San Sebastián Food Tour: Pintxos and Beyond
Known as the city that serves the best of Basque cuisine, San Sebastián is a top destination for food lovers in Europe. But, its tastiest plates and local restaurants may be difficult to find without insider help. This small-group food tour offers just that, with an itinerary that showcases San Sebastián’s culinary credentials. Visit family-run bars and bakeries, make the Basque snacks “pintxos,” sip cider, and learn about the city’s culture from a local guide.
Highlights
- ✓Try pintxos, tapas, and drinks that you’ll want to order again
- ✓Discover the city’s lively corners such as the Gros neighborhood
- ✓Overcome the language barrier as your guide orders for you
- ✓Enjoy a sociable and intimate tour in a small group
What you'll see & do
- ✓Located in Gros, this lively local square will be your first glimpse of everyday life in San Sebastián. Framed by the Church of San Ignacio, bars, and shops, families gather here, just steps from our nearby first tasting stop.
- ✓Step into a welcoming family-run bar devoted to traditional Basque flavors. Savor their signature pintxo: grilled mushrooms with rich foie gras and creamy alioli on crusty bread, perfectly paired with a refreshing Marianito vermouth, herbal and slightly sweet, the classic Basque aperitif.
- ✓Step into a local couple's wine and beer shop, where you'll build your own Gilda: the anchovy, olive, and pepper skewer that started San Sebastián's whole pintxos tradition. Pair yours with a glass of wine or beer, your choice.
- ✓Between the Hotel Maria Cristina and Teatro Victoria Eugenia, discover San Sebastián’s Belle Époque legacy. Nearby, spot the Kursaal and Zurriola Bridge, linking Gros to downtown with river views and surfers heading out to the waves.
- ✓Sit down at one of the Old Town's liveliest streets for two skewers: shark and shrimp fresh from the Cantabrian Sea, and thick, aged txuleta beef grilled over charcoal. You'll wash it down with cider poured txotx-style.
- ✓La Bretxa Square, named after a breach made by Napoleon’s troops during the 1800s siege, is now a bustling hub where locals shop for fresh fish, meats, and produce, a lively glimpse into everyday Basque life in the city center.
- ✓Set on the iconic 31 de Agosto Street, one of the oldest streets in San Sebastián, this stop brings you to a beloved local bar that feels like a doorway into the city’s past. Bernardo, its 70-year-old owner, greets visitors with a warm smile and a lifetime of devotion to Basque cuisine. Here you’ll enjoy a special off-the-menu tasting of tender grilled squid with potatoes pintxo, beautifully paired with a glass of Txakoli, a dry white wine from the Basque coast.
- ✓For a sweet finale, we'll visit the city's oldest pastry shop, open since 1886. Here, you'll taste the original recipe of the iconic pantxineta: a flaky puff pastry filled with rich pastry cream and toasted almonds. You'll take it to go and savor it on the boulevard as the perfect end to your tour.
What's included
- ✓Local English-speaking guide
- ✓Guided walk through Gros and the Old Town's back streets and market square
- ✓Hands-on pintxo-making moment at a local wine and beer shop in the Gros neighborhood
- ✓‘Food & the City’ Insider Tips
- ✓6 pintxo & tapas tastings and 4 local drink pours across 5 family-run bars and bakeries
- ✓Traditional Basque cider, poured txotx-style, the traditional way
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities / Tips for the guide
- ✓Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- ✓Extra drinks
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This activity requires a minimum of 2 guests. Should this not be met, we will contact you directly to help you get rescheduled or reimbursed.
Children under 4 years old do not need a ticket and can join the tour for free. However, food is not included. Paid tickets with food included are available for ages 4 and up.
Please note that the tastings mentioned are a selection of the delicious foods we often feature. Both offerings and tour stops may vary by day or season, but you're sure to enjoy a delightful array of local flavors!
