Our Mid Life Crisis Gap Year: A Quiet Sunday In San Sebastián

We were told that San Sebastián is very quite on a Sunday, not much is open and the locals don't do much. So we thought that we would use today to explore around the old town and the beach are just a north of us. It may be winter but you can still appreciate the beautiful sandy beaches they have here....this place must be packed in the warmer months.

One thing we did notice were the large number of locals just out for a walk..promenading....I thought they all stayed at home on Sundays...there were heaps of people around. The big shock for us was to see how many people were in the water...surfing....come on you lot..it's freezing!!!

Looking Along The Beach Towards Monte Urgull

Buildings On The Beach Front

Heaps Of Surfers

We the headed towards the river and crossed it at Puente del Zurriola, a beautiful old bridge, the most northerly crossing the river. We walked straight along the beautiful tree lined Alameda del Boulevard which is surrounded by lots of fantastic old buildings. Apparently San Sebastián was a favourite of Queen Isabella of Spain and she encouraged the development of this town.....and it is quite different and beautiful to many other places that we have been.

Crossing Puente del Zurriola

Beautiful French Architecture Everywhere

Town Hall

I am not sure why we were told it is quiet here on a Sunday...the place is packed with locals just enjoying themselves, it really added to the atmosphere, we loved it.

Artist Street Market

Great Buskers..Lesley Bought Their CD!

A Basque Band Had Everyone Singing!

We spent quite a while just walking about and down the wonderful streets of the old town. This place has a really good feel to it..... all of the buildings are well looked after and have beautiful architecture, it is very clean, eeveryone is out just enjoying themselves, and there are so many Pinxtos Bars it is ridiculous...you wouuld need weeks to try them all out!

The Great Streets Of The Old Town

I found myself going mad with the camera, I was wanting to take photos of everything......

Statues and Fountains

Great Old Buildings

The Cathedral Front Door

Eventually, we stopped at the Taberna Aralar for a few Pintxos and local cider.

Taberna Aralar

Inside Taberna Aralar

Grab Some Pintxos

A Tasty Light Lunch

We ended up spending most of the day in the old town before we headed back over the river...it really is a great place to visit.

Views Along The River To The Mountains

Another Lovely Building Near The Apartment

We rested up back at the apartment for a while...catching up on emails, blogging, organizing the rest of the trip......and then decided to go back to Atari for a small dinner of Beef Teriyaki and really tender and tasty squid all washed down with a couple of wines.

Dinner Time

Heading back to the apartment we stopped at an Irish pub.....yes they are here as well!!! Here we had a delicious local hot chocolate drink with melted chocolate and hot milk.....yum!