In this article, we have gathered the best places to visit in the Basque Country on the Spanish side. Here are all our top tips about what to do, where to eat and where to stay in or close by each place!
The Spanish Basque country is a drink and food heaven packed with Michelin-star restaurants and small cafés servings exceptional seafood, tasty wines and local Pintxos. Yet, foodies won’t be the only one to enjoy their time in the Spanish Basque country. Head to this part of Northern Spain to discover tough and passionate people, an erratic coast washed by clear blue water and in the southern part, gorgeous landscape dotted by vineyards and medieval towns.
>> The “Basque country” is an autonomous region of Spain but the “Basque region” as such includes Navarra as well as a small area on the French territory. This article is about the Spanish Basque Region and will, as a matter of fact, include places to visit in the Navarre Region also. Learn more facts about the Basque Region.
Best places to visit in the Spanish Basque Country
Bilbao
For most people visiting the Spanish Basque Country, Bilbao will be the first destination as its airport is well linked to most major European cities. It is also on the itinerary of a lot of the best Spanish road trips such as San Sebastian to Galicia, or around the Rioja Region.
Bilbao is a great spot to spend a few days relaxing and soaking in the Basque culture. Over the past few years, it has gone through a transformation which has been recognised by being awarded the Best European city in 2018, a Unesco City of Design in 2014 and several other major awards. Nonetheless, for the tourists, this change can be mainly seen while walking along the main river dissecting the city. From the old town to the world-famous Guggenheim museum, you will spot superb sculptures, art pieces and beautifully engineered bridges.
The old town itself, also known as the 7 streets (las siete calles), is the place to be. Here you will find most of the best places to stay, eat, drink and any kind of entertainment. For excellent Pintxos, head no further than the Plaza Nueva where you will find a courtyard filled with dozens of top-class Pintxo Bars. Of course, if you want to start your day the right way, make sure to stop by Luke’s Cafe for a tasty single-origin coffee.
If you get your fill of city life, hop on the metro for 20 minutes to the seaside town of Portugalete. Here you can explore one of the city’s upmarket suburbs and relax by the beach. Yet, the main draw is the Vizcaya Bridge, which was built in 1893. Its built-in cable car transports vehicles and people across the river for only €0.70. A must-do while in Bilbao!
Eat: Pintxos at Plaza Nueva, freshly made tortillas at Baster Bilbao, black pudding tortillas at La Olla,
Drink: Speciality coffee at Luke’s Cafe, Craft Beer & Coffee at Cafe Bihotz
Activities and tours: 3h bike tour – Cable Car Ride and Pintxos Tour – Panoramic Boat Tour – Guggenheim museum skip the line
Sleep: Quartier Bilbao Hostel – NYX Hotel – Casual Gurea
SAN SEBASTIAN
San Sebastian is a foodies’ heaven and a pretty adorable resort town with stunning beaches. Most people come here for the food (or so they should!). Why? Because San Sebastian has more Michelin stars restaurants per capita than any other place on the planet and this grants it the title of the culinary capital of the world.
So what are you supposed to do first thing when you arrive in San Sebastian? Well, of course, eat pintxos! They are small snacks, typically eaten in bars, and best washed down with a glass of local cider. Like in other Spanish cities, the first rule of pintxo (or tapas) dining is to never stop moving – have a couple of bites in one place before you move to the next – this way you can try as many and varied pintxos as possible. You can find dozens of places serving these delectable small plates all around Casco Viejo (Old Town).
Another great thing to do in San Sebastian is to stroll along La Concha Beach which is shaped like a shell and flanked by Monte Igueldo at one end and Monte Urgull at the other. You can admire gorgeous filigreed balconies and Belle Époque sandstone buildings all along the promenade, but for the best views over the city, take the cable car up to Monte Igueldo (€2.30).
Nothing compares with watching the sunset over the bay from up there (ideally with a glass of vermouth or cider in hand) and if this doesn’t make San Sebastian an incredibly romantic city, nothing else will!
Eat: Pintxos in the old town – Churros con Chocolate at Churreria Santa Lucia (Portu Kalea, 6) – Michelin star restaurants: Arzak, Kokotxa.
