San Sebastián-Donostia Travel Guide

Locals will tell you, “Before God was God and rocks were rocks, the Basques were Basques.” San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) is still a stronghold of Basque culture and identity—as well as a resort on par with Nice and Monte Carlo, thanks to flowering gardens, year-round festivals, seafront promenades, sandy beaches, excellent surfing, a scenic boat-filled bay, lively nightlife, and the best restaurants in Spain. Delightfully walkable, it’s a city to be explored on foot, if at all possible.

Things to Do

Take in the breathtaking vistas from the surrounding two hills that wend down to the Atlantic. Start with a trip to Monte Urgull, from which you can survey the panorama of San Sebastián's necklace of beaches and bay. To the east, Monte Ulia offers up a view of coastal flora and the sapphire depths of the water below. Take a stroll among the Art Nouveau facades of the Centro Romántico and while away an afternoon shopping.

Nightlife and Entertainment

The Parte Vieja is a jovial Basque pub crawl, where the effusive spirit of donostiarras (as the locals call themselves) is on display. While San Sebastián is strictly a dine-and-sunbathe sort of town, it can venture into the cerebral: The island's jazz festival, the San Sebastián International Jazz Festival, is one of the longest-running in Europe.

Restaurants and Dining

In San Sebastián the specialty is bite-size pintxos, mini tapas made with a myriad of local ingredients. For top-shelf dining, venture to Arzak, a storied establishment set in an old country house where nouvelle cuisine meets traditional Basque staples.

Active Pursuits

Surfers head to Zurriola Beach, just east of the city, where the waves are choppy but the setting is serene.