San Sebastián

Donostia-San Sebastián (Basque: Donostia; Spanish: San Sebastián) is in the Basque Country in Spain.

San Sebastian boasts one of the best in-city beaches in Europe. It is quite unusual feeling that you can sunbathe and swim right next to major historical buildings and churches. Surfers are in abundance here.

The city is quite small and cozy, featuring many seafood restaurants, several beaches, tons of pintxos bars and a choice of designer clothes shops.

Orientation: The city is divided into Old Town (Parte Vieja), Gros and Centro.

• Tourism Information, +34 943481166. 09-19. A modern and well-staffed info and booking desk.

Tourism Information, +34 943481166. 09-19. A modern and well-staffed info and booking desk.

• From top of Mount Igueldo at the West end of La Concha bay, enjoy great view of the town
• Visit the Miramar palace and its park over El pico del Loro; enjoy sitting on a lawn there

From top of Mount Igueldo at the West end of La Concha bay, enjoy great view of the town

• Beach - there are two main beaches, one on either side of the river.
  • La Concha, on the west side is the larger, is protected from the sea and has an island and boats in the bay. Ondarreta is in the same bay as La Concha, but split by El pico del Loro (a rocky outcropping). La Concha and Ondarreta has umbrellas, tents and lounge chairs for €15 per day; free WC, showers and changing rooms. A team of fully-equipped life-guards are there during the daytime.
  • La Zurriola to the east of the old town and river is a surf beach, clearly better if you want waves or beach sports.
• Surfing - surfboards and bodyboards can be rented on Zurriola beach. You'll probably want to spring for a wetsuit as well.
  • The Zurriola Surf Eskola (founded in 2012) offers surf lessons for both beginners and advanced with excellent trainers. They also rent board and wetsuits.
  • The longtime Puka Surf Eskola offers surf lessons (around €65 per person for five one-hour lessons in a small group) and has a surf shop too.
• Hiking
  • For a short easy hike visit the statue of Christ on top of the mountain between the beaches. It takes around an hour to walk up at a leisurely pace. There's a bar on the way up if you need to stop for refreshments or admire the view. To reach the bar: find a library; from there find directions upstairs to a Castle; follow the stairs along green hedge. The park officially closes at 9PM in summer (in reality, gates close bit later), and the bar closes before sunset in summer time—and definitely before park is closed.
  • For a longer hike, head up the hill from Zurriola by taking Zemoria St up from the east end of the Zurriola, and following the long stairway at the end of Zemoria St up to the hiking path which is toward the left. From there, follow the trail marked by the red & white markings to Pasaia/San Pedro. Initially, the trail is marked by red, white, and green stripes, but the green trail diverts halfway in. The full hike from San Sebastian to Pasaia/San Pedro is approximately 5.5 miles one-way and should take around 2.5 hours. Once you get there, you can take a local bus back (for €1.35).
• Tennis and squash: There is a single tennis court (roofed), and two open-air squash courts—both between the El pico del Loro beach and bottom of Mount Igeldo.
• Tourist Land Train - a tourist land train leaves from the Calle Zubieta in front of La Concha Beach.
• Aquarium - by the Paseo de Kaiko, at the far right of La Concha Beach.
• Kayak - kayaks can be hired on Ondaretta beach, for about €7 per hour.
• Water skiing in the La Concha bay
• Funicular (cable-car). 10AM-9PM. will take you up and down Mount Igueldo. If you use your own transport to get up (including walking) you'll have to pay a €1.70 per person toll at the top. The top of the mountain provides a great view over the town (and access to the Mount Igueldo Amusement Park) €1.40 each way.
• Mount Igueldo Amusement Park. an aging amusement park with quaint rides can be found at the top of Mount Igeldo, at the West end of La Concha bay.
• Watch football ie soccer. Real Sociedad play in La Liga, the top tier of Spanish football. They play at Anoeta Stadium, capacity 25,000, at the south edge of the city.

Beach - there are two main beaches, one on either side of the river.

• La Concha, on the west side is the larger, is protected from the sea and has an island and boats in the bay. Ondarreta is in the same bay as La Concha, but split by El pico del Loro (a rocky outcropping). La Concha and Ondarreta has umbrellas, tents and lounge chairs for €15 per day; free WC, showers and changing rooms. A team of fully-equipped life-guards are there during the daytime.
• La Zurriola to the east of the old town and river is a surf beach, clearly better if you want waves or beach sports.

