As Guipuzcoans, we carry the vibrant and enchanting city of San Sebastian in our hearts. And we’re confident that you’ll carry a piece of it in your heart too, after experiencing its rich history, lively culture, delectable gastronomy, and awe-inspiring landmarks on this vivid and colorful tour we propose. Known as Bella Easo, it has been a summer haven for the Spanish monarchy and international aristocracy since the mid-19th century, making it a thriving political center of the country during the summer.
Our journey will begin by driving up to the magnificent Mount Igueldo, situated at one end of the glittering and dazzling La Concha Bay. Imagine the striking and vibrant views you’ll have from there. From the top, you’ll see the entire cityscape, a breathtaking stretch of the stunning Guipuzcoan coastline, the roaring and dynamic Cantabrian Sea, and the resplendent and luminous La Concha Bay. You’ll feel a jolt of energy, a sense of peace, and sheer joy, an experience unlike any other.
An Icon of the City
Our next destination is a symbol of San Sebastián: the Peine del Viento. The incomparable sculptor Eduardo Chillida created this set of three steel sculptures, each weighing over 9 tons, anchored to the rock. Nature and art come together to create a beautiful image: the sea and wind comb each other before entering the Bay of La Concha. It’s a spectacle to see the waves crashing against the three steel pieces.
A Jewel of Architecture
Next, we’ll visit the marvelous Miramar Palace. This English-style palace was built in 1893 by order of the Spanish Royal Family and was the residence of Queen Maria Cristina. Miramar stands out for its history and architecture, but also for its views of the bay and the island of Santa Clara (by the way, did you know that the Iberian lizard of San Sebastián lives on this island?).
San Sebastián will captivate you
We’ll hop back in the car and head to the Alderdi Eder gardens area, where we’ll begin our walking tour of various corners of the city that will captivate you. We’ll visit the harbor, where you can see the txalupas (boats) used by locals for fishing. The harbor is at the foot of Monte Urgull, where we can see the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Venturing into the Old Town of San Sebastián is to feel the fusion of tradition and modernity in this special area. Walking through its picturesque streets will make you feel like a Basque local.
We’ll stroll down a very special street, a street that survived the destruction 200 years ago: Calle 31 de Agosto. August 31st is a very special date for San Sebastián as it commemorates the destruction and burning of the entire city (except for a part of this street) by Anglo-Portuguese troops, allied with the Spanish in 1813.
We’ll admire the baroque Church of Our Lady of Coro, the Constitution Square, and of course, the Church of San Vicente. Our walking tour will take us to enjoy the Plaza de Guipúzcoa, Plaza Oquendo, and the Hotel María Cristina (inaugurated in 1912, it played a leading role in the Belle Époque of San Sebastián), where actresses and actors stay during the International Film Festival of San Sebastián.
Did you know that San Sebastián was nicknamed the “Petit Paris”? In San Sebastián, different architectural styles converge, and the French influence can still be seen in its architecture and urbanism.
We’ll also see the Victoria Eugenia Theater, another iconic building in the city. If its walls could speak, they would tell us beautiful stories of the main cultural events in San Sebastián (the main venue of the International Film Festival of San Sebastián until 1999).
We’ll end our tour by crossing the Urumea River via the Zurriola Bridge to the youthful and surfer neighborhood of Gros, where we’ll find the Kursaal Palace next to the Zurriola Beach. It’s a spectacular architectural work by Rafael Moneo, consisting of two gigantic glass cubes. It’s also the current annual venue for the acclaimed Donostia-San Sebastián International Film Festival.
By the way, this tour can be finished with a Pintxo tour. Would you like to do that? Please inquire about our prices without obligation.
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