San Sebastian: Pintxo Food Tour & Spanish Wine Pairing

Summary

San Sebastian pintxos and Spanish wine in lively old town bars

You’ll wander San Sebastian’s Old Town with a local guide, tasting five pintxos paired with four Spanish wines and Basque cider at classic bars. Expect laughter over shared plates, stories behind every bite, and that feeling of being swept into local life for an afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

You know that clatter of plates and voices you hear before you even see the doorway? That’s how our pintxo tour in San Sebastian’s Old Town started — just this hum spilling out onto the street. Our guide Ane waved us inside like we were regulars (I definitely wasn’t). The first stop was tiny, all wooden counters and handwritten chalk menus. I tried to order “txistorra” with my best Basque accent — Ane grinned and helped me out. The sausage was salty and hot, with bread that soaked up the cider she poured from way above her head. I nearly flinched when it splashed but nobody else blinked.

We zigzagged through narrow alleys, five places in total, each one different. At one bar, there was this older man at the counter who nodded at us as if he’d seen a hundred tours pass by (maybe he had). The anchovy pintxo was sharp and vinegary — not what I expected but really good with the white Rioja. There was a moment where I just stopped talking because the flavors were weirdly perfect together. Ane told us about how locals hop from bar to bar for lunch, never sitting too long anywhere. It made sense after a while; you get swept along by the energy.

By the third glass of wine (I think it was Ribera del Duero?), my Spanish was suddenly braver. We learned a bit about Basque history between bites — not in a lecture-y way, just little stories as we walked past old stone buildings. A drizzle started up outside but nobody seemed to care; people just ducked under awnings and kept eating. I still think about that last pintxo — some creamy thing with mushrooms — and how I didn’t want it to end yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — San Sebastian pintxo and wine tasting

• Explore San Sebastian Old Town
• Taste best pintxos in town
• Sample 4 iconic Spanish wines
• Try local Basque cider
• Learn about local food culture
• End of the tour

Top questions

How many bars do we visit on this San Sebastian food tour?

The tour includes stops at five different traditional restaurants or bars in San Sebastian’s Old Town.

Are drinks included on the pintxo tasting tour?

Yes, each person receives four different Spanish wines plus Basque cider during the experience.

Is this food tour suitable for vegetarians?

The reference content does not specify vegetarian options; please contact the operator directly for dietary accommodations.

Is the San Sebastian food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible and transportation options accommodate wheelchairs.

What is included in this San Sebastian pintxo tour?

The tour includes a local guide, five pintxos per person, four wines plus cider per person, food tastings, and visits to five traditional restaurants.

Does this day trip include pickup from my hotel?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; participants meet in San Sebastian’s Old Town for the start of the tour.

What happens if minimum group size isn’t met?

If fewer than two adults book, you’ll be offered an alternative date or full refund at least three days before your scheduled date.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes guided visits to five classic pintxo bars in San Sebastian’s Old Town with a friendly local guide leading the way. You’ll taste five different pintxos paired naturally with four iconic Spanish wines plus local Basque cider — all food tastings and drinks are included as part of your experience before you wander back out into those lively streets.