San Sebastián Donostia · April 2–6, 2029
Martin & Sigrun · 4 Nights · Sigrun's Birthday April 5
Getting There
Zurich (ZRH) to the Basque Country — two strong airport options
SWISS Direct — Recommended
Outbound Apr 2: ZRH → BIO, ~1h 50min nonstop. The 2029 direct-flight timetable will need to be checked before booking; otherwise connect via a hub.
Return Apr 6: BIO → ZRH, with direct availability subject to the 2029 timetable.
Alternatives with 1 stop: Lufthansa via Frankfurt/Munich (~4–5h), Iberia via Madrid (~4–5h), Vueling via Barcelona (~4h).
Transfer BIO → San Sebastián: ~1h 10min drive. Pre-booked private transfer ~€120–150, or rental car for flexibility (golf, wine tours).
Price range: €200–400 per person round-trip (economy). SWISS nonstop typically €300–400 RT.
Connecting Flights — No Nonstop from ZRH
Outbound Apr 2: ZRH → EAS with 1 stop. Vueling via Barcelona (depart ~09:40, arrive ~13:30, ~3h 50min total). Iberia via Madrid (depart ~07:30, arrive ~13:00, ~5h 30min).
Return Apr 6: Same routings in reverse. Multiple daily options.
Advantage: EAS airport is only 20 minutes from San Sebastián city center — no long transfer needed.
Disadvantage: Always requires a connection; flight times are longer overall.
Price range: €150–300 per person round-trip (economy). Vueling from ~€190 RT.
Where to Stay
Luxury hotels on La Concha Bay — 4 nights, April 2–6
Hotel María Cristina
The grand dame of San Sebastián since 1912. A Belle Époque masterpiece on the banks of the Urumea River, steps from La Concha beach and the Old Town. 139 individually decorated rooms with marble bathrooms, rain showers, and pillow menus. The hotel where film stars stay during the San Sebastián Film Festival.
River and partial sea views from premium rooms. Impeccable service, elegant bar, and central location that's hard to beat.
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
A 19th-century seafront icon directly on La Concha promenade with unobstructed bay views. Request a sea-view balcony room for morning coffees overlooking the crescent beach. The Mari Galant brasserie serves traditional Basque cuisine. Classic, romantic, and perfectly positioned.
Lasala Plaza Hotel
Modern luxury in the heart of Parte Vieja with a rooftop infinity pool overlooking La Concha Bay. Adults-only policy ensures tranquility. Rooms feature heated floors, Japanese toilets, and smart climate control. The Sukaldean restaurant celebrates seasonal Basque cuisine. Perfect base for pintxos crawling.
Akelarre — Hotel & Restaurant
22 luxurious rooms perched on Monte Igueldo with floor-to-ceiling ocean views, soaking tubs before vast windows, and suites with private plunge pools. Full spa. And of course — home to Pedro Subijana's 3-Michelin-star restaurant. Ten minutes from the city center. A destination unto itself.
The ultimate choice if the birthday dinner is at Akelarre itself.
Villa Favorita
An intimate 23-room boutique hotel on the Paseo de La Concha with sea views from every room. Houses the 1-Michelin-star Amelia restaurant by Paulo Airaudo. Refined, elegant, and ideal for a food-focused stay.
Hotel Niza
A beloved, family-run hotel directly on La Concha beach — the most photographed hotel facade in San Sebastián. Charming rather than opulent, with front rooms offering unbeatable sea views at more accessible prices. A sentimental local favorite.
Day by Day
Five days of Basque Country magic — from pintxos to Michelin stars
Arrival & Pintxos Crawl
Monday, April 2Fly Zurich → Basque Country
Depart ZRH in the morning. If flying via Bilbao (SWISS nonstop or Lufthansa connection), arrive around midday. Pick up rental car and drive the scenic A-8 motorway along the coast (~1h 10min) to San Sebastián. If flying via Barcelona to EAS (Vueling), arrive early afternoon — 20-minute taxi to the hotel.
Check In & Settle
Check into the hotel. Freshen up, then take a first stroll along La Concha promenade to get your bearings. Walk to the end of the beach, feel the salt air, and watch the sunset behind Monte Igueldo.
Pintxos Crawl in Parte Vieja
Your first night should be the quintessential San Sebastián experience — a pintxos crawl through the narrow streets of the Old Town. Hop between 4–5 bars, ordering 1–2 pintxos and a glass of txakoli at each. The streets are electric in the evening. Start around 8:30 PM (Basque dinner time).
