Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
map as a seaside resort. By the turn of the 20th century, San Sebastián was the toast of
the belle époque, and a leading resort for Europe's beautiful people. Before World War I,
Queen María Cristina summered here and held court in her Miramar Palace overlooking
the crescent beach (the turreted, red-brick building partway around the bay). Hotels, casi-
nos, and theaters flourished. Even Franco enjoyed 35 summers in a place he was sure to
call San Sebastián, not Donostia.
Planning Your Time
SanSebastián'ssightscanbeexhaustedinafewhours,butit'sagreatplacetobeonvaca-
tionforafull,lazyday(orlonger).Strollthetwo-mile-longpromenadewiththelocalsand
scout the place you'll grab to work on a tan. The promenade leads to a funicular that lifts
youtotheMonteIgueldoviewpoint.AfterexploringtheOldTownandport,walkuptothe
hill of Monte Urgull. If you have more time, enjoy the delightful aquarium. Museum-go-
ers find it worthwhile to visit the Museum of San Telmo, the largest of its kind on Basque
culture. A key ingredient of any visit to San Sebastián is enjoying tapas in the Old Town
bars.
Dipping into Spain
If you're heading from France to Spain, you don't have to worry about border stops
or currency changes (both countries use the euro). But here are a few other practic-
alities:
Phones:
Spain's telephone country code is 34. French phone cards and stamps
will not work in Spain.
Hours:
Most Spanish sights and stores close for a “siesta” from about 13:00
to 16:00, and dinner doesn't begin until 21:00 or 22:00 (though tapas appetizers are
always available).
Eating Tips:
Most Spaniards have their big meal at lunch, then build a light
dinner from appetizer portions called tapas (or, in Basque Country,
pintxos
). Rather
than choosing one restaurant for the evening, eaters hop from bar to bar sampling
Spanish Survival Phrases:
WhilemanySpanishBasquesspeakEuskara,most
speak Spanish in everyday life. You'll find these phrases useful:
English
Spanish
Pronounced
