At the heart of the Basque Country’s famous cuisine beat the many gastronomic societies—the mysterious birthplaces for many typical Basque dishes. Eating well and the importance of food have been an inseparable part of Basque identity for as long as we can remember. There are many secrets, traditions and rituals related to the gastronomy here, […]
Basque culture
5 Things to Do on Easter in San Sebastian to Celebrate Spring Like a Local
The Basque Country is at its best during Easter: spring is in full swing, nature is starting to bloom, and the city wakes up into glory after the chilly winter. And make sure to pack your swimsuit—sometimes we even have the first beach days in April! Springtime is also one big celebration of gastronomy; it’s […]
What Are the Typical Basque Christmas Foods? An Authentic Basque Country Menu
Typical Basque Christmas foods are just as delicious (and extensive!) as you can imagine. For Basques, food always comes first, and the winter holidays are no exception. Spanish cuisine, famous for its amazing flavors, takes on even higher levels of deliciousness at Christmastime, if that’s even possible. But not all regions in Spain celebrate the […]
Start the Year Off Right: What to Do in San Sebastian in January
This blog post was originally posted on December 12, 2018 and was updated on December 22, 2022. The new year has arrived, and in most places, that means it’s time to settle back into everyday life after the holidays. But not in San Sebastian! In a city famous for its unique blend of Spanish and Basque […]
Basque Phrases & More: An Introduction to Europe’s Most Interesting Language
Fun fact: you shouldn’t always speak Spanish when in Spain. We know that sounds weird. Yes, Spanish is the official national language, and in most of the country, it is what you should be making an effort to speak. But that’s not always the case. A handful of Spain’s 17 autonomous regions have their own […]
Top 13 Festivals in San Sebastian You Won’t Want to Miss
Anyone who knows anything about Spain knows that we’re always ready to party. And while Basque culture is quite different in many ways, the same rings true. As a result, there are so many great festivals taking place in San Sebastian throughout the year. If you’re looking to get immersed in Basque culture and celebrate […]
Euskal Jaiak: Why This Exciting Basque Festival Should Be On Your Radar
If you’re looking to experience the ultimate in Basque food, culture, sports and more all in one week, you won’t want to miss Euskal Jaiak. This weeklong event (the name of which translates to “Basque Festivities” in English) typically takes place at the beginning of September, not long after the epic Semana Grande celebrations in […]
Discover Basque Culture at the San Telmo Museum
Many visitors come to San Sebastian for one thing: the food. While you could happily spend days doing nothing more than eating the best pintxos in the world, it’s also one of the best places to dive into the unique Basque culture. And there’s nowhere better to do that than the San Telmo Museum. Located […]
How to Be a Good Tourist: San Sebastian Edition
Traveling has never been as easy as it is now, which means that now it’s more important than ever to be a responsible traveler. After all, don’t we all want to make cities better for those who live in and visit them? San Sebastian is located in the Basque Country, or Euskal Herria in Basque. […]
The Complete Guide to Semana Grande in San Sebastian
It’s called the “Great Week” for a reason—Semana Grande in San Sebastian is unlike any other festival you’ll ever experience. In fact, it’s more than just a summer festival. It’s a full weeklong citywide street party celebrating Basque culture and heritage, complete with fireworks, live music, and plenty of good food. We look forward to […]