Surfing - surfboards and bodyboards can be rented on Zurriola beach. You'll probably want to spring for a wetsuit as well.

• The Zurriola Surf Eskola (founded in 2012) offers surf lessons for both beginners and advanced with excellent trainers. They also rent board and wetsuits.
• The longtime Puka Surf Eskola offers surf lessons (around €65 per person for five one-hour lessons in a small group) and has a surf shop too.

Hiking

• For a short easy hike visit the statue of Christ on top of the mountain between the beaches. It takes around an hour to walk up at a leisurely pace. There's a bar on the way up if you need to stop for refreshments or admire the view. To reach the bar: find a library; from there find directions upstairs to a Castle; follow the stairs along green hedge. The park officially closes at 9PM in summer (in reality, gates close bit later), and the bar closes before sunset in summer time—and definitely before park is closed.
• For a longer hike, head up the hill from Zurriola by taking Zemoria St up from the east end of the Zurriola, and following the long stairway at the end of Zemoria St up to the hiking path which is toward the left. From there, follow the trail marked by the red & white markings to Pasaia/San Pedro. Initially, the trail is marked by red, white, and green stripes, but the green trail diverts halfway in. The full hike from San Sebastian to Pasaia/San Pedro is approximately 5.5 miles one-way and should take around 2.5 hours. Once you get there, you can take a local bus back (for €1.35).

Tennis and squash: There is a single tennis court (roofed), and two open-air squash courts—both between the El pico del Loro beach and bottom of Mount Igeldo.

Tourist Land Train - a tourist land train leaves from the Calle Zubieta in front of La Concha Beach.

Aquarium - by the Paseo de Kaiko, at the far right of La Concha Beach.

Kayak - kayaks can be hired on Ondaretta beach, for about €7 per hour.

Water skiing in the La Concha bay

Funicular (cable-car). 10AM-9PM. will take you up and down Mount Igueldo. If you use your own transport to get up (including walking) you'll have to pay a €1.70 per person toll at the top. The top of the mountain provides a great view over the town (and access to the Mount Igueldo Amusement Park) €1.40 each way.

Mount Igueldo Amusement Park. an aging amusement park with quaint rides can be found at the top of Mount Igeldo, at the West end of La Concha bay.

Watch football ie soccer. Real Sociedad play in La Liga, the top tier of Spanish football. They play at Anoeta Stadium, capacity 25,000, at the south edge of the city.

San Sebastian is known as a stylish city and an image-conscious one, so it is stuffed with high-end shops. Peruse La Parte Vieja (the old part of town) for cool boutiques filled with quirky designer gear. There are fantastic shoe stores—I remember one in particular whose rainbow of amazing women's shoes in the window changed daily—and sources for that inimitable bold Spanish fashion. Designer clothes for men are much more difficult to find than for women.

Most shops are freestanding, but there is an enclosed shopping mall (La Brexta) that has the cineplex (as well as the city's lone McDonald's) as well as a collection of high street shops in the modern Nuevo Mercardo San Martin complex.

Some of the shops worthwhile visiting are:

• Hakei, Garibai 8, +34 943 432-056. Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00. Try for gorgeous, one-of-a-kind women's shoes and accessories (bags and jewelry). Its tiny shop, and its displays are stunning, with walls lined in delicate shoes and silk scarves arranged by color.
• Hoss Intropia, Txurruka, 6, +34 943 42 56 34. Women-only wear.
• Nice-day, Nice-things, C/ Fuenterrabia, 14, +34 943 425 403.
• Darlington, C/Reyes Catolicos,10, +34 943 465064. 10:30AM-1:30PM, 5PM-10PM. Original Spanish designer accessories at affordable prices.
• emenbi, cosy clothes, C/ Usandizaga 7 and C/ Fermin Calbeton 44.

Hakei, Garibai 8, +34 943 432-056. Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00. Try for gorgeous, one-of-a-kind women's shoes and accessories (bags and jewelry). Its tiny shop, and its displays are stunning, with walls lined in delicate shoes and silk scarves arranged by color.

Hoss Intropia, Txurruka, 6, +34 943 42 56 34. Women-only wear.

Nice-day, Nice-things, C/ Fuenterrabia, 14, +34 943 425 403.