Budget: ~€40–60 per person for a full pintxos crawl with drinks.
Golf, Beach & Monte Igueldo
Tuesday, April 3Golf at Real Club de Golf de San Sebastián (Jaizkibel)
Tee time around 9:00 AM. Drive 25 minutes east to Hondarribia, where the historic Royal Golf Club (founded 1910) sits on 125 acres of rolling, forested terrain near Mount Jaizkibel. An 18-hole, par-71 course designed by Pierre Hirigoyen with dramatic elevation changes and stunning views of the Basque coastline. Bring your handicap certificate.
Green fee: ~€80–120. Allow 4–5 hours including the drive.
La Concha Beach & Monte Igueldo
Return to San Sebastián for a late lunch (try the grilled turbot at Gandarias or a quick pintxos round). Then walk the full crescent of La Concha beach. Take the charming 1912 funicular up Monte Igueldo for the most famous panoramic view in the Basque Country — the entire bay spread beneath you.
Dinner at Kokotxa
1-Michelin-star contemporary Basque cuisine by chef Daniel López, right in the Old Town between the port and the Santa María del Coro basilica. Try the tasting menu (€115 for 14 courses) — seafood-forward with elegant presentations of local Bay of Biscay ingredients. An outstanding meal at a relatively gentle price for Michelin-starred dining.
Budget: ~€150–200 per person with wine.
Wine Country Day Trip
Wednesday, April 4Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour (Half Day)
Drive 25 minutes west to the medieval fishing village of Getaria — birthplace of txakoli wine and Juan Sebastián Elcano (first to circumnavigate the globe). Visit a family-run winery, walk through the vineyards of D.O. Getariako Txakolina, taste several txakoli styles paired with local anchovies and gildas (the iconic Basque pintxo of olive, pepper, and anchovy). Wander Getaria's cobblestone streets and have a grilled fish lunch at a port-side restaurant.
Tour: ~€80–120 per person. Return by early afternoon for beach time or exploring Gros neighborhood.
Rioja Alavesa Full-Day Wine Tour
Depart at 9:00 AM for the ~1h 45min drive south to Rioja Alavesa. Visit 2–3 wineries (including architectural landmarks like Bodegas Ysios by Calatrava or the Frank Gehry–designed Marqués de Riscal). Sample 8–10 wines, enjoy a traditional Riojan lunch in the medieval walled town of Laguardia. Return to San Sebastián by 5:30 PM.
Group tour: ~€130–180 per person including tastings and lunch. Private tour: ~€250–350 per person.
Day Trip to Biarritz, France
Just 30 minutes across the French border. Stroll the Grande Plage, visit the Rocher de la Vierge, browse the elegant shops, and have a long lunch at a French brasserie. A lovely contrast to the Basque Spanish side. Return for dinner in San Sebastián.
Dinner at Mugaritz
2-Michelin-star avant-garde dining by Andoni Luis Aduriz, 20 minutes from the city in the hills of Errenteria. One of the World's 50 Best Restaurants — a 20+ course "creative experience" that's more art than meal. Not for every palate, but unforgettable for adventurous diners.
Budget: ~€250–350 per person with wine pairing. Book 2–3 months ahead.
Sigrun's Birthday
Thursday, April 5 — Happy Birthday!Special Birthday Breakfast
Start the day with a luxurious breakfast — either the hotel's finest spread (María Cristina's breakfast is legendary) or a special pastry-and-coffee experience at a local café. Present birthday surprises over café con leche and Basque pastry.
Walk La Concha & La Bretxa Market
A leisurely stroll along La Concha promenade, then into the vibrant La Bretxa market — the city's main food market in a beautifully renovated old fortress. Browse stalls piled high with fresh fish, Idiazábal cheese, peppers, charcuterie, and seasonal produce. This is the beating heart of San Sebastián's food culture.
Spa & Relaxation
An afternoon of pampering — either the hotel spa (Akelarre's spa is exceptional) or La Perla Thalassotherapy Centre, a historic spa right on La Concha beach offering seawater treatments with views of the bay. The perfect way to prepare for an unforgettable evening.
Birthday Dinner — 3-Michelin-Star Restaurant
The pinnacle of the trip. Three extraordinary options — each among the finest restaurants on earth:
★★★ Arzak — The spiritual home of new Basque cuisine. Juan Mari and Elena Arzak create dishes that honor tradition while pushing creative boundaries. Located in their family home in the Alza neighborhood. Tasting menu €255. The most historically significant choice.
