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,
we’re four guys, and we’ve put together Westminster’s restaurant scene in an app called Vota. The concept is simple: you see two places side by side (for example Famille vs. Kachina Southwestern Grill), you choose the place you’d rather go to, and the ranking updates instantly. The more people vote, the more accurate the list gets over time. There are still a few duplicates here and there, but I’m continuously cleaning up the data.
Here’s the iPhone version, with categories that actually fit Westminster’s food scene:
https://apps.apple.com/app/vota-restaurant-ratings/id6744969212
And here’s the Android version (finally live):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vota.app
P.S. I’m not from Westminster (I live in Gothenburg). I’m not collecting data, not selling anything, and the app does not use AI-generated content. I’m posting in a few different subreddits because we now support more regions, and I genuinely want honest feedback from people who actually know the area.
Hi will be traveling with my father to San Sebastián Basque Country from 10/3-10/7 around, our first time. Was wondering if anyone could help with booking Extebarri and Elkano? Know how hard former is and latter seems like I missed out by not doing earlier, even w/ waiting list and directly emailing. Also would like some help with Casa Julian in Toloso, on waiting list, otherwise I’ll try to book Madrid location where we’ll transit.
Hi All. I am traveling to Donostia / San Sebastián area in October. It is my first time in Europe /Spain (I am 51 yo and just now traveling to Europe after all my kids turned 18) and I had a couple of questions.
A friend suggested I travel to Paris as it is a hub and easy to get to my destination. Thoughts? I am leaning to doing this and spending 2 days in Paris prior to taking the train to Donostia / San Sebastián. Is it better to fly into Spain (and if so, what Airport)? For reference, I am planning a 10 day trip.
I am looking at staying in either San Sebastian or Zarautz. I won't have a car and I am picking these two locations based off the surf. I am an avid surfer (shortboard) and wanted to see how easy it is to get to spots. I assume that Zarautz is cheaper, but I don't want to be isolated and I know that SS is the hub to all things.
How far is the Bilboa and Estella-Lizarra from either location? My mom's side of the family is originally from Estella-Lizarra (her maiden name it Estrella) and I would like to see this now deserted town.
Of course, looking for hotel recommendations for San Sebastian or Zarautz. I am going during shoulder season and I think prices should be lower, so would appreciate to know what a good rate might look like. If you know of hotels in Paris as well, I would take those. Primarily looking for 1 br/1bth.
I know that Europe has been slammed by a heatwave and tourism has gone down, so part of my travel is to show support, in a tiny way, to this region.
Thanks all! Hope someone replies.... .
Hi! So I am planning on moving to Donostia in October to be an English teacher at an elementary school in irun. I broke the news to my dad (I am 25, recently graduated) and he is completely against the idea and thinks I am ruining my life. Can some people please share some positive thoughts about the city and the basque region in general. He is focusing purely on the negative and I would love to be able to show him some positive opinions about the region from people. Thanks!
My wife and I will be visiting Donostia (among other cities) the second week of October and are we looking for tips & advice for Txacoli winery hopping.
Most places we have encountered require RSVPS. Are there any that accept drop-ins? We don't need a tour, just want to drink a glass or two and head to the next stop.
We will rent E-bikes Zarautz to make our movement more efficient.
Thank you for your attention and help.
Kaixo! I'm an independent musician and I got a song placed in one of the official selection films for the upcoming San Sebastian Film Festival. We decided to turn it into a family vacation and looks like the easiest and cheapest way for us to get in the area is a flight to Bilbao. How's the drive from Bilbao to San Sebastian? Is the a lot to do on the way? We live in Colorado, so the hour and a half drive wouldn't be a problem for us, just curious what to expect in the area or of driving around there in general. Have driven in Greece quite a bit, not sure if that's similar or not. 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!
Hi, I’ve just finished the Camino Frances and am now looking at how to get home. I want to spend the next week walking the Camino ingles backwards then from Finisterre back to Santiago.
Looking at flight prices to London from Santiago I can see it is cheaper to fly from Bilbao.
I (20F) am an experienced (ish) traveller, have decent Spanish and am broke enough to get crafty.
Has anyone done this? Or has anyone got any advice?😅
Buses all booked up and cost of blabla cars or getting multiple trains doesn’t justify flying from Bilbao.
​
My spouse and I will be visiting San Sebastian in early October and we're wondering what it will be like in terms of weather and crowds. Any recommendations for places to eat or day trips? We are older (50s/60) and like to see sites, eat local cuisine,visit museums, shop, and take day trips. We are not nightlife people and prefer a slower pace to enjoy life's journey. Also, I believe October 12th is a national holiday, how does that affect things in town? Thank you in advance for any advice!
I saw this reel on instagram, where someone dent to a restaurant / cider house. It looked really good. According to the reel it’s in San Sebastian.
Apparently you can refill as much as you want on the cider.
Does anyone have an idea where it is?
EDIT: It’s probably Alorrenea Sagardotegia
Hola. Estoy buscando una piscina para nadar largos en Donosti. Sé que varios espacios deportivos la tienen, pero tengo una preferencia para una descubierta. Parece que la única piscina descubierta sería la de Etxadi en Aiete. Hay otras en la ciudad? Hay alguien que sepa hasta cuándo está abierta la piscina descubierta? Gracias!
We will be in San Sebastian during the solar eclipse. Any suggestions as for where to view it?
Hola, estamos en Euskalherria de vacaciones somos del Estado y nos ha surgido una duda a ver si alguien sabe resolverla. Muchas veces después de Agur o Eskerrik asko la gente de aquí añade un Bai. No sabemos si tiene significado o es una muletilla. Agur eta Eskerrik asko. ☺️
Hi, the high end places are very well known. How about budget restaurants?
Zumaia; Ezcaray (La Rioja) and Pamploma then flying out of Bordeaux.
Thanks in advance, Poppy
I am planning a trip for next month and will be in the Basque country for appx. two weeks:
A little strange to backtrack to Hondarribia again, but the hotel in San Sebastian was sold out for the Friday and we are able to stay for free in Hondarribia with hotel points before flying out of Biarritz.
We mostly are excited to wander each city, drink wine, and eat well. We have a winery tour booked in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and at Hiruzta winery in Hondarribia. I have wanted to balance planning/preparation for the trip with leaving ample time for organic discovery.
We are right now deciding on a day trip for one of our San Sebastian days. It seems like more of the organized day trips leave from San Sebastian than the other stops. We are debating between a trip out to Guernica + San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, OR, spending a day out in the cider houses in Astigarraga. It seems like Uber etc is not a thing, so would mean either an organized day trip to one cider house, or arranging our own taxis. I also know we are outside of typical cider season, plus would be going on a weekday, so was not sure if this would be an ideal experience. BUT, this seems like a unique and local experience, and we love Basque cider! I also know that there are cideries in San Sebastian proper. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe also looks beautiful, but is further away and means a long car ride out of the city for a view.
Appreciate any thoughts or recommendations regarding these two alternatives? If anyone has done either of these and has advice, it is greatly appreciated. Also happy to take any recommendations for any of these stops along the way, especially in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Hondarribia! Thank you.