Travel Blog » Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián

San Sebastián Travel Blogs

Background: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in unemployment.

Spain

Map of Spain

Spain's Flag

Hostels in Spain
Latest San Sebastián Blog Entries
San Sebastián Photos

By Dylan 1991
October 20th 2009

Peasant Boy Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián

I was pickpocketed last night whilst roaming the streets of San Sebastian. I have absolutely no money, a big thanks to the staff at beti anayak for feeding me and letting me stay free of charge. enrique and frankie and old mate boss lady, amazing people. ok, so when youhave no money, hot tip from mother bear, find a church becuase they will feed you and give you somewhere too stay. Thank god for christian charity! anyway, hot tip from me, keep your wallet in your front pocket and dont carry 200euros!!!! it was also quite annoying because i had my [View Full Entry]

By Dylan 1991
October 19th 2009

Hola!!!!!! Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián

Hola omigoes!!! ive been in san sebastian, spain for three days..it took 12 hours and three TGV´s later! Hot tip straight from Dylbo, book the TGV´s in France at least three days in advance becuase for some reason they seem to be really popular, specially on weekends, and they only have a few places for Eurail Pass holders. So i was stuck in Bern, the capital of Switzerland for two days..which wasnt too bad, i went to Einsteins house..yay! The warmer weather in Spain is great..some fun waves too be had..im moving on tomorrow..probably to France, also on the coast somewhere, [View Full Entry]

By joblessandhomeless09
September 18th 2009

The rain in Spain Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián

Lovely spot, shame about the english

We leave the blue sky behind as we head over the border into Spain and on to San Sebastian. Lonely Planet rave about the place and it is a pretty mix of narrow old streets, bar tops stacked high with extravagantly prepared tapas and several beaches right outside the door. However the image is tarnished once the sun goes down by the number of english (well aussie actually) touts trying to coax you into bars ... just not prepared for that in this spot. Plus the rain comes in spades which doesn´t make for happy travellers. So being the troopers we [View Full Entry]

By pumanomada
September 18th 2009

From the rain to the sun Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián

Barcelona room view

Wherein I leave the rain for the sun I awoke Friday morning to find it was *pouring* rain in Donostia. Thunder, lightening, the whole works; it was beautiful! Think Seattle rain mid-winter: it was coming down sideways, in buckets. I had planned to walk to the local bakery to grab some breakfast to eat on the train (they had some lovely whole wheat rolls Thursday). The bakery was still closed when I walked by, so I kept walking. Made it to the station with time to spare. The station store was open, but all they had were Panier and doughnuts - [View Full Entry]

By pumanomada
September 17th 2009

Day 5: Donostia art and castle walk Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián

Torta Chocolata and the sea

Beach walk Walked the beach again this morning, there was better light so caught some great pictures of the Manolo Valdez sculptures along the promenade. I then had an amazing lunch at one of the restaurants along the marina. I had a salad, and grilled squid. It was the most I've spent for a meal here, 30€, but totally worth it! An amazing meal I will remember for years. Hike to the castle To be honest, by Seattle standards, it was more of a short walk. I assumed there would be great views from the top, I was not disappointed. Donostia [View Full Entry]

By pumanomada
September 16th 2009

Train to the coast Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián

Donostia Harbor

Departing Madrid After getting up early this morning, I checked out and went to grab some breakfast at the hotel restaurant. A beautiful older Japanese woman came in and attempted to order her breakfast in Spanish. The waiter was having issues understanding her, and looked at me. After talking with her for a moment, I discovered she knew a smattering of Spanish and Japanese. And she was traveling alone. I am in awe. I can usually find an English speaker when I get into trouble with my limited Spanish. There are few Japanese here. So! Got to the train station with [View Full Entry]

By majik
August 22nd 2009

San Sebastian Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián

San Sebastian

Drove down the coast and stopped off at Anglet to check out the surf. The swell had picked up and there were heaps of people in the water. Continued on, into Spain and headed for San Sebastian. The hostel Axtika was expensive, but in a great location with good rooms. We walked to Playa de la Zurriola for a swim and a surf. For dinner we headed into the Old Quarter for tapas in a Pinxto bar. The city has a great vibe as you wander the streets. The next day we headed up Monte Urgull, which is a hill [View Full Entry]

By Carly and Jez
July 28th 2009

San Sebastian; Jebus, tapa's & tits! Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián

Beach San Sebastian

Day451 We woke to the dreaded sound on RAIN!! We had a coffee and waiting all hoping it would pass but the rain unremitting we dug out the waterproof jackets determined not to let a little rain stop us. First we hit the Tapa's bars, Casa Alcalde over 100 year old bar with a great range of tapa's. We tucked into some chorizo, salmon and fried cod balls. We got a glimpse of the Santa Maria Basilica currently under renovation (like most things we were soon to discover in Spain covered in scaffolding), next stop was the Buen Pastor Cathedral where [View Full Entry]

By GPJMurphy
July 27th 2009

Foix to San Sebastian Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián

Pintxos

Monday 27th July - Back to Spain, San Sebastian This was more like it - the hotel in San Sebastian that is. I am sat up writing this in a bed so large there is a walkie talkie on each side for contacting your bedfellow - should you be so lucky enough to have one that is. The Spanish tourist offices had come up trumps, both here and in Barcelona, so on that basis I could only but recommend them. I had struggled to find anything decent for under 200 sovs searching the internet with a budget that was half that [View Full Entry]

By RTW adventure 09 to 13
July 24th 2009

A Little Touch Of Paradise Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián

My Room's View

And To Think I Wasn’t Going To Come Here!! Leaving Bordeaux and France behind, I didn’t want to spend 13 hours straight on a train to Madrid, even though it seems strange to say that after doing the Trans-Siberian. The decision came when I recognised the name of a little town on the North coast of Spain, San Sebastian. Not knowing a lot about the place, I had only booked in for two nights before having to move on to the capital, but on arrival I wish I had booked for longer. With pristine beaches (both inside the bay for swimming [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián