BAR SPORT We returned to Bar Sport, which remains somewhat of an insider tip. True to its name, it is particularly popular during sports events, but it offers some beautifully assembled pintxos throughout the week. This authentic bar serves traditional pintxos in a vibrant atmosphere and impresses further with its more than reasonable prices. Popular with locals, it offers a rustic interior and represents a traditional Basque dining experience, perfected by its good selection

GANDARIAS JATETXEA We returned to Casa Gandarias for our regular fill of pintxo de solomillo and red wine! We had a bottle of El Lagar de Isilla Paraje Peñalobos Tinta del Pais 2018 DOC Ribera del Duero . This was a good match with the solomillo. The famous Basque Gildas. Guindilla pepper, green olive and fresh anchovy - named after Rita Haywood (hot, tall and spicy). During this visit, we also had a sit-down lunch with a group at the restaurant. Something not done before a

For this visit to San Sebastian in June 2025, we concentrated on pintxos rather than sit-down meals. We started our pintxo tour in Parte Vieja (the old town). We always prefer hot pintxos, as they are made to order. The pintxos on the bar are not a problem, but you may eat too much bread! We tend to have no more than two pintxos and a glass of wine or beer per bar, so we don't get too full too early. The best time to visit the pintxo bars is 8.30 —10.30 pm. Several pintxo bar

BAR KBZÓN TXIKI On our June 2025 trip, we visited a bar in Old Town that was a first for us. They serve innovative dishes made with familiar ingredients and appear to use the sous vide method in their excellent cooking. We settled in and ordered a couple of glasses of txakoli and also tried the house red. We then picked a few pintxos from the interesting menu. Pulpo gallego con puré de boniato, salsa de tomates verdes y cebola morada encurtida con cilantro. Tender Galician oc

LA CUCHARA DE SAN TELMO We returned to a favourite pintxo bar in San Sebastián's old town. It is down a side alley off 31 de Agosto Kalea at the back of the old city. It is well worth seeking out, and do not be shy about walking in, even if it is busy. Thankfully, we were now free of COVID-19 restrictions, and things were back to normal. The list of pintxos looked very inviting indeed. The small kitchen staff were hard at work, as usual. We headed for the bar and dived into

HOTELA M&UGA We stayed for three nights in the Basque Country town of Elorrio. The Town stands out for its unique medieval and modern heritage. In 1964, it was declared a Medieval Heritage Site. It is set in a green valley with the river Zumelegi running down its centre. It is a delightful walk through the streets of palaces and ancestral houses, built of stone and carved masonry from the 17th and 18th centuries. We chose to stay in the M&UGA Hotela. The hotel is a minute's w

ANTONIO BAR If you sometimes need a change of pintxo bars from the Parte Vieja (old town) or the Gros area across the bridge, head to the central location and Antonio Bar. It's an unassuming, tiny place that's always busy, with primarily local customers. You will find a few seats inside by the bar and more outside, where the jovial waiter will serve you. Finding a space may take a minute, but the turnover is quick. It is a great spot to enjoy, Txistorra (spicy sausage and cri

Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital of the Basque Autonomous Community in northern Spain. The Gothic-style Santa María Inmaculada Cathedral features a sculpted facade and towering columns in the medieval quarter. The 17th-century Plaza de la Virgen Blanca features a monument to the 1813 Battle of Vitoria. The Church of San Miguel has a sizeable baroque altarpiece and a statue of the White Virgin, the city's patron saint. Beethoven dedicated his Opus 91, often called the " Battle

BAR PACO BUENO This is a very traditional, social club-style, old-school-style Pintxo bar. Many local families mix with tourists, from the young to the very old. The bar is big on boxing, rugby, and Basque rowing, and the surrounding walls are covered with old memorabilia. It is run by owner Paco Bueno (who was a boxer in his younger days ) and his sons. It's lively, entertaining and has a friendly atmosphere. The specialities are deep-fried seafood, such as calamares, but t

BAR TXEPETXA We returned to another favourite. You may have second thoughts when you walk into this traditional bar and see all the retro ceramic anchovy pintos displayed there. Don't…………….. nothing here is false. All the anchovy/boquerone pintxos here are made to order and appear within a few minutes. You pick from the variety of toppings shown on the fish-shaped menu boards at the back of the bar. One has the antxoas (anchovies), and the other board shows the excellent hot