An advice from one traveler to another: you don’t just visit San Sebastián, you eat your way through it.
This charming Basque coastal city wraps you in the sea breeze, golden-hour views, and the delicious realization that every single meal here might just be the best you’ve ever had. One minute you’re sipping txakoli (cha-ko-lee) by the beach, the next you’re tucked into a candlelit corner of a Michelin-starred restaurant, wondering how charred octopus could taste like nostalgia. So, if you’re ready for a full-bodied, fork-in-hand celebration of Basque culture, we made a culinary itinerary guide in San Sebastián for three perfectly paced days where we’ll take you to the heart of it all.
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Day
Highlights
Overnight
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
San Sebastian
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
San Sebastian
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
San Sebastian
Day 4:
Departure
Let us know what you love, where you want to go, and we’ll design a one-of-a-kind adventure you’ll never forget.
Get in touchMiriam
Europe & Africa Expert
Romina
Europe & Africa Expert
Catiane
Europe & Africa Expert
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.
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!
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.
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
Want to extend your journey beyond San Sebastián? These expert-curated add-ons pair perfectly before or after your 3-day food-filled adventure. Whether you’re chasing more flavor, cultural immersion, or scenic escapes, we’ve got you covered.
One of the best parts of a luxury culinary trip to San Sebastián? How effortlessly it all comes together. From your hotel, you’re just steps from pintxo bars, sea-view promenades, and centuries of Basque history. And when it’s time to venture further, it’s only a short drive away, with coastal views that turn every ride into part of the experience.
This itinerary is designed for a luxury culinary adventure in San Sebastián, the kind of trip that lingers in your memory long after the plates are cleared. Whether you’re celebrating something big or simply hungry for something different, we’ll take care of the planning and every little detail tailored to your taste.
Work with our team to shape this San Sebastián luxury culinary trip seamlessly and without hassle around your schedule, preferences, and pace. You can also join our mailing list to get updates, travel tips, and exclusive itineraries straight to your inbox.
If you’ve been dreaming of a romantic, high-end European road trip, or a private, high-end vacation through Europe’s most iconic coastlines, this is where it begins. Let us take care of the details so you can simply arrive, breathe in the ocean air, and fall in love with the journey. Request a quote now!
We recommend booking 4–6 weeks in advance for best restaurant availability, but last-minute arrangements are possible depending on the season. Our team can typically organise the itinerary within a few days if needed.
Absolutely. We can add extra Michelin-starred dinners, vineyard visits in the Txakoli region, private tastings, or cooking masterclasses depending on your preferences. The itinerary is fully customisable.
All experiences included in this itinerary are private unless you request otherwise. This ensures a tailored and seamless journey throughout your stay.
This itinerary is ideal for couples, food-loving friends, honeymooners, or solo travellers seeking world-class culinary experiences in a refined, hassle-free format.
Prices start from €3,500 per person and may go up to €6,500 depending on the season, hotel choice, and inclusions. All quotes are bespoke and include premium services and 24/7 local support.
Yes. We’ll take care of all dietary requirements in advance — from vegetarian to gluten-free or kosher-style — and ensure all restaurants and chefs are fully briefed.
Yes. Our local concierge team is available 24/7 via WhatsApp, phone, or email to assist with reservations, last-minute requests, or logistical updates throughout your stay.
Our cancellation policy is flexible. Most bookings can be postponed with credit applied toward a future trip. Specific terms will be included in your proposal.
Yes. We can add pre- or post-trip extensions to nearby regions such as Rioja, the French Basque coast, Barcelona, or even southern Spain — fully planned and seamlessly connected to your San Sebastián experience.
Let us know what you love, where you want to go, and we’ll design a one-of-a-kind adventure you’ll never forget.
Get in touchMiriam
Europe & Africa Expert
Romina
Europe & Africa Expert
Catiane
Europe & Africa Expert
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