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San Sebastian

The grande dame of Spain's seaside resorts, San Sebastián curls gracefully around its golden bay, redolent of 1950s Nice. It also gives most French cities a run for their money gastronomically - it's in a league all of its own. In fact, this quietly self-assured city boasts more Michelin stars per inhabitant than anywhere in the world.

 

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Essentials

01 In the Basque language, San Sebastián is known as Donostia, which is the name you'll see used  widely around town.
02 Dress up. The donostiarras are among the most well-heeled Spaniards.
03 Come hungry. Putting aside the restaurants on which San Sebastián has built its reputation, it brims with excellent pintxos bars (the local tapas).
04 Everything comes with zurritos - tiny glasses of local beer.
05 Mindful of their clients' need to try everything on the menu, the majority of  restaurants will let you  order half portions.

Hotels
Independent and easy
Villa Soro
61 avenida Ategorrieta
+ 34 943 297 970
villasoro.com

Dependable chain
NH Aranzazu
1 calle Vitoria-Gasteiz
+ 34 943 219 077
nh-hoteles.es

Premium
Hotel Maria Cristina
4 paseo República Argentina
+ 34 943 437 600
westinmariacristina.com

Dining
Fast breakfast
Chez Croissant
7 calle Easo
+ 34 943 430 716
Leisurely breakfast

Café de la Concha
Paseo de la Concha
 + 34 943 473 600

Mid-morning coffee
Vaporetto
38 calle Fuenterrabía
+ 34 943 453 503

Lunch with friends
Kursaal
1 avenida de Zurriola
+ 34 943 003 162
kursaal.com.es

Seafood lunch
La Rampa
26-27 calle Muelle
+ 34 943 421 652

Picnic spot
Isla de Santa Clara when boats are running, otherwise Monte Urgull.

Tapas lunch on your own
La Cuchara de San Telmo
28 calle 31 de Agosto
 + 34 943 420 840
lacucharadesantelmo.com

Sunset cocktail
Bar at Hotel Monte Igueldo
134 paseo del Faro
+ 34 943 210 211
monteigueldo.com

Dinner for two
Arzak
273 avenida Alcalde
Elosegui
+ 34 943 278 465
arzak.es

Tapas with friends
El Patio de Ramuntxo
10 calle Peña y Goñi
+ 34 943 321 661

Best cider house
Sidrería Petritegui
Petritegi Bidea
Astigarraga
+ 34 943 457 188
petritegi.com

Dinner with a view
Akelarre
56 paseo Padre Orcolaga 
+ 34 943 311 209
akelarre.net

Late drinks
Dickens Cocktelería
27 alameda del Boulevard
+ 34 943 427 233

On the tiles
Etxekalte Jazz Club
11 calle Mari Kalea
+ 34 943 429 788

 

Reading
Books & newspapers
fnac
Calle Loyola s/n
+ 34 943 437 500
fnac.com

Basics
Department store
El Corte Inglés
25 calle Arrasate/Arrasate Kalea 
+ 34 943 427 113
elcorteingles.es

Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Basque beret from JM Leclercq
18 calle Narrica
Parta Vieja
+ 34 943 422 059

Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Zara
3-5 calle Fuenterrabía
+ 34 943 420 260

Something for the kids
Imaginarium
31 calle Hernani
+ 34 943 426 045
imaginarium.es

Something for someone you love
Handmade txintxorro biscuits in pretty boxes at Barrenetxe
9 plaza de Guipúzcoa
+ 34 943 424 482

Something for yourself
Vinateria Manu Mendez
2 calle General Artetxe
+ 34 943 289 999

Two-hour tour

01
Examine the paintings, sculptures, Egyptian figures, weapons and ceramics at the Museo San Telmo
1 plaza Zuloaga
+ 34 943 481 580

02
Take the funicular to the top of Monte Igueldo for some stunning views.
Find it at the tennis club (near the Peine de los Vientos sculptures).
monteigueldo.es

Limousine/car
One Limo
onelimo.com/sansebastian.htm

Transport
Blue boat to Isla de Santa Clara
Every 30 minutes from El Muelle port, in summer only.

Fitness
Good gym
Hydra Ondarreta Club
1 Paseo del Peine
de los Vientos
+ 34 943 313 174
hydra.es

Good running route
Jog right along the seafront from Monte Igueldo to Monte Ulia, it's about 7km in total.

Alternative diversion
San Sebastián has three beaches: the Playa de la Concha, Ondaretta and the Playa de Gros. La Concha is the prettiest
and is widely considered to be one of Europe's best city beaches. 

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