San Sebastián (population 178,000) lies on the largely undiscovered and unspoilt northern coast of Spain. This beautiful city with its kilometres of sandy beaches establishes the boundary between the deep blue waters of the Bay of Biscay and the green, lush hills of the Basque countryside.

Donostia, as the city is known in the Basque language, is a surprisingly relaxed place with a small-town feel. Those who live here consider themselves the luckiest people in Spain and won't hesitate to tell you so! After you have studied here, you may well begin to appreciate their immodest claim!

SAN SEBASTIÁN WAS ONCE a small fishing village and the inhabitants lived facing the sea. They were known to have hunted whales and fished for cod. At one point it was a thriving port, importing wines and oil for France and England. The city was given a welcomed boost in the middle of the 19th century when Queen Isabel II arrived to spend the summer there, a tradition that continued for decades.

The town enjoys a moderate maritime climate. During the summer the average temperature is above 20ºC, with the autumn and spring average falling between 12º and 16ºC.

THE SUNSETS in San Sebastián are spectacular and so is the nightlife. A night of partying typically starts between 10 and 11 in 'La Parte Vieja', The Old Part, which is a maze of bars, clubs, and some of the best restaurants in Spain. Here you can meet with friends to enjoy some pintxos, small food portions served in most bars and restaurants, a great way to try some of the delicacies of Basque cuisine. You will probably also have a few drinks, be it beer, wine, or the famous Basque cider. When the eating has wrapped up, you can party the night away in one of the many clubs, dancing to the latest music or Spanish classics until around 3:30 in the morning, when The Old Part shuts down and the residents can get some sleep!

INSTED's partner school is ideally located, just a short walk from the Zurriola beach and from the old town. There are multimedia facilities, a common room with Internet access, as well as a large terrace for students to use at break time.