Travel Journal

After our whirlwind tour of Barcelona, we decided to slow things down a bit. We caught a short flight to San Sebastián and settled into an apartment in the old town for four nights. It was a welcome change of pace and a perfect opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local culture.

San Sebastián is a true paradise for food lovers. The narrow streets are lined with countless fantastic restaurants and charming pintxos bars. Pintxos are a type of tapas unique to this region, and the tradition is to hop from bar to bar, sampling a couple of small plates and enjoying a small glass of beer or cider at each stop. This makes for a fun and social dining experience. The prices are very reasonable, and the local Rioja wines are not only affordable but also very enjoyable.

The town itself is beautiful, with a lovely beach that is perfect for relaxing. Everything in San Sebastián is conveniently close, making it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding Basque region. The Basque Country is quite distinct from the rest of Spain and France. It has its own language, culture, and cuisine. During our stay, there was a major rugby festival taking place in San Sebastián. The town was buzzing with enthusiastic supporters, some of whom had travelled from as far as Paris.

One thing to note is that signage in the Basque Country is primarily in Basque, followed by Spanish or French, and then English. However, most people we encountered spoke at least a little English, which made getting around relatively easy. Unlike other tourist hotspots like Provence or the Côte d’Azur, San Sebastián retains a more local feel, attracting many Spanish and French tourists rather than large crowds from further afield.

We decided to rent a car to explore the area further. The airport runway in San Sebastián actually touches the Spanish-French border, making it very convenient to explore both countries. Our first adventure took us across the border to the coastal resort towns of Biarritz and Bidart. Both towns boast stunning beaches and picturesque views. We also visited Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a charming town with beautiful boutique shops. The motorways are excellent and fast, although you will encounter several toll roads. It’s worth mentioning that most rental cars here are manual, not automatic, and smaller vehicles are easier to navigate through narrow streets and park in underground car parks.

Another highlight of our trip was a drive west to Bilbao to visit the famous Guggenheim Museum. The museum itself is an architectural marvel, with impressive outdoor sculptures. The giant spider sculpture and the floral puppy are particularly striking and have become star attractions. The art inside the museum is equally impressive, making it a must-visit destination for any art lover.

Overall, our time in San Sebastián was an unforgettable experience. The combination of delicious food, beautiful scenery, and rich culture made it a perfect destination. Whether you’re a foodie, a beach lover, or an art enthusiast, San Sebastián has something to offer. We left with our hearts full and our taste buds thoroughly satisfied, already planning our next visit to this incredible part of the world.