Basque culture & Best pintxos: San Sebastian Old Town

The province of Gipuzkoa, of which San Sebastián is the capital, combines sea and mountain, offering the traveler an amazing landscape, sports, cuisine, and interesting monuments.

This city lies along a white sandy bay. Fishermen’s houses, a smart suburb and modern districts make it one of the most attractive cities on the Cantabrian coast.

Just imagine a smaller Paris which is placed on the water and that has fewer tourists. Those people are more relaxed and have a Basque twist. That´s exactly how San Sebastián is: a perfect mixture in one easy to navigate town.

An interesting fact is that the Basque Country is one of Europe’s oldest and also strongest cultures. Moreover, their origins and culture are different in many ways, including from the Spanish way of life.

The Basque Country is a community in northern Spain and southern France, near the Pyrenees. The Basques here have a unique culture, language and many traditions that differ from their Spanish and French neighbors.

Surrounded by a privileged landscape, dotted with delightful ancient villages which contrast the industrial cities, this magical place hosts global events and offers superior services that ensure visitors will enjoy their stay.

Furthermore, you can find the Basque ancestry quite present throughout America. This is due to the fact that more than 50.000 people that are living in the US claim to have Basque origins. Besides, many people on the East Coast of the US organize annual Basque Festivals to celebrate their origins with dances, markets, cuisine, folklore, music and many things more… Normally, most of these events are free.

Tradition and modernism combine very well in the ancient part of the city. Stroll through the fishing port and lose yourself in the streets of the Historical Quarter where the smell of pintxos can be felt at every corner. Land in the center of the town, and visit its pedestrian streets to spend a few unforgettable hours.

The San Sebastian Old Town is part of the wider “Centro” district. The “Parte Vieja” sits at the foot of Monte Urgull, with the port on one side and the Urumea River on the other.

The Old Town is separated from the rest of the city by the tree-lined Boulevard which is a popular place to hang out. From there, take a stroll past the Teatro Victoria Eugenia (next to the Kursaal bridge) or to La Concha Bay and the Town Hall.

With its numerous Michelin starred restaurants and inventive chefs, with an easy distance from the wine country, the vineyards of Txakoli less than half an hour away and the mythical wine region of Rioja less than a two-hour drive, San Sebastian winery is one of the most glorious ones.

Roll with the San Sebastian wine tour while you see the city’s wealth built around lovely and vibrant wineries, bustling with interesting activities, so that you’ll never lack something to touch, taste or watch.

San Sebastian has an amazing array of festivals and cultural events. The International Film Festival, which takes place in September, brings European and Hollywood stars to this town.

This festival has established itself as one of the most important cinema festivals in the world, being accredited in the “competitive film festivals” category. It has hosted several important events in the history of cinema, such as the international premiers of Vertigo, by Alfred Hitchcock (who attended the Festival) or Melinda & Melinda by Woody Allen and the European premier of Star Wars.

Actors and directors such as Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Richard Gere, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mel Gibson, Demi Moore or Brad Pitt have attended the festival since its foundation.

Discover in our blog San Sebastian Film Festival: ten things you should know