The destination the royal family chose for their official vacations before Mallorca

The royal family usually spends their summers at the wonderful Miravent Palace, an impressive building barely a century old located in Palma de Mallorca. Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofía have spent their summers in the capital of the Balearic Islands on numerous occasions, but it was not long before the Spanish monarchs enjoyed their summer holidays not in the archipelago, but in one of the most exciting cities on the Iberian Peninsula: San Sebastián.

Before the beautiful palace in the Cala Major neighborhood was built, the Spanish monarchs used to enjoy the good weather at "La Bella Easo," although not just anywhere, but in one of the most stunning buildings in the entire Basque Country: the Miramar Palace. The wonderful capital of Guipúzcoa saw the passing of figures such as Queen Isabella II and Alfonso XIII for several summers, and this amazing Basque city was the royal family's favorite summer destination .

Miramar Palace in San Sebastián, royal residence

The relationship between San Sebastián and the Spanish royal family began in the mid-19th century, when Queen Isabella II often visited the Basque city to bathe in the Cantabrian Sea and stay at the wonderful Aiate Palace, located in the park of the same name, which was also visited by Queen Victoria of England and Francisco Franco. "The Castilian Queen" sparked the monarchs' passion for the Gipuzkoan city, something that lasted for several years.

The great driving force behind the royal family's summer vacations in San Sebastián was Queen María Cristina, wife of Alfonso XII, who permanently moved the court to the city during the summer , forever changing the city's tourism landscape. In fact, the most luxurious and well-known hotel in the entire capital bears her name. For this reason, she decided to build the majestic Miramar Palace just two kilometers from Aiate Palace.

The person in charge of the project was Ralph Selden Wornum, the architect of another of the most beautiful buildings in northern Spain, the Palacio de los Hornillos in Las Fraguas (Cantabria). Located in the heart of La Concha Bay, the Miramar Palace became the royal family's summer resort for several decades, although in 1931, with the exile of Alfonso XIII, it passed into state hands during the Second Republic.

After the Civil War, the palace returned to the monarchy, specifically to Don Juan de Borbón, although it was finally purchased by the state in 1972 and opened to the public. The following year, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía began spending their summers in Mallorca, and Miravent Palace has since become the official summer residence of the Spanish monarchy.

What to see in San Sebastián

It's no surprise that the royal family spent their summers in San Sebastián, as the Basque city is one of the most impressive cities in both Spain and Europe. Its historic center is full of treasures steeped in centuries of history, such as the Plaza de la Constitución, the Basilica of Santa María del Coro, the Church of San Vicente, and the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. However, the best thing to do is stroll through its streets and discover all its secrets.

Furthermore, San Sebastián boasts one of the most breathtaking coastlines in northern Spain. La Concha Bay, home to the beach of the same name, as well as the Urgull and Igueldo mountains, is a stunning sight. Therefore, it's almost a must to visit the city at least once in your life.

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