When considering a quick city break in Europe, Barcelona is a popular choice.Â
But if you want to avoid the crowds, the lesser-known Basque town of San Sebastian might be a good alternative,
Nestled in the northern part of Spain, San Sebastian boasts stunning sandy beaches and a charming old town.
But the beautiful little city is often overshadowed by more popular Spanish cities including Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, and Valencia.Â
A stretch of white sand runs between the Urgull and Igeldo mountains, looking out to the blue waters of the Bay of La Concha.Â
Playa de la Concha sits at the heart of San Sebastián and remains one of the most photographed spots in the city.
The city is also home to a second beach, Playa de Ondarreta. Both beaches are framed by a picturesque bayfront promenade.
It's only an hour away from Bilbao, a bustling city with a population of around 350,000.
For those seeking a cultural experience, walking tours offer a deep dive into the city's rich history.
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While the city doesn't have its own airport, Bilbao is easily accessible with direct flights from London taking just two hours via airlines such as Vueling, Norweigan, BA, and EasyJet.
From Bilbao airport, it's just an hour's drive or an hour and 11 minutes by train to reach San Sebastian.
The ideal time to visit the city is in June when temperatures reach a comfortable 21C. If you're after a bit more heat, July and August offer temperatures of around 23-24C.
And for those seeking some winter sun, February and March still provide an average temperature of 13-14C.
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