Behind Closed Doors: A Deep Dive into Basque Gastronomic Societies

Cooking dinner inside a Basque gastronomic society

At the heart of the Basque Country’s famous cuisine beat the many gastronomic societies—the mysterious birthplaces for many typical Basque dishes. Eating well and the importance of food have been an inseparable part of Basque identity for as long as we can remember. There are many secrets, traditions and rituals related to the gastronomy here, […]

Our Best Tips for Spending New Year’s in San Sebastian

San Sebastian's La Concha beach at night with lights on the water

About to travel to the north of Spain after Christmas? There’s no better plan than celebrating the new year in San Sebastian! Wondering where to eat dinner on New Year’s Eve and where to head on New Year’s Day? Whether your preference is loads of glitter and bubbly, or a cozy dinner with some amazing […]

An Anthony Bourdain-Inspired Trip to San Sebastian, in 5 Steps

Pintxos on a bar top

Even if you can’t claim to consider Juan Mari Arzak a father figure in your own life, you can still explore San Sebastian Anthony Bourdain-style. The late chef, author and travel documentarian visited the Basque Country and San Sebastian many times over the years. A couple of times, he also brought cameras along. In his […]

Where to Eat on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day in San Sebastian

Hotel Maria Cristina

Make your winter holidays unforgettable with these options for delicious Christmas Day and Christmas Eve dinners in San Sebastian. The town slows down during the Christmas holidays when local shops and restaurants close up and donostiarras get ready to spend the holidays with their families. But no worries––there are still plenty of excellent restaurants for […]

5 Great Spots to Try Vermouth in San Sebastian

Drinking vermouth in San Sebastian among friends

Waking up your appetite like a local with a marianito among friends is a must when in the Basque Country. Trying out this controversial drink may not be the first thing on your to-do list when traveling in Spain. After all, for many of us, the word “vermouth” brings back images of that old Martini […]

Txikiteo 101: 5 Steps To Master Bar Hopping in San Sebastian

A group does a cheers with wine

The secret to eating pintxos like a local is to master the txikiteo, a Basque-style food crawl.  In San Sebastian you can’t avoid seeing bar counters full of mouthwatering little pintxos, the local version of tapas. But it doesn’t end there. Basque people are also famous for creating a unique way of going out for […]

Pack Your Bags: Top Day Trips from San Sebastian

Not sure what there is to do in San Sebastian on Sundays? Take a day trip to a charming nearby town, like Biarritz!

This blog post was originally posted on June 12, 2018 and was updated on July 12, 2019. With rugged mountain landscapes and stunning sea views, it’s easy to fall in love with San Sebastian and the surrounding region. We might be biased, but we like to think San Sebastian—or the Basque Country in general—is one […]