u/TravelCatJourney

Rainy days these days in San Sebastian. What are your best activities you suggest in the city (aside from drinking and eating, we ve done quite a lot in the past four days :) ) on a rainy cloudy day?

Thanks!

Hi everyone! We’re driving from Bilbao to San Sebastián tomorrow, leaving Bilbao around noon, and we’d love to stop for lunch around 2 pm in Getaria — or Zarautz, we’re flexible

We’re looking for really good fresh grilled fish, ideally somewhere beautiful and authentic with a nice atmosphere. We’re not necessarily after the fancy Michelin experience — actually, we’d probably prefer a great local restaurant/asador where the focus is simply on excellent fish, good produce and proper Basque cooking.

Getaria would be our first choice, especially somewhere around the harbour, but very happy to hear about hidden gems or places you personally love in either Getaria or Zarautz.

Where would you go for a memorable grilled-fish lunch?

Thanks!

Hey everyone!

I'm spending a few days in the Basque Country next week (Bilbao + San Sebastián/Donostia) and would love some local recommendations.

A few questions:

• Restaurants: I'm much more interested in authentic Basque food than Michelin stars. Looking for places that really showcase local produce - farm-to-table, sea-to-table, fishermen's taverns, family-run places, cider houses, or hidden gems where locals actually eat. Happy to splurge if it's truly special, but I'd rather have an unforgettable authentic meal than a fancy tasting menu. Anything worth booking well in advance?
• Eclipse: I'll be based in Bilbao for the August 12 eclipse. If the weather cooperates, where would you recommend watching it? Happy to drive a bit (up to ~1–1.5 hours) if there's a significantly better location with a clearer western horizon or longer totality
• Rental car: I'm on the fence about renting one. I've read that parking in Donostia/San Sebastián can be a nightmare and expensive. Is having a car actually worth it for exploring the Basque Country, or would you skip it and rely on trains/buses? If you do recommend renting one, are there any parking garages or park-and-ride options in San Sebastián that make life easier?

For context, I enjoy slow travel, photography, hiking, architecture, and local food much more than checking tourist attractions off a list.

Thank you guys!

Hi everyone! My partner and I are visiting the Basque Country for the first time and we're looking for somewhere to stay for 9 nights, 14–23 August — ideally near a beach in Zarautz or San Sebastian (or anywhere lovely along that stretch of coast). Or anywhere actually that does not require selling a kidney for it :)

We left it a bit late, and we know it's peak season AND eclipse week 😅, so a lot of places are booked out or pricey. We're happy to be flexible: a short walk or drive from the beach is totally fine, and we're open to nearby towns too (Getaria, Zumaia, Orio, Hondarribia — even Hendaye or Saint-Jean-de-Luz over the border).

If anyone knows of a hotel, pension, has a friend of a friend apartment or host with availability for those dates — or a local site/agency worth checking beyond Booking and Airbnb — I'd be really grateful. We're just after somewhere clean and comfortable for two, close to the sea. Eskerrik asko! 🙏

Hi everyone! My partner and I are visiting the Basque Country for the first time this August and we're already a little in love just from the planning. We fly into Bilbao and want to spend most of the trip based near the coast, ideally one relaxed spot within walking distance of a beach - from 14 to 23 August (9 nights).

We know: we left it late, it's peak season, AND it's eclipse week 😅 so a lot of places are booked or pricey. We're happy to be flexible on the exact town (Zarautz, Zumaia, Getaria, Deba, Lekeitio, Hondarribia… we're open), and even a short drive from the sand is totally fine.

Two things I'd love help with:

1. Any local/regional sites beyond Booking and Airbnb where people actually list places — apartments, pensiones, casas rurales, agroturismos, anything with a bit of character?

2. Any towns or specific spots you'd recommend for a calm, beachy base (and any to avoid)?

We're not trying to cram everything in — we'd rather settle somewhere lovely and do day trips. This probably won't be our last time here either, so no pressure to see it all. Any tips hugely appreciated — eskerrik asko!