fine-dining restaurants showcasing modern Basque cuisine.

Local customs & good to know

• Pintxo bar etiquette — Order drinks and pintxos at the bar, keep your toothpicks and napkins as they're often used to tally your bill.
• Basque language signage — Euskara (Basque) is widely spoken and seen on signs alongside Spanish, reflecting strong regional identity.
• Late dining hours — Locals typically eat dinner from 9pm onward, so restaurants and bars stay lively late into the evening.
• Beach season crowds — July and August bring large crowds to La Concha, so arrive early to claim a good spot on the sand.