7 Tasty Food Tours in San Sebastian To Do in 2023
Curious about the best food tours San Sebastian has to offer?
San Sebastian is a coastal paradise celebrated for its rich Basque flavors and tantalizing food scene. And one of the best ways to experience the local culture is by embarking on one of the many flavorful food tours in San Sebastian!
From hopping to different pintxos bars and indulging in sweet Basque cheesecake to sampling full-bodied Rioja and local wines, a food tour is an absolute must for any foodie eager to savor the city’s gastronomic delights!
And to help you find the ideal culinary experience, here are the 7 best food tours in San Sebastian!
Table of Contents
- 7 Tasty Food Tours in San Sebastian (2023)
- San Sebastian Food Tours Comparison
- Is a Food Tour in San Sebastian Worth It?
- Tips for Planning Your Food Tour in San Sebastian
- Where to Stay in San Sebastian
- Visiting San Sebastian: FAQ
- Wrap-Up: 7 Best Food Tours in San Sebastian (2023)
🇪🇸 PRO TIP: I know we’re all super busy people, so if you’re short on time and would rather get a quick overview of the tours I’ll talk about, jump to the recap section. I have a table that summarizes the 7 best food tours in San Sebastian
7 Tasty Food Tours in San Sebastian (2023)
1. Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening)
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 600+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 3 hours
The Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour includes:
- Visiting 6 iconic and historic pintxos bars around San Sebastian
- Meeting the families behind the pintxos bars during the tour.
- Enjoying a variety of snacks & Spanish regional wines
- Small group limited to 8 guests
🇪🇸 Ready to visit and taste an array of Basque food?
This is the most popular and one of the most highly-rated food tours available in San Sebastian.
And with the guidance of a knowledgeable local, you’ll not only visit six handpicked pintxos bars but also have the chance to meet the passionate families who have perfected these delectable creations over generations.
In addition, the small group size ensures a personalized and intimate experience, allowing you to have all your questions answered & giving you the space to hopefully make new friends along the way!
“Begonia was an absolute delight, great knowledge of Basque culture and history, wonderful food and drink, I would recommend this tour to everyone! Fabulous evening”
— Matthew H. (See More Reviews)
Food and Wine Tours San Sebastian
2. Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour With Discover San Sebastian
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 375+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 3 hours
The Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour includes:
- Visiting some of the city’s best pintxo bars with a knowledgeable local.
- Sampling the best pintxos at each of the 5 pintxos bars you’ll visit
- Complimentary drinks (Cider, Basque white wine) or red wine)
- Receiving in-depth commentary on the local culinary culture.
- Small group with a maximum of 8 guests
🍷 Looking to visit the finest pintxos bars within San Sebastian?
If yes, this is the tour for you! Over the course of 3-hours, you’ll make your way to local hotspots that offer the most mouthwateringly delicious pintxos.
These bars also happen to be off the beaten path, which allows you to discover a more authentic version of the city and its thriving culinary scene.
And as your guide tells you the history of the dishes and the local customs, you’ll also have the chance to sample some local favorite drinks, such as Cider, Txakoli (Basque white wine), and red wine!
“Eskerne was a brilliant host. She is passionate about food and San Sebastian culture which makes this tour come alive. She is extremely attentive and knowledgeable and as a result is able to adjust the tour to the needs and likes of the group, which make makes the experience unique and that much more enjoyable.”
– Manisha P. (See More Reviews)
Food and Wine Tours San Sebastian
3. History and Flavors of San Sebastian With Lunch
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – only 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 4.5 hours
The History and Flavors of San Sebastian Tour includes:
- Discovering San Sebastian’s finest pintxos spots guided by a local expert
- Enjoying personalized recommendations for pintxos & drinks at each bar
- Walking tour of the city’s highlights, including the Bay of La Concha
- Small-group experience limited to 8 guests
🚶♀️ Want to see and learn about San Sebastian’s famous landmarks?
While the previously mentioned tours have a greater emphasis on San Sebastian’s culinary scene, this tour spends 1.5 hours delving into the city’s past and visiting several historical places.
After your introduction to the city, your knowledgeable guide will lead to you several pintxos bars, offering personalized suggestions on which pintxos to order and drinks to complement your choice!
