San Sebastian Holidays

City breaks to San Sebastian

San Sebastian, or Donostia to the locals, brings together the best bits of Spain in a single setting. Think sweeping sands and surf, rolling mountainside views, and grand architecture – this place pairs bustling city culture with calming coast and countryside. The city’s a haven for foodies – it has the most Michelin stars per capita in all of Europe. That’s not to say the food here’s exclusively high-end. If you love Spanish tapas, then you’ll live for the Basque tradition of pintxos, pronounced ‘pinchos’. Small, skewered bites are displayed alongside drinks in dedicated pintxos bars. They’re perfect on-the-go snacks to keep you fuelled up as you bar hop your way around the city. You can see the influence of the place’s long-standing popularity with Spanish royalty in its ornate buildings and bridges. It’s not a case of style over substance here, though. San Sebastian plays host to international festivals and art spaces, putting Basque culture firmly on the map.

Admire the sea sculptures of Eduardo Chillida

The Piene del Viento is a series of steel sculptures created by Basque artist Eduardo Chillida in 1976. Each one takes the shape of a twisted comb, and they’re embedded within the rocks along the city’s coastline. Over time, they’ve been shaped by the crashing waves, becoming part of the landscape. The best place to catch a glimpse of the sculptures is from La Concha beach.