Have dietary requirements? Simply email us or add a note at booking, and we’ll do our best to accommodate vegetarians, gluten-free guests or other dietary needs where we can. For guest safety, this experience isn’t suitable for those with severe or life-threatening food allergies to ingredients found on the tour, and the company cannot take responsibility for any food allergies or intolerances.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
San Sebastián Food Tour: Pintxos and Beyond
Known as the city that serves the best of Basque cuisine, San Sebastián is a top destination for food lovers in Europe. But, its tastiest plates and local restaurants may be difficult to find without insider help. This small-group food tour offers just that, with an itinerary that showcases San Sebastián’s culinary credentials. Visit family-run bars and bakeries, make the Basque snacks “pintxos,” sip cider, and learn about the city’s culture from a local guide.
Highlights
- ✓Try pintxos, tapas, and drinks that you’ll want to order again
- ✓Discover the city’s lively corners such as the Gros neighborhood
- ✓Overcome the language barrier as your guide orders for you
- ✓Enjoy a sociable and intimate tour in a small group
What you'll see & do
- ✓Located in Gros, this lively local square will be your first glimpse of everyday life in San Sebastián. Framed by the Church of San Ignacio, bars, and shops, families gather here, just steps from our nearby first tasting stop.
- ✓Step into a welcoming family-run bar devoted to traditional Basque flavors. Savor their signature pintxo: grilled mushrooms with rich foie gras and creamy alioli on crusty bread, perfectly paired with a refreshing Marianito vermouth, herbal and slightly sweet, the classic Basque aperitif.
- ✓Step into a local couple's wine and beer shop, where you'll build your own Gilda: the anchovy, olive, and pepper skewer that started San Sebastián's whole pintxos tradition. Pair yours with a glass of wine or beer, your choice.
- ✓Between the Hotel Maria Cristina and Teatro Victoria Eugenia, discover San Sebastián’s Belle Époque legacy. Nearby, spot the Kursaal and Zurriola Bridge, linking Gros to downtown with river views and surfers heading out to the waves.
- ✓Sit down at one of the Old Town's liveliest streets for two skewers: shark and shrimp fresh from the Cantabrian Sea, and thick, aged txuleta beef grilled over charcoal. You'll wash it down with cider poured txotx-style.
- ✓La Bretxa Square, named after a breach made by Napoleon’s troops during the 1800s siege, is now a bustling hub where locals shop for fresh fish, meats, and produce, a lively glimpse into everyday Basque life in the city center.
- ✓Set on the iconic 31 de Agosto Street, one of the oldest streets in San Sebastián, this stop brings you to a beloved local bar that feels like a doorway into the city’s past. Bernardo, its 70-year-old owner, greets visitors with a warm smile and a lifetime of devotion to Basque cuisine. Here you’ll enjoy a special off-the-menu tasting of tender grilled squid with potatoes pintxo, beautifully paired with a glass of Txakoli, a dry white wine from the Basque coast.
- ✓For a sweet finale, we'll visit the city's oldest pastry shop, open since 1886. Here, you'll taste the original recipe of the iconic pantxineta: a flaky puff pastry filled with rich pastry cream and toasted almonds. You'll take it to go and savor it on the boulevard as the perfect end to your tour.
What's included
- ✓Local English-speaking guide
- ✓Guided walk through Gros and the Old Town's back streets and market square
- ✓Hands-on pintxo-making moment at a local wine and beer shop in the Gros neighborhood
- ✓‘Food & the City’ Insider Tips
- ✓6 pintxo & tapas tastings and 4 local drink pours across 5 family-run bars and bakeries
- ✓Traditional Basque cider, poured txotx-style, the traditional way
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities / Tips for the guide
- ✓Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- ✓Extra drinks
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This activity requires a minimum of 2 guests. Should this not be met, we will contact you directly to help you get rescheduled or reimbursed.
Children under 4 years old do not need a ticket and can join the tour for free. However, food is not included. Paid tickets with food included are available for ages 4 and up.
Please note that the tastings mentioned are a selection of the delicious foods we often feature. Both offerings and tour stops may vary by day or season, but you're sure to enjoy a delightful array of local flavors!
Have dietary requirements? Simply email us or add a note at booking, and we’ll do our best to accommodate vegetarians, gluten-free guests or other dietary needs where we can. For guest safety, this experience isn’t suitable for those with severe or life-threatening food allergies to ingredients found on the tour, and the company cannot take responsibility for any food allergies or intolerances.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.