"Heineken Jazzaldia" - Every July, San Sebastian comes alive with jazz music!

The San Sebastian Jazz festival is held every year during the third week of July. It was founded in 1966, Which means this festival celebrates 50 years bringing jazz music to Donostia.

The "Jazzaldia" is the first jazz festival organised in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. It hosts around a hundred concerts in twelve stages located in different points throughout the city of San Sebastian. Some of these concerts are free and some others are ticketed; and some of the venues are in the open air and some others are indoors.

The Kursaal Centre and Trinidad Square offer paying concerts, while at the other venues, including Zurriola beach and the terraces at the Kursaal Centre, concerts are free.

More info at www.heinekenjazzaldia.com

Karmengo jaiak.Festivity in the port of San Sebastian.

The origin of this local festivity held from the 15th to the 19th of July, is religious.The 16th of July is the day of Virgin of Carmen, the patron saint of fishermen, so this festivity is celebrated in their honour.

In the last years, this crab has become the symbol of Karmengo Jaiak, where different activities for different age groups and interests take place.

Dancing "agurra" dance of honour, dedicated to fishermen

"Kukaña"

"Gigantes y cabezudos"

Street music

Different concerts

Donostia / San Sebastian. Going to the beach.

San Sebastián is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea’ and there is no doubt that this stunning bay of La Concha, is part of the reason for this name.

This unique bay of La Concha is what made the city famous during the Belle Époque era and it is also where spanish Queen Maria Cristina established her royal summerhouse.

“La Concha”, shell in spanish due to its shape, is the nearest beach from the apartment.

According to the Travel and Leisure magazine, this is the second top city beach in the world. A kilometer and a half of fine and white sand combined with calm waters and fantastic views.

The worst part is that the beach size depends greatly on the tide status. When the tide is up this beach gets narrow and it can be crowded.

You can hire canoes and paddle surfing boards. Sunshades and chairs can also be hired.

  

  

“Ondarreta" is in the same bay as La Concha, but split by El pico del Loro (a rocky outcropping). It is also a wonderful beach, but it is further from the apartment.

“La Zurriola”: Located in the district of Gros, on the other side of the river, is not far from the apartment. Big waves and young people, that is what you will find in La Zurriola! It is a good option for surf lovers.

You can hire surfing boards and have surfing lessons. Sunshades and chairs can also be hired.

San Fermin

This unique festival is held annually from the 6th to the 14th of July.

Iruña / Pamplona, capital of Navarre, 82 km from San Sebastian.

The most famous event is the "encierro" or the running of the bulls, that takes place every morning at 08:00 am, but appart from "encierros", this festival involves many other traditional events.

http://www.turismo.navarra.es/eng/propuestas/san-fermines/desarrollo/fiesta.htm

Lesaka, 37km from San Sebastian.

This beautiful town sorrounded by mountains where you will be able to find interesting monuments, also celebrates San Fermin. The main activity is "zubigainekoa"on the 7th of July; a dance on the edge of Onin river that commemorates a peace treaty that took place on the XV century.

Source: De Turismo por Navarra