RT2015

Hi all,

I will be coming to San Sebastian for four nights in July (after four nights in Barcelona, where we will fly into from Australia). I am wondering where the best part of town to stay is? I see La Concha beach appears to be popular, but is this close to the 'town'? Is the old town the best part, and is that walking distance to the beach?

I am looking at Airbnb and most places don't seem to have air conditioning - which one of my friends would like and so would I if it is hot. However I have read on here that the temperatures in July should not be too high ..?

Thanks for your help!
RT

Robert2533

You seldom need A/C in Donostia, but over the last few years it has been useful in July, depending on where you stay.

San Sebastián-Donostia is a small coastal village, so most places are within an easy walking distance of the old quarter. I guess as long as you are actually staying in the city, everything should work.

RT2015

Thanks Robert2533. Is the La Concha beach area nice?

mikelg

You can go walking anywhere in SS, so don´t worry about location too much. And, as a local, I know nobody with A/C at home...not really needed except maybe a couple of weeks a year, if any.

kimhe

The La Concha Beach area is as good as it gets, right on the edge of the small city center and five minutes walking to the Parte vieja/Old town. The Parte vieja itself can be extremely noisy, so wouldn't recommend staying here if you're not partying long into the small hours.

I can recommend fine hotel standard and great value Hostal Alemana (private bath, AC, TV, safe, 24 desk, breakfast etc), 50 meters from the elegant La Concha beach promenade: http://hostalalemana.com/en/
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/host...ana.en-gb.html

And you have of course wonderful old world Hotel Londres right on the beach. Check out the new and fabulous attic rooms: http://www.hlondres.com/en/accommodation/attic
http://www.hlondres.com/en/

Hotel Niza is also an excellent option close by: http://en.hotelniza.com/

As in all over Spain, usually ten times more interesting and more affordable breakfast in a local bar than at the hotels. Nothing beats the smell, taste and atmosphere in a popular local breakfast place. Bar Ostarte - on the corner of C/San Martín and C/Marina - is very close to all the above and specializes in breakfast pintxos: http://www.foodspotting.com/places/7...-san-sebastian

RT2015

Thanks mikelg, always great to get a local's perspective. Can I ask if you have a view on Martin Berasategui's Michelin 3 star restaurant just out of town? I want to go as a special treat for my birthday, which will be our last night in Donostia. Is this a good choice or do you have another recommendation?

Thanks!

http://www.martinberasategui.com/es/inicio

RT2015

Thanks kimhe.

I though Airbnb might be the best value as we need three bedrooms and it should be cheaper to hire a house/apartment than three separate hotel rooms, plus we can then use the kitchen etc ..?

RT2015

Oh and I can't wait to try that breakfast kimhe, thanks!

kja

@ kimhe -- OMG, Bar Ostarte looks amazing! Once again, MANY thanks!

@ RT2015 -- sorry for jumping in on your thread.

RT2015

Don't say sorry kja!
A) you've given me lots of advice before and
B) that's what these forums should be for - helping everyone learn something new!

And I couldn't agree more re Bar Ostarte! I know where I will be having breakfast on July 9 ��

kimhe

Martin Berasategui's Michelin 3 star restaurant is of course fabulous. I have only been to 3 star Arzak, consistently considered to be one of the ten best restaurants in the world for some 25 years, and I also had the lunch of my life a little over a year ago in 3 star Akelarre with fantastic views over the rugged coast.

In other words, plenty of three star restaurants to choose among in San Sebastian, and you also have two star Mugaritz which is currently ranked #6 restaurant in the world: http://www.theworlds50best.com/list/...nners/mugaritz

Arzak is #8: http://www.theworlds50best.com/list/1-50-winners/arzak

Martin Berasategui is #35: http://www.theworlds50best.com/The-L...rasategui.html

And here is three star Akelarre: http://gastronomyblog.com/2010/06/04...san-sebastian/
Had a memory for life lunch here little over a year ago for about 100€ pp. We had the "Sea garden" appetizers, the traditional and local fish and shellfish soup "a la Donostiarra", Hake and its Kokotxa with Oyster and Oyster Leaf, Grilled Iberic “Secreto” with pepper seeds and garlic in three different versions (we had two half main dishes on their suggestion), chocolates and a couple of glasses of wine.

I will especially remember the Akelarre version of the fabulous San Sebastián fish and shellfish soup (which usually is excellent also in "normal" restaurants up here, highly recommended!), and the Hake and Kokotxa is perhaps the best thing I've ever eaten. This page gives you an idea: http://driftingepicure.com/2013/03/28/akelarre-review/

And I always dine in "normal restaurant" Urola when in San Sebastian, the kind of place locals take new visitors to show what the local food culture is all about. Same waitress last year as when I first visited in 1987: http://www.casaurolajatetxea.es/es/portada/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...e_Country.html

RT2015

Thanks kimhe! So many choices!!

mikelg

RT2015, Martin Berasategui is a great choice, as it would be Mugaritz or Akelarre (this one on top of mount Igeldo, enclosing the bay of SS). You can´t go wrong on any of these!

kimhe

And both my visits to Arzak (1996 and 2006) have been never to forget experiences. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...e_Country.html

Elena Arzak vas voted the world's best female chef in 2012, daughter of Juan Mari Arzak who started the Basque food revolution back in the early 80's: http://pursuitist.com/elena-arzak-na...t-female-chef/

Farher and daughter Arzak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN-zb7wdJzE

mikelg

Funny, Kimhe...but my experience at Arzak was far from satisfactory...noisy, tables too close, I had to return two dishes, service was no good at all...must be they had one of those bad days...

Robert2533

I've run into Juan Mari several times over the years (in Pamplona), but have only dined at Arzaks once, when Elena was first in the kitchen, expermenting. Like Mikel, I wasn't that impressed, but she has improved somewhat since then.

We tend to lean twords more traditional Basque cuisine, but do like Mugartiz and Akelarre. But then again, there are so many from which to choose.

RT2015

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for all the feedback. I have booked my San Sebastian accommodation and think we will choose either Miguel's restaurant or Akelarre for my indulgent birthday meal, perhaps for lunch on the Saturday.

RT

kimhe

If you go for lunch, nothing beats Akelarre and the views, and of course fabulous food. As said, the Hake and its Kokotxa here is perhaps the best thing I've ever eaten.

A long tradition for witchcraft in the Basque country, and Akelarre means "witches sabbath" in Basque. The restaurant definitely uses the witchcraft to create much positive magic... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akelarre_(witchcraft)

Supermum

Hi, did a month in Spain 2014, finished in San Sebastian for 3 nights June 10th...just gorgeous. Stayed at Hotel Niza right on the promenade. The rooms facing the beach are not aircond, the rooms at the back of the hotel facing the street are...the position is absolutely fantastic, a short walk along the promenade to the old town with it's unbeatable gastronomic delights...loved loved loved it. San Seb is expensive for accom but glad we stayed where we did, it was perfect and gorgeous cafes on the beach just below our window.