Learn to Speak a Little Basque

Even for Spaniards, Basque Country can feel foreign. But by learning a few basic phrases in the local language, Euskera, you can earn the respect and admiration of the locals. Start with simple greetings like ‘kaixo’ (KAI-show) for ‘hello’ and ‘barkatu’ (bar-KAH-too) for ‘excuse me.’ This will not only help you navigate everyday situations but also show your willingness to learn and appreciate the local culture.

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Order Pintxos Like a Pro

Pintxos, those small bites of heaven, are a staple of San Sebastián’s culinary scene. But to order them like a local, you need to know the unwritten rules. When you walk into a bar, catch the bartender’s eye and order your drink as you decide what to eat. If it’s a pintxo from the bar, you can take it. But if it’s a large plate, that’s probably an establishment you don’t want to be in. No dinner plate is necessary, so enjoy your drink and pintxo and pay at the end of your consumption.

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Pintxo Hop, Don’t Stop

San Sebastián is famous for its pintxo culture, and locals never wait in line to enter a pintxo bar. A few bars have adopted a restaurant-style of sitting and eating, but you won’t catch a local in one of those. Limit your intake to one or two pintxos max per bar and keep it moving. This way, you can try different flavors and enjoy the experience without breaking the bank.

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Follow the Meal Schedule

Spain in general and San Sebastián in particular have a very concrete schedule around eating. Kitchens typically open at one for lunch and 8:30 or 9 p.m. for dinner. Some pintxo bars close kitchens at 10:15 p.m., especially midweek. Get on the schedule and you’ll feel less frustration. Try to avoid eating during peak hours, and you’ll be able to enjoy the city’s culinary delights without the crowds.

Know Which Drink to Order at What Time

Drinking is also quite codified in San Sebastián. With meals, wine is the most common, but vermouth is often enjoyed as an aperitif before dining. When prolonging the time around the table, a gin and tonic is typically the digestive drink of choice. This will help you blend in with the locals and enjoy the experience.

Use the Bike Lanes (or Avoid Them)

San Sebastián’s center is flat, and many locals prefer getting around on bike over car due to parking restrictions. The bike lane, known as the bidegorri, is often paved red and always marked with signage. If you use it, stay on the right side, overtake on the left. If you’re not using it, be careful to look both ways when crossing one or you may get either a dressing down or a bruising.

Don’t Let the Rain Stop You

Sunny Spain this is not: some form of rain is falling at least every other day in San Sebastián. But locals are accustomed to living with the wetness. They’ve even developed useful descriptive terminology, like sirimiri, to describe the constant light drizzle, or galerna, to describe a sudden storm that sweeps in with wind when the weather gets too warm. Get a waterproof raincoat with a hood, and you’ll be able to live your life without worrying about the rain.

Be Strategic with Your Beach Time

Make friends with the tide times while in San Sebastián. There are plenty of apps, and they’re important to watch to know when to surf. If you want to spend an afternoon on La Concha, knowing high tide will prevent you from getting comfortable and then swallowed by the rising tide. When the waves reach their peak, La Concha is reduced to a tiny strip of sand swamped by tourists, so at high tide choose one of the other two city beaches for sunbathing.

Use Taxi at Your Own Risk

San Sebastián isn’t large, but when you need to get from one end to the other, taxi is often a visitor’s first option. Taxis don’t stop to pick up rides on the street: they only pick up from signed taxi stands or if you call the number directly for a pickup. However, don’t count on them answering during busy summer days or around mealtimes on weekends. The city buses run like clockwork and are much beloved and utilized by residents.

Surf Like a Local

Surf is a way of life in San Sebastián. The most popular beach for surfing is the Zurriola beach, whose waves in winter can reach up at 11.5 feet. When surfing, give way to those who are more skilled than you and respect the groups of locals—if you don’t, you might get a couple of strong words directed your way. When the waves on Zurriola are too big, surfers head to La Concha for their fix, though in normal conditions it’s quite flat.