Experience in San Sebastián, Spain by Nora

What's it like to live in San Sebastián? Would you recommend it? What's the city like?

San Sebastián, or Donostia in "Basque" (the official language of the Basque Country, as well as Spanish), is a small coastal town that is ideal to live in. However, the climate nor the prices are the best, but everything else in the city compensates for this and makes it a very nice place to live.

Being a city, it offers a variety of facilities and activities that you can enjoy. There are a lot of quality restaurants and bars, for example, there are plenty of really good places where you can enjoy the local gastronomy and the "Donostian" atmosphere. Additionally, these places also emphasise the quality of the small local businesses here. Although, if you're someone who enjoys cultural excursions, don't worry, there are numerous museums, cinemas and wonderful architecture to look at and enjoy.

The sense of stress caused by huge crowds or traffic that can often be felt in big cities, almost goes unnoticed here in San Sebastián. It's not a very big place and although there is public transport, you can walk or cycle everywhere. Also, being located on the coast, you can enjoy yourself and disconnect by walking along the beach or down the new promenade (a beautiful promenade that makes you feel as if you're walking on top of the sea). Or if you prefer open green spaces more, the gardens of the Miramar Palace and Aiete or Cristina Enea Park are perfect.

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San Sebastián also stands out because of the quantity of sports they practise there. Once of the first things you notice is the amount of people that get up super early in the morning to go running, and how many people use bikes, especially to get to work. Also, there are various very good gyms in the city, and in the University there tend to be offers on the prices. And finally, the surfing. Gros beach is perfect for it and the surf atmosphere is yet another one of the city's characteristics. Therefore, encourage yourself to go and have your first experience in the waves, it's so much fun!

Lastly, the friendly and open people, along with the happy party atmosphere really make the city stand out. The atmosphere of leisure both day and night is perfect and it's impossible to get bored. If you prefer going out in the night, it's essential to walk past the "pintxo-pote" in Gros, by the Old Town for the club Bataplán. If you prefer the daytime, you can go to the Príncipe cinema after going for a nice walk along the Boulevard or the Avenida window-shopping.

I could continue writing and telling you great things about the city, but it's clear that this place has a lasting effect on you, and I would recommend it 100%.

What's the student lifestyle like in San Sebastián?

There are two university campuses in San Sebastián. One is the University of the Basque Country (public) that's in the Antiguo area, near Ondarreta beach. The other is the University of Deusto (private), at the feet of the river Urumea.

Although it's not exactly a student city, due to the amount of university departments, the quantity of students there are in Donostia is immense, therefore there is a great student atmosphere.

On Thursdays, the "top" day for university students follow this plan: they tend to meet at sunset at around 7pm or 7. 30pm in Gros or in the Old Town (depending on what each person likes), and it all starts with "pintxo-pote". It's a tradition in which the bars sell a pintxo (tapas plate) and a drink (a beer or glass of wine, for example) for €1. 60, and this is where everyone stays with their friends, talking, flirting and getting fired up for a night on the town. If you're still hungry after that, go to Bar Juantxo in the Old Town and buy yourself a sandwich.

There are many different places to go on a night out in the city, some prefer to go to bars in the Old Town and then go to "pintxo-pote", and others prefer to go to a bar called Molly Malone, on La Concha beach, to drink and take advantage of the prices as the drinks are usually 2-for-1. After that, they go to the club Bataplán. There are other clubs like Náutico or La Rotonda that are also situated on La Concha beach. Every Thursday another party is organised, and they're aimed especially at students. Even then, people also go out on Fridays and Saturdays. Moreover, if you have the chance to come in January, don't forget the massive party "La Tamborrada".

Apart from parties, because you also have to study, there are various libraries that are perfect for studying, such as the Centro Santamaria for example (the University of the Basque Country's library) or the public library Koldo Mitxelena (located behind Buen Pastor Cathedral).

And lastly, if you fancy eating something or having a coffee surrounded by students, and we really like this kind of atmosphere, don't forget to go to the Aulario cafeteria on the University of the Basque Country campus. I will also say that the sandwiches in the Psychology Department on this same campus, are the best.

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How much does it cost to live in San Sebastián?

I'm not going to lie, San Sebastián is so expensive! You won't be able to rent a room in an apartment for less than €300. Paying around €300, €400 or €500 a month here is the norm. Additionally, there are university halls of residence, but they are even more expensive and you wouldn't find one for less than €300 either. But, what I would recommend, because the price and quality are both very good, is the University Residence of Manuel Aqud Querol.

Also, eating out is also expensive. The menu of the day would vary between €8-10 every week and at the weekend the price nearly doubles. Even so, it's possible to save by buying food in the market or supermarket and cook it at home. There are various supermarkets throughout the city, and they are very easy to find. But if you want good quality fresh products (fruit and vegetables especially), I would suggest you go to the market that's in between the Boulevard and La Bretxa.

With transport and leisure activities costing a lot of money, I would recommend getting yourself a public transport pass (for more information on this, look on the Lurraldebus website for regional level buses, Euskotren for trains and Dbus for the city buses) or get a Mugi card that works for all of the transport. And for things to do in your free time, the only way I would say we could save money is with a university card because there tend to be pretty good discounts at the cinema, museums and cultural spots with it.

However, don't let the prices scare you and just save before you come.

Was it difficult to find your accommodation in San Sebastián? Can you give any advice?

I don't live in San Sebastián as I live in a town very near the city, and I've made my peace with the bus. Therefore, I don't know how much it costs or how difficult it is to find accommodation in the city.

However, as I said before, if people would prefer to live in halls, the best option in terms of price and quality is the University Residence of Manuel Aqud Querol. If you would prefer to share a flat, because at the end of the day it is cheaper from what I've heard, there are places with cheaper prices, and they can be found in the Amara and Gros areas.

What's the food like in San Sebastián? What are your favourite dishes?

If something stands out about the Basque Country, it's their food. You can eat tremendously here! I have already spoken about the "pintxos" or tapas that are delicious, but there is more to it than that! For us, eating well is very important, and because of this the quality is incomparable.

The dishes that I like the most are the marmitako (a beautifully cooked fish stew with tuna), the potato tortilla and squid in its ink. But apart from these dishes, a good large steak, "pil-pil" cod (pil-pil is a sauce that some foods are cooked in, consisting mostly of olive oil, garlic and chilli), blood sausage with beans and collard greens are very popular plates here.

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When it comes to drinks, a cider or "txakoli" (a type of white wine) are very typical here, but a good Rioja red wine isn't too bad either.

And for dessert? A lovely ice-cream on the Boulevard, a typical activity for a typical Donostian.

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What places would you recommend visiting in San Sebastián?

- Playa de La Concha (beach)

- The island of Santa Clara

Is it good to eat out in San Sebastián? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

- Bidebide

- And although is isn't a restaurant but a cafe, it's my favourite place in San Sebastián: Koh Tao cafe near Hotel Victoria Eugenia.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in San Sebastián?

To get us riled up for a party:

- The Old Town

- Molly Malone Bar

To actually party:

- The Old Town

- Bataplán club

Is there any other advice you could give to students heading to San Sebastián in the future?

Don't forget your umbrella!

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