San Sebastian: Food & Wine Walking Tour in Gros & Old Town

Summary

San Sebastian food tour with pintxos, local wine and Basque cider rituals

You’ll join locals for pintxos in lively Gros, try your hand at building a classic Gilda skewer, sip Basque cider poured straight from the barrel in the Old Town, and end up on the boulevard tasting pantxineta pastry as dusk falls. Alongside your guide you’ll learn small traditions that make San Sebastian’s food scene feel personal—and maybe find yourself lingering longer than planned.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sound—kids laughing in Plaza Cataluña while our guide Maite waved us over, already holding a plate of mushrooms piled with foie. The bar smelled like garlic and wood smoke, and honestly, I was a little nervous about eating so early (it was barely noon), but everyone else just dove in. Maite explained how zurito isn’t a full beer, just a little glass—she called it “a commitment-free drink,” which made me laugh. I tried to say ‘eskerrik asko’ for thank you; my accent got a few smiles from the bartender.

We wandered through Gros, stopping at this tiny wine shop where they poured mosto spritzers (non-alcoholic but still kind of festive). There was this cheese—Gazta Zaharra—that tasted sharp and earthy, almost like the mountains themselves. We built our own Gilda skewers (anchovy-salty and way more fun than I expected) while Maite told stories about her grandmother’s market days. Crossing the bridge into the Old Town felt like stepping into another time—surfers on one side, Belle Époque buildings on the other, rain just starting to mist down. I love that feeling when a city is both old and alive at once.

Somewhere near 31 de Agosto Street we met Bernardo, who must’ve been seventy but moved behind his bar like he’d never left it. He handed us grilled squid pintxos paired with Txakoli—a white wine that’s poured from high up so it fizzes a bit. The floor was sticky from years of spilled cider and laughter. Later at the sagardotegi, someone shouted “txotx!” and suddenly everyone lined up for cider straight from the barrel. I didn’t expect to like steak with salty padrón peppers so much after all those pintxos, but here we were.

We finished outside with pantxineta from an old bakery—still warm in its paper bag—and watched people stroll by on the boulevard. The pastry cream stuck to my fingers; I’m not sure if it was the sugar or just being there that made me feel lightheaded. Even now I think about that first bite of mushrooms and how easy it felt to belong for an afternoon in San Sebastian.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Walking food and wine tour in San Sebastian

• Visit lively Gros local square
• Taste grilled mushrooms pintxo with zurito
• Enjoy mosto spritzer and build Gilda
• See Belle Époque sites near Hotel Maria Cristina
• Pick pintxo and drink red wine or kalimotxo
• Pass through La Bretxa Square market
• Try grilled squid pintxo with Txakoli wine
• Experience cider house with txuleta steak
• Taste pantxineta pastry to go

Top questions

How long does this San Sebastian food & wine tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours from start to finish.

Does this walking food tour include both Gros and Old Town?

Yes, you’ll explore both Gros neighborhood and San Sebastian’s historic Old Town during the tour.

What kinds of foods are included on this San Sebastian food tour?

You’ll taste traditional pintxos (like grilled mushrooms with foie), shepherds’ cheese, grilled squid with potatoes, txuleta steak with padrón peppers, and pantxineta pastry.

Are drinks included on this day trip?

Yes—zurito beer, mosto spritzer (non-alcoholic), local wines such as Txakoli or red wine, tinto de verano or kalimotxo, plus Basque cider are all part of the experience.

Is there a vegetarian or gluten-free option available?

Diets can be accommodated if requested in advance; email or add a note when booking for vegetarian or gluten-free needs.

Can children join this San Sebastian walking food tour?

Children under 4 join free (no food included); paid tickets are available for ages 4+ with tastings included.

Is hotel pickup included for this San Sebastian tour?

No hotel pickup; you meet your guide at an easy-to-find location in Gros.

Is this food & wine tour wheelchair accessible?

The route is wheelchair accessible; prams/strollers are also welcome.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes tastings at family-run bars and shops across Gros and Old Town: signature pintxos with zurito beer, organic wine or mosto spritzer at a neighborhood shop (plus your own Gilda creation), off-menu squid pintxo paired with Txakoli wine at a historic bar, authentic Basque cider house ritual with steak and peppers—and finally pantxineta pastry to enjoy as you stroll along San Sebastian’s boulevard before saying goodbye to your guide.