4-Day Luxury Culinary Itinerary in San Sebastián

Day 1

Arrival in San Sebastián – Private Airport Pickup,
Check-in at Hotel Maria Cristina or Hotel Villa Favorita,
Guided Cultural Walk,
Pinto & Wine Crawl

Recommended Luxury Stays in San Sebastián

Before you even take your first bite, where you wake up sets the tone for your entire getaway.  These handpicked hotels are extensions of the experience: elegant, indulgent, and perfectly placed for everything your luxury culinary itinerary in San Sebastián has in store.

Option 1: Hotel Maria Cristina

Located just steps from the Old Town and framed by the Urumea River, Hotel Maria Cristina has been the city’s gold standard since 1912. Expect high ceilings, marble baths, crystal chandeliers, and service that anticipates your needs before you do!

Option 2: Hotel Villa Favorita

Tucked directly on La Concha Bay, this intimate boutique property feels more like a private villa than a hotel. Hotel Villa Favorita is sleek and serene, with panoramic sea views, warm staff, and spacious rooms that make it hard to leave (even when a Michelin-starred reservation is calling).

Welcome to San Sebastián, where the waves sparkle and the air smells like grilled seafood. Today’s about soaking in the scenery, unwinding after your journey, and diving fork-first into the Basque culinary scene; starting with the city’s most beloved tradition: pintxos (peen-chos).

Midday – Arrival

Your private driver will meet you at San Sebastián, Bilbao, or Biarritz Airport for a smooth, scenic transfer into town. Once you check in at your hotel, you’ll be welcomed with a drink and a moment to settle in.

Note: If you’re arriving earlier in the day, we’ll gladly arrange an optional light lunch reservation to kick off your food journey without delay.

 Afternoon – Guided Cultural Walk

Ease into the rhythm of the city with a leisurely walking tour along La Concha Bay and through the charming Parte Vieja (Old Town), led by a local expert. Along the way, you’ll explore San Sebastián’s unique Basque identity, its culinary heritage, and the stories behind its world-renowned food scene.

Evening – Pinto & Wine Crawl

Tonight, your taste buds go on tour. You’ll join a curated pintxos safari through the lively Old Town; a progressive dinner across 5–6 handpicked local bars, each known for a standout bite.

FYI: Pintxos are the Basque Country’s answer to tapas: small, flavorful creations often served on bread and spiked with a toothpick (hence the name pintxo, meaning "spike"). Think grilled prawns drizzled in garlic oil, seared foie gras with apple compote, or slow-cooked beef cheek in red wine, all paired with local wines and crisp Basque cider.

Day 2

Mercado de la Bretxa Visit, Private Cooking Class, Light Lunch & Coastal Drive, 12-Course Dinner at Martín Berasategui,
Scenic Return via Miramar Palace

After a night of pintxos and Basque wine, it’s time to go deeper by eating great food and learning how it’s made. Day 2 combines hands-on culinary insight, coastal scenery, and a bucket-list Michelin dining experience that makes San Sebastián one of Europe’s top gourmet destinations.

Morning – Market Visit & Private Cooking Class

Your day begins at Mercado de la Bretxa, San Sebastián’s iconic indoor market nestled beneath the city’s Old Town. With your local chef-guide by your side, you’ll explore stalls overflowing with seasonal produce, line-caught seafood, Ibérico cuts, and rich local cheeses.

From there, you’ll head to a private kitchen studio where you’ll learn to prepare classic Basque dishes. Think: line-caught hake with pil-pil sauce, txangurro (t͡ʃaŋˈɡu-ro) orspider crab, and traditional Basque cheesecake!

Afternoon – Light Lunch & Coastal Drive

After your cooking session (and feasting on the fruits of your labor), enjoy a leisurely afternoon to rest, digest, or wander the La Concha promenade. You might want to stop by a seaside café, visit a local gallery, or take a refreshing dip. Later in the afternoon, your private driver will take you out of the city and into the scenic countryside of Lasarte-Oria, just 15 minutes away. Waiting for you there? One of Spain’s most celebrated kitchens.

