Gros is the Brooklyn of San Sebastián.
Gros named the Brooklyn of San Sebastián
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Gros the Brooklyn of San Sebastián.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. San Sebastián's verdict went to Gros ahead of Egia, Amara and Parte Vieja, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Gros the Brooklyn of San Sebastián, and it was not a hard call. It is where the city loosens its collar: surfboards at dawn, coffee taken seriously, food that is more appetite than occasion. Locals are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Gros's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full San Sebastián verdict: brooklynof.com/san-sebastian
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/san-sebastian
Runner-up neighborhoods: Egia, Amara, Parte Vieja
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.