San Sebastián Pintxos & Cider House Tour
Master Basque bar-hopping across 7 stops with Michelin-recognized tastings and 5 local drinks
San Sebastián holds more Michelin stars per capita than almost anywhere else—and you’re about to eat like it. Over three hours, dive into Basque culture by mastering txikiteo (the local art of the bar crawl) across the Old Town and trendy Gros. This tour features seven carefully selected tastings, including foie gras mushrooms and creamy croquetas. Watch cider pour straight from the barrel and finish your journey at the city’s oldest bakery with a 100-year-old pantxineta pastry tradition.
What You Get With This Tour
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Expert English-speaking guide
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7 stops & local food tastings
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5 regional drink pairings
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Guided walking tour of Gros and Old Town
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Authentic cider house access
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Michelin-recommended tavern
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Visit to the city's oldest bakery
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Socialize San Sebastián style
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Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
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1
Meet your guide at De Biteri Plaza
Gather in the heart of the Gros neighborhood in front of the local church to begin your journey through the best food city in the world. Your expert guide will introduce the history of Basque gastronomy and set the stage for a three-hour trek through the most delicious corners of San Sebastián. -
2
Explore the trendy Gros district
Walk through the modern side of the San Sebastián food scene. Visit contemporary bars to sample fresh fish cakes and seared foie gras, buttery duck liver, served over grilled mushrooms, all while learning about the local dry white wine, Txakoli. -
3
Master txikiteo in the Old Town
Cross into the historic center to navigate the legendary Fermin Calbeton street while mastering the art of txikiteo. This local ritual involves hopping from bar to bar for a single drink and a bite, allowing you to socialize exactly like the locals do. You will stop for a rich ham croquette paired with a refreshing zurito—a small, local draft beer—or a classic red wine blend. -
4
Visit the historic Plaza de la Constitución
Then, take in the views of the city's former bullring while visiting a Michelin-recommended tavern. You will enjoy creamy local cheeses and quince paste while hearing stories about the era when these balconies served as private viewing boxes for town festivals. -
5
Experience the cider house ritual
Step inside an authentic sagardotegi (cider house) to join the txotx tradition. This involves catching cider in your glass as it shoots out from a small hole in a massive wooden barrel to create natural bubbles. This lively ritual is a staple of Basque social life and is paired with grilled steak and savory Padrón peppers. -
6
Your tour finishes at Narrika Kalea
Conclude your feast at the oldest bakery in San Sebastián with a traditional pantxineta. This local specialty features warm, flaky puff pastry filled with rich vanilla custard and topped with toasted almonds. Your guide will leave you in the heart of the Old Town, perfectly positioned to continue your evening exploration of the world's best food city.
Additional Information
Good to know:
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible, as some restaurants include stairs.
Dietary Restrictions: Please contact us in advance with any special dietary restrictions or allergies, so we can do our best to accommodate you; but please note that vegan, gluten-free, or kosher selections are very limited in traditional Basque bars.
Age Limit: Children aged four and older are welcome to join this culinary experience.
Alcohol Consumption: This tour includes local wine; participants consuming alcohol should be of legal drinking age in Spain (18). Please bring a government-issued ID if you plan to partake.
Tour Changes: Our menu follows the seasons. To ensure you taste the freshest local ingredients, specific pintxo selections may vary by season.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can depart on time.
Your 3-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
7 stops & food tastings
5 local drink pairings
Guided walking tour of Gros and Old Town
Cider house txotx experience
Michelin-recommended tavern
Visit to the city's oldest bakery
Maximum group size of 10
What to bring:
Comfortable shoes
Government-issued ID
Camera
Water bottle
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Bring an appetite and a government issued ID if you plan to partake in alcohol.
What to bring?
Bring an appetite and a government issued ID if you plan to partake in alcohol.
Can I bring my children on this tour?
This tour is eligible for those ages 4 and up.
Can you accommodate food allergies?
Unfortunately, guests with severe or life-threatening allergies cannot participate in this activity for their safety. We are happy to provide vegetarian options at most stops, but please note that vegan, gluten-free, or kosher selections are very limited in traditional Basque bars. Please share your specific needs upon booking so we can prepare.
Is the menu for this tour always the same?
The exact itinerary and tastings may change due to seasonality, day of the week, or local holidays, but your experience will always be unforgettable.
Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?
No, this tour is run by our trusted and vetted local partner. We know you will have an amazing time!
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
This experience involves three hours of walking and standing, and some of the historic bars we visit have narrow entrances or stairs. Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible and may be difficult for those with significant mobility challenges.
