san sebastian, barcelona
 

My husband and I are planning a 2 week trip to Spain next year. We have a bit of flexibility in the dates (generally June-August). We are thinking of an apartment in each city, but wonder if a week in Barcelona is too long? If we rent a car and drive from San Sebastian to Barcelona where are interesting places to stay along the way? While in San Sebastian we will be making several day trips to Bilbao. Is this advisable? We prefer to have an apartment and put down roots rather than frequently changing hotels.

IMO Barcelona, the city itself, has alot more to do than SSebast. But there are quite a few daytrips you can do in the SS area. When you check out apartments in SS be sure to ask about parking, esp. if you are close in. Enjoy!

This is the trip we took from San Sebastian to Barcelona.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...90654780/show/

With two weeks and a car (after Barcelona) you might want to consider staying in the Basque countryside rather then in SS itself. I'd opt for only 4 days in Barcelona, two on the road, driving to the Rioja and up to SS via Pamplona. The car will give you the freedom, the extra days the chance to explore one of the most beautiful regions of northern Spain and the south of France.

thanks for your thoughts. Sounds good.

I recommend to go into the Pyreenes between Barcelona and San Sebastián. Bielsa, Torla and Isaba are some of my favourite villages along this route, quite spectacular landscapes and ideal for a relaxed meal and a good night's sleep along the way. Perhaps the Parador in Bielsa?: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/para...bielsa.en.html
Torla: https://www.google.no/search?q=Torla...w=1600&bih=775

San Sebastián is the food capital of Spain if not all of Europe, some of the finest city beaches on the continent, beautiful landscapes and a local culture that people take great pride in. European capital of Culture 2016.
New York Times 2011: http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/08/07...pain.html?_r=0
"Is San Sebastián the best place to eat in Europe?": http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...rink.shopping2

I would definitely stay in San Sebastián itself and explore the region on daytrips. But one week in San Sebastián is nothing, very walkable and different neighbourhoods with very different feel and loads of fabulous pintxos bars and restaurants, parks, museums etc etc. All about going for the famous pintxos in San Sebastián: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

Plenty of options for great day trips, both inland and along the coast. Inland you have places like Tolosa (the best steaks in the world, and famous for its "Alubias de Tolosa, a local been dish) and the medieval university town Olite: http://www.oinati.eu/turism/turism?set_language=en

Along the coast towards Bilbao you have lots of fine small villages such as Getaria, Zumaya, Debea, Mutriku, Lekeitio etc. Of course fabulous food here also.

Fantastic fish and seafood in all of the restaurants down in the harbour area in tiny Getaria just west of San Sebastián. Had the meal of my life here, something like this: http://thepauperedchef.com/node/255

I also always 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 here in a couple of hours along the coastline, includes a smalll boat ride from San Pedro to San Juan, takes 2 mins and leaves all the time. 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 I also recommend the newly renovated San Telmo museum at the outskirts of the Parte vieja/Old town, dealing with Basque history and culture.
http://www.santelmomuseoa.com/index.php?lang=en

You should also take the funicular ride up to the old fashioned fun fair at Monte Igueldo which towers at the western end of town. Spectacular views of the city and the coast from up here: http://www.monteigueldo.es/indexIN.html

San Sebastián European Capital of Culture video. I especially like the end, captures much of the San Sebastián feel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2zTb7Eg9Lk

Great pics Michael, can't wait to get back to San Sebastián the coming spring.

I with kimhe on this one and would also point out that you can drive through the French Pyreenees as well to get to San Sebastian, and it is all beautiful. I find the Basque coast an incredibly beautiful, alluring place, and nearby Rioja wine some of the best in the world. The cultural attractions of Barcelona are quite specific, and if you have a specific interest in them, then you need to spend time there of course. But if you haven't got those specific interests, I wouldn't feel obliged to hang around going through a guidebook checklist.

Great info...bookmarking.