San Sebastian
The distinguished coastal city with history and gastronomy
The best way to move around Europe is undoubtedly by train. That is why, when we were analyzing how to enter Spain from París, that was the chosen option.
A four-hour train ride from París to Hendaye left us at the French-Spanish border. It was a matter of getting off, walking just a few steps and finding the Euskotren station, the local option that allows us to get to San Sebastian, with a combination in nearby Lasarte-Oria, not at all uncomfortable, and get off in the heart of downtown San Sebastian.
We stayed at the convenient Cristina Enea Rooms, comfortable rooms right next to the station and Tabakalera. Overall good location for a one night stay.
We dropped our bags and quickly crossed the Urumea River to the gothic style Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, with its tall spire of about 75 meters.
We only had that day to tour the royal summer village, so we had to be efficient.
We took a city bus along the Concha Beach to Ondarreta, where we enjoyed the sea breeze. It was very hot so at least I was encouraged to dip my feet in the refreshing water. Soon we had to leave. We wanted to climb the funicular, erected in the time of Queen Maria Cristina, which with a slope of sixty degrees goes up to Mount Igeldoko and provides a fantastic view of the entire bay Kontxabo, the island of Santa Klara and the opposite Urgull hill.
There is also an amusement park for children at the top.
We appreciated the panoramic view offered by the height and descended to visit the old quarter of the city, after a short walk along the coastal promenade.
We started at Plaza Guipuzcoa, located in the center of the Old Town, to the historic center of Donostia. The best thing to do is to simply stroll through the streets, getting lost in these passages to contemplate the traditional and historical charm of the city. Must-see stops include the Plaza de la Constitución and the Basílica de Santa María del Coro, an eighteenth-century church with a baroque façade.
Our walk continued through the Bretxa market, admiring the different types of charcuterie baska, with a short stop at the pelota court next to the Plaza de la Trinidad.
Before leaving, we had a snack of glorious prawns in sea salt at the foot of the Koruko Santa Mariaren basilica, accompanied by a version of txakoli, an aperitif consisting of hondarrabi zuri wine mixed with rum.
By mid-afternoon we cross to Gros neighborhood. There, the Kursaal, the Congress Palace and official headquarters of the San Sebastian Film Festival, stands out. The building is composed of gigantic glass cubes. Very impressive.
Also there are plenty of restaurants and pintxo bars, so we wandered through these elegant streets of San Sebastian saying goodbye with nostalgia for its beauty. The next day the colossal Bilbao awaited us.
