JES28

I'm planning my honeymoon and can't decide if we should stay in San Sebastian and day trip to the coastal towns or stay in one of the coastal towns and take trips to SS and the other towns. Considerations are Hondarribia, Getaria, Lekeitio, Ciboure, & Saint Jean du Luz.
It seems that everyone points to San Sebastian in everything I've researched, but when I look at photos, it looks so big, overpopulated and city-like while we were looking for something serene, beautiful, & romantic to spend our honeymoon. At the same time, we don't want a place so quiet that we're the only ones there at night.
We'd love some romantic spots with energy but not overcrowding. As well as restaurants with great food, atmosphere and surroundings, as well as other people. Timing is end of July and we're in our 40's if that helps.
I'd love to hear fodorite opinions.

Thanks so much!

jpie

One of the biggest considerations for me is whether you will have a car or not? That would make a difference for me. We stayed at a hotel above San Sebastian, called Leku Eder. Family run and really nice but I would stay without transport.

http://www.lekueder.com/

Robert2533

For a honeymoon couple, I highly recommend the Hotel Iturregi, just outside of Getaria (www.hoteliturregi.com). It's the nicest along the coast. You will need a car.

HappyTrvlr

We spent a week on Hondarribia and found it charming. But it is not a small village. Also look just north into France at St-Jean de Luz. You will need a car.

JES28

Thanks for the responses. I meant to include that we will have a car.
Robert, that looks great!
Happy Trvlr, I'm definitely considering at jean du luz.
Jpie, the view from Leku Eder looks amazing! The rooms look nice, and normally I would just jump on it but we were thinking of splurging for luxury since it's our honeymoon. Anything else in a similar location that can be recommended?
So its sounding like it we would be ok with one of the small towns and it won't be too quiet at night?
We'd like to be around people and some energy, but not partiers or crowds - I hope that makes sense!

kimhe

I higly recommend Belle Epoque San Sebastian itself, the food capital of Spain if not all of Europe. You wouldn't want to leave town for all in the world after a night out with some pintxos and a great meal in one of the many fabulous restaurants here. http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/

For a splurge, you should perhaps stay in one of the new attics with terrace and sea view in Hotel Londres, right on the famous La Concha beach: https://www.hlondres.com/en/accommodation/attic

...or in plain fantastic Maria Cristina: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/mari...tin.en-gb.html

This video is a perfect intro to the out of this world food culture here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwmBAvqa_0U

Laid-back and 25-30+ nightlife in the many music bars in and around pedestrian Calle Reyes Catolicos right behind the cathedral. Pokhara and El Nido are two of many fine places here: http://www.timeout.com/barcelona/tra...-san-sebastian

The last minute of this video captures the San Sebastian/Donostia atmosphere and should close the case ;-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2zTb7Eg9Lk

Getaria, Hondarribia, S Jean de Luz etc are all perfect for a lunch/day-trip from San Sebastian.

kimhe

And you should know that the 50th edition of the San Sebastian jazz festival goes on July 22-26. This might decide whether San Sebastian is the right place for you or not on this trip. Fabulous artists and great energy, also many outdoor concerts. http://www.heinekenjazzaldia.com/en/

I can almost guarantee that Silvia Perez Cruz on the open air stage in intimate Plaza de la Triniad, just off the oldest street in the Parte vieja/Old town in San Sebastian, at 9pm on July 3, will be a huge experience. Couldn't get much more romantic than this: http://www.heinekenjazzaldia.com/en/...-perez-cruz-3/

A couple of Silvia Perez Cruz clips:

Theme song from the silent movie Blancanieves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INoA5v2ZDWk

Together with her father in a bar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eqJAAi1kE8

Doing Leonard Cohen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx5CW0Vyvi8

See the Plaza de la Trinidad photo gallery. http://www.heinekenjazzaldia.com/en/...rinity-square/

jpie

Yeah I agree that Leku Eder is not really honeymoon quality-more of a B+ in terms of luxury. Unfortunately that is the only place we stayed, but I know others will have suggestions.

On the other hand if you are foodies, there are some world class restaurants around the region where you can easily spend $300/person. So one strategy is to save money on the hotel and spend it on food.

Also, if you have a car, you should check out the painted trees-we haven't been yet but intend to go this year:

http://www.spain.info/en_US/reportaj...aturaleza.html

yorkshire

In July, I think the coastal towns should be very lively. In May, they were decidedly not. I found SS to be a very romantic place, but in an ideal world, you could stay in both, as I think it would be nice to be able to enjoy the energy and food of SS for a few days as well as a peaceful coastal retreat.

kimhe

and the Silvia Perez Cruz concert in Plaza de la Trinidad in San Sebastian is of course on July 23. http://www.heinekenjazzaldia.com/en/...-perez-cruz-3/
http://www.heinekenjazzaldia.com/en/...rinity-square/

JES28

Thanks all! It looks like we will miss the Jazz festival by a day.
Kimhe, thanks so much for the great links. The last part of the SS video definitely shows how beautiful and vibrant it is. I can definitely see why you would recommend it and we definitely want to spend some time there. Especially for the food! Love the 7 time Michelin chef! (Jpie, are meals really that high?) But The first part shows that it might be more city than we want for our honeymoon - We tend to like off the beaten path places. As long as they are not too quiet
Yorkshire, glad to hear you think the smaller towns will be lively that time of year. I totally agree that ideally we would stay in both. Maybe we'll consider that if we decide not to overnight in Rioja.
We'll be heading to Portugal from Basque so we don't want to move around too much. I wish we had more time so we could stay everywhere!

jpie

Well we were there when the Euro was stronger but still, what we found is that if you really want to eat at the top Michelin starred places, you need reservations well in advance and they are generally tasting menus so can definitely be pricey. Here is an article about some of the gastronomy:

http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...michelin-stars

In terms of prices, yes I was exasperating a bit-but not so if you start drinking expensive wine. But for food alone it wouldn't surprise me to spend at least 100 euros apiece. Again though, these are Michelin 3 stars places. Here is a Conde Nast article about more moderate choices:

http://www.cntraveller.com/recommend...urante-kokotxa

Robert2533

You can dine well for under 40€, even at some of the top Micheln stared restaurants, including Restaurante Azurmendi, a 3-star named one of the top ten in Europe (www.azurmendi.biz).

Try chef Eneko Atxa's Bistró Prêt À Porter (http://www.azurmendi.biz/bistro-pret...er-restaurante) for an outstanding lunch.

kimhe

Then you should take a closer look at Hondarribia/Fuenterrabia. Getaria is very small, and although S Jean de Luz is nice, it's a different ball-game than the Spanish Basque country. Lekeitio would be quite far away from San Sebastian. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/tr...Next.html?_r=0