Drink: Cider or white wine
Activities and tours: Gourmet Pintxo tour – Hop-On Hop-Off – Sightseeing Catamaran Bay Tour
Sleep: Koba Hostel – Pensión Aia – Pensión Peñaflorida
PAMPLONA
As the capital of Navarre and the Basque country’s second-largest city, Pamplona is a beautiful city to visit. Filled with a host of places to see, things to do and learning opportunities, Pamplona is the beating heart of the Basque country.
Known worldwide for the annual San Fermin – also known as “the running of the bulls” – Pamplona attracts over 1 million visitors annually. The classic race draws visitors to the “sport” in the Basque country and tests runners against the powerful bulls in an early morning run for one week straight. On this occasion, each year, the city is transformed into a week of festivities and entertainment during this famous celebration.
Casco Viejo is Pamplona’s magnificent old town, and a place visited by Ernest Hemingway who had a profound love for the town, and who is still remembered in the city. A visit to the gothic Santa Maria Cathedral is a must, as it is known for its beauty and historical significance. The Plaza del Castillo, the main square, is a great place to get a taste of the city and a stroll through Taconera Park is a pleasant way to enjoy a late afternoon.
The popular walking route of Camino de Santiago runs through the city and attracts not only pilgrims but hikers and bikers alike. Walking around Pamplona in itself is an adventure and a great way to visit all the bars and restaurants and get to know the wonderful Basque culture, people and food.
by Diana – The Elusive Family
Eat: Pintxos at La Mandarra de la Ramos or La Estafeta – Churros con chocolate at Café Iruña
Drink: Coffee at Coffing – Aperitivo at Meson del Caballo Blanco
Activities and tours: Walking Tour
Sleep: Albergue Plaza Catedral – Hostal Pamplona – Soul Apartmet – Pamplona Catedral Hotel
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a fantastical islet, only located a one-hour drive from Bilbao along with one of the most scenic roads in Northern Spain.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is so magical that Game of Thrones chose it as the filming location for Dragonstone which has made it an extremely popular place to visit in recent years. Aim to get there early to ensure some crowd-free shots and an easier trek down the path.
You begin your hike in the seaside town of Bakio and follow the gently sloped track up to the top of the cliff, catching glimpses of Gaztelugatxe as you go. Once you reach the car park at the top it’s just another half an hour down to the base of the cliff and the bridge across to Dragonstone. You could, of course, skip the hike from Bakio and drive straight to the car park but it’s really not difficult and the views are staggering.
Take some time at the bottom to watch the waves crash against the black rocks. This is the best place for a picture of the winding path up to the top of Gaztelugatxe.
Finally, climb the 240 stone steps to the small chapel at the top and take in the amazing views across the Bay of Biscay. The chapel has been destroyed and rebuilt several times due to fires, looting and the unforgiving Basque weather which just makes it feel even more like a fairytale. Legend has it that ringing the church bell three times will bring you luck – worth a try!
Eat: Marmitako (Spiced Tuna) – Zurrukutuna (garlic soup with salted cod) – Chipirones (squid)
Drink: Txakoli (a beverage made in the area)
Activities and tours: Half or Full-Day Game of Thrones Guided Tour from Bilbao
Sleep: Villa Isabela – Hotel Joshe Mari – Bisalde – BEACH II apartment
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital of the Spanish Basque Country and cannot be missed while road-tripping around the Basque region. While it is not the biggest city in the autonomous region, there is a lot to learn about the Basque culture, language, and history in the town – not only is it home to the Basque Parliament, but the city also offers a beautiful well-preserved old town from the 15th century.
One of the highlights of the city is the beautiful gothic cathedral of Santa María. As it is currently under renovation, it is best to book your visit online and if it is closed, make sure to drop by to enjoy its impressive architecture anyway from the outside. In addition to old buildings, the city also offers many parks and outdoor spaces – called “The Green Belt” – where you can go for walks or relax and soak up the sun in the summer. This is one of the various reasons Vitoria-Gasteiz has received a Biosphere certificate as a sustainable tourist destination.
Like in most cities in Basque Country, you can’t explore the town without trying some of the delicious pintxos. Vitoria-Gasteiz is known for its excellent food and wine and there are quite a few different “pintxo trails” – both in the historic town and the city centre – that allow you to taste your way through Basque cuisine.
Since many international travellers are usually unfamiliar with the city, Vitoria-Gasteiz would make for a great stop on your Spain itinerary if you are looking for less touristy destinations with a certain amount of authenticity.
