As most travelers know, no matter how much you travel or how much you see the world, there are certain places that really and truly capture your heart. For our guest write, that place is Spain’s San Sebastian.
Located in the gorgeous Basque region, this little beach town is straight out of a movie, one that you could see over and over and still not grow tired of. It definitely deserves a spot on your Spain travel itinerary.
Thankfully, this little gem is relatively small, easy to explore, and full of active travel options for boomer travelers. Guest contributor, Frankie Spontelli is here to tell us about things to do in San Sebastian.
Discovering the best things to do in San Sebastian, Spain
Of course, we all know that Madrid and Barcelona are two of Spain’s most popular hot spots. However, it’s time to add a new destination to the all-too-common Spanish itinerary: San Sebastian in the Basque Country.
Located on Spain’s northern coastline, the town boasts impressive beaches, a thriving gastronomic culture and breathtaking Spanish architecture. And there are so many fun things to do!
Visit beautiful beaches
Playa de la Concha is one of the most picturesque beaches I have ever visited in Europe, filled with surfers and enjoyed by families walking their four legged friends. This beach is a great place for a stroll after an evening of tasting the areas finest pintxos bars.
Another popular beach in San Sebastian is Ondarreta which stretches over a third of a mile and is an excellent place to soak up the warm Spanish sun, toss a frisbee or watch the local surfers catching a wave or two.
Boomer Travel Tip
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Where to eat in San Sebastian
There are countless reasons why San Sebastian should be a part of your next European adventure. For one, the food is outstanding. Known world wide as tapas but locally called “pintxos”, these savory Spanish appetizers sold at virtually every restaurant and café in town provide you good reason to explore different places each night.
Many of these venues offer nightly dinner specials: enjoy an evening out on a Wednesday (a lively time for locals) to be rewarded with a pintxos and a small beer for €2 (about $2.45). Some of my favorite pintxos bars in San Sebastian are: Bar Sport, A Fuego Negro, Zeruko, Borda Berri and Atari.
And my favorite small bites include Spanish meatballs, fried prawn, jamón ibérico (Spanish ham on ciabatta), seared foie gras and Spanish frittata (egg and potatoes).
If you’re after the best mussels, La Mejillonera, famous for it’s seafood, is the place to visit. La Mejillonera’s freshly caught seafood from the ocean regions surrounding San Sebastian will remind you how amazing shellfish can taste. Find yourself a cozy spot near the mussel bar and prepare your tastebuds for a divine flavor experience.
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Don’t forget San Sebastian’s most delicious dessert
Stomach full from eating at all the different tapas bars? Enjoy a scenic evening stroll or a peaceful sunset on a San Sebastian coastal walk to the beaches of Ordarreta or Playa de la Concha.
After walking off dinner, be sure to make room for Spain’s famous cheesecake, delightfully paired with a glass of red wine at La Viña. I’ve sampled desserts from all over the world, but, this is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive cheesecakes ever.
At first glance, the top appeared burnt but, trust me, the flavors were out of this world. Do not skip the desserts at La Viña—their cheesecake will have you coming back another night!
Boomer Travel Tip
Are you inspired to plan a Spanish adventure? Check out our Spain Travel Planner to get started!
Admire the architecture on your trip to San Sebastian
What else is there to see in San Sebastian? Architecture, for starters.
The city offers outstanding and iconic architecture that will take an entire day, or two, to explore and photograph. Walking the streets of Parte Vieja (Old Town), you will stroll past the Pescadería which held the fish market during San Sebastian’s earlier days.
It is nearly impossible to miss the Basilica de Santa Maria del Coro, the Spanish architecture and beautiful design of this church will captivate even the most seasoned travelers. Another piece of historic architecture is the cathedral del Buen Pastor (the cathedral of the good shepherd). Visitors to this cathedral will be pleasantly surprised with its immense interior and towering stain-glass windows designed in the late 1800s by Juan Bautista Lázaro.
More ways to explore San Sebastian:
- The Hop-on-hop-off bus makes it easy to get around. Purchase your ticket ahead of time here.
- Stay active on a San Sebastian bicycle tour.
- Explore with your taste buds on a food tour of San Sebastian.
Take a hike up Monte Urgull
If you are searching for an exciting European hike with an impressive view of the landscape, head up one of San Sebastian hiking trails. The cobblestone road to climb Monte Urgull offers a rewarding vista.
Ready your camera for spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of both shores of Playa de la Concha, Ondarreta and the beautiful blue bays of San Sebastian. An ideal spot for a picnic, enjoy a packed lunch as you take in the amazing lookout that Monte Urgull has to offer. If you’re interested in exploring more, there’s also a museum located atop Monte Urgull which highlights the history of San Sebastian and the surrounding area.
As you can see, a visit to San Sebastian in Spain’s Basque Country is diverse in flavors, rich in historic architecture, and boasts fascinating beaches and picturesque coastlines—be sure to include this destination on your list of places to visit in Spain.
The city is also pretty in the spring. That’s why you’ll find San Sebastian on our list of where to see spring blossoms in Europe.
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