<<I know San Sebastian is popular specifically for its beach, surfing, world renowned cuisine and distinct culture. However, I’d like to know whether you think the city itself ranks among Spain’s finest.>>

You have to be kidding. What additional things would you want from a city?

It's my personal favorite. It's in the top 5 easily, if not higher.

It is one of the most popular destinations for those who know anything about Basque Spain. And as already pointed out, what more do you want? I think most of us who have spent a lot of time in Donostia would prefer others stay away so that we can continue to enjoy one of the best, and most unpretentious, destinations in Europe. We might even take up a fund to have you go somewhere else...

Someone is populating the Fodor's board with fishing posts to gain info for some survey or other, or a college project, or an attempt at becoming a travel writer.

Rasta --I don't think the OP is asking seriously? He goes through cycles posting this sort of thing by the bushel (nine threads today alone). Most are very similar in format and content, and are about every corner of several continents.

I think he's either researching something or pulling our leg(s)

I am researching. There is no need to be rude or jerks. I am not here to pull legs. As an example, "You have to be kidding. What additional things would you want from a city?" In a place like Barcelona or most of those other destinations I listed, travelers go there for a general overview of the country's highlights. Other destinations tend to be more specific, like the city itself may not be a main reason to visit but its food scene, beaches, etc. is. This was the sort of question I was/am asking about San Sebastian. Again, there is no need for us to be rude here guys. If you do not like this sort of thread, there are thousands of others and do not feel you have to waste your time.

Greekness2004

Your post attracted most of the rude jerks on Fodor's Europe board! Telling them to ignore an opportunity to be rude and jerky is like telling pigs to avoid mud. Just to give you an idea, some of them have never even been to San Sebastian, but they are still posting back at you -- just to be a rude jerk. They think it is their job to make sure Fodor's is only about what they want to talk about in a certain way.

I would be happy to live in San Sebastian, but i don't think it has the cultural attractions and interest of most of the other Spanish cities I have visited. There are of course film festivals and other events, and in and of itself the city has plenty of charming architecture.

Despite having more cultural attractions, I don't find Barcelona pleasant like I do San Sebastian. I think many people go to Barcelona because there is so much media about it, not because they want to learn anything about Spain.

The regions of Spain are all so different that it is not possible to go to Madrid and get an overview of Spain, or go to Barcelona and get an overview of Spain, or go to Leon, etc. But San Sebastian is a key city, I think, for understanding the Basque country of Spain (which would rather not be in Spain!)

Put me down as one who ranks SS in top three anywhere. Put me down as well as one who thinks a "city" is the sum total of food, weather, arts, architecture, terrain, "culture" [whatever that might be]and tons of other influences. A city is more than architecture, etc.

greekness2004: "I am researching. There is no need to be rude or jerks. I am not here to pull legs."

Then wouldn't have been more honest to say so up front? Plus I actually don't see a rude word in my post - it was an observation . . . which appears to have been accurate after all.

zeppole: "Your post attracted most of the rude jerks on Fodor's Europe board! Telling them to ignore an opportunity to be rude and jerky is like telling pigs to avoid mud."

That is rich since I am pretty sure you are the only one posting to the thread who has been kicked off for being rude.

janis - you stole my words by posting my thoughts first!


<< In a place like Barcelona or most of those other destinations I listed, travelers go there for a general overview of the country's highlights >>

What does this mean? That one city represents the entire country?

For the last two who posted, thank you. Of course, I never intended to insult anyone but rather simply wanted to get some feedback as to WHY San Sebastian is so popular. Some destinations are usually great for most. Other destinations are more specific to specific interests. Anyway, again, thanks.

San Sebastian has been popular as a summer vacation resort for more than 100 years since it is one of the very few places in Spain that is bearable in the summer. Therefore became a playground of the wealthy - and later regular tourists as tourism became much more popular after WWII.

And yes, I have been to SS - twice.

Separately, it is not the done thing to use people for research projects without telling them. If they know you are not actually asking about a real vacation - they may prefer not to respond.

Very bad form.

Suggest from now on you notify people you are doing research. Although I can;t imagine what type of research this could be that is valid - and research is one of the things I do for a living.

Posted this some time ago:

You have of course the food, the beaches, the parks, the museums, the aquarium etc, but Donostia/San Sebastián is perhaps first and foremost a city celebrating the fascinating Basque culture with much intensity, all kinds of festivals and events in and around the city all the time.

The city is also very much influenced by hosting one of the best jazz festivals in Europe (since 1966) and one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the world (since 1953). San Sebastián thus is a jazz and cinema city, many of the traditional bars originated as "cinema-bars" early in the 20th century, and there are several excellent jazz clubs here attracting top artists. Three great theaters/concert venues in town, Old world Victoria Eugenia, charming Teatro Principal in the Parte vieja and the huge and modern Kursaal by the Zurriola beach across the city river Urumea.

