We left Olite and Pamplona under sunny skies and warm temperatures and thankfully, they followed us all the way to our last stop in Spain, San Sebastian. A little history. In 1181, San Sebastian was given a charter to officially become a town and in 1265 permission was granted to become a sea port. In 1489 fire destroyed most of the town and it was rebuilt. In 1813 during the Peninsula war, British and Portuguese troops attached the town and burnt it to the ground. It was rebuilt on the same spot and with virtually the same layout and design. In 1863, the defensive walls were demolished and expansion of the city began in earnest. San Sebastian may not have a medieval town to wander through but what it does have is beautiful sandy beaches. We are here for five days, staying in an apartment that is situated on a steep hillside (Monte Igueldo) about a 20 minute walk down to the city and its beaches.
This is the WOW view from our deck showing La Concha Bay and its two miles of sandy beaches
The inside of our lovely and well equipped apartment. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms are further down the hallway. The large windows let in the light and the magnificent view.
Miramar Palace and its gardens overlooks La Concha Bay and was built in 1893 on the orders of Maria Christina of Austria, wife of King Alphonso X111. She moved the Royal Courts summer location to San Sebastian to take sea baths on the orders of her Doctor. In 1972 King Juan Carlos sold the property to the city and it is now a museum and a summer college.
After unpacking we had tea and a lite lunch on our deck while enjoying the view before walking into town to explore
Sunbathers on La Concha Beach at low tide
In 1867 this lovely building opened as a casino. Today it is San Sebastian's City Hall
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