San Sebastián

Transfer from Bilbao airport or train station(1.5 hours)

PESA/ALSA buses run hourly from Bilbao airport. Book at alsa.es. San Sebastián bus station is a 15-min walk to the old town

Check-in and freshen up(1 hour)

Stay in the Parte Vieja (old quarter) for maximum pintxos access, or along La Concha for beach views

Evening pintxos crawl in Parte Vieja(2.5 hours)

Start at Bar Nestor (arrive at 1PM sharp for their famous tomato salad or 8PM for steak), then Gandarias for beef cheek pintxo (€3.50), La Cuchara de San Telmo for foie gras (€4), and finish with txakoli at Txepetxa (anchovy specialists). Rule: 1-2 pintxos per bar, then move on

Morning at La Concha Beach(2.5 hours)

A 1.4 km crescent of golden sand with calm, swimmable water. Free access. Rent a sun lounger (~€8) or spread a towel. The promenade walk is elegant

Lunch at La Viña(1 hour)

Famous for their cheesecake (tarta de queso, €5 per slice) which spawned a global trend. Also good pintxos. On Calle 31 de Agosto in Parte Vieja

Monte Igueldo funicular and views(1.5 hours)

Take the 1912 funicular (€4 round trip, every 15 min) to the hilltop. Panoramic views of La Concha bay, Santa Clara island, and the coastline. Small vintage amusement park at top. Time it for late afternoon golden light

Sunset drinks at a promenade café(1 hour)

Walk back along La Concha promenade. Stop at any terrace for a gin-tonic (the Basque version uses premium gins and elaborate garnishes, €10-12)

Dinner at Bodegón Alejandro(1.5 hours)

Michelin-starred but accessible. Tasting menu from €55. Modern Basque cuisine with market-driven ingredients. Book 3-4 days ahead

Hike Monte Urgull to Castillo de la Mota(1.5 hours)

Free 30-min hike from the old town to the 12th-century fortress topped by a Cristo statue. Multiple paths through shaded gardens. Panoramic bay views. Open dawn to dusk

San Telmo Museoa(1.5 hours)

Former Dominican convent — Basque culture from archaeology to contemporary art. Entry €6 (free Tuesdays). The Sert murals in the former church are breathtaking. Open Tue-Sun 10AM-8PM

Lunch at Mercado de la Bretxa(1 hour)

Browse the main food market — produce, fish, Idiazábal cheese. Open Mon-Sat 8AM-2PM. Grab a pintxo at the bar inside or buy picnic supplies

Afternoon at Zurriola Beach or surf lesson(2.5 hours)

The surfer's beach, more exposed than La Concha. Board and wetsuit rental from Pukas Surf Eskola (~€25 for 2-hour lesson). Or just watch the surfers from the promenade

Evening pintxos in Gros neighbourhood(1.5 hours)

Cross the Kursaal bridge to the Gros district. Hidalgo 56 for creative pintxos, Bergara for classics. Less crowded than Parte Vieja

Morning walk along Paseo Nuevo(1 hour)

The seaside path wrapping around Monte Urgull's base. Dramatic waves crash against the seawall. Free and spectacular

Lunch at Arzak or Akelarre(3 hours)

Two 3-Michelin-star legends. Arzak's tasting menu ~€245. Akelarre's ~€260 (with the best sea views in the city). Book 4-6 weeks ahead. Lunch is slightly cheaper than dinner and the experience is identical

Digestive walk and rest(2 hours)

Walk it off along La Concha, then rest at your hotel

Light evening pintxos(1 hour)

After that lunch, just a txakoli and a pintxo at Bar Sport on Calle Fermín Calbetón will do

Euskotren E01 to Hendaye/Saint-Jean-de-Luz(40 minutes)

~€3. Cross into France by local train

Walk Saint-Jean-de-Luz(1.5 hours)

A charming Basque fishing port where Louis XIV married Maria Theresa in 1660. The church, harbour, and sandy beach are all walkable

Lunch at Chez Mattin(1 hour)

Simple seafood tavern on the harbour. Grilled squid (€14) and local Irouléguy red wine. Cash preferred

Biarritz — Grande Plage and Rocher de la Vierge(1.5 hours)

Walk to the iconic rock formation connected by a metal bridge. The Grande Plage is a classic surf beach. The town has a Belle Époque elegance

Basque cooking class(3 hours)

Mimo San Sebastián or Tenedor Tours (~€120-150). Learn to make pintxos, Basque-style cod, and tarta de queso. Includes market visit and wine pairing. You eat everything you cook

Boat to Santa Clara Island(2 hours)

Small motorboats depart from La Concha port every 30 min in summer (€4 return). Tiny island in the bay with a small beach (only exposed at low tide), walking trails, and a lighthouse. Bring snorkeling gear