I love the churches in San Sebastián, especially the Basílica de Santa María del Coro at the end of Calle 31 de Agosto in the upper part of the Parte vieja (the only street of the Old town that was intact after the storming and burning of the city by British troops on August 31, 1813). In here there are musical events every now and then, and if you're really lucky you can hear the plain fantastic city choir Orfeón Donostiarra here. http://www.orfeondonostiarra.org/es/

San Sebastián is a city built on all kinds of societies and clubs. The traditionally men only gastronomical clubs are the most famous. Here men from all levels of society have met on equal footing in the kitchen and around the table for a couple of centuries. http://www.basquestage.com/2011/07/26/dinner-at-the-gastronomic-society/

The city pride Real Sociedad play in the same league as FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. That means that every second week most of the year, some of the best football teams on the planet visit the city. http://www.realsociedad.com/

San Sebastián is in general a very "sporty" city: Football, tennis, cycling (Clásica de San Sebastián is one of the major one day rides of the year for the professionals), horseraces and lots of traditional Basque sports such as pelota/jai-alai and fierce rowing comeptitions.

San Sebastián is also a "walking city", everybody seems to be walking all the time, either along the beautiful La Concha beach promenade or on the beach itself, along Paseo Nuevo (stunning if the weather is a bit rough) or up at Monte Urgull towering over the Parte vieja (Old town). Several beautiful parks such as Miramar (used to be the kings summer residence, know the seat for The Society for Basque Studies and the Basque Academy of Science), Aiete, Cristina Enea, Urgull etc. etc.

Every year the Universidad del Pais Vasco and The Society for Basque Studies arrange high quality summer courses, seminars and conferences in a very wide range of topics. Goes on from mid June to mid September. Have atttended several times, and I can reccomend it very much. The courses attract top quality academic and business expertise. http://www.sc.ehu.es/scrwwwsu/index.htm

Last, a vivid expression of the San Sebastián spirit is the annual Tamborrada (drum festival) celebration in mid winter. Here is the city choir Orfeón Donostiarra leading the crowds on the main square in San Sebastián's Old town singing on the occation of the 75th anniversary of one of the city's most famous gastronomic societies (Gaztelubide) during the Tamborrada in 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhncDjXMeQ4

nytraveler,

I simply asked opinions as to what makes San Sebastian popular, the city itself (architecture/look) or more specific things like its food, the famous beach, etc. I am not asking people for their bank info here. You saying that I need to tell people what I am doing with their simple-but-appreciated input is like suggesting I am going to take this info and secretly hand it to the Spanish government or opposing ETA. I am joking here, but don't over think this.

I'm sure what remains of ETA might be interested, but I guess we'll never know.

The architecture in San Sebastian is belle epoque and looks like a small Paris, directly on the ocean with 3 really nice beaches within a walk to hundreds of amazing places to eat and drink. I agree with robert that we should start a fund to keep tourists out so as not to spoil it. Besides, the weather is awful.

Yes, it rains so much that it reminds me of Seattle.

I am researching. There is no need to be rude or jerks>

I agree - no room for that kind of crash rudeness on Fodors but we see it time and time again.

No Donostia, as Basques strongly prefer to have their city called is not by any measure IMO one of Spain's most beautiful cities but it is IMO one of Spain's most interesting cities for all the reasons the positive comments above give - something very different and yes there are some nice beaches and cliffs book ending the old town.

Hemingway's book at one time was said to account for its popularity amongst foreigners but think that has long faded.

<I don't think the OP is asking seriously? He goes through cycles posting this sort of thing by the bushel (nine threads today alone). Most are very similar in format and content, and are about every corner of several continents.>

so what's the problem with that and why carp about it - I and others find these type of general 'do you like' threads quite interesting - indeed I have posted similar ones with no evil or silly intent that you are accusing the OP of - if you do not like something like just just don't open the thread - but why rain on someone's parade with such accusations?

Really what difference does it make to you? And leave us others who enjoy this to continue to enjoy such posts. Please!

ttt - interesting thread!

I can't believe that right away there were posters who attacked this questioner. I don't see anything wrong with the question. Jeez.

kenav: Nothing 'wrong' w/ it at all . . . But the OP has posted many essentially identical threads, most of which are not about any trips he plans on taking but are some sort of 'research'.

It looks like he is getting paid for something and Fodorites are doing the work.

I just wish he'd be up front about it.

greekness2004.

If you stay here any length of time you will find that you have to navigate around a good number of people who have very high opinions of themselves and who like to play "gotcha". They are outnumbered, fortunately.

I would petty much endorse what Egbert said. My first impression of SS was that it looked like a mini Basque/Spanish version of Paris situated on a coast. A great location, fabulous distinct food and a general charm. It does "lack" great architecture on a grand scale and world class museums. It presents like a small city but acts like very large town in some ways. It is just a unique place.

People like PalenQ, kenav and Aramis have been incredibly kind while people like janisj are still paranoid. janisj, yes I research. Guess what I do with it? I travel! I have been to over 500 destinations at this point. So you want me to be upfront. I just did! Anyway, thank (most of) you for being nice and offering good input.