Darlington, C/Reyes Catolicos,10, +34 943 465064. 10:30AM-1:30PM, 5PM-10PM. Original Spanish designer accessories at affordable prices.

emenbi, cosy clothes, C/ Usandizaga 7 and C/ Fermin Calbeton 44.

• Kukuxumusu, Mayor Kalea, 15, +34 943 421 184. See Buy section in Spain

Kukuxumusu, Mayor Kalea, 15, +34 943 421 184. See [[Spain#Buy|Buy section in Spain]]

• Hawaii, Calle San Bartolome, 12, San Sebastian, +34 943 428 996. The shop has the major surf brands plus helpful stuff that surf themself with passion. One finds surf boards, wet suits or swim and beach clothing.

Hawaii, Calle San Bartolome, 12, San Sebastian, +34 943 428 996. The shop has the major surf brands plus helpful stuff that surf themself with passion. One finds surf boards, wet suits or swim and beach clothing.

The Basque cuisine is famous within Spain and many believe it is the Basque Country where you can find the best food. Much of this fame comes from San Sebastian and its bars and restaurants. Although tapas were invented in Andalucia they became perfected in San Sebastian and a walk through the old town before lunch time with its many bars shows why. Each bar is bursting with tapas and they look very delicate. Tapas are generally enjoyed together with a glass of wine or a small beer, and the Spanish tradition suggests to have one tapa and a wine in one bar and move on to the next bar. Tapas can be used as a good substitute for a meal - you pay for each one you eat (about €2-4 each) so you can have as many as you want. If you want 'real' food then that is where San Sebastian can be very good. You can find several different cuisines such Chinese, German, Galician, Italian and of course the obvious Basque cuisine. In and around the harbour you can have the freshest seafood and if you don’t enjoy the simple harbour taverns go and enjoy San Sebastian restaurants with Michelin stars if you have some money to spare.

San Sebastian is not a place for vegetarians or vegans, unless you are able to catch the fresh produce markets in the morning and cook for yourself. Pescetarians can get along fine with the abundance of seafood offered on menus.

Lo Mejor de la Gastronomia holds annual conference and competition in November, including nominations for pintxos bars and for restaurants.

Healthy breakfast (even omelet) is hard to find in cafes: typically sandwiches or breakfast variety of pintxos are offered.

• Garagar, Alameda del Boulevard, 22, +34 943 42 28 40. Quite touristy place. Terrace has a surcharge, indoor is stifling and too dark for a breakfast. €8 for omelet+toast w/ham+fresh orange juice (terrace).
• Regatta, 20 Hondarribia Kalea, +34 943 424 169. open from 7:30AM, kitchen closes at 11:30PM. Not evident from outside, this lounge-style cafe is popular place for breakfast among locals. Selection of potato-based pies, croissants with variety of meats. Good selection of infusion teas which are hard to find elsewhere in the city. €6-7 for an average breakfast. Menu del dia €10.8, 1PM-4PM.

Garagar, Alameda del Boulevard, 22, +34 943 42 28 40. Quite touristy place. Terrace has a surcharge, indoor is stifling and too dark for a breakfast. €8 for omelet+toast w/ham+fresh orange juice (terrace).

Regatta, 20 Hondarribia Kalea, +34 943 424 169. open from 7:30AM, kitchen closes at 11:30PM. Not evident from outside, this lounge-style cafe is popular place for breakfast among locals. Selection of potato-based pies, croissants with variety of meats. Good selection of infusion teas which are hard to find elsewhere in the city. €6-7 for an average breakfast. Menu del dia €10.8, 1PM-4PM.

Along the waterfront one can find many cafes and bakeries.

• Aldanondo, C/Euskal Herria 6, +34 943-422852. Great and inexpensive steak house. Menu del dia: €23. Fish main courses generally €14-22. VAT not included.
• Juanito Kojua, Calle Puerto 14, Old Town, +34 943420180. 13:00 - 15:30 and 20:30 - 23:00.
• La Rampa, Muelle 26-27 bajo, +34 943 42 16 52. Fish restaurant with Basque flavour. Perfectly-trained waiters with excellent English. Grilled rape is particularly good. Try cider, take a specialty cider pouring cork with you. VAT not included.
• La Zurri, Calle de Zabaleta 10, +34 943 29-3886. 13:00-15:00. Simple Basque dishes which are cooked delicately. Go downstairs. Popular with locals. For lunch, arrive before 3PM to catch full range of options. The daily menu includes a glass of wine. Flan is rare case when it has taste in every layer. Daily menu €11.
• Txuleta, Plaza de la Trinidad 2, Parte Vieja. Excellent, reasonably priced renditions of Basque specialties Txangurro, Chipirones en su tinta, y sopa de pescado.
• Casa Urola, Calle Fermin Calbeton 20, Old Town. 13h-16.15h 20h-23.15h.

