Under $100: San Sebastian

Located in Basque Country, San Sebastián is a resort town filled with picturesque beaches, history and culture.

Before your day begins, stop at one of the many cafés for breakfast tapas or pintxos, the city’s own regional snack featuring local flavors often piled high on a piece of homemade bread. One of the casual favorites is Hogar Dulce Hogar, or Home Sweet Home.

La Playa de Las Canteras © Oscar Paradela | Flickr

The most popular beach is La Concha, for its gorgeous views of Concha Bay. The urban shore attracts lots of European tourists and is a gorgeous spot to swim, sunbathe or just stroll and enjoy the scenery. Isla Santa Clara is located right in the middle of the bay, so it’s easily reachable from the beach. Many people even swim from the beach, right up to the island, where you can enjoy walking paths, a lighthouse and a drink at the bar.

San Sebastián’s Old Town is home to several historic structures worth visiting if you can tear yourself away from the shore. Museo San Telmo is a Dominican convent from the 1500s, which is now a museum celebrating Basque culture. San Vicente Church was built in the 1500s as well and includes several historic works of art, including the church’s altarpiece, stained glass and 1868 French organ.

© Itziartelletxearocha | Dreamstime

Further explore the city’s culinary culture with a pintxos tour. You can also take a small trip outside the city to one of the coast’s wineries, which produce the regional txakolí wine, a fruity white variety often served with seafood. The city’s food markets are also great spots to grab a bite. Try the modern San Martin, which was rebuilt in the last decade to replace the original marketplace. The cuisine, however, is still the same, and you can find plenty of local produce and specialties, as well as restaurants and bars.