{"id":50155,"date":"2023-08-11T22:01:05","date_gmt":"2023-08-12T02:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gentologie.com\/?p=50155"},"modified":"2026-03-10T16:22:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T20:22:39","slug":"san-sebastian-in-4-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gentologie.com\/en\/travel\/destinations\/europe\/spain\/san-sebastian-in-4-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"San Sebasti\u00e1n in 4 steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For the past few years, I have been lucky enough to spend half of my time in my favourite region of Spain, Donostia-San Sebasti\u00e1n. Family and work brought me to the Spanish Basque Country, only a 5-hour train ride from Paris and Madrid. Donostia is the Basque name and it is customary to call the city this way in both languages. It is a beautiful region at the intersection of the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Sea. Today, I wanted to introduce you to four aspects
of the region: gastronomy, culture, sea and mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gastronomy of San S\u00e9basti\u00e1n<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Foie-gras-pintxo\"
A foie gras Pintxo
Photo: Donostia San Sebastian Turismoa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Let\u2019s begin this journey by diving into the depth of our plates. First of all, you should know that this region has one of the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants per capita. Innovation and culinary research are major economic drivers in the region, where the Faculty of Gastronomic Sciences brings in professionals from all over the world looking to improve their knowledge. In fact, the institution is expanding with the addition of a new pavilion in the centre of the city, resulting from an international architectural competition won by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foodie? This probably made you hungry. There are two types of experiences you can find. Firstly, there is urban experience. You must try the pintxos (pinchos in Castilian). They are between the size of tapas and small meals. They express the same care, style and refinement as your favourite pastries, but they are all savory. For example, I recently had the \u00e9clair, which was the same size as a standard chocolate \u00e9clair, but filled with onion, Idiazabal cheese and truffle mayonnaise. A real delight! Foie gras pintxos are also a local classic that you must try. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Txuleta-cooking\"
The txuleta cooking
Photo: Donostia San Sebastian Turismoa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The second culinary experience is more gastronomic. You can choose your favourite cooking style, such as fusion, molecular, or traditional cuisine that highlights the best products of the country side. For example, try a braised rib steak, txuleta (a Basque-style \u201cTomahawk\u201d), an octopus cooked over charcoal or a fresh sea bream. It is presented to you before cooking, paid by weight, grilled in the parrilla and served with a Morado garlic-infused oil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In opposition to the first experience, these establishments are often located outside the city and the decor ranges from ultramodern to traditional, refined, or very rustic. Sometimes, you may even find yourself on the second floor of one of the huge old family houses typical of this mountain region. It goes without saying that the Basque coast is a true paradise for cold-water fish and shellfish, and that cooking with charcoal takes our Atlantic catches to the maximum level of flavour. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Dinner-at-sunset---San-Sebasti\u00e1n---Spain\"
Dinner at sunset
Photo: Donostia San Sebastian Turismoa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Expect many, many dishes. Unlike on our side of the Atlantic, menus over there include an appetizer and two main courses. The first is plant-based, and the second is meat-based. Vegetables are really important there, from the lettuce that grows in the restaurant\u2019s own garden to the vegetables that arrive from the south of the Pyrenees in the Navarra region. This reminds me of a dish of fresh artichokes that are fried and served with aioli: a delight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, it should be paired with a drink. Besides the delicious Spanish beers, you have to try the Txakoli, a very fine and mineral pearly white wine. Cider also holds an important place in the cuisine of Donostia. If you\u2019re interested in the more classic red wines, you are also 1 hour away from the exceptional Rioja<\/a> region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to eat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For the Pintxos, you can simply visit one bar after another. A pintxo and a pint. You will have eaten the equivalent of a full meal after 4 or 5 places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La cuchara de San Telmo Abuztuaren<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

31 Kalea, 28
20003 Donostia-San Sebasti\u00e1n
Guipuscoa, Spain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gandarias Abuztuaren<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

31 Kalea, 24
20003 Donostia-San Sebasti\u00e1n
Guipuscoa, Spain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-end Restaurant<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Restaurant Arotxa<\/strong>
Santa Catalina, 34
31792 Bertizarana
Navarra, Spain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Restaurant Akelarre<\/strong>
Aita Orkolaga Pasealekua, 56
20008 Donostia-San Sebasti\u00e1n
Guipuscoa, Spain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay in San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Hotel-Maria-Christina---San-Sebasti\u00e1n---Spain\"
Hotel Maria Christina
Photo: Donostia San Sebastian Turismoa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It would be impossible to overlook the Maria Christina, one of the most prestigious hotels in the area. Every year, this historical monument welcomes distinguished guests to the San Sebastian International Film Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another interesting experience is the possibility of renting a variety of huge Basque villas and inns, either in rooms or in their entirety.
The views there are stunning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hotel Maria Christina<\/strong>
Argentinako Errepublikaren Kalea, 4
20004 Donostia-San Sebasti\u00e1n
Guipuscoa, Espagne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Culture<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"San-Sebasti\u00e1n-International-Film-Festival---Spain\"
The San Sebasti\u00e1n International Film Festival
Photo: Donostia San Sebastian Turismoa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This is the epicentre of Basque culture. The historical side is important along with the gastronomy I mentioned earlier: the architecture (editor\u2019s note: Mr. Pellerin has a background in architecture), from the old town and its fishing village style to the centre buildings that closely resemble Paris and the Belle \u00c9poque style. Fashion is also very prominent in this area. There\u2019s plenty of high fashion chic mixed with the comfort and relaxed style of the surfers and outdoor enthusiasts who roam the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You wouldn\u2019t want to miss the film festival that takes place there: the San Sebastian International Film Festival<\/a>. Imagine Cannes, but smaller and more discreet. This is a festival on a human scale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n