🌊 A Day in San Sebastián: Comfort Foods, Cathedral Strolls & Churros by the Sea
We spent the day exploring the beautiful seaside town of San Sebastián—and what a treat it was for both the grown-ups and the little eaters.
After a scenic drive, our first stop was lunch at La Perla, a beachside restaurant perched right on La Concha Bay, offering an incredible view of the Bay of Biscay. It’s the kind of place where you can sip a glass of local wine while your kids dive into food they recognize and actually want to eat. The kids also play Rumikub with a view.
It’s easy to forget, but during travel, sometimes familiar foods give kids a sense of comfort and control. They’re navigating new languages, routines, and sights—so knowing what’s on their plate can go a long way in keeping everyone relaxed and open to the rest of the adventure.
After lunch, we changed into swimsuits and splashed in La Concha Beach—one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Europe. The calm, shallow water was ideal for swimming, and the soft sand gave us all a chance to relax before the afternoon’s walking tour.
From the beach, we made our way into Old Town (Parte Vieja) to explore the historic heart of San Sebastián:
We stopped for churros and hot chocolate—always a crowd favorite
Visited the San Sebastián Cathedral, where the kids were curious about the architecture
Wandered around the vibrant Plaza de la Constitución, with its colorful facades and open space for the kids to roam
It was a day of beautiful contrasts—beach and basilica, churros and cathedrals, comfort food and cultural discovery. The perfect vacation mix.
📚 Fun Fact about San Sebastián
San Sebastián is home to the highest concentration of Michelin stars per square meter in Europe! While we didn’t dine at a Michelin-starred spot this time, our beachside view and kid-friendly menu felt five-star in its own way.
🍽️ Little Eaters Takeaways
Familiar foods can ease travel stress. While cultural meals are part of the journey, giving kids something recognizable—like chicken fingers or a ham sandwich—can restore calm and cooperation.
Balance activity with downtime. A swim after lunch gave the kids (and us!) a chance to reset before more exploring.
Sweets can be cultural too. Churros and hot chocolate were not just a treat—they were a tasty piece of local tradition.
Mealtimes are more than food. Sitting with a beautiful view, letting kids feel seen and satisfied, creates connection—even if they aren’t eating the most “authentic” dish.
