San Sebastián - one of the best beach cities
My very first destination in Spain is stunning, though it took us a day and half to realise it's beauty, when we finally got the sun shining ready for beach weather, it was breathtaking. Just a note to be wary of the north as it's a bit temperamental even in summer with the rain, so stay for a few days to make sure you catch the perfect summer weather.
Since we had an overcast day for our first, we made our way to the tourist centre and geared up to explore the old city Parte Vieja, Centro and the new area of Gros. Half a day was enough for us to finish most sites in the old city as it's small lanes are easy to get through like a lot of Italian old cities. We then made our way up the top of Monte Urgull (these names really made me think of where Tolkien may have got his inspiration:)). This easy 30-40 min walk through some gorgeous plantations was cooling leading to a view of La Concha and the rest of city flanked by hills all around is gorgeous.
Ready for some late lunching we made our way to 31de Agosto and had some delicious pintxos with some local txakoli (drink from Basque region). Exploring Centro and Cathedral Buen Pastor area got us through to the night when this city comes alive like every other Spanish city.
9pm and start pub food hopping through the small streets and bars of Parte Vieja. We began on San Juan at Ganbara Bar with their famous mushroom dish Surtido Seras which we only realised thanks to my sisters keen eyes and inquisitive nature of tasting different dishes and it paid off with this dish of various mushrooms with one perfectly placed egg yolk in the middle that you break and have with all the other mushrooms.
Next was La Mejilonera on Calle de Puerto 15 for some amazing mussels and the best ambience ever. Loud, excited and friendly servers give you no other choice but to get with the lively feel of the place and is the perfect spot to get into the drinking and partying mood. And thats exactly what we did on one of the busiest Calle's - Fermin Calbeton.
The next two days we got lucky with some gorgeous weather and so we had to give it justice and spend the mornings lazying on the beach, I wouldn't have it any other way. This city's beach is truly spectacular but the best view was yet to come when we took one of the oldest Funicular up Monte Igeldo. You get out and the view just stops you. I was absolutely stunned with the view. On the clear blue sky day we had, it was perfect in every way, better than the postcards sold at the souvenir store there.
The second night we decided to explore the new city of Gros and one of the best pintxos places in San Sebastián was here - Bergara Bar on Genral Artetxe 8. We actually stayed an enjoyed one place for a change and then just a couple more drinks around there and we called it a night, still tired from the previous.
Third again began by the gorgeous beach, then our last lunch in San Sebastián at Ubarrechena on Calle Mayor corner Calle del Puerto for some delicious sangria and paella.
A bit of shopping at the cutest store on Calle Mayor called D'closet and then back to our end of town in Onderreta for a drink by the beach to take in the gorgeous beach one last time. San Sebastián you truly are one of the best beach cities!
