San Sebastian (Donostia): "La Perla del Oceano"

The heart of San Sebastian is the Old Quarter situated in the fortified, walled-in area between the port, the river, and Mount Urgull. It is a pedestrian only zone with many shops, bars and restaurants.
	The recently remodelled Constitution Square is located in the centre of the Old Quarter, as is the Bretxa fish and (covered) vegetable market. It is the ideal place to taste typical Basque dishes as well as Donostia specialities such as hake a la koxtkera crab a la donostiarra or pantxineta. and savour the the smell of sardines being grilled in the port - an often irrestible treat.
The Old Quarter meets the sea at the port and the small fisherman's houses sit in a row at the foot of Mount Urgull where fishing boats share the water with recreational vessels. Parallel to the port is the Paseo de los Curas, a promenade which offers an excellent view of the bay.
The city came back to prominence in 1845 when Isabell II chose San Sebastian as her convalescent home and the custom of spending summers in the city was established. In 1863 Isabell II, as the only known planning authority of the time (!) agreed to knock down the ancient walls which confined the Old Quarter allowing the city to expand and occupy the dried-out marshlands on which it stands today.