If there were a list of holy cities for The Hungry Traveller, San Sebastian has to be among other esteemed contenders such as Florence, Edinburgh and Bologna. A treasure of Spain, this north-eastern coastal city has a deep well of cultural and gastronomic history. In fact, the very first Basque gastronomical societies developed here in the late 19th century, and the city has been marked as the European capital of culture for 2016. Whatever that means.

San Sebastian is a notoriously exclusive region; it is expensive and difficult to get to. However, even if you are running on a budget, like anywhere in the world San Sebastian has hidden treasures open to all who are willing to find them. One such gem is La Cuchara de San Telmo, serving some of the best (and some would say the best) cuisine San Sebastian has to offer. It’s something of a wonder that this all-purpose restaurant by day, bar by night is among the cheapest options in the city. Perhaps its only con is its obscure location (down an alley off a backstreet). However, in spite of this, La Cuchara is always very busy, so you may want to head there early to avoid the traffic.

But to be perfectly honest, no matter where you go in San Sebastian you will find something that improves your relationship with the buds on your tongue. There are countless food tours to enjoy with friends and strangers alike, and if you can afford it, a three Michelin star-rated restaurant is the perfect way to cap off your visit. And even then you have choice – of the five three-starred restaurants Spain has to offer, three are to be found in San Sebastian.

While you’re not stuffing your face (or convincing yourself three-star restaurants are worth the money) San Sebastian remains an unmitigated cultural delight. The city has a rich history which can be absorbed through a variety of museums, beautiful cathedrals and well preserved historical sites. Recommendations for sightseeing include:

The San Telma Museoa
The Santa Maria del Coro
Miramar Palace