San Sebastián

One of the most beautiful port cities on the Basque coast, specifically the capital of the Gipuzkoa province, has developed into a true trend city over the years. Of course, I'm talking about the Spanish coastal city of San Sebastián.

While the beauty of architectural structures has greatly contributed to San Sebastián's fame since its early years, today the city's gourmet cuisine is especially well-known. The international film festival, luxury boutiques, and stunning beaches perfectly round out the overall picture and make this city in the Basque Country a trendy destination for fans of gastronomy, culture, and luxury. Let the diversity of San Sebastián enchant you and discover the main highlights with me.

Donostia-San Sebastián, as the city is formally named, is located on the Bay of Biscay in northern Spain. Being part of the independent Basque Country, San Sebastián itself also embodies a very independent character and made a name for itself in 2016 by being named 'European Capital of Culture'.

Although the international film festival is the focal point of this exciting city, not only film enthusiasts flock to the city. With the aim of breaking the biggest waves, many athletes come to the Basque port city year after year. Additionally, there are travelers who place a high value on culinary highlights during their vacations - after all, San Sebastián is known as a hunter of Michelin stars and has previously been crowned the world capital of gastronomy.

San Sebastián has its own airport, but it does not offer direct flights to the United States. Usually, you will have a stopover in Barcelona or Madrid. The journey to Bilbao is simpler: All major airports in the U.S. offer direct flights to this northern Spanish city - you can find flights starting from $80. From Bilbao Airport, it is exactly 100 kilometers to San Sebastián, which you can cover either with a rental car - which is great to explore more places - or by bus in about 1.5 hours.

As a culture enthusiast, you will fully enjoy your time in San Sebastián, as the program you can expect during a sightseeing tour is diverse. However, architecture and history buffs can also look forward to the attractions of this Spanish port city.

As mentioned before, the city impresses with stunning architecture styled in 'Belle Époque'. You can already be amazed at the sight of the Cathedral of Buen Pastor. What were once sandstone blocks from the quarries of Monte Igueldo now adorn the walls of this religious building. Due to the exterior tower, which measures an impressive height of 75 meters, you can admire the cathedral from various points in the city.

Equally impressive is the Miramar Palace with its accompanying park and the small neighboring houses with idyllic gardens. Once the summer residence of Queen Maria Cristina, the palace is now a popular venue for public congresses and events. So if you've always wanted to step into royal buildings, you will be granted entry here.

While you could have complemented your trip to San Sebastián with a visit to the city's casino until the 1950s, today you'll find the city's town hall on this site. After gambling was prohibited, the administration moved into the luxurious building in 1947. What you definitely shouldn't miss is a leisurely stroll through the Old Town. After it was destroyed by a fire in 1813, it now shines in new splendor - and with the look of a chessboard.

However, this is not the only history that has manifested in the past. At the Plaza de la Constitución, which you can easily recognize as it is the largest square in the Old Town, was formerly a bullfighting arena. If you look up, you will notice that the balconies there are numbered. While people used to pay attention to the lively events, today the delicious life of gastronomy unfolds in this square.

For those who want to experience the international film festival live, which takes place annually in September, the stars and celebrities can be found in the city theater of San Sebastián.

At the International Film Festival of San Sebastián, the Golden and Silver Shell awards are presented for the best film and best director. They are designed to resemble the shape of La Concha Bay. Additionally, the Donostia Award for the lifetime achievement of renowned figures in the film industry has been awarded for 33 years.

It is no coincidence that San Sebastián is said to collect the most Michelin stars per square meter. Because not only does the first-class dry white wine Txakolí speak for itself, but especially the world-famous pinchos - Basque for pintxos, meaning tapas.

These little delicacies are served at nearly every corner, or rather, at every counter of the countless bars. I can definitely recommend a visit, as you will not only enjoy good food but also come into contact with other travelers. However, if you prefer to connect with locals, I recommend the Gros neighborhood. Every Thursday evening, the Pintxo-Pote, the pintxo hunt, is celebrated there: A pintxo including a drink of your choice costs only $2. This is something no one can resist, so the bars tend to be crowded - be prepared for some longer wait times.

Although the city boasts three beautiful beaches, only one is internationally known: La Concha. The bay, nestled between the towering cliffs of Monte Igueldo and the island of Santa Clara, rightfully earns its reputation as one of the most beautiful city beaches in the world. Those familiar with Spanish can guess that the name is no coincidence. What makes this bay special is its shell-like shape. Not only is there a stunning, kilometer-long sandy beach that invites you to relax or take romantic walks, but also the impressive buildings and numerous little shops along the beachfront promenade.

Guru Tip: From Monte Urgull, a mountain that belongs to the city, you have a wonderful view of La Concha Bay and the entire surroundings.

On the other side of the park, the beach Ondarreta adjoins the bay. Separated by a rock, this beach stretches until the base of Monte Igueldo. The beautiful natural backdrop here is undeniable.

San Sebastián would be only half as exciting without another beach where the action takes place: La Zurriola will definitely get the hearts of surfers racing. Although this beach is not as long as La Concha and Ondarreta, it is particularly inviting to adrenaline junkies looking to catch some waves. If you've always wanted to try this sport, you can sign up for a trial lesson at the surf school right on the beach.

It should now be clear that San Sebastián is a trendy city, even to the biggest skeptic. If you're already planning your trip there in your thoughts to sample the delicious Michelin star cuisine or to relax on one of the beautiful city beaches, I have linked the hotel search directly for you. Let the mix of culture, gastronomy, and dream beaches enchant you.