San Sebastian (Basque: Donostia), located in the Basque Country of Spain, just 20 kilometres from the French border, with spectacular beaches, It is a coastal city famous for its Michelin-starred restaurants and unique culture. Basque cuisine, It is considered one of the most attractive destinations in Europe with its historical texture and fascinating nature.
In this guide, you can find detailed information about San Sebastian’s history, cultural structure, transportation, accommodation options and places to visit.
Basque Country and San Sebastian
San Sebastian is one of the most touristic cities of the Basque Autonomous Region in northern Spain. It is located on the coast of the Cantabrian Sea, about 20 kilometres from the French border. Close to French cities such as Bordeaux and Biarritz was also influenced by French culture.
The Basque Country (Euskadi) is the region inhabited by the Basque people , one of the oldest communities on the Iberian Peninsula. It has a distinctive language(Basque / Euskara) and has a rich cultural heritage. Basque is one of the most unknown languages of Europe: Basque , which has no connection with Latin, Germanic or Slavic languages, It is known as one of the oldest languages in Europe.
Historical and Cultural Structure of San Sebastian
Restaurants, bars and venues we tried in San Sebastian:
– Ganbara
– Muka
– Gatxupa
– Gerald’s Bar
– Bar Txepetxa
– Humo Pizza
– Antonio Taberna
– Simona Specialty Coffee Club
– Pokhara Taberna
Tolosa (30 minutes from San Sebastian):
– Casa Julian Tolosa
Getaria (30 minutes from San Sebastian):
– Elkano
Orio (20 minutes from San Sebastian):
– Bodegón Asador Joxe Mari
Nature & Viewpoints:
Historical & Cultural Structures:
Culture & Art Venues:
Places to visit in around San Sebastian:
The Basque Country is an unforgettable destination for both nature and cuisine. From the legendary pintxos bars of San Sebastián to the modern restaurants of Bilbao, from grilled fish delicacies in coastal towns to the traditional ‘txuleta’ experience in mountain villages, every meal is a discovery. On this trip, we followed a full gastronomic route from Michelin-starred restaurants to shabby tapas bars, from Basque cider factories to the best pizzerias in Europe. This journey of flavour intertwined with art, history and nature was a unique opportunity to feel the Basque spirit. The Basque region is full of countless restaurants. It is already impossible to fit them all into a single trip. But you also need to make reservations for some restaurants months in advance. This is the case for many Michelin starred restaurants such as Elkano, Asador Etxebarri, Arzak, ARREA!, Akelarre, Azurmendi. We have tried only Elkano among these restaurants, if you wonder why the others are not on our recommendation list, we don’t tell you about them because we didn’t have the opportunity to go there, because we only write about our own experiences. 🙂
Ganbara is one of the most famous pintxos bars in San Sebastian. It isespecially known for its mushroom pintxos.
One of the most remarkable flavours on the menu, add egg yolk on the grilled mushrooms “Hongos a la Plancha con Yema de Huevo”. The flavour of the mushrooms and the consistency of the egg harmonise perfectly.
The place is always busy. Since the pintxos are displayed above the bar, it is possible to order quickly. If you want to sit in the downstairs restaurant section, reservation is absolutely necessary.
Muka is a place that offers traditional pintxos culture with a modern touch. The wine menu is quite extensive and they offer special pintxos paired with local wines.
The most memorable dishes were the beetroot and tear peas in the starters and the ice creams we ordered for dessert.
The place has a very stylish atmosphere. They also offer a tasting menu at very accessible prices.
Gatxupa is a restaurant that combines Basque and Mexican cuisine. The menu includes both Basque and classic Mexican flavours.
We tried several kinds of pintxos, ceviche, guacamole and tacos. Everything was delicious. There is also a dining room on the lower floor of the restaurant. You can only make a reservation for this area by calling and you have to specify it. A different menu is served there.
Gerald’s Bar is an Australian-inspired venue in San Sebastian. It is actually a bar that stands out with its cocktails and wines. The place has a calmer and more relaxed atmosphere than the pintxos bars spread all over the city. It is a nice option for a drink and a snack after a long day. The duck we had here was very tasty.
Bar Txepetxa is one of the places serving the best anchovy pintxos in San Sebastian. There are many options where anchovies are served with different sauces.
The classic anchovy pintxo we tried was prepared with anchovies on bread and special sauces. The honey and mustard version had a perfect balance of sweet and savoury.
The place is small but very popular. If you like anchovies, it is definitely a place you should visit.
Humo Pizza is famous for its pizzas cooked in a wood oven. They emphasise quality in the choice of ingredients.
The place has a cosy atmosphere. It can be a good option if you are looking for a different food alternative other than pintxos in San Sebastian. It is also on the recommendation list of Excellent Pizzerias in the Spain list of 50 Top Pizzerias.
Antonio Taberna is another place that serves traditional Basque food with a modern presentation. Famous for its tortillas, it is as popular during the day as it is in the evening. You can come here early in the morning to have breakfast with tortillas.
This was the only quality coffee placein SanSebastian that satisfied us. The breakfast plates are not bad either.
With its stylish architecture, wide beaches, gourmet restaurants and vibrant nightlife, San Sebastian is a great destination for nature lovers and gastronomy enthusiasts alike. The city is compact and easy to get around on foot, and every corner of the city has something to offer.
How many days to visit San Sebastian ? You can easily explore San Sebastian in 2-3 days. However, you can visitthe surrounding Basque villages , If you want to see nearby cities such as Biarritz or Bilbao 4-5 days will be ideal.
