San Sebastian, the place to go “out for tapas”

Not enough travelers to Spain visit the Basque country and they are certainly missing out!

San Sebastián is blessed with incredible natural beauty, great architecture and delicious food. Tapas and pintxos, as they are called, will make you experience the ultimate expression of “tapas culture”: hundreds of tapas bars concentrated in a small area, people spilling into the streets with their bites and drinks…. a delight to behold! It can be overwhelming if you are a “beginner”, so read on for how to best enjoy yourself.

There are two peak times, one before lunch (called aperitivo), and the other before dinner (dinner in Spain Is at 10PM, so around 8PM). Bars are packed on the weekends but that is when it is more fun, and I suggest the evening session, as you usually stay and make a night of it! Most of the bars are standing room only and can be quite full. The snappy staff is usually keeping an eye on what there is being taken by whom, but to ask for your bill, you simply use your fingers to indicate how many tapas you’ve had.

It is typical to stay at one bar just for a few pintxos and one or two rounds of drinks and then move on. So if you visit the old part (between the port and the Cathedral through the Plaza de la Constitución and ending at the old market building) a tapas route will be easier thanks to the great number of tapas bars.

There are so many great places that you could wander around and just do fine, but if you are really looking for some great places don’t miss Borda Berri and A Fuego Negro.