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Highlights of San Sebastian

Chateau de la Mota

This classic castle, on top of Mount Urgull, was one of the first defensive points in San Sebastian. It was built in the 12th century and today is part of a public park. This monument has played an important part in San Sebastian’s history because it defended them from many invasions, especially those from France. At one point San Sebastian fell into French control and for many years the city went back and forth between the two sides. Today you can hike up to the Castle de la Mota and then up to the Statue of the Sacred Heart.

Pintxos Bar Crawl

Eating tapas, or pintxos as they are called in Basque country, is an unforgettable experience for your mouth. Here in San Sebastian it is the only way to eat, and the best way to go about doing it is to sample different pintxos at every bar on the street. So, it really is a social event as well. Many times bars will have a specialty, so be sure to try only one or two at a time! Seafood is common as San Sebastian is a port city, but if you don’t like seafood, don’t worry, there are plenty of other options. Pintxos are served on top of a piece of bread and are displayed on the bar top, ready for your choosing. The best ones are in the Old Town, which is the second oldest neighborhood in the city, and is sandwiched between a river and the bay.

San Sebastian is Spain’s culinary capital, and in 2016 won the European Capital of Culture prize, which is awarded to cities in order to bring Europeans closer together by highlighting the richness and diversity of cultures as well as their common heritage. Hemmingway himself once described San Sebastian as a good place to get to grips with oneself, and then to have some serious fun!

Mirimar Palace

The Spanish monarchy used to vacation in San Sebastian, and in order to live comfortably during the summer they bought an estate from the Count of Moriana, and ordered an English architect to build a summer home. In 1931 the palace briefly became property of the San Sebastian local government until Franco’s regime, when the mansion was returned to the Royal Family. In 1972 it was bought by the local government and today it’s a museum open to the public. Its grounds are green, filled with flowers, and provide a relaxing view of the ocean.

Old Town

The best pinxtos can be found in the many bars and restaurants here in the Old Town. It is one of the city’s most iconic places to explore and enjoy the fun, relaxing atmosphere. Old Town is the second oldest neighborhood in San Sebastian and is protected on one side by the sea and on the other by a river. One must-see sight is the Plaza de la Constitución because it is where bullfights used to be held, and the number above each window represents the seating box of the bullring! 2 of the biggest churches in the city also call the Old Town their home.

Maritime Museum

San Sebastian used to be of great importance as a port and then later as a vacation destination for Spain’s royalty. Its maritime museum is right in the harbour and helps conserve its naval history as well as educate people.

Kursaal

The Kursaal is a building that first opened its doors as a casino in 1921 and is now, after having been re-designed by Rafael Moneo in 1995, a conference hall. However, it is not just any cultural center, it stands out among the other buildings in the area and is right on the beach. It was designed to look like two beached rocks and to “emphasize the harmony between the natural and the artificial”. The Kursaal also won one of the most prestigious contemporary architecture awards in Europe!

Mount Igueldo Funicular

If you’ve seen a map of San Sebastian, you’ll know the city is framed by two mountains, Mount Igueldo and Mount Urgull. You can climb both, but there is an old funicular (cable railroad that goes up and down) on Mount Igueldo, with a small amusement park and some pretty incredible views at the top. It has some of the most iconic views of San Sebastian, and there is a small lighthouse that you can climb up to get the best view of the mountain and the city.

Bahía de la Concha

The Conch Bay is the iconic image of San Sebastian. With its mile long white beach and perfect waves for surfing, it’s no wonder that it’s considered to be one of the best city beaches in Europe. Around the bay is the Concha Promenade, which is fun to walk or bike around and offers a great view of the sea no matter where you are. There is also an island in the bay with its own set of activities.