Day trips from San Sebastian, Spain

Old Jul 27th, 2013, 03:32 AM
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Day trips from San Sebastian, Spain

Hey there, my friend and I are in the Basque Region of Spain in San Sebastian for another 5 days and wanted to know what possible day trips there are to take from here. I've been looking into Saint Jean de Luz, but have no idea of how to go about planning. We have a great loft here in san sebastian so do not want to spend the night out elsewhere, simply go somewhere else for the day. Also, are there any recommendations of what to do while in San Sebastian other than beaches? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks


-Lela
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 04:09 AM
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Getaria is a nice litte fishing village just west of San Sebastián, hometown of the famous sailor and explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano, allegedly the first man to successfully complete a round-the-world naval voyage.

Bus from San Sebastián in some 30 mins. Fabulous fish and seafood in the restaurants down in the little harbour. Had the meal of my life here long ago, and they're still dead serious about their food. Was something like this: http://thepauperedchef.com/2007/12/elkano-in-getar.html

I also use to take first time vistors to the area to a lunch in pictoresque Donibane/San Juan some 5 km east of San Sebastián. Excellent seafood restaurants at the waterfront with great value three course lunch menus with wine included for some 15-20€. The local fish soup is to die for. The bus leaves from Plaza de Guipúzcoa in Central San Sebastián about once an hour and takes some 30 mins. You can also walk there along the stunningly beautiful coast in a couple of hours: http://www.euroresidentes.com/eurore...s/san-juan.htm

Restaurante Txulotxo: http://www.restaurantetxulotxo.com/index.html

All six restaurants in Donibane: http://www.etxekar.net/donigastronomia.html#

In San Sebastián you should visit the newly renovated Museo San Telmo from 1902, a "Museum of Basque Society and Citizenship" through the ages. On the outskirts of the Parte vieja/Old town: http://www.santelmomuseoa.com/index.php?lang=en

The Aquarium out in the little port: http://www.aquariumss.com/

The Naval Museum, also in the port: http://www.untzimuseoa.net/

Visit the Kursaal conference centre, home to the famous San Sebastián film festival. Just across the bridge over the city river Urumea and on the beach in the local feel Gros district. A fabulous restaurant in here (Ni Neu) and yearly more than 300 events, expositions etc. http://www.kursaal.com.es/English.asp

Concerts all around town for two more days during the yearly Jazzaldia festival. http://www.heinekenjazzaldia.com/en/

Buy some food down at the excellent La Bretxa food market at the edge of the Parte vieja and have a picnic up at Monte Urgull. A 15 min walk up and stunning views of both the city, the bay and the sea. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...e_Country.html

All about going for the world famous pintxos in food-crazy San Sebastián, suggested routes etc: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 04:18 AM
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... and San Sebastián is selected to be European Capital of Culture 2016, and the preparations have started: http://www.donostiasansebastian2016.eu/web/guest/inicio
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 04:50 AM
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My wife and I will be in SS for all of October. "kimhe" has given us several ideas in her post. Thank You and keep them coming. If you have a car and like wine you could head to the Rioja wine valley. Might require an overnight stay due to the wine tastings that are plentiful
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 04:55 AM
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... and you should see Palacio Miramar just above the beach and the Paseo de Miraconcha promenade. It has been the summer residence for both Franco and the king when in San Sebastián, and now it's the home of The Society for Basque Studies. http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres...e_miramar.html

Each year since about 1980, from late June to early September, there are high quality summer courses, seminars, professional conferences, workshops and congresses in a huge variety of topics out here. Arranged by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). http://udaikastaroak2.i2basque.es/in...sentation.html

Wonderful gardens for a walk and full action out here these days. Perhaps a little bite down in the bustling basement cafeteria with a vibrant summer course atmosphere? High quality language courses (with history, culture, art, excursions etc) every June and July: http://udaikastaroak2.i2basque.es/im...rsosPdf/N2.pdf
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 05:07 AM
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AND!!!

just found out that fabulous Concha Buika sings at Plaza de la Trinidad in the upper part of the Parte vieja/Old town tonight. A no miss! http://www.heinekenjazzaldia.com/en/artist/buika-2/
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 05:15 AM
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I didn't find St Jean de Luz particularly interesting or charming. It is full of tourists and tourist shops. I did think its companion port or Ciboure was more appealing, and the French coast has many pretty spots along the way. You might enjoy instead a trip to Espellette, which grows a distinctive pepper (which they sometimes put in chocolate).

A drive west along the Spanish Basque coast can be stunning. A trip to the Rioja wine country might be nice. If you go to the museum in Bilbao, be sure to see the Richard Serra installation inside.

