Hi Everyone, Can't wait for the tapas experience of San Sebastian, but feel it will be best enjoyed in the company of other like-minded travellers. Looking for a fun, inclusive hostel where people can meet have a laugh and hang out together, and go on to eat/drink together. Perhaps somewhere with a common room? Walking distance to the action, please. Any Recs?
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Not to be confusing but we stayed in a Hostal in San Sebastian because it was a great budget option (although San Sebastian was our most expensive stay in Spain). A Hostal is essentially a small Hotel. Spain has Hotels (usually bigger chains), Hostals (much cheaper small locally owned hotels), and Hostels. We didn't stay in any hostels because the hostals were cheap. For a party hostel, I'd suggest looking in the Gros area (just east of San Sebastian). Gros is more of the surf beach and attracts a more casual party crowd. I seem to recall reading about a hostel there but we didn't try it. I'll risk a couple of quick tips - I'm sure people will correct me if I'm wrong. Locals prefer the name Donostia (but won't make a big deal of it either way). San Sebastian, I believe, is the "Francoized" Spanish name. I can't recall all the road signage, but it's good to know the place has two names. Also, in the north, they don't offer Tapas. They call them Pinchos, probably because they're on toothpicks and pinchito usually refers to something on a skewer. The popular drink there is a gin and tonic, locals make it one word "gintonic". We went to a great gintonic bar there, they had lots of choices and the bartenders put on quite a presentation making them. At 10 euros per drink, however, we nursed ours.
Posted by
OP
Holland Park West, QUEENSLAND, Australia
17 posts
Wow thanks for the reply and tip on the cost of a GT. I think I'll stick to beer at those prices Brad! We've seen some nice hotels/hostals and are considering them. Did you have some great nights on the pinchos trail (there's an x in their somewhere and I wasn't sure how to spell haha)
Did you meet people or just stick to yourselves? We find hostels great for having a laugh late at night, getting a group together to do things etc.