San Sebastian
San Sebastian is a stylish city located on the Basque coast of north west
Spain just 20km from the French border. It has long been an attractive resort
for the wealthy who escape the overpowering heat of the interior during the
summer months and as a result property prices in San Sebastian remain amongst
the highest in the country.
The city spreads around the famous La Concha beach which is packed in July
and August with a huge number of visitors. The other beaches of Playa de
Ondarreta to the west and Playa de la Zurriola to the east are also popular and
attract a lot of surfers looking to ride the Atlantic waves. Inland are the
beautiful green mountain landscapes of Guipúzcoa of which San Sebastian is the
provincial capital. The city is a great base from which to discover the whole of
País Vasco (the Basque Country).
You'll find more Michelin star restaurants in San Sebastian than in any other
city in Spain. You can also sample some excellent tapas in the many bars of the
old quarter (La Parte Vieja) where you simply take a plate from the barman and
select whatever you fancy from the vast selection of freshly prepared dishes
which are laid out on the bar. If you fancy a drink with the locals just wander
around the tiny streets of the old quarter and you'll find the biggest
concentration of bars in the whole country.
As a resort San Sebastian has been particularly fashionable since 1912 when the
Queen opened a grand hotel here in her name. Today the Hotel Maria Cristina is a
member of the leading hotels of the world group. There is a small selection of
other fine hotels here but not sufficient to cater for the summer influx of
visitors so be sure to make advance reservations.
September is another popular time for tourists when the San Sebastián
International Film Festival takes place and the second half of July is the
annual International Jazz Festival. The biggest annual event is Aste Nagusia
which is a full week of partying in mid-August which includes traditional Basque
music and dance as well as gastronomic and sporting events (plus drinking and
fireworks of course). Dates vary so check plans for this year at the
San Sebastian
Tourist Information Website.
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