While staying in Pamplona, I took a quick weekend trip north to the coast to visit San Sebastián — a place I knew surprisingly little about at the time, despite its reputation as one of Spain’s premier seaside destinations.

The weather didn’t exactly cooperate. Overcast skies and light rain lingered throughout my visit, softening the coastline in a moody, quiet way. Even still, the beauty of the city was undeniable: pristine beaches, grand belle-époque architecture, and scenic promenades curving along the water.