San Sebastian Pintxos Crawl (PHOTOS)

The 58th International San Sebastian Film Festival started on September 16th and goes through the 25th. Julia Roberts will be there to receive a lifetime achievement award. But, San Sebastian is known more for its Michelin stars than its movie stars. Acclaimed chefs from all over the world make a pilgrimage to this seaside Basque city just for the food. It's not necessary to spend loads of euros to eat well. You can graze on simple and inventive pintxos (Basque tapas), which are made from the freshest local ingredients and will blow your mind. Here is a list from local chefs of places to hit.

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The stunning Spanish Basque city on the Bay of Biscay was once the playground for European royalty. Aside from beautiful beaches, Belle Epoque architecture, and the prominent yearly film festival, San Sebastian has more Michelin stars per capita than any other city.

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The stunning Spanish Basque city on the Bay of Biscay was once the playground for European royalty. Aside from beautiful beaches, Belle Epoque architecture, and the prominent yearly film festival, San Sebastian has more Michelin stars per capita than any other city.

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AirViceMarshalPark said on 18 Saturday 2010 pm30 3:56 pm: Spent ten days there a few years ago, fabulous little city with the best food in the world. Not mentioned is the market that opens early in the morning. For breakfast, you can snack your way from one end to the other and come out the other side completely stuffed with delicious things. The bar crawl in the evening isn't the same as it would be in the States, where it would be a walking drunk. Wine is served in very small glasses so you can easily go all evening without getting wasted.

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Comments

[Jamie Pudney Russo]

11:59 AM on 09/20/2010

My husband and I were just in San Sebastian after spending a few days in Barcelona. Overall, we agree that Spain was the best food and wine trip we've had so far. We live in Chicago so the smaller town part of our vacations is always what I look forward to. I LOVED San Sebastian. The food was outstanding. We did get into Arzak but I was just as enamored by the little tapas places all over the town. The beaches are beautiful. Great running path along the water. We stayed at Villa Soro which I highly recommend. Short walk into town.

[Sergio Puertollano]

04:59 PM on 09/26/2010

Greetings from San Sebastian and thank you for coming to our town, enjoying and saying. Villa Soro is a really nice hotel, just near my house and the school I studied at, by the way. I went to Chicago last Christmast and my wife and I got delighted with such a marvelous city, despite the cold weather.

[nolabill]

10:03 AM on 09/20/2010

My wife and I spent part of our honeymoon in San Sebastian. Absolutely one of the most beautiful places on the planet. We joke/fantasize about retiring there some day. Such a great place. It was a favorite of Hemingway's and it was easy to see why.

[jubo]

08:14 AM on 09/20/2010

Wow. Now there's a 'Tourism' section...

[KriTiKiT]

07:17 AM on 09/20/2010

lol...

now american is going to visit and destroy the little honor system

[SillyMammo]

09:08 AM on 09/20/2010

Sad, but probably true.

[DonMadrid1500]

05:29 AM on 09/20/2010

I've been to a lot of places but San Sebastian has to be one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. Pair that with the incredible food culture and it's a no brainer to spend some time there if you have to opportunity to travel. The only down side is that the weather is a bit touchy. August is crowded but has the best weather. I'm lucky that I live in Spain now and am able to take a long weekend there whenever I get the urge to indulge.

[Pintxolari]

05:18 AM on 09/20/2010

Beautiful pictures! For information about pintxo crawl in San Sebastian, suggested routes and pintxos, and even guided routes, the most complete site is http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

[Aretia]

04:35 AM on 09/20/2010

I visited San Sebastian on a trip across the Basque coast a few summers ago and seeing these pics of the food makes me want to go back so bad...best little anchovy-on-baguette snacks in the world.

[Freesia2]

02:59 AM on 09/20/2010

I am so going there. Someday.....

And when I do. I'm going to do nothing but snack.

[canadianexpat85]

10:02 PM on 09/19/2010

Yeah in Spain it's easier to toss the napkin on the floor. It saves the bartenders from touching dirty napkins and just sweeping them all at once. I have thrown many a napkin and cigarette butt to the floor.

[smoochie]

07:40 PM on 09/19/2010

I'm still savoring the fresh cheese and anchovies, and the fresh razor clams! yummmmm!!

[JICC]

06:20 PM on 09/19/2010

Definitely one of the best cities in the world. Evenings spent by the dock, dining on wonderfully fresh grilled sardines. Gosh, I miss the place.

[AntonioSaucedo]

05:03 PM on 09/19/2010

Donosti is aw!esome

[SiberianRat]

02:01 PM on 09/19/2010

As a poor budget vegetarian, when I visited San Sebastian 20 years ago (beautiful city), I found it was pretty much potato omelets, non stop.

[piul05]

05:23 PM on 09/19/2010

Yep, that's pretty much all over the Iberian Peninsula - lettuce and tomato salad, and omelets.

It's not a vegetarian-friendly part of the world.

[smoochie]

07:37 PM on 09/19/2010

beg pardon? even if you're a vegan there's lots of options, the Mediterranean diet is heavily focused on vegs and fruit (more the former) and if you're an ovo-lacto or a pesci-vegetarian, this place is bliss!

[Pleneras]

11:25 AM on 09/19/2010

Those morcillas look great.

[DonMadrid1500]

05:30 AM on 09/20/2010

LOVE morcilla.

[juanchopancho]

06:35 PM on 09/18/2010

I lived in Donostia for a few years. We used to take groups on tour for pintxos and wine, not a bad job. :) There are some superb tapas bars outside the "parte vieja" as well. Definitely don't miss Arzak, Akelarre or Mugaritz.

[AirViceMarshalPark]

01:35 AM on 09/19/2010

Akelarre is in a stupendous setting, just outside of town. I took a friend there for her birthday.