Lidl is a German international discount retailer chain that operates over 12,000 stores, present in…read moreevery member state of the European Union, Serbia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Lidl is the chief competitor of the similar German discount chain Aldi in several markets. This store in the Old Town of Donosti (San Sebastian) is located in the basement of the Bretxa marketplace. Prices are cheap and the selection of items are very adequate. If you have been to an Aldi in the US, it's about the same layout and set up. I got some water, fruit and snacks in here.

Either I'm spoiled with our big grocery stores, or this place is not very well stocked. The store…read moreis very limited in their selections. We were able to pick up the basics though. Bread, lunch meat, water, hand lotion and detergent. They did not have any coffee creamer. Not even plain powder creamer. The store is small, but seemed to be quite busy. We were stuck in line for about 15 minutes. Again, maybe I'm spoiled, but either way, I left this store with a better appreciation for my local supermarkets.

Just in case you were concerned (and I know you were), San Sebastián locals have their own Whole…read moreFoods-style markets with the Super Amara chain. The one on Tolosa Hiribidea is an expansive space that appears to have everything including a separate fish and seafood counter, an elaborate deli, and a huge meat market. It was across the street from our hotel, so Jamie W. and I came in here a couple of times very impressed with the vastness of the inventory even though we were just looking for a couple of cans of Coke Zero. Now I know where we would shop if we became expats here, and that's not such a far-fetched possibility as we continue to daydream.

Great Cosco like grocery store. If you need to buy things in bulk for your stay and are on a budget…read morethis is the place to be. They have everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to giant amounts of toilet paper and soap in here.