Make the most of a Michelin-starred food scene on a city break to San Sebastian.
City breaks to San Sebastian
San Sebastian, or Donostia to the locals, brings together the best bits of Spain in a single setting. Think sweeping sands and surf, rolling mountainside views, and grand architecture – this place pairs bustling city culture with calming coast and countryside. The city’s a haven for foodies – it has the most Michelin stars per capita in all of Europe. That’s not to say the food here’s exclusively high-end. If you love Spanish tapas, then you’ll live for the Basque tradition of pintxos, pronounced ‘pinchos’. Small, skewered bites are displayed alongside drinks in dedicated pintxos bars. They’re perfect on-the-go snacks to keep you fuelled up as you bar hop your way around the city. You can see the influence of the place’s long-standing popularity with Spanish royalty in its ornate buildings and bridges. It’s not a case of style over substance here, though. San Sebastian plays host to international festivals and art spaces, putting Basque culture firmly on the map.
Admire the sea sculptures of Eduardo Chillida
The Piene del Viento is a series of steel sculptures created by Basque artist Eduardo Chillida in 1976. Each one takes the shape of a twisted comb, and they’re embedded within the rocks along the city’s coastline. Over time, they’ve been shaped by the crashing waves, becoming part of the landscape. The best place to catch a glimpse of the sculptures is from La Concha beach.
Best time to go to San Sebastian
San Sebastian offers a cooler and more humid climate than Spain’s south, with the hottest months of July and August averaging temperatures of around 25°C. Even after the peak of summer, September’s still mild, with temperatures that tip into the 20s. Light showers are a possibility all year round, but November marks the wettest month. From December to February, it tends to be mild and rainy, but temperatures still mostly stay above 10°C.
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Top things to see and do in San Sebastian
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