Travel bucket list idea:
San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain
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The Basque region is famed for its tasty pintxos, or small snacks
Seafood in all its forms is the star in San Sebastian, where chefs rival one another in inventiveness. Truffles and wild mushrooms, Iberian pork, succulent beef and exquisite seasonal vegetables; some Michelin-starred places have even started offering vegetarian menus.
Many chefs take pride in sourcing all their ingredients locally – many of which are beautifully displayed the city’s indoor market, the Mercado San Martin.
Look out for classics such as marmitako (seafood stew), bacalao pil-pil (cod fried in garlic, olive oil and chilli), hake koskera (in green sauce), txipirones (squid cooked in their own ink) and baked txangurro (spider crab); as well as rustic porrusalda (leek and potato soup), alubias de tolosa (black bean and pork stew) and Basque chicken stewed with red peppers and a range of lamb dishes.
For dessert, try Basque burnt cheesecake, or pastel vasco (almond and vanilla cake). They also make an excellent tangy Idiazabal sheep cheese. For drinks, there’s sidra (fizzy local cider), sparkling txakoli (tangy white wine) from Getaria and the lovely red wines of Rioja.
Also see our round-up of traditional Spanish foods you must try in Spain.
San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain
San Sebastian’s world-famous three-Michelin-star restaurant (since 1989!), run by Juan Mari Arzak and his daughter Elena Arzak, who won the prize for the world’s best female chef in 2012. There cellar holds some 100,000 bottles of wine.
Adult price: £40
Best for ages 18+
San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain
Right in the medieval centre, this contemporary bar uses the finest ingredients in its traditional and avant garde pintxos – their prawn skewers are famous. Good wine list too. Best to book a table as it fills up fast.
Best for ages 13+
San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain
Located just over the river in Gros, this bar has won prizes for its exquisite nibbles. You can make a meal of them (there’s a set menu) at one of the tables.
Best for ages 13+
Getaria, Basque Country, Spain
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A delightful fishing village with pretty architecture, food, beaches and superb wine – and it’s largely undiscovered by tourists.
San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain
Dine on cod dishes and steaks in this traditional cider house (sagardotegi), just outside San Sebastian. They’ve been making cider here for over 500 years. They offer guided tours of the apple orchards and cider works; their typical set menus are online.
Best for ages 18+
La Rioja, Spain
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World-class wine region offering a heady mix of great bodegas, gorgeous scenery and avant-garde architecture.
Best for ages 18+
San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain
San Sebastian’s central market, just in from La Concha bay, opened its doors in 1884, and underwent a complete transformation in 2006; along with traditional food stalls, San Martin now hosts concerts and cultural events.
Best for ages 13+
San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain
A 4-day annual foodie fest offers the chance to sample and savour a wide range of gastronomic delights, in Spain’s gourmet city.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 4 days
When: October
Frequency: annually
San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain
Txokos in San Sebastian are exclusive gastronomic societies aka private clubs that bring together food enthusiasts to gather, cook, and share meals. It’s a unique opportunity to experience the local Basque cuisine and meet local food connoisseurs. Access is by private, organised tour. Book a special visit in advance with San Sebastian Pintxos or Basque Tours.
Adult price: £Varies
Best for ages 18+
Duration: One evening
There are 11 Michelin starred restaurants in and around San Sebastian: Kokotxa, eMe Be Garrote, Mirador de Ulía, Alameda, Zuberoa and Elkano all have one star; Mugaritz and Amelia have two, and Akelarre, Arzak, Martin Berasategui have three.
Bars here specialising in pintxos (Basque tapas), small meals skewered on slices of bread with a toothpick, that local chefs have refined to a high culinary art. On at least one night, take a txikiteo (tapas crawl).
San Sebastian is also renowned for its members-only gourmet supper clubs, the txokos, where everyone cooks up gourmet delights to impress their friends; to enter you’ll need to bag an invite from a member or go on a special tour (see below). Also look out for Sagardotegi, traditional cider restaurants, specialising in grilled meats and fish, and home-made cider.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
San Sebastian
Price: €129
Min age: 0
Rating 4.91 / 5 [700 ratings]
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San Sebastian
Price: €175
Min age: 18
Rating 4.98 / 5 [443 ratings]
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San Sebastian
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Min age: 1
Rating 5 / 5 [83 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
San Sebastian
Price: €295
Min age: 1
Rating 4.98 / 5 [74 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
San Sebastian
Price: €180
Min age: 0
Rating 5 / 5 [70 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Basque Country, Spain
A grand but charming beach resort in northern Spain famous for its glut of Michelin-recognised restaurants and superb pintxos. Thie foodie destination is also a short hop from the world-class wines of La Rioja.
Basque Country, Spain
Fascinating ancient traditions, world-famous gourmet treats, Spain’s finest wine region and a gorgeous golden coastline.