Aldanondo, C/Euskal Herria 6, +34 943-422852. Great and inexpensive steak house. Menu del dia: €23. Fish main courses generally €14-22. VAT not included.

Juanito Kojua, Calle Puerto 14, Old Town, +34 943420180. 13:00 - 15:30 and 20:30 - 23:00.

La Rampa, Muelle 26-27 bajo, +34 943 42 16 52. Fish restaurant with Basque flavour. Perfectly-trained waiters with excellent English. Grilled rape is particularly good. Try cider, take a specialty cider pouring cork with you. VAT not included.

La Zurri, Calle de Zabaleta 10, +34 943 29-3886. 13:00-15:00. Simple Basque dishes which are cooked delicately. Go downstairs. Popular with locals. For lunch, arrive before 3PM to catch full range of options. The daily menu includes a glass of wine. Flan is rare case when it has taste in every layer. Daily menu €11.

Txuleta, Plaza de la Trinidad 2, Parte Vieja. Excellent, reasonably priced renditions of Basque specialties Txangurro, Chipirones en su tinta, y sopa de pescado.

Casa Urola, Calle Fermin Calbeton 20, Old Town. 13h-16.15h 20h-23.15h.

• Akelarre Restaurant, Paseo Padre Orcolaga, 56, 20008 San Sebastián, +34943311209. 13-15:30 and 20:30-23.
• Arbelaitz, Paseo de Mikeletegi, 53, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastian, +34 943308220. Monday to Sunday for lunch, Friday + Saturday dinner. Owned by famous cook Hilario Arbelaitz. For adventurous it features a 10 course gastronomic menu for 100 EUR.
• Arzak Restaurant, Avda. Alcalde Jose Elosegui 273, +34 943 278 465 - 943 285 593. Open From January to June: Closed Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday. From July to December: Closed Sunday evening and Monday. Vacations: June 15 to July 2 and November 2 to November 26.. Three Michelin stars restaurant. All credit cards accepted. About €150 per head by the time you've added the wine etc., but well worth it! €80-100 plus drinks and VAT..
• Martin Berasategui, Calle Loidi 4, Lasarte-Oria (Guipúzcoa), +34 943 36 64 71. A 3 Michelin star restaurant close to San Sebastian with other outlets at Kursaal and in Bilbao at the Guggenheim. €175 for the degustation menu (about 12 courses) plus wine and service..
• Saltxipi, Calzada Vieja de Ategorrieta 3, +34 943 323 310. Calzada Vieja de Ategorrieta, 3, 943 323 310. Just outside Gros in a residential street this family run restaurant has a mainly seafood menu. It's specialty is Spider Crab - it's baked variety is worth the 10 minute walk from the old town!
• Zuberoa Restaurant, Araneder Bidea, Barrio Iturriotz 20180 OIARTZUN, Gipuzkoa, +34 943 49 12 28. A farmhouse transformed by cook Hilario Arbelaitz.

Akelarre Restaurant, Paseo Padre Orcolaga, 56, 20008 San Sebastián, +34943311209. 13-15:30 and 20:30-23.

Arbelaitz, Paseo de Mikeletegi, 53, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastian, +34 943308220. Monday to Sunday for lunch, Friday + Saturday dinner. Owned by famous cook Hilario Arbelaitz. For adventurous it features a 10 course gastronomic menu for 100 EUR.

Arzak Restaurant, Avda. Alcalde Jose Elosegui 273, +34 943 278 465 - 943 285 593. Open From January to June: Closed Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday. From July to December: Closed Sunday evening and Monday. Vacations: June 15 to July 2 and November 2 to November 26.. Three Michelin stars restaurant. All credit cards accepted. About €150 per head by the time you've added the wine etc., but well worth it! €80-100 plus drinks and VAT..

