5-Day San Sebastian Guide: Eat, Explore, Eat, Enjoy, and eat some more!🤣
Crafting this guide took me a whole day—plus 5 years of delicious exploration! While it may not be flawless, it's brimming with information to ensure your 5 days in San Sebastian are spectacular.
Get ready for the juiciest, most flavor-packed trip ever! 🍖✨
Kaixo! Can’t wait for you to get to know Donostiaaa.🤗
I love Donosti: the food, the Basque culture, the views, the history, the rebel vibe, the quaint towns, the fiestas, the people, the produce, the mountains, the cooking, the food, and did I mention the food?
Being the culture geek that I am, I've absorbed so much of the Basque ethos thanks to Mikel and his friends-that-feel-like-family. And being the experience freak that I am, I'm more than happy to share everything with people who visit.😍
I've had a ton of happy visitors in the last 5 years, but 2024 takes the (Basque cheese) cake! So many people are coming to town.😱 Even Elisa—one of my best friends—is visiting at the end of June... with a group of almost 20!😳 Woot!🥳
This article is my attempt at designing the bestest San Sebastian experience for them (you!).💙
Disclaimer: I’m the kind of traveler who dives into hole-in-the-wall joints for the locals' favorite grub and embraces discomfort for unforgettable experiences. But everyone’s got their own travel style and that’s more than a-okay! Just let me know your preferences so I can help you find what you’re looking for.
Chapter 1: Where to Stay
I sent this color-coded map explaining different areas. I hope it helped!
Blue Circle: Train and Bus Station
Black Circle: Parte Vieja
San Sebastian is a small, walkable city, so everything is pretty close by. Most of the classic pintxos bars are in Parte Vieja (Old Town), encircled in black. Ideally, your accommodations should be nearby for convenience, though it can get busy or noisy depending on the street.
Green Highlight: Top Accommodations
Hotel Maria Cristina: The most famous hotel here.
Hotels by La Concha Beach: Hotel Londres (Better with a seaside view!)
Hotels in Old Town: Hotel Lasala Plaza
Yellow Highlight: Still good! It’ll still be easy to get to the bars and restaurants. And there will probably be some good bars near you, too.
Orange Highlight: A little farther; not ideal.
Chapter 2: Arrival & Settling In
Since you arrive on a Monday, and I’m not sure how energetic or tired you’ll be 🤔, Let’s save this day for you guys to settle in. Plus, a lot of bars and restaurants will be closed!🫣
FYI: Stores are closed on Sundays and some bars are closed on Mondays.
Got a bit of energy when you arrive? We gotta do Urgull.
If you’re up for it, let’s head over to Mount Urgull! No, it’s not a hike—just a walk with some stairs and inclines. Urgull is a small mountain with paved pathways and a bar on top (Jesus is up there, too!). It has great views and it’s the perfect way to “meet” this city.
Chapter 3: Book a Michelin Star Restaurant. Now na!
Who doesn't know that San Sebastian is lauded as one of the world's food capitals? If you haven't heard, where have you been?!🤭
While Japan still leads the pack with Tokyo earning the most Michelin stars in the world (251!), Basque chefs have seared their place in global gastronomy. Second only to Kyoto for stars per square meter, San Sebastian offers your taste buds some of the bestest flavors in the world.
So, if you're a foodie craving an exquisite dining experience, don't wait—book a table at one of these starred restaurants. Try and book for lunch instead of dinner!
Three Stars:
Etxebarri: Closer to Bilbao! But it’s a 1-year waiting list daw. 🫠 It’s said to be the best but also has the longest waiting list.
Azurmendi by Eneko Atxa: Mikel’s absolute fave out of the Michelin star restaurants here. (Mikel is my favorite Basque chef, official kitchen professor, and life partner.😅)
Arzak: One of the most popular among Pinoys, but I heard it’s become just K.
Akelarre: Great views with great plates! But a friend of mine from Manila went recently and she says she wasn’t completely blown away.
Not excited by them stars but still kinda curious? Try a one star right in the middle of Old Town.
Kokotxa: It's the only Michelin-starred jewel tucked in the charming Old Town, where we’ll be snacking on delish pintxos almost every day.😜 Even kuripot me would admit that it’s worth it!
Still not convinced? I’ve got other spots for you.
Mirador de Ulia (You’ll need a taxi; but the views from here are stunning! For this restaurant in particular, feel free to book dinnertime so you catch the sunset from there.)
What do we do after?!
Assuming you aren’t in a food coma, you’ll still have some time to enjoy the day before or after the experience. The sun sets a lot later here during the summer (10pm)!
I suggest you book lunch instead of dinner so we can all meet in my hip surfer barrio called Gros after your feast to walk off all you ate and chill on the surf beach while watching the surfers.
When you have a bit of an appetite again, I’ll take you to try my absolute favorite burger in the city.🤤
Chapter 4: Day Trip to the French Coast and Hondarribia
The border is practically begging to be crossed! In just 30 minutes, you'll find yourself in France. That's quicker than Alabang to Makati!🤣
Explore Biarritz (the French counterpart to San Sebastian), Saint Jean de Luz (with its cute beach and adorable market), and Hondarribia (the last Spanish town before the river-border). The vibe is similar but different! And it’ll have you humming Belle’s "Bonjour! Bonjour. Bonjour-bonjour-bonjour!" as you stroll its charming streets.
It’ll cost around 250 euros per person for a private van or minibus and guide. (Food's not included.)
We’re working with a few of the local travel agencies here so we can fix this up for you. I’m getting more information on when we need to lock this down! Would love to have Mikel be one of your guides on this day.💙
What to do after?!
