Day 3- Wonderful day in San Sebastián

Rain or shine, nothing stopped us from exploring this beautiful town. We started the day with a leisurely breakfast before heading out for a hike up to the Christ on the hill. The climb was both easy and steep in parts, made even more memorable by the steady rain coming down as we made our way up.

At the top, we were greeted by an impressive fortress rich in history. The city enjoyed a few centuries of relative peace before being besieged by Franco-Portuguese troops in 1476, and the fortress played a key role in sheltering its inhabitants during the attack. Afterward, the Catholic Monarchs ordered it to be further fortified. Standing above it all is the Sagrado Corazón (Sacred Heart) statue atop Monte Urgull—a 12.5-meter (about 45-foot) sandstone and concrete monument inaugurated in 1950. It’s a powerful symbol of peace, faith, and protection over the city, often referred to as the “Christ of Corcovado” of the Basque Country.

After our hike, we stopped at a local bar for a delicious appetizer and drink—well deserved! We spent some time wandering through the Old Town, picking up a few little treasures, before heading back to the hotel for a relaxing nap.

Later, we decided to head out to dinner and were thrilled to see the sun finally shining—clear skies at last. We chose a restaurant called Ganbara,  a Michelin Guide 2026 spot, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Knowing how popular it is, we arrived about 40 minutes before opening. We were the fourth group in line, but by the time the doors opened, the line had wrapped around the corner.

We enjoyed local txakoli wine (so good!) and ordered a variety of plates to share—each one better than the last. After dinner, we took a long walk along the promenade and watched the sunset, which wasn’t until around 9:00 pm. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day in San Sebastián.Read more