San Sebastian, Spain
Summer3 days48-Hour Escapes

San Sebastian Food Trip

San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastian has more Michelin stars per square metre than almost anywhere on earth, but thats not really why you go. You go for the pintxos crawl - 3 euros at a time, bar after bar, until you cant move. Then you do it again.

Day by Day

Day 1

Morning.
Coffee on La Concha beach, walk the bay.
Afternoon.
Old town wander, first pintxos crawl - Bar Nestor, La Cuchara de San Telmo.
Evening.
Sunset at Monte Igueldo, dinner more pintxos.

Day 2

Morning.
Slow beach morning, swim if its warm.
Afternoon.
Gros neighbourhood - newer wave pintxos at Bergara Bar.
Evening.
Splurge dinner if you want - Mugaritz, Arzak, Akelarre.

Day 3

Morning.
Day trip option to Hondarribia or Bilbao.
Afternoon.
Back for last pintxos round.
Evening.
Easy night, Basque cider house if you havent been.

Where to Stay

  • Budget. Pension Aida - simple, central.
  • Mid-range. Hotel Lasala Plaza - lovely, central, modern.
  • Splurge. Hotel Maria Cristina - belle epoque grand dame.

Where to Eat

  • Bar Nestor

    Tortilla and steak, two seatings, get there at noon.

  • La Cuchara de San Telmo

    Hot pintxos from the kitchen. Order the cheek.

  • Bergara Bar

    In Gros, the new-wave pintxos crowd.

One local tip nobody tells you

Pintxos arent buffet - the good stuff is hot and made to order. Look at the chalkboard, dont just grab from the bar.

Gallery

San Sebastian 1
San Sebastian 2
San Sebastian 3
San Sebastian 4