San Sebastian is one of the categories of cities in the world where there is a feeling of delight. When you look at its beauty, you realize that it is one of those places on earth where all aspects of life are embodied close to the ideal. What is this small town on the very edge of sunny Spain ready to surprise its guests with? San Sebastian (the second (Basque) name is Donostia) is the capital of the province of Gipuzkoa in the autonomous community Basque Country.
Thanks to its location on the shores of the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic Ocean, the city has become famous as one of the most beautiful in all of Spain. Stunning views of La Concha Bay and the ocean, as well as the city itself from the two hills at the sides of the bay are the property not only of this region, but of the whole country. These scenery is often seen on Spanish postcards and souvenirs. In addition to the shape of the sea shell of the bay, the view of Santa Clara Island, located in the center of the bay and incredibly similar to a huge sea turtle, is also breathtaking. The natural landscape is truly extraordinary, causing the most fabulous associations.
Just 18 kilometres east of San Sebastian – and here it is, the border with France. This city is the most extreme settlement in the north-east of Spain with a population of over one hundred thousand people. To be more precise, it is home to about 185 thousand people – some of the happiest people in the world. The legitimacy of such loud words and the absence of exaggeration can be easily verified by getting to know the city closer. You can also consider apartments for sale palma mallorca if you are looking for a property near the sea.
The city of “high flight”
San Sebastian is considered the third highest quality of life in Spain. Living here people enjoy not only clean beaches, streets and air, developed infrastructure, affordable real estate, impressive architecture and the absence of crime, but also numerous cultural events world-class. In 2016 the city was recognized as the European Capital of Culture. The total number of all kinds of museums, galleries, exhibition centers, theaters for such a small settlement pleasantly surprises and makes you think that the main thing in the pursuit of beauty is not the scale, but the desire of each individual.
It is the desire of the French Empress Eugenie Montijo – wife of Napoleon III, originally caused the growth of popularity of a small town in a picturesque bay. She wanted to spend the summer season in its surroundings and brought here the entire imperial court. Then another crowning person, Maria Cristina of Austria, already a Spanish queen, appreciated San Sebastian himself along with her retinue. So the small town that grew up around the monastery of St. Sebastian, founded in the early XI century, turned in the XIX century into one of the most fashionable resorts in Spain and Europe. The attention of the queens has served the city an excellent service – now the attention of tourists from around the world who want to visit one of the best places in northern Spain.
Cozy and charmingly elegant
San Sebastian is called one of the most elegant cities in the country. There are so many pompous buildings that have long since become iconic landmarks on the country’s architectural heritage list that it is often called the small Southern Paris. The Palais des Congrès, the Castle de la Moth, the Church of San Vicente, the Cathedral of Buen Pastor are not the whole list of outstanding local architecture. Of great interest is also the Old Town, where the oldest buildings of the city have been preserved – the Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro, the former Dominican monastery and other buildings that deserve attention.
