Top 5 things to do in San Sebastian

The Basque Country is a great place to spend your holidays. This is a region with an unusual atmosphere and customs that have lasted for decades. The Basque Country has everything you need for a great holiday: great food, nearby beaches, the Pyrenees mountains, good weather and a summer where parties are commonplace. Added to all this is the friendliness of the Basques, who have a great sense of welcome. Whether you like to relax, do sport or learn about the local culture, you’ve come to the right place.

1- Discover the Basque Country by paragliding

Category: €€€ / Unusual / Sensations

Description: What could be better than discovering the Basque countryside from a bird’s eye view? Between the mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and even part of France with Biarritz and Saint-Jean de Luz, there’s no shortage of beautiful scenery. You’ll be accompanied by an instructor for a tandem skydive. The flight lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, so you’ll have plenty to do. The meeting point is the Kukarri hill, around fifteen minutes from San Sebastian.

2- Watch the fireworks championship

Category: €€ / Unusual / Cultural

Description: Every year, during the “Semana Grande”, a week of celebration and festivities in San Sebastian, a succession of fireworks displays takes place. From 10 to 17 August, the whole city is alive with good humour. The bandas (traditional Basque music groups) are out in force, and Basque gastronomy is in the limelight. Each evening, a different country or town is invited to stage a fireworks display on La Concha beach. For a whole week, you can enjoy this spectacle and take in all the atmosphere of the Spanish Basque Country.

3- Surf in San Sebastian

Category: €€ / Sporty

Description: The Basque Country is renowned for its surfing. The Atlantic Ocean, with its powerful waves and currents, is the perfect place for this sport. If you’re not equipped for surfing, all you have to do is walk along the seafront and find small shops that rent boards and wetsuits for as long as you want. If you’ve never tried it before and want to give it a go, you can take an introductory course, or even more if you’ve been won over by the session. There are several clubs close to the beaches that will be delighted to welcome you.

4- Discover all the flavours of the Basque Country

Category: €€€ / Gastronomic /Cultural

Description: The Basque Country can be visited as much for its sublime landscapes as for its exceptional culinary specialities. Accompanied by a guide, you will visit the old town before making a number of stops to treat yourself. First, you’ll head for a market full of delicious local produce. The first thing you’ll taste is traditional ham. You’ll then taste a multitude of wines and ciders as you wander through the various bars typical of San Sebastian. Of course, you’ll also get to sample a dozen pintxos as part of your gastronomic tour. You’ll discover all the flavours that the Basque Country has to offer through these delicious appetisers.

5- Visit San Sebastian’s Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

Category: Cultural

Description: Spain is a very religious country, with a number of religious buildings worthy of the name. These include the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi, and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the See in Seville. Like these two religious buildings, San Sebastian’s Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is also well worth a visit. As you stroll through the cobbled streets of the historic centre, you won’t want to miss it. Its spire towers dozens of metres above the city. Discover the architectural beauty of this cathedral and its equally beautiful interior.