Early Dinner – Martín Berasategui

At Martín Berasategui’s flagship restaurant, prepare for a culinary experience that borders on the spiritual. The meal unfolds over 12 perfectly choreographed courses with each plate a masterclass in texture, flavor, and technical brilliance.

Choose between dining indoors in the refined, art-filled space—or on the garden terrace, where every dish is framed by the gentle green hills of Gipuzkoa.

Evening – Scenic Return & Miramar Palace

On your way back to town, your driver will take the panoramic coastal route, giving you one last view of the mountains meeting the sea. Pause for a photo at Miramar Palace, a former royal summer residence perched between the beaches of La Concha and Ondarreta.

Want this day captured by a professional travel photographer? Just ask and we’ll handle the rest!

Day 3

Choice of Spa at La Perla or Cultural Visits,
Optional Getaria Wine Tour or Albaola Maritime Experience,
3 Michelin Star Farewell Dinner at Akelarre or Arzak

Your final day in San Sebastián is all about soaking up the last drops of luxury. We’ll tailor the pace to your style, but one thing is certain: it ends with a farewell feast to remember.

Morning – Choose Your Luxury Pace

It’s your final full day, so you decide how to spend the morning. We’ll make sure it’s tailored, no matter your energy level.

Option 1: Spa Indulgence at La Perla Thalassotherapy Centre

Set directly on La Concha Beach, this legendary spa has been a wellness sanctuary since 1912. Enjoy heated seawater pools, hydrotherapy circuits, and sea-view relaxation zones (plus optional treatments like a marine body wrap or therapeutic massage).

Option 2: Culture & Views

Prefer a cultural fix? Visit the San Telmo Museum, housed in a 16th-century convent, for a beautifully curated exploration of Basque art, history, and identity.

Or ride the Mount Igueldo funicular, one of the oldest in Spain, for 360-degree views over the bay, backed by the Cantabrian Sea and rugged cliffs.

Midday – Optional Add-On: Wine or Heritage

Choose one of two curated half-day experiences:

Getariako Txakolina Wine Tour

Head west toward Getaria for a coastal vineyard visit in the heart of the Txakoli wine region. Sample this signature Basque white wine that is light, crisp, and slightly effervescent at a family-run winery with breathtaking sea views

Albaola Maritime Museum Experience

For something off the beaten path, visit Albaola, a working shipbuilding museum where artisans are recreating a 16th-century Basque whaling vessel by hand.

Evening – Michelin-Star Farewell Dinner

Your final meal is nothing short of extraordinary. Choose between two of San Sebastián’s most iconic restaurants, both holding 3 Michelin Stars and world-class reputations:

Akelarre

Perched high on Mount Igueldo, Akelarre combines dramatic ocean views with refined, imaginative cuisine. Chef Pedro Subijana’s tasting menu plays with technique and tradition so expect sculptural plating, seafood done perfectly, and a wine pairing that enhances every note.

Arzak

Run by legendary father-daughter duo Juan Mari and Elena Arzak, this restaurant is a pillar of Basque nouvelle cuisine. The setting is understated, but what arrives on your plate is nothing short of art. The seasonal tasting menu is constantly evolving, grounded in deep culinary research and a flavor lab upstairs.

Late Evening – Gentle Close

Return to your hotel with a full heart and an even fuller belly. End the night with a nightcap at the hotel bar, or take one last walk along La Concha promenade, where the city lights shimmer on the water and the salty air says: come back soon.

Day 4

Departure

It is time to bid farewell to the stunning San Sebastian and prepare for your private airport transfer. You leave richer in experiences, emotions, and unforgettable memories that will stay with you for a lifetime. As your flight takes off, relax and look out over the lagoons, feeling grateful for the wonders you’ve discovered. Promise yourself, “I’ll be back.”

Meals included: Breakfast