What's the best time for pintxos in the Old Town?
Between 12:30 and 14:00 at midday, or from 20:00 in the evening. On weekdays there's less of a queue and the bars are freshly stocked.
Old Town
The pintxo epicentre. Brilliant, but with rules.
The Old Town (Parte Vieja / Alde Zaharra) is the historic heart and the densest cluster of pintxo bars in the world. It's intense, touristy and wonderful all at once: the trick is knowing which bar to step into and which to walk straight past.
Don't miss
- Plaza de la Constitución: a former bullring, with the seat numbers still painted on the balconies.
- Santa María Basilica and the climb up Monte Urgull, with the whole city below you.
- The legendary bars of Calle 31 de Agosto, the one street that survived the 1813 fire.
Where to eat
Pintxo-crawl on your feet: one bite and a txakoli per bar, then move on. Ask for the house specialty, not what's sitting on the counter.
The mistake to avoid
Don't sit down for a tourist set menu at the first terrace with photos on the card. No local eats there.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go to the Old Town with kids?
Yes, especially mid-morning or early evening. Plaza de la Constitución is pedestrian and kids can run around while you grab a bite.