San Sebastian
 

We will be spending three nights in San Sebastian in September and I would like advice on how to spend our time. We are considering a tour guide for the Basque region of SW France (Biarritz, St. Jean de Luz, etc.). That will take about eight hours. We also want to walk city and take in the tapas bars, etc. Will we need a guide to familiarize ourselves with the city, or is it small enough for self-guide? Is there enough time to go to Bilbao for a quick trip or enough to and see in San Sebastian?

Thanks for any advice.

Far and away the main draw of San Seb is the food! We spent 3 days there (in May) and two days the weather was crap - we went to the aquarium which was pleasant enough. On the nice day, we rode bikes along the promenade. I think your tour guide is a good idea since nice or nasty weather, it should be an interesting day. The other days I'd plan on just roaming around SS if the weather is nice, if not, take the bus to Bilbao. There really are not alot of sights in SS (except the amazing pinxtos displays).

It typically rains one out of every three days in San Sebastian-Donostia, which is normal in Green Spain. If it's reining, wait a few minutes and the weather will change. The city has three beautiful beaches, which will be still be crowded in early September. You can walk La Chocha Beach from one end to the other at low time, or along the promenade anytime day or night, high or low tide. September is also when the San Sebastian International Film Festival takes place, this year from the 19th to the 27th.

San Sebastian is know as the gastronomic capital of the Basque country, but you will find great cuisine throughout the region, although the French Basque country, the Pays Basque, is somewhat different, both in dining hours and cuisine.

Going with a guide on a pintxos tour in SS has its advantages, but you have to go with the right one. The best, of course, is Gabriella of Tenedor Tours (http://tenedortours.com). She is one of the most knowledgeable, has been at it for more than 15 years and knows every chef. Most of the others are late comers, with few exceptions.

It's best to have your own transportation to visit the Pays Basque, unless you don't mind taking the bus up to Biarritz or Saint-Jean-de-Luz and cutting the day short because of the bus schedule.

But with only three days in Donostia, I would stay and enjoy everything the city has to offer, which some people seem to have missed. It might also be useful for you to read Maribel's Guide to the País Vasco and Pays Basque.

Oh I don't think I was clear - IMO you do not need a guide in San Seb., either for the city or pinxtos. Look around a little on the internet - I don't remember the website but I found alot of info on the different bars and food choices - even suggested self done walking tours. The city, at least the core, is fairly easy to walk. They have the public rent-a-bike program around town if that would appeal. I DO think a guide for a day around the region would be a good idea. esp. since getting around by public transportation is a bit spotty (but the bus to Bilbao is easy - peasy). Enjoy!

This link is the guide to tapas in San Sebastián/Donostia:
http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

It´s a small town and very manageable, but you may need to know in advance about the pintxos etiquette and how to do it right. A guide may be needed if you want to get out of town and visit the coastal towns, full of charm and authenticity. On the rest of questions, just follow Robert´s advice.