San Sebastian is one of the best tourist destinations in Northern Spain. The place offers a wide range fun and activities for travelers. It has attractive sceneries, beautiful beaches, superb cuisine, and great customs and traditions.
San Sebastian is Spain s summer capital. It is also called Donostia in the Basque language. It is located around La Concha Bay and surrounded with green mountains. The spectacular view can be seen at the top of the Mount Urgull and Mount Igueldo. The city has a population of about 200,000. Its popularity makes it one of the most expensive cities in Spain.
There are three popular beaches here. Playa de la Concha is the largest and ideal for swimming, kayaking, sail boating, and sunbathing. Playa de Ondarreta which means “little beach” is a nice place to watch the sailboats. Strolling along the small parks could also be an option for relaxation. Playa de la Zurriola is the perfect beach for surfing enthusiasts. The city has fishing pier and leisure pier with full of motor boats and yachts.
One of the finest places to visit is Parte Vieja. It is a large area situated at the north of the city. Along the narrow streets are small shops, bars, and restaurants. The two main churches can also be found in Parte Vieja. Santa Maria Basilica is considered to be the most important. Gothic Church of San Vicente is believed to be the oldest building in the city.
Museums are some of the great attractions in the city. San Telmo Art Museum displays ethnographic collections, beautiful paintings, sculptures, and frescoes. Naval Museum exhibits tools used for traditional shipbuilding. It also showcases the history and development of ships, navigational instruments, ports, and trades in the Basque country. Diocesan Museum displays religious art of San Sebastian s Diocese like paintings and images.
Festivals happen throughout the year in San Sebastian. International Film Festival is held every September, one of the most prestigious film festivals in whole Europe. Jazz Festival features excellent musicians from all over the world, and is celebrated every July. Meanwhile, the Street Zinema Festival features urban cultures and contemporary art.
San Sebastian Day known as the “Tamborrada” is the most celebrated festival for “Donastiarras” held every 20th day of January. Adults dress as cooks while soldiers march the whole night to the beat of the drums. Adults usually go to gourmet clubs or “sociedades gastronomicas” for dinner. They also have Tamborradas for kids. Children from different schools march that day with their respective costumes.
Semana Grande is celebrated every August. The highlight of the festival is the fireworks display competition; it is held at night in the bay. There are also brass bands and musical performances on the streets.
Basque Week is the longest festival celebrated at the beginning of September; it features events related to Basque culture. The event includes Basque pelota, stone lifting or dragging contest, oxen wagers, dance exhibitions, and cider tasting. They also host a rowing boat competition. It is participated by teams coming from different towns of the Bay of Biscay.
This vacation destination is also known for its delicious Basque gourmet snacks called the pintxos. It can be found on the counter of every bar. Cider is a favorite drink in the city. It tastes like pure apple juice with a mix of alcohol. Visitors go to cider territories to taste this most loved beverage.
The weather here is seasonal. The temperature during summer goes up to 70°F and 50°F in winter. It tends to be foggy since it is surrounded with bodies of water. Summer is the best time to visit to enjoy the beautiful view of the sea coast.
Tourists may go to the delightful hotels for accommodation. Mercure San Sebastian is located near the historic monument Palacio Miramar and Naval Museum. It offers a lot of amenities and good parking facilities. NH Aranzazu Hotel is situated close to Playa de Ondarreta and Playa de la Concha.
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