On April 30th, the global purpose brand opens its first store in San Sebastián, marking its debut on Spain’s northern coast and continuing its European retail expansion.
Situated on Calle Churruca, a key pedestrian thoroughfare linking the city’s charming center with its historic Old Town, the new store introduces BIRKENSTOCK’s signature footbed to the cosmopolitan Donostiarras, empowering everybody to walk as nature intended.
The airy, 120-square-meter space brings the brand’s unique walking experience, its unmatched quality and function, rich archive of timeless footwear designs and innovation to this coastal destination, nestled between rolling green hills and the Atlantic Ocean. The ground floor’s interior design featuring a rare glass façade, reflects the Zeitgeist brand’s commitment to craftmanship and marries the region’s natural materials with BIRKENSTOCK’s core values.
With this opening, BIRKENSTOCK strengthens its presence in Spain and deepens its connection with the Donostia community, welcoming loyal fans and curious newcomers into a space designed to inspire and connect. Throughout Europe, the global footwear player operates 38 stores, with further openings planned in key cities – bringing BIRKENSTOCK directly to consumers, fostering engagement and enabling them to experience the brand at first-hand.
A SPACE WHERE HERITAGE MEETS INNOVATION
Inspired by the city’s natural surroundings, the store design reflects the Basque Country’s natural textures and earthy color palette – creating a seamless dialogue between BIRKENSTOCK’s product, with the iconic footbed at heart, and the region’s rich landscape. Local materials such as natural stone and light-toned wood dominate the interior, while cork and leather – core components of the brand’s iconic footbed – reinforce BIRKENSTOCK’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship, bridging both worlds.
Walls finished in raw stucco and limewash and floors of exposed aggregate concrete create a warm atmosphere, while brushed steel product displays and interior elements offer a refined nod to the shoe molds and mechanic elements in BIRKENSTOCK’s production sites. The store stands testament to the quality, innovation and shoemaking tradition that define the brand’s legacy.
Upon entering the light-flooded space, visitors are immediately drawn to the signature central counter – crafted from concrete and natural stone – a design element which anchors the journey through the store, thoughtfully designed to create an immersive and tactile shopping experience. Shelving made of satin-finished steel introduces a sleek, modern contrast, while a modular seating area in light leather and stone tones invites guests to linger and explore. The cash desk mirrors the central counter’s clean lines and material palette, creating a minimalist aesthetic that reflects BIRKENSTOCK’s purpose-driven approach to product innovation. The visitor is further encouraged to delve deeper into the brand’s heritage – a display behind the cash desk invites to discover the evolution of BIRKENSTOCK’s legendary cork-latex footbed.
To celebrate the opening, BIRKENSTOCK will present two exclusive store-only open toe styles: the ARIZONA and MAYARI, reimagined with a Mediterranean-inspired upper, a tonal suede-lined footbed and a white sole, featuring the brand’s iconic bone pattern. Each model will be available in a limited run of just 100 pairs. Valued members and first visitors will also be treated to exclusive gift bags* to mark the occasion.
A CURATED SELECTION OF ICONIC AND SEASONAL STYLES
The 120-square-meter, light-filled retail space will showcase a carefully curated range, including the brand’s most iconic styles such as the ARIZONA, BOSTON, MADRID or GIZEH as well as contemporary designs. Shoppers can explore closed-toe designs, alongside seasonal highlights and exquisite iterations of iconic models, water-ready EVA styles, the Professionals Collection and the brand’s natural Care Essentials range. An assortment to meet the needs of long-time brand loyalists wile inspiring a new generation of footbed lover.
Guests are warmly invited to explore the brand’s universe and the legendary footbed firsthand – to experience walking as nature intended.
