1 City, 3 Ways: San Sebastián, Spain

An Epicurean Taste of San Sebastián

San Sebastián, the sun-drenched beach town in the Basque Country of Northern Spain, is a destination that enchants each and every visitor. The city is traditionally beautiful with an old-world-meets-new sensibility and is home to the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. Opens in a new windowHotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, housed in a historic building dating back to 1912, is mere steps from the port and some of the most celebrated culinary destinations in the region. Whether you are a late-night adventurer or an early riser preparing to take in the local sights and tastes, San Sebastián offers sublime epicurean experiences for every palate.

Explore the Markets

Take in the luscious markets with a local—preferably someone who knows Basque Country like the back of their hand. Chef Patricio Fuentes of Mimo, the celebrated restaurant and cooking school within Hotel Maria Cristina, is the expert on indigenous ingredients, authentic flavors, and the celebrated cuisine of San Sebastián. There’s something special about sampling the tomato or mushroom you might eat later that evening, possibly from Patricio’s own kitchen.

At the market with Chef Patricio Fuentes of Mimo

Perusing the Hotel Maria Cristina Pintxo passport.

Pintxos

Pintxos, the beloved one bite, is a Basque Country signature and a cornerstone of dining in San Sebastián. There are hundreds of restaurants devoted to Pintxos to choose from, so Hotel Maria Cristina’s Opens in a new windowPintxos Passport is a necessity. A guide book and a ticket to one of the greatest dining experiences in the city, the passport allows you to access the knowledge and palate of a local. Use the map to make your way to eleven of the most popular Pintxo bars in town and sample a specially made bite, unique to hotel guests only.

Evening cocktails at Hotel Maria Cristina’s DRY Bar

¡Salud!

Spanish nightlife is fabled, and one of the best ways to experience this city is with friends. Hotel Maria Cristina houses the storied DRY Bar, where tradition and innovation meet. A lavishly decorated space that has a history of hosting famous artists and actors as well as locals, DRY Bar tempts guests with its own take on the beloved pintxo, as well as an enormous range of handcrafted cocktails that includes up to ten different types of martinis. The mixologists here focus on combining modern and vintage techniques so come prepared to experience a contemporary cocktail menu with a classic twist. Bette Davis’s portrait presides over the center of the bar, a nod to the building’s history.

Enjoying glasses of local wine


If a daytime drink strikes your fancy while exploring the cobblestoned streets, stop into any of the city’s charming wine bars for a taste of local Txakoli, Cava, or Rioja Alavesa.

Hotel Maria Cristina