The Basque cuisine is famous within Spain and arguably it is where you will find the best food. Much of this fame comes from San Sebastian and its bars and restaurants. Although tapas were invented in Andalucia they became perfected in San Sebastian and a walk through the old town before lunch time with its many bars shows why. Each bar is bursting with tapas and they look very delicate. Tapas are generally enjoyed together with a glass of wine or a small beer, and the Spanish tradition suggests to have one tapa and a wine in one bar and move on to the next bar.

A lot of people will substitute dining out on a main meal for Tapas. A Tapa Crawl allows you to enjoy as many plates as you want in any one of the numerous tapas bars scattered all over San Sebastian. Subsequently you can enjoy a more varied culinery experience in some of the best restaurants on offer anywhere in Spain.

A great place to eat out is around the harbour area, specially if fresh sea food is to your taste, there are also more simple harbour taverns to enjoy.

There really is a great choice of fine homely Hostels in San Sebastian . Arguably one of the best must be the Hospedaje Donosti -B&B which has received the HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2010 - Ranked top 3 for 'Cleanliness' in Europe, located in San Marciel 33 this hostel has a great atmospher and is near the beaches.

Other top rated hostels in the city include the Pension San Juan located in Calle San Juan num.13 - 3, located in the 'Old Town' between the beaches of San Sebastian, La Concha and Zurriola (Gros) the 'surf beach'. Another popular choice is the Guesthouse Ongi Etorri in Calle San Juan Num 3, again located in the old town. Hostal Olga located in Calle Zabaleta num 49 in Zurriola ,and arguably the nicest, most picturesque part of the city and has great sea views. The Pension Goiko located in Calle Puerto 6 some 5-10 minutes to Kursaal and Zurriola (surf beach) and regularly gets a rating of 90% and over by clients staying at this fine Hostel.

Other Hostels of note include the Adore Plaza, Beti Anayak Guesthouse , Guesthouse Ongi Etorri, Hospedaje Kati, Kaixo Hostel, Lagunak B&B, Lau Buru, Loinaz Pension, Pension Aries, Pension Ira-Flor, Pension Joakina, Pension Zurriola Waves, Roger's House, the Umoreonabi Guesthouse and the Uzturre Guesthouse.

PAMPLONA ( a famous neighbour )

Some 82 kms South East of San Sebastian lies the city of Pamplona most famous for the Running of the Bulls. Ernest Hemmingway the American writer adored the spectacle of the Bull Run which is part of the Sanfermines fiestas held each year between the 6th and 15th of July. For full details on Pamplona and running with bulls visit Pamplona


back