Martin Berasategui, Calle Loidi 4, Lasarte-Oria (Guipúzcoa), +34 943 36 64 71. A 3 Michelin star restaurant close to San Sebastian with other outlets at Kursaal and in Bilbao at the Guggenheim. €175 for the degustation menu (about 12 courses) plus wine and service..

Saltxipi, Calzada Vieja de Ategorrieta 3, +34 943 323 310. Calzada Vieja de Ategorrieta, 3, 943 323 310. Just outside Gros in a residential street this family run restaurant has a mainly seafood menu. It's specialty is Spider Crab - it's baked variety is worth the 10 minute walk from the old town!

Zuberoa Restaurant, Araneder Bidea, Barrio Iturriotz 20180 OIARTZUN, Gipuzkoa, +34 943 49 12 28. A farmhouse transformed by cook Hilario Arbelaitz.

The way to eat pintxos, (tapas in the Basque Country whether speaking Spanish or Basque) in San Sebastian is quite different from other cities in Spain. There are two kinds of tapas: cold and hot ones.

Don't attempt to eat pintxos if you're starving, you'll treat it like a buffet and prices will easily rack up as everything seems more appealing. Only get a couple of pintxos at a time as sometimes what looks really appealing, has been sitting on the bar the whole day and is past it's use by date. Test the waters. Cold ones are displayed on the bar. Just ask the barman for your drink and pick the pintxos yourself. If you need a plate, just ask. Hot ones must be ordered from the barman and they take a short time to be cooked. There is always a hot tapas menu hanging from the wall.

When you are done eating your tapas and have finished your drink you ask the barman for the bill, and you have to tell him what you have eaten. It is very important to be honest, as it is a long tradition. Locals will be upset if they find people eating and not paying. Normally you don't eat many pintxos at one bar but move from bar to bar, drinking a beer (caña) or wine and eating one or two tapas. Then you move to another bar. Traditionally residents would have one or two pintxos in the early evening to stave off any hunger before a later sit-down meal, rather than making a meal out of a large number of pintxos.

Generally, if the barman asks you to show your plate to them before you start eating, you know the bar markets towards tourists and is sub par and more expensive that it should be. A good bar will ask you what you've eaten as you pay and you should see a chef working out the back.

Most pintxo bars are to be found in the old town, particularly on the streets running parallel to Boulevard. Generally a pintxo will cost €2-3. At some bars the pintxos are all priced the same, at others the price depends on the pintxo. Pintxos (tapas) bars are thick in the Parte Vieja (Old Town), but there are masses of other places nearby in the Gros and Centro areas. Most bars charge by the toothpick or plate from €1-5.

The Jamon Iberico (usually seen hanging from the ceiling in whole leg portions) is ubiquitous, and equally good virtually everywhere. The calamari seems to be the same at every bar, don't order it again at a different pintxo bar if you didn't like it the first time.

• Rojo Y Negro, Calle San Marcial 52, +34 94 343 1861. A little bit out of old town you'll find huge portions of tasty pintxos without breaking the bank. If you want to meet locals or see how this whole pintxos thing is done, this is the place to do it without being obnoxious or tacky. Minimal tourist flow and friendly, professional staff that speak enough English to understand you. Try the marinated octopus and meatballs in tomato sauce, although these are slightly expensive at €6, it's a full meal in itself and comes with bread. You can't go wrong with the even cheaper bread-based pintxos at €1.5 to €2.5 which range from interesting flavour combinations to the ol' steady, jamon on bread. Beer and wine is cheap and they won't turn up their noses if you ask for tap water.
• Bernardo Etxea is clean and pleasant, with excellently prepared pintxos. Calle Puerto, Parte Vieja
• Tamboril in the corner of the main square in the Old Town
• Goiz Argi Fermín Calbetón, Parte Vieja. Pintxos bar with the delicious brocheta de gambas (fried prawns with a special vinaigrette), bola de carne (meat ball with red pepper) and a lot of cold pintxos with anchovies, mushrooms, cod, salmon, etc. Any of wine by glasses is good.
• Ganbara Parte Vieja
• Casa Gandarias Parte Vieja. Try Solo Mio (a piece of sirloin steak) with a glass of Belondrade Y Lurton white wine.
• Casa Vergara, Parte Vieja, Mayor 15, +34 943 43-10-73. Pintxos bar, quite spacious. Not overcrowded in the evenings during the weekdays.
• Martinez Parte Vieja
• La Cepa Parte Vieja
• Borda Berri Parte Vieja. C/Fermin Calbeton. Excellent pintxos with a changing menu. Try the 'Taco de Bacalao' (Tempura fried cod with a romesco sauce)
• Juantxo Parte Vieja. C/Enbeltran. Best, cheapest 'bocadillo de tortilla de patatas' in Parte Vieja. About €2,70 for a huge sandwich.

