This week we will explore San Sabastian. The first place that must be included is La Perla, a beautiful white sandy beach, in Bahía de la Concha. There are a number of water sports offered in the area including kayaking, and water skiing. Swimming and these other water sports are made friendlier to tourists by the gentle waves due to the location on the bay, that keeps the water calm. In addition, there is a picturesque promenade called La Concha, and a nearby street of Alameda del Boulevard that is full of shops and cafés.

Another beach that one would be remiss to forget to visit is Playa de Ondarreta, a beach also located on Bahía de la Concha. In summer this beach is full of sunbathers, but in winter when the waves are slightly stronger, the area can draw body boarders and surfers. It also sits in front of the Miramar Royal Palace. The palace was built in 1888 as a vacation home for the royal family and sits on impeccably groomed gardens. It also boasts beautiful ocean views.

I would also like to visit Parte Vieje, also known as Old Town in San Sabastian. Visitors can take a stroll in the cobblestone streets, and experience authentic pinxo restaurants, where they serve a few smaller dishes at once instead of a more common full meal. The center of this area is Plaza de la Constitución, surrounded by beautiful architecture. Two other noted areas near the plaza are the Pescadería (the fish market), which would be a vastly different cultural experience from anything I have seen. In addition, there is the 16^th century Inglesia de San Vicente, which is the oldest church in San Sabastian.

Image Credit:

1. https://buenavibra.es/por-el-mundo/destinos/europa/san-sebastian-la-perla-del-cantabrico/
2. https://turismo.euskadi.eus/es/playas-embalses-rios/playa-de-ondarreta/aa30-12375/es/
3. http://sansebastianregion.com/en/destinations/san-sebastian