Tourist information - San Sebastian
This city, also known as Donostia, lies along a white sandy bay among the Urgull along with Igeldo hills. Fishermen's houses, a smart suburb and modern districts make it among the most eye-catching cities on the Cantabrian coast. The Museum of San Telmo, the Peine de los Vientos (Comb of the Winds) as well as the Kursaal is examples of how the city brings together modern as well as traditional features. At the same time, the province of Guipuzcoa, of which San Sebastián is the capital, blends sea along with mountains, offering the traveller landscape, sports as well as cuisine, as well as attention-grabbing monuments. Basque cuisine includes a recognized international prestige.
The town centre streets of San Sebastian unfold overlooking the La Concha Bay. Monte Igeldo marks one end of it - a wonderful vantage point for enjoying views over the city. At its feet is Torrepea Point, where the “Peine de los Vientos” ("Comb of the Winds"), a sculpture by the famous Basque artist Eduardo Chillida, is installed. Here Ondarreta beach begins framed by a garden area as well as by the Pico Del Loro. This was the place chosen by Queen Maria Cristina (18th C.) to build the Miramar Palace, her summer residence. An attractive promenade with elegant railings as well as street lamps runs along La Concha Beach, on whose sands is the Perla Del Océano Bathing Area, a former royal bathing hut. Still looking at the sea, you arrive at the old Casino, now the City Hall. In this area, between the seas along with the River Urumea, is the old town along with the way to Monte Urgull, the marina along with the fishermen's district. The summit of Urgull is covered with La Mota Castle as well as a representation of the Sacred Heart. One path takes you upwards while another skirts the hill and also takes you along the breakwater.
In the oldest part of San Sebastián, the churches of San Vicente as well as Santa María del Coro await you, the former Gothic and also the latter Renaissance-Baroque. An old Dominican convent is nowadays the San Telmo Museum, whose archaeological along with ethnographic collections, along with its paintings, are worth a leisurely visit. These busy streets lead you to the porticoes Plaza de la Constitución. Among its a number of balconies - numbered and painted white, betraying its origin being a bullring - stands the old Neoclassical City Hall, changed into the Municipal Library.
La Alameda del Boulevard leads into the Romantic city, which emerged after the old walls were demolished. One the banks of the Urumea you can make out the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and also the María Cristina Hotel, created in Neoplateresque style. Spread through this rationalist street pattern, you may also visit the Plaza de Guipúzcoa, having its gardens, the Provincial Government building, the Koldo Mitxeleria Cultural Centre and also the Post and also Telegraph Office. Also, San Sebastian Cathedral, el Buen Pastor, built in Neogothic style. Once again on the bank there are aristocratic houses from the beginning of the 20th century, leading to the María Cristina Bridge, one of the most monumental of those crossing the river? Four lamps by the sculptor Mariano Benlliure light the way to the railway station, made by Eiffel. On this side of the river include the modern districts of Eguía and also Gros. On Gros Beach is the modern Kursaal structure, designed by the architect Rafael Moneo.
San Sebastián is a cosmopolitan city having a strong Basque character, which is clear in its cultural events. The "tamborrada" or "Semana Grande", with its fishing boat regatta, tells us something of the tradition; while its prestigious film along with jazz festivals says a great deal about its international vocation. All these are occasions when it is worthwhile experiencing the city, even though you will need to book accommodation in advance.
One of the best ways of touring its districts and also approaching its culture is through the cuisine. Basque cookery has international prestige thanks to its raw materials along with the skill of its cooks, who have both traditional and imaginative repertoires. It must be said that some of the most renowned restaurants in Spain are in San Sebastián. Recipes made out of vegetables, fish and also shellfish must always be accompanied by chacolí from Guetaria/Guetariako Txakolina, having its own Denomination of Origin.
The province of Guipúzcoa fulfills the tastes of any traveler, offering a long coastline of excellent beaches and fishing villages, while inland there are natural areas where you could find essential historic towns. Going along the coast from France towards Vizcaya you will have the chance to visit the historical centre of Hondarribia/Fuenterrabia, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument, and also to stay in its Parador de Turismo. Other towns that combine remarkable monuments with extensive beaches are Zarautz, Getaria, and Deba along with Mutriku.
Rivers and also valleys lead you inland. Following the course of the Oria, the historical towns of Tolosa, Ordizia along with Lazkao preserve essential legacies of monuments. The Urola valley has the old town and also spa of Cestona/Zestoa, the medieval streets of Azpeitia and also the Sanctuary of San Ignacio de Loyola, a Baroque site that is the centre of Basque religious life. Bergara, the smartest towns in Guipúzcoa, along with the lovely houses of Elgeta unfold along the Deba valley.
Aside from this wealth of monuments, this Basque province has a natural heritage which is ideal for practicing many low environmental impact sports. The Aitzkorri, Aralar, Aiako-Harria along with Pagoeta natural parks also shows us the quality of their ecosystems.
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