San Sebastian: Premium Market, Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour
About This Experience
The highest-rated tour in the San Sebastián catalogue with real review volume — 5.0 out of 5 from 132 guests — and the only one that puts the supply chain in front of the bars.
It opens in the Bretxa market, where the Old Town shops daily, with a ham tasting among the produce stalls. The second stop is an olive and oil shop whose merchant the operator places among the top four in the world, where you taste the olives, the oil and a gilda — and hear where that pintxo came from.
From there the tour goes bar-hopping like a Basque native. Four Old Town counters, six top local pintxos and five pours of Rioja wine, natural apple cider and a liqueur, moving from the origins of the gilda to the most avant-garde plates the city produces.
Along the way you pass landmark buildings and hear about the txokos — the private cooking clubs that are one of the odder and more Basque parts of the city's food culture — plus the language and traditions behind what is on the plate.
One practical point worth planning around: the market is closed at weekends and on Monday afternoons. On those departures the operator serves an extra pintxo instead of the market visit, which is a fair swap but not the same tour. If the market is why you are booking, choose a weekday.
The tour runs rain or shine, in English, Spanish, Basque or French, as a small group or a private departure. Minimum age is 13.
Highlights
- Savor samples of ham, cheese, olives, and Gilda at a variety of bars in the city
- Discover Basque's ancient language and traditions alongside locals
- Try some of the best pintxos, wine, and cider San Sebastian has to offer
- Travel through time from the origin of La Gilda to the most modern pintxos
- Meet new people as you dine and drink across San Sebastian like a native
What's Included
- ✓ Tour guide
- ✓ Market visit and tasting, except Saturday evening and Sunday (we will add an extra pintxo instead)
- ✓ 6 top local pintxos
- ✓ 5 local wine, cider, licor
Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (there are bus stop and taxi stop nearby)
- Tips
Good to Know & Caveats
- This tour will take place rain or shine
- On weekends and Monday afternoon, the market is closed
Not Suitable For
- Children under 13 years
- Wheelchair users
Meeting Point
Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.
What Travelers Say
Rated 5.0/5 by 132 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Thank you, Sebastian, for the great tour! We loved the pintxos, the wine, the history and getting to know San Sebastián more intimately. Sebastian is a great guide and we recommend him to everyone!
— Elena, August
Sebastian was incredible! So immersed in the culture of the city and had so many great recommendations. Food, wine, art, cheesecake, you name it! 100% recommend!
— Amanda, June 16
Jon led us on the tour of a lifetime! This is THE tour to do for Donostia/San Sebastian. He shared so much love and knowledge for the city and region as a whole, and took us for the most delicious pintxos after showing us around the market. It felt like touring with the mayor; he knew every owner and artisan in town! Lots of great recommendations for places in town and all around the region. A beautiful part of my honeymoon!
— Jessica, May 3,
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this tour different from a standard pintxos crawl?
The market and the producer. It starts in the Bretxa market with a ham tasting and visits an olive and oil merchant the operator places among the world's top four, before it reaches a bar at all. You taste the components of a gilda before you taste the finished pintxo.
Is the market visit guaranteed?
No, and this is the detail to plan around. The market is closed at weekends and on Monday afternoons; on those departures the operator adds an extra pintxo instead of the market stop. If the market is your reason for booking, choose a weekday morning or early afternoon.
How many pintxos and drinks are included?
Six top local pintxos and five pours — local wine, natural cider and a liqueur — plus the market tastings of ham, cheese, olives and gilda. Everything is included; there is nothing further to pay at the counter.
Which wines does the tour pour?
Rioja is the red, from the region that begins about two hours south. Natural Basque apple cider and a local liqueur complete the five pours. The tour also pairs the drinks to the pintxo they arrive with rather than serving them independently.
What languages is this tour available in?
English, Spanish, Basque and French, which is a wider range than most tours in the city. Choose the language at the booking step along with the small-group or private option.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes, 13. The tour is also listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users — it moves between crowded Old Town counters where most of the eating is done standing.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
Yes. The operator states the tour takes place rain or shine. Almost all of the eating is indoors; only the walking between market, shop and bars is exposed, and none of it is long.
Can I book this tour privately?
Yes — the same itinerary is offered as either a small-group or a private tour, chosen at the booking step. Private options in San Sebastián are priced per person rather than as a flat group rate.
Other San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tours
Eating San Sebastian: Beyond Pintxos Tour
San Sebastian Like a Local: Evening Pintxos Tour
Premium Evening Pintxos Tour in San Sebastian’s Old Town
San Sebastian: Private Pintxos Basque -Tapas Tour
San Sebastian Food Tour with Pintxos & Drinks with a Local
San Sebastian food tour: pintxo tasting paired with wines
San Sebastian: walking tour with pintxo and drink
San Sebastián: Traditional Cider House Tour with Lunch