★★★ Akelarre — Pedro Subijana's clifftop masterpiece on Monte Igueldo, with floor-to-ceiling ocean views as spectacular as the food. Tasting menu €195–295. The most scenic and romantic setting.
★★★ Martín Berasategui — 20 minutes outside the city in Lasarte. The chef with the most Michelin stars in Spain. Technically breathtaking, modern Basque cuisine at its absolute peak. Tasting menu €355. The most ambitious and refined.
Budget: €200–400 per person including wine pairing. Book at least 2–3 months in advance.
Final Morning & Departure
Friday, April 6Coffee, Croissant & Last Pintxos
One final morning walk along La Concha. Coffee at a terrace café watching the waves. Then a last swing through Parte Vieja for farewell pintxos — maybe the famous tortilla at Bar Nestor (arrive early, they make only two per day) or the txuleta at Gandarias. Pick up any last-minute gifts: Idiazábal cheese, piment d'Espelette, or a bottle of txakoli to bring the Basque Country home.
Departure
Check out and head to the airport. If departing from Bilbao (BIO), allow 1h 30min for the drive — the SWISS nonstop to Zurich operates on Sundays. If departing from EAS, a quick 20-minute ride to the airport for a connecting flight via Barcelona or Madrid.
The Restaurant Guide
San Sebastián has more Michelin stars per square meter than anywhere on earth
Fine Dining
Arzak
The birthplace of new Basque cuisine. Juan Mari Arzak and daughter Elena create daring, playful dishes rooted in deep Basque tradition. Set in their family home since the 1800s. The "R&D lab" approach to classic ingredients is legendary. Tasting menu €255, à la carte €225.
Book: 2–3 months ahead. Open Tue–Sat lunch & dinner.
Akelarre
Pedro Subijana's cliffside temple overlooking the Bay of Biscay. Three tasting menus (Aranori €195, Bekarki €255, the signature €295) showcase Basque ingredients with artistic precision. The sunset views from the dining room are part of the experience.
Book: 2–3 months ahead.
Martín Berasategui
Spain's most decorated chef — 12 Michelin stars across all his restaurants worldwide. The flagship is a 20-minute drive from San Sebastián in a converted country house. Precision, technique, and flavor at the highest level. Tasting menu €355.
Book: 2–3 months ahead.
Mugaritz
Andoni Luis Aduriz's avant-garde laboratory, consistently in the World's 50 Best. A 20+ course "experience" that challenges conventions — edible stones, textured soils, dishes that provoke thought. Not comfort food, but thrilling. ~€250+ per person.
Book: 2–3 months ahead. Closed Mon/Tue.
Kokotxa
Chef Daniel López's intimate restaurant in the Old Town serves contemporary Basque cuisine with a focus on Bay of Biscay seafood. Market menu €85 (10 courses), tasting menu €115 (14 courses). Outstanding value for Michelin-star dining. The most accessible of the starred restaurants.
Book: 1–2 weeks ahead.
Amelia by Paulo Airaudo
Argentine-Italian chef Paulo Airaudo's "Omakase Italiano" — a tasting-menu-only concept that fuses Basque, Italian, and Japanese influences with premium global ingredients. Set in the elegant Villa Favorita hotel on the Paseo de La Concha. Tasting menu ~€180–220.
Book: 2–4 weeks ahead.
The Pintxos Bars of Parte Vieja
San Sebastián's Old Town is where food culture comes alive every evening. The ritual is simple: wander from bar to bar, order one or two pintxos at each, wash them down with a glass of txakoli (poured from a height to aerate the wine), and move on. The bars are shoulder-to-shoulder, the energy is electric, and the quality is astonishing. Here are the essentials:
La Cuchara de San Telmo
The gold standard for cooked-to-order pintxos. A narrow bar with a chalkboard menu — seared foie gras on apple compote, veal cheeks braised until spoon-tender, crispy suckling pig. Every dish looks like it belongs in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Arrive early or queue.
Gandarias
An "Aladdin's cave" with a bar groaning under towers of pintxos — classic preparations of seafood, ham, and grilled meats. The fisherman-style clams in white wine are legendary. Also has a proper sit-down dining room for txuleta (bone-in steak). A must-visit first stop.
Borda Berri
From the same team as La Cuchara de San Telmo. Tiny, always packed, and worth the squeeze. Beef cheeks slow-cooked in red wine, garlicky pig's ears, risotto with Idiazábal cheese. Cooked-to-order dishes that rival any restaurant in the city.