When to go to San Sebastian?
💡 Jazzaldia Festival in July and San The city is very lively during the Sebastian Film Festival, for these periods, restaurants are booked up months in advance.
🏨 Where to stay in San Sebastian? Three main areas are favoured for accommodation in San Sebastian. We stayed at Villa Hotel Soro in the Gros district, it was one of the most satisfied hotel experiences in recent years. And we only paid 75euro per night.
🛫 How to get to San Sebastian ?
Since San Sebastian is a small city , there are no direct flights from Turkey. However, you can reach it by a few different ways:
✈️ Getting to San Sebastian from Turkey
🚆 Transport from Bordeaux, Bilbao and Madrid to San Sebastian
✈️ Transportation to City Centre from Airport
San Sebastian has a small airport(EAS – San Sebastian Airport) but has limited flights. Bilbao Airport is the best option. From San Sebastian Airport(EAS) you can reach the city centre in 20 minutes by bus or taxi.
Should you rent a car for travelling to San Sebastian? We think definitely yes. While you are here, you should probably visit the villages outside the city, You will also want to visit the surrounding coastal towns and major cities such as Bilbao and Biarritz. The best option for this is to rent a car. We rented our car through Discover Cars website. For 1 week we paid an amount like 40-50 euro.
The first stop on our journey from Madrid to the Basque coast, Located 30 minutes from San Sebastián is the cosy fishing town of Getaria. It is famous for its maritime tradition, the birthplace of Balenciaga and the local Txakoli wine. But it is best known for its seafood cooked on a charcoal grill.
We’re here for the experience, recognised as one of the best restaurants in the world and a Michelin We booked months in advance at Elkano , which has a star rating. This restaurant ranked 28th on The50Best list, It stands out for its respect for Basque cuisine and its command of the ingredients.
The story of Elkano begins when Pedro Arregui transforms a small grocery store into a bar. This adventure, which starts in a small street-side grill, takes a new turn one day when a fisherman brings him a huge turbot.
Today, the restaurant is managed by his son Aitor Arregi. Aitor, who grew up with his mother in the kitchen and his father at the grill, returned to Elkano in 2002 after a 10-year professional football career and took over the family legacy after his father’s death in 2014.
It is incredible to experience a service directly directed by Aitor Arregi, in a peaceful atmosphere overlooking the Bay of Biscay. The restaurant team is very knowledgeable not only about the food but also about the nature of the ingredients. So much so that you can chat about many details from the physiological effects of the Black Sea and the Bay of Biskay on turbot to how the fish adapts to different waters. This is one of the issues that we often feel lacking in restaurant experiences in Turkey: having knowledge about the ingredients and culinary culture.
Our dining experience started with small treats. Then we tried fish soup, artichokes with truffle, kokotxas and the restaurant’s signature dish, grilled turbot. We finished with ice cream prepared with sheep’s milk.
Elkano is a restaurant we would definitely want to go back to again and recommend it to anyone interested in seafood.
You can find the detailed version of the review and the menu on our blog.
As you head inland from San Sebastian’s enchanting coast, Lush green valleys and hills, village houses accompany you along the way. It is a route where you rarely encounter industrial zones.
Our first stop is Sagardoetxea – Sagardoaren Museoa, a favourite destination for cider lovers. In this museum, you can witness the production of cider, which is an important part of Basque cuisine culture and made from 90 types of apples, and you can taste and buy it to take with you if you wish.
If you have visited the pintxos bars in San Sebastian, you will notice that people drink a drink that resembles lemonade. It is impossible not to notice because everywhere they serve this drink by pouring it into the glass little by little from as high as possible.
Contrary to what we know, Basque Cider is dry and has a very pleasant drink. If you like natural wine and kombucha, you will probably like this. This drink is fermented with natural yeasts and many types of apples are used, so it tastes different every season. Our favourite was Ice Cider. The museum tour takes about 45 minutes, the fun part is the tasting.
After completing the tasting here , we continue towards Tolosa , a peaceful town. This place is about 30 minutes from San Sebastian. Starting from the riverside , we take a short walk from the historic bridges to the narrow streets.
Our main reason for coming here is of course Casa Julian. An iconic restaurant known for its txuleta (Basque style thick cut steak), the famous dish of the Basque region. Ranked 13th in the World Best Steaks list.
Casa Julian was opened in 1951 as a small shop selling local products. Then it turned into a bar and slowly started to serve sandwiches, vermouth and different products. It has grown over time and reached today. It would be good for those who are going to go to make a reservation.
As soon as we get to our table , we are offered two glasses of sparkling cider. There are very few items on their menu. Iberian ham, mushrooms, asparagus, potatoes, salad and txuleta. Not suitable for vegetarians as txuleta is the only main course.
The meat is cooked in front of you on the grill (according to your desired degree of doneness) right next to the tables. Although not as popular as txuleta , another popular dish here is cheesecake. You can make a pleasant finalat Casa Julian with this dessert , which is viral as Basque Cheesecake in our country.
Now that you have reached this part of the article , you are seriously planning to visit the Basque Country. Then here is our Bilbao guide: here! Other Spanish cities are here.
Day 1 – Getaria & San Sebastian
Day 2 – San Sebastian
Day 3 – San Sebastian & Orio
Day 4 – Astigarraga, Tolosa & Bilbao
Day 5 – Bilbao
Day 6 – Bilbao
Day 7 – Bilbao & Surroundings
