Villa Magdalena

Where the Romance of 1920s Basque Country Endures

Owner Olatz is a fashion and interior designer who was born in San Sebastián and spent many summers and holidays there. This was a masterful renovation, decorated with the utmost respect to its original style as a 1920 country Basque villa.

“I could see the potential right away, and I fell in love,” she says of the day she first saw Villa Magdalena. It had been abandoned for many years, but Olatz felt it would be a privilege to restore its early beauty; to make it look like not a day had passed.

To add space, the kitchen and dining room were moved into the former basement, which now leads into a garden and a terrace with views of the sea, perfect for alfresco dining.

Filled with the treasures of a life often spent traveling, the home contains a collection of modern art, fabrics, rugs, and tiles from Marrakesh and Bali, and antique furniture that she found in France and Spain. Novels and art books adorn the tables – a favorite of Olatz is a gigantic book given to her by Peter Beard, which she says is like its own piece of furniture.

In an iconic Spanish port town, here is a home with a romantic soul, holding the past in stunning reverence.

This five-bedroom, five-bathroom vacation home in San Sebastián can accommodate up to about 8-9 people. Villa Magdalena is a 2-minute walk from Monte Igueldo, and 1,800 feet from Monte Igueldo Funicular. 

BASQUE COUNTRY'S CULINARY & ARTS CAPITAL

San Sebastián is known for gastronomic tourism (boasting a trio of three-Michelin star restaurants, and its famous Basque pintxos bars), some of Europe’s most beloved beaches, and a thriving art scene.

The owner recommends cruising around San Sebastián's bay, and checking out Chillida Leku, an outdoor museum and sixteenth-century Basque farmhouse sprawling across 27 acres, devoted to the works of the late abstract sculptor Eduardo Chillida, managed in consultation with Iwan Wirth and Manuela Hauser. Also in art, the Guggenheim is not to be missed.

Stroll through the historical quarter and in its center, the Plaza de la Constitución, formerly a bull-fighting arena. You can still see numbers over the windows that denoted ticketholders’ boxes, although today it has been transformed into a romantic plaza replete with outdoor dining. 

Complete your holiday with plenty of beach-hopping. While San Sebastián has plenty of iconic shores, the owner also suggests the 20-minute drive over to the French side: Biarritz is that close, and has its own elegance and charm.

LOCATION

San Sebastián, Guipuzcoa, Spain. Nearest Airport: San Sebastián Airport (26 km), Biarritz Airport (52 km), Bilbao Airport (97 km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring, Summer, Fall