Eat/drink: Tapas/Pintxos at Sideria Sagartoki or Zabala – Taste local Tourons, Vasquitos, Neskitas and Goxuas (candies)
Activities and tours: Walking tour – Vitoria and Añana Salt Valley Tour from San Sebastian – La Rioja Winery Visit With Traditional Lunch from Vitoria
Sleep: El Albergue de la Catedral – La Casa de Los Arquillos – Silken Ciudad de Vitoria – Gran Hotel Lakua
Zarautz
Zarautz is a small coastal town in Guipuzkoa province, 15 km west of San Sebastian. It’s famous for its beautiful sandy beach, the longest in Basque Country and one of the longest along the Cantabrian sea, called “the queen of the beaches”. Legend has it that it was in the shipyards of Zarautz that Nao Victoria – the first ship that circumnavigated the Earth was built.
Zarautz is definitely the place to go if surfing is what you want to do in the Spanish Basque Country. Not so crowded and more laid back than San Sebastian with a special water sports zone and good wave conditions all year round that attract surfers from all over the world. It’s a great place both for expert riders as well as beginners. The latter especially in the summer when waves are relatively small.
At the eastern end of the beach, you’ll find Mount Talaimendi. Take the path along the dunes to the lookout point on the top. Originally there was a watchtower for whale hunters. From there, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the town and Mollarri island. Especially recommended at sunset!
Basque Country is famous for its delicious food, especially fish and seafood dishes. However, there is one dish that is specifically typical from Zarautz and every visitor should try. It’s “Chipirones a lo Peyalo“, which is squid with onions. This is also the hometown of one of the most famous Spanish cooks, Karlos Arguiñano, whose restaurant can be found right in front of the beach.
by Anna – Liquid Traveling
Eat: Chipirones a lo Peyalo
Drink: Txakoli
Activities and tours: Gipuzkoa Coast Tour from San Sebastian – Txakoli Winery Visit and Getaria & Zarautz Villages Tour from San Sebastian –
Sleep: Zarautz Hostel – Blai blai hostel – Pensión Txiki Polit – San Frantzisko Kalea – Zerupe Hotel
Rioja Alavesa
The Rioja wine region of Spain is one of the most famous wine regions in the world and is a must-visit for any wine traveller. The wine region of DOCa (Denomination of Origen Calificada) “Rioja” is so large it spans three political areas of Spain, including La Rioja, Navarra, and the Basque Country.
Most of the wineries fall within La Rioja. But the Rioja Alavesa is the portion of the wine region located within the Basque Country and it is entirely unique from the other two areas.
The most common cities to stay in to explore the Rioja Alavesa are Haro and Logrono, which both happen to be in La Rioja autonomous region – at the edge of the Basque Country. If you don’t plan a trip this way, you can reach wineries on a day trip from either Bilbao or San Sebastian. And if you drive, it takes about 90 minutes to some of the wineries.
If exploring on your own, we recommend two wineries to visit: The Bodegas Baigorri and Bodegas de la Marquesa. At Bodegas Baigorri you can book a tour of one of the most modern wineries in Spain along with a lunch overlooking the vineyards. Although, it’s common to find wines from Baigorri in Bilbao or San Sebastian pintxos bars. Viñedos y Bodegas de la Marquesa, on the other hand, is a historic, family-run winery in a tiny village of fewer than 300 people. It’s a beautiful and mountainous part of Spain with plenty of villages to explore. Some of the wineries can arrange unique activities as well, including horseback riding and segway tours of the vineyards.
Eat/Drink: Rioja Tempranillo wine (75% of the grapes) or Rioja Crianza – Viura if you like white wine
Activities and tours: Wine Tasting in a Traditional Winery – Rioja Wine Tour from San Sebastian
Sleep: Hotel Sercotel Villa de Laguardia – Casa Rural La Molinera Etxea – Hotel Eguren Ugarte – Hospederia de los Parajes
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Jen is the Funder, Author & Photographer behind Talesfromthelens.comJen has lived for the past 15 years across Oceania and Ireland while also travelling in Latin America, North America, and Europe. She has visited more than 65 countries and set foot on every continent in the world! She is a coffee nerd, passionate about photography, wildlife, and outdoor activities.
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