Welcome--ongi etorri to the Basque Country and Bienvenidos to Spain. Toll was hefty from Toulouse to San Sebastian--total of €27.12 (tolls are to the penny). You can pay with a credit card or cash. The highway was well marked and easy to follow. Speed limit is 110-130 km/hr (66-78 mph).
The southeastern corner of the old town is dominated by the Bretxa Market. This building was the old Mercado. Today, it houses a McDonald's and a modern shopping complex.
The 2nd Bretxa Market used to be the Pescaderia (fish market). Today, there are stalls selling meats, jamon, fruits and vegetables, in addition to fish. Inside the glass building, take the escalator to the lower level. There is also a supermarket on the lower level.
The fish are so fresh. Red gills are proudly displayed.
Walk through the cobbled streets to explore the old town. Be on the lookout for flagpoles. They denote "private eating clubs" where Basque men congregated to cook for their friends.
Plaza de la Constitucion is the old town's main square where bullfights used to be held.
The apartments in Constitution Square had balconies that were rented by the city for bullfights. If you owned the apartment, you had to peer around the ticket holders on your balcony to see the show.
Eglise San Vicente--the oldest church in the city.
On one of the exterior walls, there is a sculpture of the Pieta by Jorge Oteiza. Look for it.
The Museum of San Telmo is the largest museum of Basque culture in the country. Admission is €6 but free on Tuesdays.
The museum is in an old 16th century Dominican convent and its cloister.
Inside the church are 11 varnish on metal paintings by Jose Maria Sert which depict epic Basque moments and traditions. It takes about 2 hours to tour the museum at a quick pace.
We didn't visit the beaches or the mountains on this trip but if this is your first trip, I recommend spending a day to tour them.
2018 05 21
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