The two stunning Spanish seaside cities, and one has been named the best in the country
- Our Hidden Earth
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
As Spain’s most popular destinations, from Barcelona in the east to Malaga on the southern coast, grow busier each year, it seems many British tourists are starting to look elsewhere.
Last year, 15.5 million visitors stayed overnight in the Catalonian capital, while the Costa del Sol and Malaga province recorded 14 million overnight stays between January and June alone, a 9% rise from the year before.
Now, however, it appears that British holidaymakers are beginning to head north instead.
San Sebastian has a population of just over 189,000 people and sits only 12 miles from the French border.
The city is famous for its three stunning beaches, Concha, Ondarreta and Zurriola, as well as its green hills, including Mount Urgull beside the old town and Mount Igeldo, which offers sweeping views across Concha Bay.
The lively city is also world-famous for its incredible food scene, boasting one of the highest numbers of Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain, along with countless pintxo bars serving delicious Basque-style tapas.
Many people visit San Sebastian for its mild oceanic climate, where summers are warm and breezy and winters remain cool but comfortable.
Travelling further along the coast brings you to Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country, often described as one of Europe’s most walkable cities.
Home to around 347,000 residents, Bilbao, also known as “the City of the Guggenheim,” was named the best city in the world for walking, alongside Valencia, in the 2024 World’s Best Cities report by Resonance Consultancy.
From Bristol, tourists can fly to Bilbao in just one hour and 45 minutes – nearly an hour less than the flight time to Malaga, giving travellers even more time to explore this dynamic and culturally rich northern city.
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