Thus, if you’re keen on exploring many of the city’s highlights as well as enjoying an authentic and hassle-free tasting experience, this is the best option!
“We had the most amazing tour with Eskerne! She is so knowledgeable and engaging about both the history of San Sebastián and (especially) the food. We simply wouldn’t have had all the pintxos taste sensations without going on this tour. A delight from start to finish!”
– Tour Guest (See More Reviews)
Food and Wine Tours San Sebastian
4. San Sebastian Top Pintxos Private Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – only 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 3 hours
The San Sebastian Top Pintxos Private Tour includes:
- Walking around San Sebastian’s Old Town with a local culinary expert
- Enjoying the view from one of the most scenic spots in the city
- Visiting 5 pintxos bars tailored to what you would like to try
- Trying 5 different wines, beers, and ciders per person
- Learning the local customs and ways
- Private tour with only your group
🍷 Looking for a private food tour through San Sebastian?
Although small group tours are great and can offer a more personalized experience compared to large group tours, there’s nothing quite like a private tour with only your party.
With this 3-hour food tour, you’ll be contacted by the tour operators prior to the tour and asked about your personal preferences. Based on your tastes, your local guide will take you to premier pintxos bars and sites across the city that best suit your interests!
As a result, you’ll not only have a unique experience tailored to what you prefer but also you’ll be able to have a much more intimate and immersive while learning about the local gastronomy!
“We had a great experience with Iker, who adapted our private tour to our wishes and interests. It was a very pleasant experience during which we learned about Basque culture and tasted a veriety of delicious pintxos.”
– maryann B. (See More Reviews)
Food and Wine Tours San Sebastian
5. San Sebastian Evening Pintxo Tour With Wine
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 215+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 3 hours
The San Sebastian Evening Pintxo Tour With Wine includes:
- Exploring the atmospheric Old Town & gaining insight into the local culture
- Discovering 6 local haunts serving the best pintxos in town
- Enjoying a variety of pintxos styles, from classic to contemporary
- Savoring pintxos paired with cider or local wines in each bar
- Small-group experience limited to 10 guests
Keen on sampling a variety of pintxos styles?
On this 3-hour food tour through San Sebastian, a local expert culinary will guide you through the bustling and vibrant Old Town, locally known as Parte Vieja.
Along the way, you’ll pass through 6 excellent pintxos bars, sampling 1-2 pintxos at each bar. And because you can’t just eat pintxos alone, you’ll also get to taste different ciders and regional wines at each stop as well!
So, if you’re ready for a fabulous night out in town, this is a food tour worth considering!
“We had a great time with Guillerrmo on our tour. We also had a pretty good group that got along and had fun together. As a pescatarian, I was happy to be accommodated with delicious seafood or veggie tastes. I’d recommend this for anyone who wants to be shown things they may not otherwise taste and a great way to learn you’re way around Pintxo restaurants.”
– AnneMarie M. (See More Reviews)
Food and Wine Tours San Sebastian
6. San Sebastian Foodie Pintxo, Wine, & Market Tasting Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 150+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 3 hours
The San Sebastian Foodie Pintxo, Wine, & Market Tasting Tour includes:
- Discovering the evolution of Pintxos with a native Basque guide
- Visiting the local markets (*when open*) & sampling fresh food
- Dining at pintxos bars catered to your interests and tastes
- Tour limited to 9 guests
🕰 Want to explore the different periods and changes of Basque food?
For those for a fun food tour that takes you through the different eras of Basque food, this is a tour I highly recommend checking out!
Unlike the other tours, you’ll wander through a local market, trying some of the staples of Basque culture, such as delicious chorizo, local artisan cheese, Ibérico Bellota ham, and regional olive oil!
In addition, you can look forward to sampling an array of pintxos and local wines (Txakoli, Rioja, Cider, etc.) catered to your tastes! So, if you’re looking for a tour that emphasizes the rich history of Basque food, this is a tour to consider!
“This tour was absolutely “Earra”(wonderful in Basque) Jon is a native that loves his culture and is passionate to share his wonderful heritage. We got to enjoy the foodie tour and were delighted to learn about the region’s specialty and hidden gems that only locals would know about. Jon made us all feel at ease from the beginning and we did not want the tour to end. I highly recommend this tour if you want to taste the best of what San Sebastián has to offer.”
