San Sebastián, one of the most romantic cities in the world
🌿 TYPE OF TRIP
Culture, sport and gastronomy
🤔 BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO SAN SEBASTIAN
JANUARY: Contrary to popular belief, traveling in winter is not crazy at all. In San Sebastián you'll find cold and perhaps rain, but you could also enjoy its snowy beaches! The best part: more affordable prices, winter festivals (like the Tamborrada on January 19th), and cider house season, which doesn't end until the end of April, when cider is served with special menus.
✔ WHAT TO DO IN SAN SEBASTIAN
San Sebastián is a charming and lively city with a Basque soul and a love for gastronomy. The Old Town, a tightly packed cluster of historic streets, offers some of the best pintxos in the Basque Country. If you're looking to explore new culinary horizons, the Gros neighborhood is a great option, where you can also admire the modern architecture of the Kursaal and enjoy the surfer vibe of Zurriola Beach. The New Town, imposing and elegant, is ideal for strolling, shopping, and enjoying the attractions of nearby Mount Igueldo.
🌮 YOU CAN'T LEAVE SAN SEBASTIÁN WITHOUT TRYING IT
Basque cuisine is internationally renowned, and San Sebastián's cuisine in particular, thanks to its chefs who have brought it worldwide fame. The 18 Michelin stars awarded to San Sebastián's chefs attest to the daily excellence of these culinary artists who, while remaining firmly rooted in traditional Basque cuisine, have innovated to the point of being at the forefront of global gastronomy. Basque cuisine is extensive and varied, utilizing seasonal, top-quality ingredients sourced from both the Cantabrian Sea (fish and seafood) and the inland farmlands and pastures (vegetables, grains, meats, etc.). The most typical dishes in Donostia / San Sebastián are almost all seafood: baked spider crab, hake cheeks in green sauce, hake kokotxas (hake cheeks) or Donostia-style hake, clams in marinara sauce, squid in its ink, and roasted sea bream, as well as Aguinaga elvers (nowadays replaced by substitutes due to the extremely high price of the authentic product). Another highlight of Basque cuisine, and especially that of Donostia, is its pintxo bars, where you can find everything from the typical slice of bread with various toppings to miniature haute cuisine creations. Be sure to try them with a small glass of cider or txakoli.
👁🗨 CURIOSITIES OF SAN SEBASTIAN
It is said that the first pintxo in northern Spain was created more than sixty years ago. At that time, bars offered their customers wine accompanied by olives, chili peppers, and anchovies. On one occasion, a customer decided to try them all at once, so he skewered the three ingredients on a toothpick and ate them. The result was so good that bars throughout the Basque Country began serving this appetizer. Later, the combination of olive, chili pepper, and anchovy was named "Gilda," in reference to the heroine of the American film Gilda (1946), in which Rita Hayworth played a young, witty, enthusiastic, and daring woman of that name. According to the Basques, these characteristics perfectly match the taste of a pintxo that can be described as "green, salty, and slightly spicy."
😎 MISS WOOD'S TIP
San Sebastián transforms into a cinematic stage every September, with international stars arriving daily during the International Film Festival. If you stroll through the city during the Zinemaldia, you'll find the option to buy tickets for various screenings, without knowing which film they'll grant you access to, but with the guarantee that they'll be showing the most prominent and award-winning works of the festival. And for those who simply love surprises, there's also a secret screening where you have to take a blind gamble: a film whose title won't be revealed until you're seated in your seat.
5 MUST-SEE PLACES IN SAN SEBASTIÁN
1. La Concha Beach: Fulfilling almost every expectation of what a perfect urban beach should be, San Sebastián's La Concha is among the best in Europe. The La Concha promenade is a symbol of the city. When visiting San Sebastián, be sure to take the time to stroll along the La Concha promenade, enjoying the atmosphere and the views of Santa Clara Island and the Cantabrian Sea. If you still have the energy for a walk after reaching Miramar Palace, you can continue on to the Peine del Viento (Comb of the Wind) sculpture, crossing Ondarreta Beach.
2. SAN TELMO MUSEUM: San Sebastián's main cultural attraction is this impressive museum about Basque culture and society. Some exhibits may be provocative, but they are always interesting.
3. SAN SEBASTIÁN AQUARIUM: In addition to an incredible variety of fish, jellyfish, and coral gardens, the San Sebastián Aquarium also offers a fascinating exhibition about Basque whalers. Start your day calmly and enjoy a peaceful stroll through this oasis in the heart of the city.
4. MOUNT IGUELDO: You can take an old funicular to the top of Mount Igueldo for panoramic views of San Sebastián. The main attraction at the summit is an old amusement park, which opened in 1911, making it the oldest in the Basque Country. If you decide to go in, don't expect much from the rides, as it's a small, old park that has seen better days. It's more about the charm of the park itself, situated in a perfect location. Visit "El Torreón," a tower that served as San Sebastián's lighthouse until a new one was built in 1854.
5. Victoria Eugenia Theatre: The Victoria Eugenia Theatre was inaugurated in 1912 and is characterized by a blend of Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Plateresque styles. Since its opening, it has hosted some of the city's most important cultural events, such as the San Sebastián International Film Festival. During the festival, it's common to see celebrities crossing the square from the five-star Hotel María Cristina to the Victoria Eugenia Theatre's red carpet.
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