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What is San Sebastián Known For?

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Don’t be fooled by San Sebastián’s modest size. For a city with a population of under 200,000 people, this incredible place is known the world over for multiple reasons.

With tantalizing flavors, stunning beaches, cultural festivals, and architectural marvels to discover, adventures in San Sebastián take many forms.

At Basque Bites, we dive into the best this city and region have to offer on our San Sebastián and Basque Country Day Tours.

These chef-led tours allow you to experience the heart and soul of the Basque Country in a truly unique way.

If you have any questions for us about our tours and experiences in San Sebastián and the Basque Country, please feel free to get in touch.

For now, though, let’s focus on what makes San Sebastián famous!

Gastronomy Galore! San Sebastián is a Culinary Capital

Do you plan vacations around food? You’ve got the right idea! Savoring the local cuisine is one of the best ways to connect with a new destination.

And we’ve got good news for you; San Sebastián is renowned as a gastronomic paradise.

So, prepare your taste buds for an explosion of flavors because you’re about to embark on an unforgettable culinary journey.

Michelin-starred restaurants, pintxo bars, traditional food havens cherished by locals—you can find the full spectrum of food experiences here.

Savor the freshest seafood, indulge in succulent Basque specialties, and embrace the art of pintxos—bite-sized Basque tapas ranging from homemade and hearty to miniature works of art.

And the drinks you can pair with your food are just as delicious.

Txakoli, a crisp and minerally wine, is unique to the Basque Country and perfectly complements seafood.

Then there’s traditional Basque cider (sagardoa, or sidra), a naturally fermented drink that’s not really sweet and barely carbonated. 

This is a hard cider, but the fermentation process means it’s rich in probiotics and similar to kombucha. It’s also delicious.

Both the cider and txakoli require an unusual pour. To “break” the CO2 trapped in the liquid, you need to pour them into a wide-mouthed tumbler at arm’s length.

Just make sure someone captures the moment—and watch your shoes!

And while it’s not in San Sebastián, we absolutely have to mention La Rioja wine country. 

Around a 2-hour drive from San Sebastián but within the border of the Basque Country, La Rioja Alavesa sits at the highest elevation in the region and produces wines of outstanding quality.

Whether you’re a wine novice or an experienced oenophile, our La Rioja Wine Country Experience is the perfect introduction to this world-famous wine region.

And the drinks you can pair with your food are just as delicious.

Txakoli, a crisp and minerally wine, is unique to the Basque Country and perfectly complements seafood.

Then there’s traditional Basque cider (sagardoa, or sidra), a naturally fermented drink that’s not really sweet and barely carbonated. 

This is a hard cider, but the fermentation process means it’s rich in probiotics and similar to kombucha. It’s also delicious.

Both the cider and txakoli require an unusual pour. To “break” the CO2 trapped in the liquid, you need to pour them into a wide-mouthed tumbler at arm’s length.

Just make sure someone captures the moment—and watch your shoes!

And while it’s not in San Sebastián, we absolutely have to mention La Rioja wine country. 

Around a 2-hour drive from San Sebastián but within the border of the Basque Country, La Rioja Alavesa sits at the highest elevation in the region and produces wines of outstanding quality.

Whether you’re a wine novice or an experienced oenophile, our La Rioja Wine Country Experience is the perfect introduction to this world-famous wine region.

Visit Some of Europe’s Most Beautiful Urban Beaches

Cities and stunning beaches don’t always go hand in hand. But this is just another reason why San Sebastián is so unique.

Our city is home to three beaches:

  • Playa de La Concha
  • Playa de Ondarreta
  • Playa de Zurriola

With its picture-perfect appearance, Playa La Concha is the jewel in the crown.

It sweeps along the Bay of La Concha in a golden crescent, looking out over inviting blue water.

Santa Clara Island sits at the mouth of the Bay of La Concha, where it meets the Cantabiran Sea.With its petite white lighthouse and green hills, it adds to an already stunning scene.

With a charming promenade to stroll along, La Concha is a wonderful spot for refreshing dips, sunbathing, or simply taking in the coastal ambiance.

Playa Ondaretta is immediately west of La Conhca and provides more beautiful views across the bay.

Smaller, quieter, and preferred by local families, this is one of our favorite spots to meet up with friends, go for a dip, and take a stroll in the gardens nearby.

There’s still plenty of room on the beach here and many services are available in summer.

San Sebastián‘s third beach, Playa de la Zurriola, is on the other side of the Urumea River. 

Zurriola is famous for its waves and surf. This beach attracts the city’s youth, so expect a livelier, more energetic atmosphere–the same goes for neighboring Barrio Gros.

With volleyball and basketball courts and a child-friendly skate park, there are plenty of ways to stay active before or after a swim in the gorgeous blue water.

All three of San Sebastián‘s beaches have the kind of amenities you want on a beach visit, including changing rooms, toilets, showers, parasols, and loungers.

During the high season, the beaches are supervised by lifeguards too.

With restaurants, txiringuitos, bars, cafes, and their urban location, you’re never far away from tasty bites and refreshing drinks on any of these beaches.