-Jeremie D. (See More Reviews)
Food and Wine Tours San Sebastian
7. San Sebastian: Guided Food Tour With Pintxo Tasting & Wines
⭐️ RATING: 4.6 out of 5 – most affordable option! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 2.5 hours
The San Sebastian: Guided Food Tour With Pintxo Tasting & Wines includes:
- Indulging in 5 tasty pintxos & different regional wines to complement
- Wandering through the charming alleys of the picturesque Parte Vieja
- Local insights about the region from your guide
- Shared tour with up to 8 guests
- Note: Can make it a private tour
💸 Looking for a food tour that is budget-friendly?
For those who may be solo traveling or simply traveling on a tighter budget, this San Sebastian food tour is worth considering.
Over the course of 2.5 hours, you’ll make your way through the captivating Parte Vieja (Old Town) of San Sebastian and have the opportunity to sample 5 pintxos paired with 5 Spanish wines and local cider!
Given the price and duration of the experience, this tour gives you a lot of bang for your buck! Thus, if you’re in the market for a comparatively affordable option that’s still well-rated, be sure to check out this food tour!
“Amazing! Pierre was excellent! We ate and drank some of the best food and wines we had in Spain. Our guide shared a lot of information about the country and basque culture food and wine. Highly recommended!”
– Jessica (See More Reviews)
San Sebastian Food Tours Comparison
In case you have limited time or do not have the greatest memory, here’s a little chart that I created to summarize the key highlights of each of the tours I mentioned.
🇪🇸 PRO TIP: If viewing on a mobile device, turn your phone sideways so the information reads across the longer side
| Tour Name | Duration | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour | 3 hrs | > Visiting 6 pintxos bars > Meeting the families that run these bars and learning their history > Small group limited to 8 guests |
| Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour | 3 hrs | > Traveling off the beaten path > Stopping at 5 local hotspot pintxos bars > Sampling Cider, Txakoli (Basque white wine) or red wine |
| History and Flavors of San Sebastian Tour | 4.5 hrs | > Pintxos & drinks recs based on your taste > 1.5-hour walking tour of the city’s highlights > Small group limited to 8 guests |
| San Sebastian Top Pintxos Private Tour | 3 hrs | > Visiting premier 5 pintxos bars > Unique itinerary catered to your preferences > Private tour with only your group |
| San Sebastian Evening Pintxo Tour With Wine | 3 hrs | > Pintxos & drinks recs based on your taste > 1.5-hour walking tour of the city’s highlights > Small group limited to 8 guests |
| San Sebastian Foodie Tour | 3 hrs | > Passing through 6 Pintxos bars in Old Town > Trying cider or local wines in each bar > Small group limited to 10 guests |
| San Sebastian: Guided Food Tour | 2.5 hrs | > Comparatively affordable option > Sampling 5 pintxos paired with local wines > Limited to 8, but can make it a private tour |
Is a Food Tour in San Sebastian Worth It?
You can probably guess my position on this because I rarely write about things that I don’t think are worth doing lol… But, I figured I’d highlight a few specific reasons why I value doing these experiences, like a food and wine tour in San Sebastian!
First, as someone who often solo travels, it’s pretty difficult to get an authentic look into a city by yourself, especially if you’re only in the city for a short amount of time or not the most outgoing person.
However, with a guide, you get direct and easy access to the true gems that even the locals love and rave about.
On top of this, if you plan your experience at the beginning of your stay, your guide can give you additional recommendations on places to visit and foodie spots to check out that eliminates the hassle of Googling “restaurants open near me” or spending time reading endless yelp reviews — yup, been there and it’s still my least favorite part of traveling 🥲
And then the third, but certainly not the last, benefit is that these tours let you connect with locals and others from around the globe. Numerous times, I’ve offered to grab a drink, buy lunch, or hang out with the tour guide or other guests on my tour.
Each time, I’ve walked away with at least one new friend and these relationships are priceless to me — cliché, but I’m being honest!
So, if you have the means and time, then I definitely recommend doing a food tour in San Sebastian because they are worth it! Also, San Sebastian literally is the ultimate foodie destination within Basque country so there’s hardly a better place to do it!
Tips for Planning Your Food Tour in San Sebastian
As you plan your San Sebastian itinerary, here are some things to keep in mind!
