A Complete Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in San Sebastian

Convent Garden hosts one of the best Christmas markets in San Sebastian for holiday decor and mementos, like ornaments

At Christmas time, San Sebastian turns into a fairytale land full of beautiful lights and magical Christmas markets. If you’re planning a trip to this northern Basque city around Christmastime, you can’t avoid the contagious holiday atmosphere that takes over the town in December. San Sebastian is known for the many local Christmas markets where […]

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 […]

What to Do in San Sebastian in November

The holidays in San Sebastian are the perfect time to get out and explore the city with fewer crowds.

This blog post was originally posted on October 2, 2018 and was updated on October 2, 2019.  Fall days get chillier and crisper late in the season, but that doesn’t mean you should skip visiting San Sebastian in November! In fact, if you’re looking for a true autumn experience, it’s the best time of year to […]

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 […]

Our Favorite Things to Do in San Sebastian in October

One of the best beaches in San Sebastian for surfers is Zurriola Beach, a fun and youthful hangout with great waves.

When you visit San Sebastian in fall, you’ll miss the summer crowds and slip seamlessly into local life. Crisp temperatures ranging from 12–18 degrees C (54–65 degrees F) make autumn feel much more present than in warmer, more southerly parts of Spain. Throw in some spooky festivities, and you’ve got all the makings of fall […]

What Responsible Tourism in San Sebastian Looks Like

Solo travel in San Sebastian means you can spend as much time on the beach as you want.

If you haven’t been to San Sebastian yet, we bet it’s on your radar. And you aren’t alone: the number of visitors to this city in northern Spain is increasing all the time. Overtourism in San Sebastian? “San Sebastian has many beautiful neighborhoods but tourism concentrates mostly in its Old Town,” said Ania, our Operations […]

San Sebastian in September: Our Favorite Activities & Events

San Sebastian in February sees some pretty incredible waves.

This blog post was originally posted on July 30, 2018 and was updated on August 6, 2019.  Unlike in the south of Spain, where temperatures still feel quite summery until October, San Sebastian actually takes on a magical fall feeling as autumn draws near. Aside from a bit of rain, the weather is mostly pleasant and […]

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 […]

Behind the Bite: Idiazabal Cheese

Idiazabal cheese with quince paste and walnuts is one of the typical Basque desserts.

This post is part of our Behind the Bite series: deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. Drive from San Sebastian out to the idyllic Basque countryside beyond city limits, and suddenly you’ll find yourself in another world. As the landscape gets even more lush and green and the sounds of Spanish […]