San Sebastian is the prettiest host city at the 2030 World Cup. The Basque city on Spain's north coast pairs a World Cup stadium with one of Europe's great beaches, a world-famous food scene and a setting — a perfect bay between two green hills — that looks like a postcard. For fans who want the most beautiful matchday of the tournament, this is it.

The city's stadium, the Reale Arena — known to most fans as Anoeta — is home to Real Sociedad and holds around 42,000 fans. It will host group-stage matches, and the combination of a great stadium and a great city makes San Sebastian one of the most sought-after destinations in the tournament.

Anoeta was rebuilt in recent years into a modern, enclosed arena with steep stands close to the pitch and a capacity of around 42,000. It is widely considered one of the best stadiums in Spain for atmosphere, and Real Sociedad's fans are among the most loyal in the country.

For the best view in San Sebastian, take the funicular up Monte Igueldo, the hill at the western end of La Concha bay. From the top you can see the whole bay, the city and the sea — it is one of the great viewpoints in Europe, and the small amusement park at the summit has been running since 1912. Back in the old town, the narrow streets around the Plaza de la Constitucion are packed with pintxo bars, and the church of San Vicente is the oldest building in the city. Give yourself a full day beyond the match: San Sebastian rewards slow exploration.