¡¡¡LA MARCHA!!! – THE NIGHTLIFE!!! When one thinks of San Sebastián, images of beautiful beaches and mountainous landscapes are conjured to mind. An underrated aspect of this treasured city is its bustling nightlife. A night of hard partying typically starts in ‘La Parte Vieja’,

The Old Part, which is a maze of bars, clubs, and some of the best restaurants in Spain. Here you will meet with friends between 10 and 11 to enjoy some pinchos (typical Basque food), and have a few copas, be it beer, wine, or the famous Basque cider.

When the eating has wrapped up, you might pop into one of the clubs that decorate the area for a ‘copa’, a strong mixed drink. Here you can party the night away, dancing to the latest music, or some Spanish classics until around 3:30 in the morning , when The Old Part shuts down so the residents can actually get some sleep! For the die-hard partygoers, this is no cause for worry, as the party picks up in other parts of the city where it left off in The Old Part.

Illumbe is the biggest after hours zone in San Sebastian, with a dozen clubs staying open until 6 or 7 in the morning. Here there is typically no cover fee, as there is at most clubs in Spain, meaning that you can go from club to club to see which one best suits you. Illumbe is about a 15 or 20 minute walk from The Old Part, or a 5€ cab ride. Buses also deliver partygoers from The Old Part to Illumbe. For those who don’t want to make the trip to Illumbe, San Sebastian’s most famous club, Bataplan, is a mere 5 minute walk from The Old Part.

This beautiful club can fit almost 1000 people at capacity, and has a stunning terrace that stretches onto La Concha Beach, allowing for an incredible clubbing experience. Entrance is free during the week and 12€ with a copa on weekends. For those interested in a more alternative scene, the dozen or so bars around the Buen Pastor Cathedral, located next to The Old Part, provide a more relaxed ambience, with quality lounge music and nicely decorated interiors.

El Barrio Gros, located on the other side of the Urumea River, a 5 minute walk from the Old Part, features a diverse nightlife, with everything from Irish Pubs, to Retro bars. For a more complete club listing, please see www.sansebastianturismo.com