Rojo Y Negro, Calle San Marcial 52, +34 94 343 1861. A little bit out of old town you'll find huge portions of tasty pintxos without breaking the bank. If you want to meet locals or see how this whole pintxos thing is done, this is the place to do it without being obnoxious or tacky. Minimal tourist flow and friendly, professional staff that speak enough English to understand you. Try the marinated octopus and meatballs in tomato sauce, although these are slightly expensive at €6, it's a full meal in itself and comes with bread. You can't go wrong with the even cheaper bread-based pintxos at €1.5 to €2.5 which range from interesting flavour combinations to the ol' steady, jamon on bread. Beer and wine is cheap and they won't turn up their noses if you ask for tap water.

Bernardo Etxea is clean and pleasant, with excellently prepared pintxos. Calle Puerto, Parte Vieja

Tamboril in the corner of the main square in the Old Town

Goiz Argi Fermín Calbetón, Parte Vieja. Pintxos bar with the delicious brocheta de gambas (fried prawns with a special vinaigrette), bola de carne (meat ball with red pepper) and a lot of cold pintxos with anchovies, mushrooms, cod, salmon, etc. Any of wine by glasses is good.

Ganbara Parte Vieja

Casa Gandarias Parte Vieja. Try Solo Mio (a piece of sirloin steak) with a glass of Belondrade Y Lurton white wine.

Casa Vergara, Parte Vieja, Mayor 15, +34 943 43-10-73. Pintxos bar, quite spacious. Not overcrowded in the evenings during the weekdays.

Martinez Parte Vieja

La Cepa Parte Vieja

Borda Berri Parte Vieja. C/Fermin Calbeton. Excellent pintxos with a changing menu. Try the 'Taco de Bacalao' (Tempura fried cod with a romesco sauce)

Juantxo Parte Vieja. C/Enbeltran. Best, cheapest 'bocadillo de tortilla de patatas' in Parte Vieja. About €2,70 for a huge sandwich.

• Hidalgo 56 Gros
• Bergara Gros
• Casa Senra Gros

Hidalgo 56 Gros

Bergara Gros

Casa Senra Gros

• Iturrioz Centro.
• Bar Alex Centro
• Bar Alustiza Centro
• Bar Zazpi Centro

Iturrioz Centro.

Bar Alex Centro

Bar Alustiza Centro

Bar Zazpi Centro

Some slightly pricier pintxo bars that don't have pre-cooked pintxos and only cook them on order (correspondingly, their pintxo are of higher quality) are:

• La Cuchara de San Telmo, Plaza Valle Lersundi, C/31 de Agosto 28 (Off Calle 31 de Agosto, not easy to find, GPS +43.32446°,-1.98535°, +34 943 435 446. Don't judge their food by their interior. Jamon Iberico is cited as particularly good.
• A Fuego Negro, Calle 31 de Agosto, +34 650 135 373. Trendy interior, good-looking people. Really tasty tapas.
• Borda Berri, Calle 12 Fermín Calbetón (Parte Vieja, +34 943 425 638. The menu is on a chalk board and everything is excellent. €1 - 3,5.

La Cuchara de San Telmo, Plaza Valle Lersundi, C/31 de Agosto 28 (Off Calle 31 de Agosto, not easy to find, GPS +43.32446°,-1.98535°, +34 943 435 446. Don't judge their food by their interior. Jamon Iberico is cited as particularly good.

A Fuego Negro, Calle 31 de Agosto, +34 650 135 373. Trendy interior, good-looking people. Really tasty tapas.

Borda Berri, Calle 12 Fermín Calbetón (Parte Vieja, +34 943 425 638. The menu is on a chalk board and everything is excellent. €1 - 3,5.

• The Kalimotxo (pronounced "calimotcho") is a local drink that is made with 50% wine (normally an inexpensive red wine) and 50% Coca-Cola. You will see a very large proportion of young people drink this near the harbour at playa La Concha and later on, in bars or clubs. It is definitely something to try out while you are there.

