San Sebastian

San Sebastian first rose to prominence on an international level due to the skin allergies of Queen Isabella II. She was advised by her doctor to bathe in the Bay of Biscay, long known for its therapeutic properties. Before long, she was making annual summer visits to the beach town known as San Sebastian, bringing hundreds of aristocrats with her. The rapid popularity brought the Basque capital wealth and development over time. In 1864, the ancient city walls were demolished and an expansion began, beginning with the magnificent legacy of Art Nouveau architecture that still stands today.

On an international level, San Sebastian is known best for its dazzling gastronomy. The Basque capital is not only the beating heart of Spain's food scene, but it's considered one of the world's greatest culinary destinations. This ranges from its famous rustic local taverns serving pintxos, the quintessential Basque version of tapas, to its insane concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants. Whether you find yourself hopping from one rustic pintxo bar to the next or at an upscale dining establishment, the culinary creativity of the Basque chefs is always on full display. It doesn’t stop there, however, as San Sebastian is a cultural hub, packed with year-round festivities and international events, with street parties that go well into the night.

For an action-packed visit, head to San Sebastian during the summer months when you’re guaranteed sunny beach days and street parties that don’t stop until late into the night. During the shoulder seasons, the Basque capital is a little more tame and plays host to international events such as the San Sebastian International Film Festival. The San Sebastian Airport is well-connected with regular flights to Madrid, Barcelona and most major European destinations.When you head into a pintxos bar, you’ll see that you’re free to grab the small eats stabbed with a toothpick as you please. When you ask your waiter for the bill, they will typically count the amount of toothpicks on your plate and calculate the amount.