The txapela, the Basque beret
The Catalans have the barretina. The Aragonese have the cachirulo, and we Basques wear the txapela! This beret is one of the signs of identity of the Basques, although we owe its introduction to our French neighbours at the end of the 18th century, but we soon assimilated it. So much so that in other languages the txapela is identified as Basque, I’m not making this up, here are a few examples: béret basque, beretto dei basque, basque cap, basken mütze.
The txapela is worn by champions (we call them txapeldunes), and is a common gift among friends and family. Especially the hand-embroidered ones, which usually have all kinds of decorations. And if you’re a bit apprehensive because you don’t know how to put it on, here’s a fun guide.
Do you want to buy one? It’s very easy, right next to where our Free Tour of San Sebastian starts, you’ll find the Sombrerería Ponsol. A centenary shop where they only sell the best of the best.
With nearly 10 years of experience as a local guide in San Sebastián, Hegoi has dedicated his career to showcasing the city from an authentic, local perspective through Free Walking Tour San Sebastián and Go Local San Sebastián. As a native of San Sebastián, he combines historical knowledge, local culture, and recommendations based on personal experience to create useful and reliable content on what to see, what to do, and how to experience San Sebastián like a local.