✅ Secure Your Booking Ahead: Due to high demand, especially during the peak summer travel season, try to book ahead of time to secure your preferred dates and times.
🌞 Mind the Weather & Wear Comfortable Shoes: In my experience, the weather in San Sebastian can be a bit fickle. So be sure to check the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes!
💧 Bring Water: Although plenty of wine and other alcoholic drinks are provided, you might want to consider carrying your own water bottle as well.
⏰ Confirm Meeting Details: Prior to the tour, double-check the meeting point and time. Also, be sure to check how long it will take you to get to the meeting point from your housing accommodations.
💶 Small bills: Consider bringing coins or small bills with you to tip your tour guide! 99% of the time, they are so passionate about what they do and go out of their way to ensure everyone has a good time and accommodations are made… if you enjoy their tour, consider tipping €5 – €10 euros!
😅 Embrace New Experiences: Be open to trying unfamiliar foods and enjoy the journey! I was a bit hesitant to try some of the seafood I ate since I’m not the biggest seafood person, but it ended up being mouthwateringly good. Maybe I’m a seafood convert or it’s just the food in Basque country is superior… but be sure to relish the experience!
Where to Stay in San Sebastian
Low-Cost Stay
- Cristina Eneaa Rooms — 3-star hotel w/ shared kitchen & family rooms | ⭐️ 8.6 / 10
- Zinema7 Hotel — stylish 4-star hotel w/ buffet breakfast & café-bar | ⭐️ 9 / 10
Mid-Range Stay
- Hotel Zenit Convento San Martin — 4-star hotel w/ outdoor pool | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
- Hotel Arbaso — beautiful 4-star hotel w/ spa and restaurants | ⭐️ 9.6 / 10
Fancy Stays
- Hotel Lasala Plaza — beachfront 4-star hotel in Old Town | ⭐️ 9.3 / 10
- Hotel Maria Cristina — stunning, luxurious 5-star hotel on the water | ⭐️ 9.3 / 10
Feel free to click these buttons to head to your favorite booking platform and see additional housing options there.
You can explore additional housing accommodations in San Sebastian with the interactive map below. The prices you see are current, so I recommend inputting your travel dates and party size if you know them for more accurate pricing!
Visiting San Sebastian: FAQ
Some of the food that San Sebastian is famous for is its Burnt Basque cheesecakes, fresh seafood, mouthwatering good pintxos, and regional wines!
Food tours in San Sebastian can range from ~$110 USD – $240 USD.
Aside from indulging in delicious Basque cuisine and sampling lots of regional wines, you can spend time at the beaches, visit some of the churches and cathedrals in Old Town, do a boat tour, or visit some nearby cities, such as the seaside town of Biarritz or the colorful and vibrant city of Bilbao!
If you have flexibility in your schedule, I recommend spending aiming to spend 2 full days in San Sebastian! It’s such a beautiful city with a lively culture.
That said, if you’re briefly visiting from the coastal town of Biarritz or day-tripping from Bilbao, you can see a good portion of San Sebastian in a single day! Just make sure to arrive as early as you can and leave as late as you can 🙂
Yes! San Sebastian is very walkable and flat. The only part that people with mobility issues might struggle with is hiking to the top of Urgull, a little mountain with winding nature trails and the best panoramic views of the city!
That said, if you are short one time and looking to discover the city faster than you would on foot, you can opt to take an e-bike tour. This 3-hour e-bike tour comes highly rated and has been taken by over 300+ guests!
Wrap-Up: 7 Best Food Tours in San Sebastian (2023)
For any food enthusiast, embarking on a food tour in San Sebastian is a culinary adventure unlike any other, as this coastal gem entices with its diverse and flavorful gastronomy.
From the explosion of flavors that come from bite-size pintxos to the tantalizing array of fresh seafood delights, San Sebastian celebrates all things Basque food!
Furthermore, the city’s rich maritime heritage and proximity to the sea ensure that seafood lovers are in for a treat, offering the finest catches to locals and visitors alike.
So, whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler with an appetite for new tastes, a food tour in San Sebastian promises an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of one of Spain’s most beloved culinary destinations!
✅ Check rates & availability for my top-pick food and wine tour in San Sebastian! 🇪🇸
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