Bar Nestor
Famous for exactly two things: the tortilla española (they make only two per day — at 1 PM and 8 PM, first come, first served) and the massive txuleta steaks grilled over charcoal. Get there 15 minutes early for the tortilla. It's as good as they say.
A Fuego Negro
The punk rock of the pintxos scene — creative, irreverent, and delicious. Playful dishes with unexpected flavor combinations, served on a blackboard menu with witty descriptions. The "McFoie" (foie gras slider) is iconic. Great txakoli selection.
Ganbara
A farm-to-table pintxos bar with the counter piled high with seasonal ingredients — wild mushrooms in autumn, langoustines on ice, gorgeous vegetables. Famous for their seared mushroom caps with egg yolk. The most photogenic bar counter in the city.
Atari Gastroteka
A modern take on the pintxos bar with a regularly rotating menu. Beautifully plated small dishes that bridge the gap between traditional pintxos and fine dining. Excellent wine list with a strong txakoli selection. A bit less chaotic than the bigger-name bars.
Txepetxa
Entirely dedicated to the anchovy — prepared dozens of ways on small toasts. Anchovy with spider crab, with sea urchin, with olive tapenade, with wasabi. If you love anchovies, this is paradise. If you don't, you will after visiting.
Golf
One morning round on April 3 — three excellent courses to choose from
Real Club de Golf de San Sebastián
Founded in 1910, the oldest golf club in the Basque Country and third oldest in Spain. The current 18-hole, par-71 course was designed by Pierre Hirigoyen in 1968, set across 125 acres of hilly, forested terrain near Mount Jaizkibel. Dramatic elevation changes, ocean glimpses through the trees, and a sense of golfing history.
Real Nuevo Club de Golf Basozabal
Designed by José María Olazábal in 1992. A varied, technical 18-hole course with two scenic lakes and beautifully maintained fairways. Closer to the city than Jaizkibel, making it convenient for an early round with afternoon plans.
Budget Estimate
Per person and total for two — conservative to generous range
| Category | Details | Conservative (2 pax) | Generous (2 pax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights | ZRH ↔ BIO/EAS round-trip × 2 | €400 | €800 |
| Hotel | 4 nights luxury double room | €1,000 | €2,800 |
| Transfers / Car | Rental car 5 days or private transfers | €300 | €500 |
| Golf | 1 round green fee (Martin only or both) | €80 | €240 |
| Birthday Dinner | 3-star Michelin tasting menu + wine × 2 | €500 | €900 |
| Kokotxa Dinner | 1-star tasting menu + wine × 2 | €300 | €400 |
| Mugaritz Dinner | 2-star experience + wine × 2 | €400 | €700 |
| Pintxos Crawls | 2 evenings of pintxos bars × 2 | €150 | €250 |
| Lunches & Cafés | 4 days casual lunches, coffees, snacks × 2 | €200 | €400 |
| Wine Tour | Getaria txakoli or Rioja day trip × 2 | €160 | €500 |
| Spa | Birthday spa treatment × 2 | €150 | €300 |
| Miscellaneous | Monte Igueldo funicular, market shopping, gifts, tips | €100 | €250 |
| TOTAL FOR TWO | ~€3,840 | ~€8,040 | |
| PER PERSON | ~€1,920 | ~€4,020 |
Booking Checklist
Key reservations to make well in advance
Priority Bookings (2–3 months before)
- Birthday dinner (Apr 5): Arzak, Akelarre, or Martín Berasategui — these 3-star restaurants book up fast, especially for Thursday dinner. Mention the birthday when reserving.
- Mugaritz (Apr 4): Also books well ahead. Check their seasonal opening dates.
- Hotel: Book early for best rates and room selection, especially for sea-view rooms at María Cristina or Akelarre.
- Flights: Book SWISS nonstop ZRH–BIO as soon as the schedule opens for April 2029.
Secondary Bookings (2–4 weeks before)
- Kokotxa dinner (Apr 3): Easier to book than the 3-stars, but still reserve ahead.
- Golf tee time (Apr 3): Contact Real Club de Golf de San Sebastián or Basozabal directly.
- Wine tour (Apr 4): Book via Viator, GetYourGuide, or local operators like Go Basque Tours.
- Spa (Apr 5): La Perla Thalassotherapy or hotel spa — book treatments in advance.
- Rental car: Book at Bilbao Airport if choosing the BIO option.