Holiday in San Sebastián

About San Sebastián

San Sebastián (Basque: Donostia) is considered the culinary capital of Europe with the highest density of Michelin stars per capita in the world. The shell-shaped beach La Concha, framed by green hills and an elegant Belle Époque promenade, is regarded as one of the most beautiful city beaches in Europe. However, San Sebastián is much more than just a beach and gourmet cuisine — it is a city with its own atmosphere between elegance and Basque passion. The Old Town (Parte Vieja) is the epicenter of the Pintxos culture: In the narrow streets, bars line up, their counters bending under artfully prepared bites. A Pintxos crawl through Calle Fermín Calbeton is one of the best culinary experiences in Spain. Three restaurants hold three Michelin stars: Arzak, Mugaritz, and Martín Berasategui (in the hills outside the city). The Basque Culinary Center has made San Sebastián an international center of culinary arts. Monte Urgull offers panoramic views over the bay, while Monte Igüldo attracts visitors with a nostalgic funicular and a charming amusement park from the 1910s. Zurriola Beach on the other side of the city is a surfer hotspot and a meeting point for the young scene. In September, the city transforms during the San Sebastián International Film Festival (since 1953) into a gathering place for the film world. Its location by the Cantabrian Sea provides a mild climate, dramatic cloud formations, and spectacular sunsets.