Travel guide San Sebastián

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San Sebastian (Donostia) is the quintessential seaside resort on the Atlantic coast of Spain (more specifically the Gulf of Biscay in the Cantabrian Sea), which every summer attracts thousands of tourists, offering beautiful beaches surrounded by hills, excellent gastronomy and hotel services, a decent nightlife that attracts tourists alike and locals in the old part of town or on the Paseo de la Concha. Moreover known film and music festivals take place in that city, as the International Jazz Festival and sporting events of the most classic Basque sports such as rowing. It is a modern and quiet town, bowing their tourism to beaches and natural landscapes.

Arriving San Sebastián

Donostia has a reliable train service and fast including local lines or even from Madrid (RENFE). For those not accustomed to long-distance trains in Europe deserves a special note to hire a comfortable enough stateroom to travel on long journeys (bunk beds comfortable, good light to read). From Madrid, the trip by train takes about 9 hours and costs around 50 euros. There are also air connections from Madrid or Barcelona (one air ticket Madrid - San Sebastian costs about 40 euros). From the airport you can take a bus or a taxi to reach Donostia.

What to visit in the city

If you come by train, on exiting the terminal you will find the Urumea crossed by several bridges. As in all cases, start by requesting information on the local Tourist Information Office (Reina Regente, s/n, near Donostiarra Boulevard, in the Victoria Eugenia Theatre building).

The route, that we are advicing here, starts with a walk along Paseo de la Concha. Surrounds the best and most famous beach of San Sebastian: La Concha beach that stretches along the bay eponymous. From there you can see the island of Santa Clara will always find that in summer, tens of boats depart regularly from the port and go over their journey to the island. If you have children that's a good ride. On the Paseo de la Concha, reach the Palace of Miramar and the surrounding park. This was the summer residence of Queen Maria Cristina. It is a beautiful nineteenth century building but when we went we could not visit it, so, you better check it first. The next beach (Ondarrieta) is not as busy as the precedent one in summer, but that's much more aristocratic. You can not miss there,the artwork of sculptor E. Chillida. It is a structure of several tons of iron that emerges from the rocks to which is added a curious and unique spectacle. When the waves crash against the rocks, across small tunnels under the sea line, water enters and flows under the rocks on the surface through holes drilled in the stone in aerosol form to a height more than two meters depending on the strength of the waves.

Nearby is the Mount Igueldo. There is a cable car for a small amount of money leads to the top by a very steep hill. The view from the top is spectacular. You can see the city, the sea, ranging from emerald green to deep blue, the island of Santa Clara and the whole bay. If you go with children, at the top there is a small amusement park for the kids.

If you already wander along the promenades, we recommend now a walking tour through the historic old town.

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What you can not miss.

The Constitution Square (at the old town center)

The baroque basilica of Santa Maria del Coro (patron saint of the city), of S. XVII on August 31st Street.

The church of San Vicente, especially for those who like the stained glass

San Telmo Museum. It was a convent of the Dominicans with a beautiful renaissance cloister where they can go an orange scented garden with orange scented and a latin cross church where there are sepia-colored paintings of Jose Maria Sert. These works deserve to be seen even by those who do not like painting. The museum also houses collections of Basque artists, paintings and sculptures from the fourteenth to seventeenth centuries. (Note: At the date of publication of this guide, the museum is under restauration and maintenance, so that place can not be visited).

If you still have energy, go to Urgull mount. At the top is the castle of Santa Cruz de la Mota and a park with a balcony that can be reached on foot by a circuitous path that winds between ancient original batteries with its canyons and rest places to enjoy the scenery . On the castle stays Sacred Heart image: a Christ that is visible from the city. Then go down the mountain along the coast Urgull go along Paseo del Puerto. A recommended place especially for children is the Aquarium: There are tropical aquariums, oceanarium, caribbean reef, poisonous fishes, etc. At the oceanic aquarium goes through the "Ocean inside" through an acrylic tunnel, including sharks, rays, eels and fish of all tamañoy color. The ticket is not cheap but if you have the amount, we believe it is worth.

Shopping Tour

What can we recommend? Perhaps garments, shoes, accessories. Prices are not too low but they have good design, quality and vanguard materials.

Festivals

San Sebastián Film Festival. You can check this year information here.

International Jazz Festival. Each July brings renowned artists from around the world.

Nightlife

There are nice restaurants and bars near the port and at the old town of San Sebastian. Other popular places are about the middle of Catholic Kings street and at San Bartolomé street.

Places we recommend: the Etxekalte (jazz club) in Mari Kalea, 11, and Bukowsky (live performances) in C / Egia 18. Both very different and stylish.

Gastronomy

If you are looking for luxury meal regardless of price, Donostia is the place, with some of the best restaurants in the world, inside or near of the city. For casual tourists, the tapas bars and cider the old town and the harbor promenade and surrounding area is ok though a bit expensive. For tapas, sandwiches, etc. you have Juantxo or Danena (stuck to Juantxo) in the Old Town. If you choose not to save and enjoy the finest Basque cuisine can go to Arzak (Avenida Alcalde Elosegui 273) and if you want a good bar overlooking the bay, we recommend Branca, on the Peine del Viento (Comb of the Wind).

We chose Donostia as casual destination. After leave that town, we do not repent about it. A small but glamorous city, and especially with a modern tourist sense, good hotels, quality food, etc. In short, a place that never disappoints. Bidai ona ta ondo pasa (we leave this sentence for you to translate from Euskara, the language of the Basque people).

Travel agencies for online booking in San Sebastián

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