Statistics
(Guipúzcoa) |
Area: 1,909 km2
Population
(may be an estimate):
688,708 (2009) |
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 Español •  Français •  Português •
Capital of the Basque province of Guipúzcoa, the sophisticated San Sebastián (Donostia, in the Basque language) forms a half-moon around the beautiful bay of La Concha and has been known as an elegant holiday resort since the 19th century.
Less popular than the main tourist destinations of southern Spain and of the Costa Brava, it is now renowned for its art festivals, namely the International Jazz Festival in July, and the International Film Festival in September.
However, San Sebastián is also famous for another reason: considered the «culinary capital» of Spain, it offers delicious specialities in animated restaurants, namely at the fascinating old town (Parte Vieja), and perhaps the liveliest tapas bars of the Basque Country.
Also worth visiting in San Sebastián are the Aquarium (displaying more than 5000 fish) and the San Telmo Museum, housed in a former 16th-century monastery and exhibiting a chapel with beautiful frescoes, paintings and other varied collections.
The main beaches of San Sebastián are the Playa de Ondarreta and the bigger and more placid Playa de La Concha, both on the bay and from where the more intrepid may swim to the small island of Santa Clara.
Still on the coast of Guipúzcoa, the historic town and fishing port of Hondarribia is surrounded by 15th-century walls and full of old houses with sculpted verandas and coats of arms, topped by a 10th-century castle which is now a parador.
Inland, the imposing Sanctuary of Loyola is dedicated to St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuit order; in contrast with its rural setting, the Baroque sanctuary includes a circular basilica (17th century) and the house where Loyola was born in 1490.
Further south, the enticing and historic town of Oñati exhibits the magnificent Sancti Spiritus University, built in 1540 and for centuries the only university of the Basque Country, with a Renaissance facade decorated with statues of saints and an elegant Mudéjar courtyard.
The province of Guipúzcoa borders the Cantabrian Sea and the department of the Atlantic Pyrenees (France) to the north, the Community of Navarra to the east, the province of Álava to the south and the province of Biscay to the west.
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