Sample the Glamor of the San Sebastián International Film Festival

The San Sebastián International Film Festival is one of the world’s “A-List” film festivals.

This means it’s in the same league as prestigious festivals like Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto.

During this cinematic extravaganza, the global spotlight turns to our city as we welcome renowned filmmakers and actors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts.

Many famous movies have had their European or international premieres in San Sebastián, including Star Wars and Vertigo to name just two.

Immerse yourself in a world of premieres, screenings, and red-carpet events — and who knows, you might even spot a celebrity or two!

San Sebastián Has Many More Cultural Festivals Too!

San Sebastián knows how to throw a party, and you’re invited! Our city has a calendar filled with festivals that celebrate the unique Basque culture.

The biggest and most important of these is Semana Grande (Big Week), a week-long festival that electrifies the city every August. 

Enjoy lively concerts, dazzling fireworks, thrilling sports events, and traditional Basque festivities. 

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere as the city comes alive with joyous celebrations. 

Don’t forget to try your hand at Basque rural sports like log chopping, stone lifting, and Euskal Pilota aka Jai Alai or Basque handball.

Oh, and there’s plenty for kids to enjoy too, including games, carnival rides, and unique events like a pirate race and traditional games and dancing daily.

Some of the other festivals that deserve your attention include:

  • Three Kings Day (January 5 and 6)
  • St Sebastian’s Day aka La Tamborrada (January 20)
  • Carnavales(February or March)
  • Teatro de Bolsillo(May)
  • San Juan(22nd and 23 June)
  • Fiestas del Puerto and Barrio Gros(July)
  • Jazzaldia (late July)
  • Quincena Musical(August)
  • 31 de Agosto
  • Regatas - The Flag of La Concha Rowing Finals(first two weekends of September)
  • Mugak - The Basque Country International Architecture Biennial(late October and November)
  • St Thomas’s Day (December 21)
  • Olentzero and Mari Domingi (December 24)

Visiting our city during a festival is a great way to make one of our pre-planned or custom tours in San Sebastián even more memorable.

Marvel at Traditional and Modern Architectural Wonders

San Sebastián is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, where classic elegance blends seamlessly with modern design. 

From Playa de La Concha to Zurriola Bridge, you can admire many beautiful Belle Époque buildings such as City Hall, the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, La Perla spa, and the Hotel María Cristina.

The futuristic, [New York] Guggenheim-esque Basque Culinary Center is another must-see, where culinary innovation takes center stage. 

Kursaal, a modern convention center with event spaces, terraces, and auditoriums, was awarded a Contemporary Architecture Mies van der Rohe Award.

This is one of the most important architectural awards in Europe, which the Kursaal earned for its “exceptional character”.

And these highlights barely scratch the surface of San Sebastián’s architectural treasures.

One of the best ways to discover your own favorites is to simply walk around the city with Basque Bites and see which hidden gems catch your eye.

How to Spend a Perfect Day in San Sebastián

So, now that you know what San Sebastián is famous for, how should you spend your time here?

Of course, the more time you can spend in our city, the richer and more memorable your experience will be. And I frequently encourage people visiting Europe to go slow and take the “less is more” approach. Soak it all in. That applies to San Sebastián, but you can pack a lot in with just a couple of days here.

To show you what’s possible, let’s take a quick look at how to spend one day in San Sebastián.

Start your day with a leisurely stroll along La Concha Beach, taking in the stunning views of the bay. Maybe head out to El Peine de Viento, a wonderful sculpture on the edge of the sea.

Grab coffee and a light breakfast with views of the water from a cafe along La Concha or Playa de Ondarreta. Or head to Barrio Centro’s pedestrian-friendly streets, for cafes and window shopping. 

Then join Basque Bites for a San Sebastián Market and Pintxo Lunch!

There’s no better way to explore La Bretxa Market and the best pintxo bars while savoring the flavors of the Basque Country.

You can always opt for our Walking Pintxo Dinner in San Sebastián if you prefer!

The afternoon is the perfect time to visit must-see spots, such as Plaza de la Constitución, the San Telmo Museum, the Basílica de Santa Maria del Coro, and Kursaal.

You could even consider hiking Mount Urgull for a breathtaking view across the city and bay. Naturally, this makes for some incredible photos!

As the sun sets, indulge in more pintxos and local drinks at a charming bar. If you join our lunch tour, you can use all the tips and tricks we taught you on how to order and where to go

If the sunset puts on a show, head for the far end (the east end) of Zurriola Beach to take in the view.

For even more travel inspiration, check out our Ultimate Guide to San Sebastián. It’s packed with everything you need to know about our one-of-a-kind city.

Explore Like a Local on Our San Sebastián Walking Food Tours

So, what is San Sebastián known for? It turns out quite a lot!

We hope this guide has inspired and informed you in equal measure. If you’re ready to start planning your adventure, check out our San Sebastián and Basque Country Day Tours.

And if you need more information about any of our excursions in the city or the Basque Country, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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