Private San Sebastian Highlights & Pintxos Tour

5.0 (40 reviews) 4 h 30 min Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

40 reviews

5.0

Private San Sebastian Highlights & Pintxos Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Private San Sebastian Highlights & Pintxos Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

A trip through San Sebastián from East to West, climbing a mountain, crossing a river, getting to know its architecture, its geography, the secrets of its history and ‘cool,’ as well as its authenticity. There will be pintxos and an in-depth course on how to roll like a local in the beloved Basque bars.

Half-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Excellent Quality

At a glance

Duration: 4 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English
Operated by: Ikusnahi Tours

Ages: Infants (0–5 years) · Children (6–17 years) · Adults (18–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Private tour
Included: Driver/guide
Included: Five drinks to choose from: wine, beer, cider or soft drinks
Included: Hotel pickup
Included: Five pintxos

Not included

Not included: Food and drinks, unless specified
Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Monte Igueldo

30 min Admission included

They say that God made a model of paradise and that once it was built, he kept the model… thus, San Sebastián was born. To understand (and enjoy) the natural beauty of San Sebastián, we’ll start at the top of Mount Igueldo where you’ll find the most amazing views of the city. There we’ll learn about the history of the Basque Country, the Bay of Biscay and the role of San Sebastián in all this. Can you get rich trading wool? Were boats of a quality and reputation similar to that of Ferraris and Porsches manufactured in sixteenth century Euskadi? Yes, and yes.
Peine del Viento

15 min

The best way to descend Igueldo is aboard its wooden funicular, which is more than 100 years old. We get off next to the most photographed sculpture in the city: the Peine del Viento by Eduardo Chillida, made of corten steel (hence its deliberate rust color.) To scratch the winds and frequent waves of this place.
Zurriolako Hondartza

45 min

We’ll head over to the other 'Finis Terrae' of the city, Sagüés and La Zurriola, the epicenter of the surfing scene in San Sebastián. But first we’ll check out the main hallmarks of the city: its 'posh' side, its romantic nooks, the palace built for royal summers at the end of the 19th century (Miramar Palace), the French-influenced, modernist and rationalist buildings (with the odd nod to the Bauhaus), or more recent architecture such as the Kursaal, two buildings that seem to be beached rocks by the sea.
Parte Vieja

1 h 30 min Admission included

The Old Town is the gastronomic epicenter of San Sebastián (yes, here are the pintxo bars, the gastronomic sociedades ‘ [think private eating clubs], seasoned locals enjoying the timeless 'txikiteo' [a sort of uptempo bar-hopping] – ordering 'zuritos' or 'cañas'. Here is the gluttonous, indulgent San Sebastián you’ve heard tell of), and the site of the city’s oldest buildings. You’ll come away with a Master's Degree in navigating “miniature cuisine” (how do you order a pintxo? When do you pay?), and High Honors in Basque bars.

Okay. Let's talk about serious things. Everything we’ve told you about pintxos wouldn’t make sense if we didn’t visit the most iconic bars to try their most famous pintxos accompanied by cider, wine or beer. The snack will end with the sweet dessert that locals love to eat while walking down the street: a creamy, sweet and stunning artisanal ice cream. Now you can go to bed satisfied.