A City Guide To San Sebastián, Spain

A City Guide To San Sebastián, Spain

San Sebastián may be Spain’s unofficial culinary capital, but its kitchen kudos is matched by a design-hooked hotel offering, a city-wide appreciation of art and an unexpected wild side that plays out on its surf-ready beaches



Whether
it’s your first sip of fizzy txakoli wine or a fifth
helping of stuffed piquillo peppers in a pintxos bar, San Sebastián
never falters when it comes to food and drink. Located on the coast
of the Basque Country region of Spain, this sea-facing city has long been
considered the country’s unofficial culinary capital. Little
wonder, then, that travellers touching down here head straight for
the standing-room-only bars to try the signature, tapas-style
plates.

Bouncing from bar to bar, pairing small bites with local wines,
ciders and digestifs, is a surefire way to explore the soul of this
city, but we’d recommend venturing beyond the kitchens if you’re
wanting to get under its skin. The city has a deeply independent
spirit, and thinks of itself as Basque first, Spanish second. Art
galleries and outdoor sculpture parks offer a taste of this, while
an alluring coastline offers a bounty of beaches that – even in
colder months – welcome the wetsuit-clad surfing community of Spain’s northern
reaches.

Inevitably, though, you’re here for the food. Restaurants (many Michelin-nodded, still more
claiming the higher accolade of being locally loved) are the ideal
spots to eavesdrop on conversations in the ancient Basque language,
which is still spoken in the city. They say an easy way to
understand a place is by flicking through its cookbook, and for the
residents of San Sebastián, that couldn’t be more true.

Pintxos, please: where to stay, eat, drink and shop in San
Sebastián

A bed and bedside table in front of a green wall

hotel

Hotel Arbaso

Arbaso has everything you want in a city-centre hotel – a
heart-stopping location, a great bar and a design-forward
sensibility. Combining its “haute Basque” vibe (see its Marquina
marble details) with luxury touches including Marshall Bluetooth
speakers, Dyson hairdryers and solid-wood mid-century furnishings,
it’s a stylish, seductive stay.

Address

Hondarribia Kalea 24, 20005

A white bedroom looking out over beach

hotel

Villa Favorita

Villa Favorita is where you stay when you want the total San
Sebastián experience: glitz, glamour, good food and views of one of
Europe’s most beautiful beaches, La Concha. This former villa dates
to 1866 and houses 23 luxurious rooms, many of which have
floor-to-ceiling windows (splurge on one of these). The hotel bar,
with its plush velvet details, is a magnificent place to start your
evening. A perfect bellini with sunset views, anyone?

Address

Zubieta Kalea 26, 20007


hotel

Hotel María Cristina

Since the eponymous Queen María Cristina was first to cross its
threshold when it opened in 1912, this belle-époque hotel has
emoted a distinctly palatial vibe. Original stained-glass windows
and wrought-iron balustrades provide a perfect foil to contemporary
touches. Modern-day monarchs (read: A-list celebrities) come in the
summer months to stay in one of the hotel’s beautifully renovated
rooms. Regardless of the season, a pre-pintxos drink in the hotel’s
Dry Bar is a must.

Address

República Argentina Kalea 4, 20004


hotel

One Shot Tabakalera House

One Shot Tabakalera House is the only hotel in San Sebastián’s
for-locals-only neighbourhood of Egia. Integrated into the
Tabakalera – an impressive former cigarette factory-turned-cultural
centre – the hotel is right next to the city’s bus and train
stations. Rooms are well appointed, with cement floors and metal
complements. High ceilings make them feel spacious, while beds are
a dreamy level of comfortable.

Address

Paseo Duque de Mandas 52, 20012

This article was updated 15 November 2022. It contains
affiliate links, which means SUITCASE may earn a small commission
if you click through and book.

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