Evening cider house experience (sagardotegi)(2 hours)

Sidrerías in Astigarraga (15 min by bus) serve the traditional txotx menu: cod omelet, steak, cheese with quince, and unlimited cider poured straight from barrels. €35-40 per person. Petritegi or Zelaia are top picks. January-April is peak season but some open year-round

Morning walk along La Concha(45 minutes)

The beach at 8AM, with the mountains and bay to yourself

Final pintxo breakfast(45 minutes)

Bar Bergara in Gros for creative morning pintxos with coffee. Or a traditional Basque breakfast: café con leche and a tortilla pintxo (€5) at any bar

Last-minute shopping(30 minutes)

Idiazábal cheese, Espelette pepper, Basque berets, or txakoli wine from shops on Calle San Juan

Transfer to airport(1.5 hours)

PESA bus to Bilbao airport (1h15, ~€17) or taxi to San Sebastián airport (20 min, ~€25)

Evening pintxos crawl in Parte Vieja(2.5 hours)

Bar Nestor, Gandarias, La Cuchara de San Telmo, Txepetxa. 1-2 pintxos per bar. Budget €2-4 per pintxo + €2-3 txakoli

Lunch at La Viña(1 hour)

Famous cheesecake (€5/slice)

Monte Igueldo funicular(1.5 hours)

€4 round trip. 1912 funicular. Sunset views

Dinner at Bodegón Alejandro(1.5 hours)

Michelin-starred. Tasting from €55

Monte Urgull hike(1.5 hours)

Free. 12th-century fortress, Cristo statue, bay views

San Telmo Museoa(1.5 hours)

Entry €6 (free Tuesdays)

Zurriola Beach or surf lesson(2.5 hours)

Pukas Surf Eskola ~€25 for 2-hour lesson

Lunch at Arzak or Akelarre(3 hours)

3-star tasting menus from €245-260. Book 4-6 weeks ahead

Euskotren to Saint-Jean-de-Luz(40 minutes)

~€3

Lunch at Chez Mattin(1 hour)

Grilled squid (€14)

Basque cooking class(3 hours)

~€120-150 with Mimo or Tenedor Tours

Boat to Santa Clara Island(2 hours)

€4 return, every 30 min in summer

Cider house dinner (sagardotegi)(2 hours)

€35-40. Txotx menu at Petritegi. Bus to Astigarraga

Beach morning at La Concha or Ondarreta(2 hours)

Ondarreta is the quieter western end of the bay, near Peine del Viento sculptures

Peine del Viento (Wind Combs) sculpture(30 minutes)

Eduardo Chillida's iconic iron sculptures embedded in the rocks at the western end of the bay. Free. Dramatic in any weather

Bus to Getaria(40 minutes)

Lurraldebus from San Sebastián, ~€3

Walk through Getaria's medieval streets(1 hour)

Birthplace of Juan Sebastián Elcano who first circumnavigated the globe. The Gothic church of San Salvador has a sloping floor — built on a hillside

Txakoli tasting at Bodega Txomin Etxaniz(1 hour)

Vineyard tour and tasting overlooking the coast. €15. The txakoli here is sharper and more complex than bar pours

Lunch at Elkano(1.5 hours)

Arguably the best grilled fish restaurant in Spain. Whole grilled turbot (rodaballo) is the signature — €50+ per person but life-changing. Book 2 weeks ahead

Walk to Zarautz beach(1 hour)

2.5 km sandy beach adjacent to Getaria. Good surf. Walk along the coastal path

ALSA bus to Bilbao(1 hour)

~€12. Buses run every 30 min

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao(2.5 hours)

Frank Gehry's titanium masterpiece. Entry €16. The building itself is the main attraction. Jeff Koons' Puppy sculpture guards the entrance

Walk along the Nervión river(45 minutes)

The Zubizuri bridge by Calatrava, the Azkuna Zentroa cultural center, and the Casco Viejo (old quarter)

Lunch at Mercado de la Ribera(1 hour)

Europe's largest covered market. Pintxos bars inside — try La Ribera del Guggenheim for modern Basque bites. €12-15 for a full pintxos lunch with wine

Casco Viejo (old quarter) walk(1 hour)

The Seven Streets — Bilbao's medieval core. Santiago Cathedral, Plaza Nueva for more pintxos

Euskotren to Hondarribia(35 minutes)

~€3. Change at Irun

Walk Hondarribia's walled old town(1.5 hours)

Colorful Basque houses, the Parador castle, and Calle San Pedro (fishermen's quarter). Less touristed than San Sebastián

Lunch at Hermandad de Pescadores(1 hour)

The fishermen's guild restaurant — the freshest catch in the region. Grilled sole (€18). Simple, no-frills, excellent

Drive or taxi along Monte Jaizkibel(1.5 hours)

