San Sebastian Or Donostia Beach Attractions
Donostia (or the more common name, San Sebastian), means Basque in Euskera, which is an ancient language whose origin is unknown, although as many as 35% of the local residents speak this language. The Donostiarras, or the locals of San Sebastian, use Euskadi and Castellano, which account for the double language signs in the Basque Country.
Location
San Sebastian is renowned as the non-refuted Basque resorts queen with trendy resort, La Concha Bay, right within its midst. Its beach is beautifully surrounded by the lushness of its hills, with the sparkling bay waters that attract many celebrities and sunbathers during the mild winters as well as in steamy summers. One can enjoy its beautiful bay and pretty beach which is at low tide for half the day, which is the reason the locals swim across to the island and back instead of using boat.
The crowds are expected during the months of July and August where you will have to push along the throng of visitors, especially during mid-August when Semana Grande celebrations come on. There will be music and activities such as sports and firework displays, culminating to an awesome candlelit ceremony on August 31st in commemoration of the devastating San Sebastian’s fire in 1813.
Attractions
The Zurriola Bridge or the Kursaal Bridge has beautiful original lamps of futuristic designs lighting up the Urumea mouth at the ancient Kursaal Casino site. The casino was closed because of the gambling prohibition rules that came on in the year 1924, and the building was re-opened as the town hall of San Sebastian, which has been considered a renowned landmark in this town since 1897.
San Sebastian offers three beaches, namely: Ondaretta, Playa de Gros and La Concha with La Concha being the nicest as it has a crescent-shaped sandy beach all around its bay, attracting the highest number of tourists. Ondaretta beach may see fewer tourists than La Concha but it is just as pretty and is the preferred swimming bay amongst the three.
La Concha beach is more festive with a lot of bikini displays, with locals calling it La Diplomática to acknowledge the Madrid aristocracy group vacationing there. Playa de Gros seldom sees many tourists as its dirty rivers tend to pollute the beach there.
Gastronomy
A good place for food and drinks would be the old quarter where there are many bars and restaurants at the waterfront along the narrow cobbled streets which fill the atmosphere with noise and festivity. Tapas are abundant with merchants plying the harbor for the freshest catch daily.
Nightlife
The nightlife is quite satisfactory with the plentiful bars and clubs available, with some of the best offering at the beach promenade, while a budget choice with a bohemian crowd awaits you at Reyes Católicos which is located at the back of the Baroque cathedral.