Although I enjoyed poking around in Monte Igueldo, I found very little of interest to do culturally in San Sebastian other than eat pintxos -- and the pintxos are so fantastic I wasn't bored for a second. But if you like to be active, you should look up some hikes and information about the neighboring towns.
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 05:17 AM
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PS: What I'm suggesting requires renting a car, except for a trip to Bilbao, which you can do by bus.
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 05:32 AM
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Just stressing that tonights concert with Latin grammy winner Concha Buika in Plaza de la Trinidad in the Parte Vieja could very easily be the highlight of your trip.

She has toured Barcelona, Cartagena and Madrid this week, and ends tonight in San Sebastián at 9pm. Raving reviews in Telegraph a week ago: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/m...ga-review.html
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 05:54 AM
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You could take E21 bus to Hondaribbia, approx. 25 min. Go to Plaza Armas where the parador is. There is a TI there and often cultural activities and even wedding celebrations right in the square. From Hondaribbia you can take a boat for about 4 euros to go to Hendaye, France, only 15 minutes, and have a meal at a restaurant on the beautiful beach. Take the E20 back but check the times as I think the latest bus back is at 9:30 p.m.
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 09:19 AM
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kimhe, we are there (SS) for all of October. Is there a website to get concert dates? A local magazine or newspaper with musical events while we are there?
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 09:24 AM
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From some reason, people rarely recommend the cider hosues near San Sebastian. They will give you tastes of the various ciders in a very dramatic style and then you can have steak as well.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...0-cider-houses
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 09:33 AM
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The tourism website, covering the city, gives details of what is on:
http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/i...dioma=cas&id=T
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 10:10 AM
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Travelbound44,

Kutxabank is the main site for tickets to concerts in San Sebastián: https://ticket.kutxabank.es/janto/ma...dProvincia=20#

Perhaps you will be interested in the huge gastronomical congress Oct 6-9 in the Kursaal with some 200 stalls for tasting etc?
http://www.sansebastiangastronomika.com/en/index.php

And concerts all the time in Kursaal: http://www.kursaal.com.es/English.asp

And watch out for what happens in Gazteszena. One of the greatest flamenco dancers in the world Rocío Molina danced here earlier this year:
http://www.victoriaeugenia.com/teatr...gazteszena.php

And of course, Teatro Victoria Eugenia itself: http://www.victoriaeugenia.com/teatr....php?idioma=en

You could also follow the "Ocio y Cultura" section of the main local newspaper El Diario Vasco: http://www.diariovasco.com/mas-actualidad/cultura/
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 01:52 PM
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We are staying 50 meters from the Kursaal. Thanks for all the info. we will definitely attend the Gastronomical Congress, YUMMY Don't speak or read a lot of Spanish. Wish the local newspaper was in English. Can't win them all.
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Old Jul 27th, 2013, 02:02 PM
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San Sebastian is also known as Donostia which is the Basque name. And many signs will just be in Basque. Basque is a non-Indo-European language of unknown origin.
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Old Jul 28th, 2013, 02:00 AM
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A little more about the city name:
Donostia is the direct Basque translation of San Sebastián, and the city is now often referred to as Donostia-San Sebastián. The dona/dono/doni element in Basque place-names signifies "saint" and is derived from Latin domine. The second part "stia" is a shortened form of Sebastián.
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Old Jul 28th, 2013, 06:24 AM
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Thank you all so much for your help!

Kimhe, Thinking of checking out the two nearby towns/fishing villages you recommended. Sounds like a nice getaway from SS and good sea food. Do you have any particular restaurant suggestions in SS that are not Michelin star prices? Want to get a good plate of Basque food but at a somewhat reasonable price (not pinxos!)

Thanks again!

Lela
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Old Jul 28th, 2013, 06:35 AM
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We stayed in both San Sebastian and Getaria - and I want to confirm that Elkano is still amazing. It is not inexpensive, though, so be aware. It wasn't even just the fish that was fabulous -- it was the bread, the dessert -- don't miss the "cheese ice cream." We ate at a number of world famous restaurants while we were there, and in terms of food enjoyment, start to finish, Elkano tied for us number one with Asador Extebarri.

We had lunch at a place right on the harbor in Getaria -- just sat down at an open outdoor table, and had an absolutely amazing lunch -- such fresh fish and seafood grilled on the spot.

There's a wonderful walk up the hill to where the lighthouse is in Getaria as well. There's a pedestrian path along the coastway that parallels the highway which we saw alot of people out on. And, the museum about Balenciaga (a Getaria native) was interesting.
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Old Jul 28th, 2013, 06:36 AM
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in SS, I recommend the La Perla spa. It was quite fun to go through this series of water experiences (including a few surprises).
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