San Sebastián — or Donostia as it’s known in Basque — is a coastal city in Spain’s Basque country, not far from the French border. Filled with ornate churches, grand palaces, and Art Nouveau buildings, San Sebastián is also home to a lovely stretch of sandy beach. As rich in history and as beautiful as the town is, what it’s most famous for is its food. People come from far and wide for traditional Basque cuisine as well as wildly innovative restaurants, and the city boasts the second most Michelin stars per head in the world. San Sebastián is home to the pintxo, which literally means a small bar snack skewered onto bread or potato to hold all the delicious toppings in place, and you’ll find pintxo bars all over town.

San Sebastián is also known for its array of festivals and events. From its famous annual film festival, which attracts Hollywood’s finest, to the Semana Grande street party, to culinary festivals showcasing the Basque love of food, there is almost always something happening in San Sebastián.

The city’s domestic airport — San Sebastián Airport (EAS) — accepts flights from cities like Madrid and Barcelona. It’s a 40-minute drive from the airport to the city centre, with a direct bus service available. If you’re arriving from the UK, the closest airport to fly into is Bilbao Airport (BIO), which accepts flights from cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow. From Bilbao, you can hop on the direct bus service, which takes around 75 minutes to transport you to San Sebastián. Alternatively, you could rent a car at the airport, offering the flexibility to explore the region at your own leisure. Once you arrive, the city isn’t too big, and it’s possible to explore most of it as a pedestrian. You also have the option to take the Dbus — San Sebastián’s local bus service, which covers the entire city as well as places further afield.

Summer in San Sebastián is filled with warm days and balmy nights for enjoying the beach as well as alfresco dining. In August, the city’s biggest festival, Semana Grande, takes centre stage with a full week of events celebrating Basque culture and heritage. Spring and autumn are great times to visit, as the area is a little quieter, but the weather remains sunny and pleasant. In March, when Carnivale takes hold people adorn elaborate costumes and dance and sing nonstop. In winter, the city experiences colder conditions, but the festivals don’t stop. St. Sebastián Day begins at midnight on January 20 with the raising of the flag in Plaza de la Constitución and continues with 24 hours of drumming, dancing, music, and food. Whenever you decide to visit, you’ll find a great range of accommodation in San Sebastian.

Old Town

The narrow alleys and cobbled streets of the beautiful Old Town (Parte Vieja) are a great place to spend an afternoon. At its centre is the Plaza de la Constitución, which plays host to many events throughout the year. Around the corner is the Iglesia de San Vicente — the oldest building in San Sebastian, dating back to the 12th century. The Old Town is also packed full of restaurants and pintxo bars where you can enjoy the city’s signature delights.

La Concha Beach

The beautiful La Concha Beach, right in the heart of the city, is shaped like a shell — hence its name. Stretching for several kilometres, the beach offers magical views of Santa Clara Island, which sits in the middle of the Concha bay, and of Mount Urgull to the right and Mount Igueldo to the left. In the summer, lifeguards patrol the beach, watching over swimmers of all skill levels.

Miramar Palace

The spectacular 19th-century Miramar Palace, situated between La Concha and Ondarreta beaches, once served as the summer home of the Spanish monarchy. The residence is surrounded by a lovely park, where you’ll be able to choose from many serene places to sit while you take in the beauty of the palace and ocean views.