“A recurring question when planning a trip is whether the place we are going to eat well. The gastronomy and cultural offer make the Basque Country one of the preferred destinations for luxury tourists. In addition, accommodation, transport, and the experiences they will live in the destination are other factors that add up when choosing a destination,” says Silvia Massagué, director of Atlántida Travel.
The Basque Coast is a destination that captivates with its natural beauty, rich culture, and exquisite cuisine. But for those seeking more than a trip—those longing for a transformative journey—San Sebastián and Basque Country offer something truly unique: the perfect fusion of luxury, tradition, and the untamed charm of the Cantabrian Sea. At Spirit Experiences, we invite you to enjoy luxury experiences in Basque Country that will awaken every sense and remain etched in your memory.
Experiences in San Sebastian and Basque Country
Living a premium experience with Spirit Experiences means setting sail on a designer sailboat with a private crew, tailored service, and a bespoke itinerary. Our vessel is a true floating lounge—each detail designed to deliver effortless comfort and beauty.
But what truly defines our experiences are three essential qualities: sensory, local, and unforgettable.
Sunset Sailing with Local Wine and Private Sommelier
One of our most iconic journeys: setting sail at dusk, just as the sky turns amber and the sea breeze kisses your skin. Onboard, enjoy a selection of Basque wines like Txakoli or Rioja Alavesa selected by our private sommelier Ales Rueda, paired with artisanal cheeses and local delicacies. Perfect for couples, intimate celebrations, or simply disconnecting and viewing San Sebastián from a new perspective.
Private Chef Onboard: Haute Cuisine on the Cantabrian Sea
Imagine a gourmet dinner prepared live for you in the middle of the ocean. Our chef who creates seasonal menus inspired by Basque cuisine, using the freshest daily ingredients. Savor dishes full of sea-inspired flavor while anchored near dramatic cliffs—in total privacy and luxury with our “Culinary Ecstasy” proposal or the “Taste Pleasures” menu.
Wellness on a Boat: Yoga, Meditation, and Balance
The ocean has healing power, and our wellness experiences enhance it. Enjoy yoga or meditation sessions on deck, guided by professional instructors, accompanied by soft music, natural juices, or relaxing infusions. A perfect way to start your day in harmony with yourself and the surroundings.
Guided Pintxo Tour + Gourmet Sailing
Begin on land with a private pintxo tour in San Sebastián, led by a local expert who will share the secrets behind this iconic culinary tradition. Then, continue the gourmet journey at sea—sailing along the coast while tasting a curated selection of pintxos, seafood, and wines.
Private Routes Along the Basque Coast
Beyond San Sebastián, the coastline reveals gems like Getaria, Zumaia, Pasaia, and Hondarribia. We create tailor-made itineraries so you can explore these charming fishing villages by sea, with stops for swimming in hidden coves, visits to coastal wineries, and luxury picnics just for you.
Tailor-Made Itineraries for a Unique Escape
Our experiences are built around you: from a pintxo tour through the Old Town’s most iconic bars to a private onboard wellness session with yoga and meditation amidst the marine breeze. At Spirit Experiences, we understand luxury as a way of life—one that adapts to your pace, your tastes, and your desire to disconnect.
Sailing in Style: Pure Luxury at Sea
At Spirit Experiences, we turn a boat trip into a lasting memory. Our sailboat, equipped with every comfort, is the ideal stage to explore the coast from a fresh perspective. Imagine sailing in San Sebastian through La Concha Bay as the sun sets, a glass of txakoli in hand, and local treats laid out on the deck.
We offer fully customized private outings—from romantic sunset escapes to full-day adventures exploring the Gipuzkoan cliffs, with stops at secret coves and gourmet lunches on board. All enhanced by impeccable service and attention to detail that elevates every moment.
Luxury gastronomy in San Sebastian
San Sebastián, the undisputed capital of good taste, is not only celebrated for its stately architecture and Michelin-starred dining scene. It’s a city where the sea sets the rhythm of life and every sunset over La Concha Bay looks like a hand-painted masterpiece.
The Basque Country has 32 Michelin Stars, 19 of them in Donostia – San Sebastian, as we told you in this article about Michelin Star Restaurants in San Sebastian. Two of our favourites are Pedro Subijana’s Akelarre Restaurant, three Michelin stars, located at the top of Mount Igeldo (San Sebastian) with unique views and two varied tasting menu proposals designed to enjoy haute cuisine from all senses and points of view.
And our other personal recommendation is the Zuberoa Restaurant, by Hilario Arbelaitz, a modern gastronomic offer with touches reminiscent of the roots of Basque cuisine, located in the oldest farmhouse in Oiartzun (Gipuzkoa) with more than six hundred years of history.
