Should you visit San Sebastian

San Sebastian is often billed as the premier beach resort town in Spain. And while it is true that San Sebastian has a beautiful beach, a scenic town and great restaurants, particularly for pintxos (pronounced pinchos which are tiny bite sized items on bread) it is really, really expensive to get accommodations there in their summer season, which basically runs from June to early September. So it does live up to its name as being exclusive and for those beautiful people with lots of money. Keep in mind, it’s on the Atlantic border with France, so the water is cold, or colder than the Mediterranean but the food there, if you can afford it is great. The rest of the year is fairly cold and very wet, as in a lot of rain, so taking advantage of the off season is chancy but doable. Lastly, it is remote and requires a plane flight to the airport 20 minutes out of town, or a train from the nearest town of Bilbao. Or drive your own car, although parking is at a premium here. What I would suggest is stay in nearby Bilbao and either drive in or train in for a day or two or three. You’ll leave with a much fatter wallet!

Should you retire to San Sebastian

That depends as always on what’s important to you. If living in a high end, expensive town and rubbing elbows with other well healed folks is important, along with an endless supply of high end gastronomic restaurants is important, then for sure, this is your paradise. Keep in mind that the weather is only decent for the three or four months that the town is packed with tourists. And that the ocean is only swimmable, unless your a seal, for two or so months a year. And that the costs of everything are very high. Other than that, it’s a go! You may want to consider other nearby towns like Bilbao as that part of the country is beautiful, green and mountainous.

It's not hard to believe that San Sebastian is as popular as Madrid or Barcelona! This oceanfront resort town deserves the same recognition as one of Spain's most popular destinations. San Sebastian's timeless beauty will put travelers into a trance as well as its world-class culinary offerings. Pintxo (tiny tidbits like tapas) bar hopping is a primary activity as well as the beach. And while siestas are still practiced and Spanish is still spoken, much of the city's residents are bilingual and surf in their spare time. Queen Maria Cristina initially made this destination famous by vacationing here during the 19th and 20th centuries. When the summer heat in the south of Spain becomes too much to bear Spaniards flock to San Sebastian's cooler shores for a reprieve and to dine and dance the night away.

With its popular beach scene and gastronomy, the prices are quite high here during the peak summer season. On the Atlantic and an hours drive or bus trip from the much larger Bilbao, the waters are colder so be prepared. You can also fly into the local airport about 20 minutes away or take a scenic 5 hour train ride from Madrid. If driving, know that the area is very mountainous and the driving, although on very good roads, is a bit challenging although beautiful.