San Sebastian city guide: Where to stay, eat, drink and shop in Spain’s gourmet hot spot San Sebastián might be known as one hell of a foodie destination – but it’s so much more, says Paul Stafford.
Currently, there are three restaurants with three Michelin star in San Sebastián and another nine with at least one star in the city’s satellite towns.
But San Sebastián is a different breed, concocted to satisfy the exacting demands of the Spanish Royal Court, which began summering in the city in the mid-19th century when Queen Isabella II was ordered to bathe in the Bay of Biscay waters to treat a skin condition.
One of the handful of surf hostels in San Sebastián’s Gros neighbourhood, Surfing Etxea is a modern space with ample lockable storage in four- or eight-bed dorm rooms.
Bar Sport, La Cuchara de San Telmo, Txepetxa Taberna and Bar Nestor are great starting points in the Old Town, while Bodega Donostiarra and Eguzki Berri are fine options in Gros.