Other Michelin-starred restaurants:
- Arzak ***, in San Sebastián (Gipuzkoa)
- Martín Berasategui ***, in Lasarte-Oria (Gipuzkoa)
- Azurmendi ***, in Larrabetzu (Bizkaia)
- Amelia **, in San Sebastián (Gipuzkoa)
- Mugaritz **, in Errenteria (Gipuzkoa)
- Etxebarri *, in Axpe (Bizkaia)
- Elkano *, in Getaria (Gipuzkoa)
- Alameda *, in Hondarribia (Gipuzkoa)
Luxury accommodation in San Sebastian (Basque Country)
Luxury hotel or luxury flat? In San Sebastian, one of the most charming places in the city is the 4-star Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra. Its luxury balconies and terraces have lived a hundred years of history facing the bay of La Concha. A hotel in San Sebastian with classic, relaxing, and cosy rooms.
As for luxury flats, a perfect option to feel at home away from home is what SAMSAM San Sebastian offers with its accommodation: bright and comfortable in the heart of La Concha Bay.
Apartamentos de Lujo Sam Sam
Other recommended hotels:
- Hotel Maria Cristina *****
- Hotel Akelarre *****
- Hotel Villa Soro ****
- Hotel Villa Favorita ****
- Hotel Sanse Bay ****
- Hotel Arbaso ****
- Hotel La Sala Plaza ****
Other recommended luxury flats:
- Sebastiana Group
- San Sebastian Holiday apartments
Sanse Bay Hotel and Other Luxury Hotels in the Basque Country: Exclusive Stays and Tailored Experiences
At the heart of San Sebastián, the Sanse Bay Hotel blends contemporary design, a prime location, and personalized service. With direct views of the bay and a refined yet welcoming atmosphere, this boutique hotel is the perfect base for those looking to combine rest, style, and the sea.
Pair your stay at Sanse Bay Hotel with a Spirit Experiences sailing journey, and the experience reaches new heights. Picture starting the day with breakfast by the sea and ending it sailing under a golden sky, raising a glass of txakoli as the city lights glow in the distance. We handle every detail to ensure the transition between land and sea is as seamless as it is unforgettable.
Beyond San Sebastián, the luxury hotels in the Basque Country offer a refined collection of accommodations where luxury means authenticity, serenity, and connection with the environment. From ancestral homes turned boutique hotels to resorts nestled among vineyards or cliffs, these luxury hotels in the Basque Country are the perfect complement to our ocean experiences.
Related to culture, we have two museums of great relevance
Firstly, the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, located in Getaria and dedicated to preserving the legacy of Cristobal Balenciaga, “the legacy of a genius”. This year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Cristobal Balenciaga’s death by exploring a new perspective of his work, never before explored and focusing on what makes “a Balenciaga” recognisable.
Secondly, the Chillida Leku museum, a unique museum that is in itself a great work of art. Here the fusion between art and nature takes place in a natural way. Conceived in an open space, its sculptures blend into the landscape as if they had always been part of it. Eduardo Chillida dreamed of finding a space where his sculptures could rest and where people could walk among them as if they were in a forest. Today, in the garden, the beech, oak and magnolia trees coexist with the monumental steel and granite sculptures in perfect dialogue with their surroundings.
The luxury experience in San Sebastian and the Basque Coast.
If the above recommendations suit your idea of a trip, you can’t miss a premium leisure experience like the one we offer at Spirit Experiences: a cruise on a luxury sailing boat to get to know the Basque Coast from a different perspective. You will enjoy Spirit’s services and comforts throughout a unique experience designed just for you sailing in San Sebastian and the Basque Coast.
Unique moments that will put the finishing touch to a trip that you will always remember as something magical. A sunset on the bow of the ship with glasses of wine, to full day experiences with the possibility of tasting a menu prepared by a private Chef, a wine tasting accompanied by our Sommelier or disembark in a village on the Basque Coast and continue the experience from land. Discover our tailor-made experiences here.
Experiencia de Lujo en Velero Spirit
What sets our experiences apart is how they combine luxury with true Basque authenticity. We collaborate with local producers, private chefs, and cultural experts to offer moments that go beyond tourism and become part of your personal story—moments where elegance feels natural, wellness is thoughtfully curated, and the surroundings envelop you in beauty.
At Spirit Experiences, we believe real luxury isn’t about excess—it’s about the quality of each instant. In the way the wind fills the sails, the taste of handcrafted cheese is enjoyed to the rhythm of the waves, the deep stillness of a sunrise at sea. Every experience is crafted for those looking to reconnect with beauty, peace, and the extraordinary pleasure of the simple things.
If you want to get to know the Basque Country from a new perspective and live a totally exclusive experience through the five senses, you are in the right place. Contact us and start creating your trip to enjoy the Basque Coast as you have never done before, we are waiting for you!