Eat & drink! In a recent visit, my friends ate pintxos for 1 lunch and 2 dinners. Haha! There are just too, too many yums in this city. You won’t run out of food to try!
Beach time.😊 The sun will set at around 10pm while you’re here so you have time to chill and swim on any of the 3 beaches.
Shop! The stores close around 8pm.
That leaves only two full days!
If you're new to San Sebastian, these two days are perfect for soaking up the magic of this charming city. Below is a suggested itinerary for a packed day with most of the must-sees. I thinkkk it’s designed to let you explore without feeling rushed. After all, this is a laid-back surf town—no need to hurry!
Chapter 5: San Sebastian Immersion
Brekky until 10:30
For big breakfast lovers, I’m sorry! There are no hefty spreads here.😲 But while corned beef, egg, and rice is out of the question…
Hotel Maria Cristina offers a breakfast buffet fit for royalty (at 44 euros per person). Open from 7:30-10:30 am, indulge in their 5-star service and freshly prepared morning delights. Don’t forget to secure your spot by making a reservation. It's the perfect start to your day!
If you're a chocolate fiend like myself, this classic churros spot opens its doors by 8 am.
Bar Antonio’s welcomes not-so-early birds at 9 am. Their tortilla de patata is legendary!
Have access to a small kitchen where you're staying? Let me know, and I'll take you to snag the best bread + tomato + jamon + cheese + olive oil combo for a DIY breakfast.😉
10:30 to 2:30pm | Rent Bikes or Walk to Mount Igeldo and Peine del Viento
I always encourage exploring the city from various vantage points to fully appreciate its beauty, and Mount Igeldo offers just that.
Rent bikes or stroll on foot to the ancient funicular (4 euros, roundtrip) that slowly yanks you up the mountain to some of the best views of the city. Capture the moment with picturesque snapshots while grabbing coffee or cocktails. Note that this bar in particular is not known for its food so I wouldn’t recommend using up your precious appetite here.
During the summer months, the nostalgic theme park is open. That means you can risk your life by riding the antique, wooden rollercoaster. The buwis buhay is worth it for the special breathtaking ocean views!😆
While you’re in this side of the city, might as well check out the art sculpture Peine del Viento. It’s. Right. There. Under Mount Igeldo! So don’t get tamad.💪
2:30-4:00pm | Fish & Seafood Lunch
Coastal city means grilled fish and gambas that are so juicy and tasty, you don’t need to drench it in garlic and oil.😳
4:30-5pm | Take the Ferry
There’s a tour that includes a boat ride plus a museum. There are also private boat tours. But if you just want a quick 30-minute ride around the bay, there’s a ferry we can get tickets to together at 7 euros per person.
Buy tickets in the booth here in advance. Or on the web.
The ferry will leave from here. Super close to the seafood restos!
6-9pm | Go on a Pintxos Tour
Before you start elbowing your way through the pintxos scene solo, consider joining a guided tour. Let an expert lead you through the top spots, offering insider tips on navigating the bustling bars. It'll save you a ton of hassle and ensure you don't miss out on any must-try bites.
Devour gives the best foodie tours of the city! Use this link to book the Ultimate Pintxos Tour and let me know the details so I can request to be your guide!🥳
Still hungry?
Tranki. I’ll send you my curated list of pintxos bars so you always go home with a happy tummy. But be warned, big groups make it tricky!
My jampacked Google Map gives you an idea of how many great bars and restaurants there are! Imma break it down for you in another post.
Chapter 6: More of San Sebastian
Are you here for the entire day or will you be going to Bilbao already? Anywho, here are more activities to do. Choose your own adventure! I suggest doing a half-day tour then leave the rest of the day to go back to the places you enjoyed the most. Oh, and to pack! Haha!
Half Day Options
Txakoli Winery + Getaria: Ideal for culture enthusiasts and white wine lovers! Explore the charming fishing village of Getaria and indulge in a tasting of Txakoli wine, all while soaking up the Basque coastal views.
Let me know if this is something you want to do!
Cooking Lessons: Calling all foodies and culinary enthusiasts! Delight in the art of Basque cuisine with a hands-on cooking class led by local chefs. Learn to prepare traditional dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients, and immerse yourself in the flavors of this gastronomic paradise.
Mimo Bite the Experience—highly recommended!
Hike to Pasaia: Perfect for intrepid travelers seeking to go off-the-beaten-path. Go on a scenic hike to the picturesque town of Pasaia, traversing part of the Camino Santiago.
You can do this on your own or we can go as a group so I can be your mountain guide.😅
Kayak or Stand-up Paddle: Those who got hooked on the views during the ferry ride can rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Glide past rocky cliffs and dock on the nearby island for a refreshing drink at the bar.
aloKAYAK (These guys rent from 2 different locations and also do tours!)
Don’t want to get soaked? Rent a boat!
Surf Lessons (just 1.5 hrs): For the sporty folks who crave an adrenaline rush while in this vibrant surf city. Already a pro? Rent a board!
Book Lessons:
Board Rentals:
Alright, folks, that's a wrap for now—It took me a whole day to write this and I need a break. Haha! Important To-Dos:
Secure your reservation for the Michelin-starred restaurant and mark that day off on your calendar.
Once that's sorted, we can lock in the date and confirm who will be going on the French coastal tour. The agency says that week is filling up fast! June 26 and 27 are still free.
We need to do the same for the Txakoli+Getaria tour.
The rest will follow! EXCITING!
Keep in touch. I’ll update this again when I have time. Safe travels! 🌟🍷🏄♂️🚣♀️🍳