San Sebastian or Donostia (as it is called in the Euskera dialect), is the capital of Gipuzcoa, Spain’s smallest province. The city is easy enough to explore on foot with many classic 19th century buildings and lots of cobblestoned pedestrian streets lost in the parte vieja (old quarter) to get lost in.
From our hotel, it was an easy 10-minute walk to Zurriola beach , flanked by Monte Ulia on one side and Monte Urgull on the other. It is where surfers enjoy the waves and to the famous convention center – Kursaal where one of the four Martin Berasategui–managed restaurants is located (the daily set menu is a steal at 16.10 euros on weekdays and 19.50 on the weekends).
From there, you can continue on the boardwalk crossing the Urumea river on the Puente Zurriola and head towards the old quarter. Here in the parte vieja, you will find the Basilica Sta. Maria del Coro, San Sebastian’s patron saint church, which was the only building that remained after a fire in 1813. If you look in the opposite direction, you can catch a glimpse of the the neo-Gothic spires of the Buen Pastor Cathedral. In the same neighborhood is the Plaza de la Constitucion, is a large open square where cafe tables are set up. It’s interesting to see the numbered balconies surrounding the square from when the plaza used to be a bullring and these same balconies were used as private boxes.


Dining at the port is a pleasant experience especially in the long days of summer when it stays light till late. After our meal, we strolled over along the boardwalk of La Concha beach with the rest of the Donostiarras (as the residents of San Sebastian are called) enjoying their early evening paseo.
San Sebastian is beautiful and well worth visitng. The fantastic restaurants are a plus as well.
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wow! beautiful. lucky you 🙂
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