San Sebastian, Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea.
San Sebastian has it all: stunning beaches, a gorgeous historic center and loads of great places to eat, from traditional pintxos bars to Michelin-starred restaurants. We stopped off in San Sebastian on our way to Andalusia and I have to say, it's a place that everyone should add to their list of must-see destinations.
Playa de la Concha, the most beautiful beach in Europa
San Sebastian is known for its beaches, so we head straight to the most popular one as soon as we arrive. With its fine golden sand, Playa de la Concha, located on the edge of a crescent-shaped bay, is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in Europe. It's over 1,300 meters long and is bordered by a promenade with a beautiful balustrade. It's a busy beach that attracts water sport enthusiasts, sunbathers and families alike.
The romantic center
Right on the edge of the Playa de la Concha is the romantic, Belle Epoque-style center. The town hall, which was originally built as a casino in 1887, immediately catches your attention. Some of the world's rich and famous, including Mata Hari and the Shah of Iran, were regular visitors to San Sebastian, which back then had a rather French Riviera-esque feel to it. The city hall is right next to the lovely Alderdi Eder gardens. These were created at the end of the 19th century and are well-known for their tamarisk trees and old-fashioned carousel. From the gardens, you can head straight to the Buen Pastor cathedral via Urbieta Street. The monument is built in the neo-Gothic style and features a striking, tall spire.
Parte Vieja, the historic city center
The Parte Vieja is the historical heart of San Sebastian. It's located at the foot of Monte Urgull, with views of the port on one side and the Urumea river on the other. It's a great place for foodies. The maze of cobbled streets is full of shops, pintxos bars and cosy restaurants. There are also some interesting cultural monuments worth visiting in Parte Vieja.
Must-sees in the historic center
Make sure you check out the Santa Maria del Coro Basilica on Calle Mayor. The 18th-century Baroque building has a stunning façade and a museum showcasing 150 works of medieval, modern, and contemporary art.
A bit further along, you'll find San Vincente church. The Gothic-style building dates back to the early 16th century, making it the oldest church in the city.
Plaza de la Constitución is the heart of the old town. Surrounding the square are neoclassical buildings with beautiful, numbered balconies that date back to when the square was used as a bullring for bullfights. It is the perfect spot for enjoying pintxos and a glass of Txakoli wine. Plaza de la Constitución is also the center for festivities, such as the famous Tamborrada.
The port, symbol of the connection with the sea
For centuries, San Sebastian has had a strong connection with the sea. A stroll past the fishermen's cottages in the harbor will give you a real sense of the city's roots. In summer, there are countless yachts and pleasure boats moored in and around La Concha, while the port is packed. The Aquarium and Maritime Museum are well worth a visit, and you can enjoy delicious grilled fish in one of the restaurants. If you'd also like to explore the bay from the water, why not go on an excursion at sea?
Pintxos and cheesecake
San Sebastian is a foodie's dream, and we head to Ganbara in the old town for some casual, tasty bites. We take a seat at the packed bar, where the friendly waiters serve up the most delicious pintxos in no time. It's a bit of a squeeze in the small space with just 20 seats. We start with Iberian ham, padron peppers and fried calamari, followed by a great carpaccio of tuna ventresca. Next, we tuck into meaty, roasted cèpes with quail egg, a Ganbara signature dish you'll definitely want to try during mushroom season.
For dessert, we went to La Viña, where the Basque cheesecake was born. We shared a generous portion of the creamy vanilla-flavored pastry with the center still runny. It was delicious! I would highly recommend it to anyone.
As the sun goes down, we head to the terrace of the Real Club Nautico, which is right on the edge of the harbor. The building is an architectural gem - it looks just like a docked boat. It's a popular spot with the locals to enjoy a drink and catch the last rays of the sun.