Coffee is espresso, not brewed, even in the on-the-beach cafes.

• Bideluze, Plaza de Guipuzcoa 14, +34 943-460219. Great place for coffee; Cafe Con Leche - that is, coffee with milk - is particularly good.
• Hogar Dulce Hogar, Bermingham Kalea, 1 20002 Donostia-San Sebastián, +34 943 24 66 81. 7:30 – 21:30, Saturday+Sunday 8:30 - 21:30. Great place that newly opened in 2012 for breakfast with big toast named "tostadon", coffee and orange juice with free Wi-Fi. For lunch or dinner the burger are very popular. The owner of course surfs himself.

Bideluze, Plaza de Guipuzcoa 14, +34 943-460219. Great place for coffee; Cafe Con Leche - that is, coffee with milk - is particularly good.

Hogar Dulce Hogar, Bermingham Kalea, 1 20002 Donostia-San Sebastián, +34 943 24 66 81. 7:30 – 21:30, Saturday+Sunday 8:30 - 21:30. Great place that newly opened in 2012 for breakfast with big toast named "tostadon", coffee and orange juice with free Wi-Fi. For lunch or dinner the burger are very popular. The owner of course surfs himself.

A purely Guipuzcoan experience, sidrerias dot the countryside and offer all you can drink sidra (a mildly alcoholic apple flavored cider) shooting straight from the barrel. Sidrerias usually offer a traditional set menu of cod omelette, cod with peppers, txuleta (really thick steak), and then for dessert: cheese, walnuts and membrillo (quince paste). The cider house season runs from the end of January to the end of May, but a couple of traditional sidrerias that are open all year (you'll need to get a car, bus or taxi from town) are:

• Aginaga, Aginaga, +34 943 36 67 10. €22.
• Petritegi, Astigarraga, +34 943 45 71 88. €22.

Aginaga, Aginaga, +34 943 36 67 10. €22.

Petritegi, Astigarraga, +34 943 45 71 88. €22.

• Bataplán is definitely the hottest club in San Sebastian. Be careful not to arrive too early; usually there is no party before 1AM. People normally start arriving at 2AM, and the club closes around 6 or 7AM. The entry fee is normally €15 (including one drink) but you can get in for free before 3AM if you ask for a VIP pass at a bar beforehand (Bar Tas Tas is a good place for that). This club has an amazing terrace out back to relax after you've had one drink too many (drinks cost around €8 a pop, by the way, €5 for a beer). All year round, the club is filled with local people, tourists and exchange students.

Bataplán is definitely the hottest club in San Sebastian. Be careful not to arrive too early; usually there is no party before 1AM. People normally start arriving at 2AM, and the club closes around 6 or 7AM. The entry fee is normally €15 (including one drink) but you can get in for free before 3AM if you ask for a VIP pass at a bar beforehand (Bar Tas Tas is a good place for that). This club has an amazing terrace out back to relax after you've had one drink too many (drinks cost around €8 a pop, by the way, €5 for a beer). All year round, the club is filled with local people, tourists and exchange students.

WiFi zones can be seen in a cafe on the Ondarreta beach; in many bars in the Old City. It's unclear whether they are paid or free of charge.

• Splash, C/Sanchez Toca, 7. In the Centro neighborhood, right behind the Buen Pastor Cathedral. Offers free Wi-Fi with purchase of food, drink, etc.
• Kite, C/Ijentea, 4. In Parte Vieja, towards the end of the Boulevard, going towards the Kontxa. Offers free Wi-Fi with the purchase of food, drink, etc.

There are many WiFi points throughout the city and indicated by a white WiFi symbol on street-posts. These are free to access.

Splash, C/Sanchez Toca, 7. In the Centro neighborhood, right behind the Buen Pastor Cathedral. Offers free Wi-Fi with purchase of food, drink, etc.

Kite, C/Ijentea, 4. In Parte Vieja, towards the end of the Boulevard, going towards the Kontxa. Offers free Wi-Fi with the purchase of food, drink, etc.

• Bilbao - home of the famous Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art and other architectural masterpieces
• Hondarribia - beautiful fishing town and a place for more pintxos
• Vitoria-Gasteiz - capital of the Basque country
• Zarauz - summer getaway, the longest beach in Guipuzcoa, and a magnet for surfers