A winding road along the coastline between Hondarribia and Pasajes with spectacular clifftop views. Stop at the Guadalupe sanctuary. Best with a rental car

Discover a new pintxos bar(1.5 hours)

Try A Fuego Negro on Calle 31 de Agosto for avant-garde pintxos with playful names

Drive to Oñati(1 hour)

Rental car needed. Through the green Basque interior

Oñati University and old town(1 hour)

The only Basque university for centuries (1540). The Renaissance building and San Miguel church are impressive. Small town with authentic atmosphere

Santuario de Arantzazu(1 hour)

A brutalist basilica clinging to a cliff, with an extraordinary facade of iron thorns by Oteiza and murals by Néstor Basterretxea. Free entry. The surrounding mountains are dramatic

Hike in Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park(2 hours)

Trails from the sanctuary into beech forests and mountain meadows. Well-marked. Moderate difficulty

Morning revisit to best pintxos bars(2 hours)

Hit the bars you loved most for a farewell round. Bar Nestor's steak, La Cuchara's foie, Txepetxa's anchovies

Shopping for Basque specialities(1.5 hours)

Idiazábal cheese (vacuum-packed), Espelette pepper, txakoli wine, Basque linen espadrilles from shops in Parte Vieja

Farewell dinner at Mugaritz or Martín Berasategui(3 hours)

Two more 2-3 star Michelin options within 20 min of the city. Mugaritz is experimental (tasting ~€240). Martín Berasategui is classic perfection (~€260). Book well ahead

Transfer to airport(1.5 hours)

PESA bus to Bilbao airport (1h15) or taxi to EAS (20 min)

Evening pintxos crawl in Parte Vieja(2.5 hours)

Bar Nestor, Gandarias, La Cuchara de San Telmo, Txepetxa. 1-2 pintxos per bar

Cider house dinner(2 hours)

Petritegi or Zelaia in Astigarraga. €35-40

Lunch at Elkano(1.5 hours)

Grilled turbot — book 2 weeks ahead

Guggenheim Museum(2.5 hours)

Entry €16

Drive to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe(1.5 hours)

From San Sebastián via the coast road. Free parking at the visitor center. Reservation required for the path (free, book at gaztelugatxe.eus)

Walk the 241 steps to the hermitage(1.5 hours)

A stone bridge and stairway wind up to a 10th-century chapel on the rocky islet. Ring the bell three times for luck. Dramatic sea views in every direction. The descent is steep — good shoes essential

Lunch in Bakio(1 hour)

Eneperi restaurant — grilled fish and Bizkaian cod (bacalao al pil-pil, €18). The nearby Bakio beach is good for a post-lunch swim

Bermeo fishing port(1 hour)

A working fishing town 10 min from Bakio. The harbour, fish auction, and Fisherman's Museum (€3) are authentic — no tourist veneer

Bus or taxi to Chillida-Leku(30 minutes)

In Hernani, 10 km south. Entry €12. Open Thu-Mon 10:30AM-7PM in summer

Explore Chillida-Leku(2 hours)

Massive iron and granite sculptures set in 12 hectares of beech forest and meadows. The 16th-century farmhouse (caserío) houses smaller works. One of Europe's finest sculpture parks

Lunch in Hernani at Fagollaga(1.5 hours)

Traditional Basque restaurant. Chuletón de buey (aged beef chop, €50 for 1 kg to share). Grilled over charcoal

Aquarium San Sebastián (optional)(1 hour)

At the old port. Entry €13. Good collection of Bay of Biscay marine life. The underwater tunnel is impressive

Pintxos at bars not yet visited(1.5 hours)

Try Zeruko for smoked pintxos, Bar Ganbara for seasonal mushrooms

Bus to Tolosa(30 minutes)

Lurraldebus, ~€3

Tolosa Saturday market (if Saturday)(1.5 hours)

One of the Basque Country's most important markets. Famous for Tolosa black beans (alubias negras) and local produce. Otherwise, explore the town's chocolate shops and cider houses

Lunch at Frontón in Tolosa(1.5 hours)

The town's best restaurant. Alubias de Tolosa (black bean stew, €22) is the must-order. Simple perfection

Ordizia Wednesday market (if Wednesday)(1 hour)

Agricultural market dating to 1512. Idiazábal cheese, cider, seasonal vegetables. If not market day, walk the medieval arcaded plaza

Boat from San Sebastián harbour to Pasajes de San Juan(30 minutes)

Small motorboat across the harbour mouth. ~€2. Or walk the coastal path (1 hour) for cliff views

Walk through Pasajes de San Juan(1 hour)

A single narrow street squeezed between the cliff and the harbour. Colorful fishermen's houses. Victor Hugo lived here briefly. The Victor Hugo House is a free museum

Lunch at Casa Cámara(1.5 hours)

A legendary fish restaurant right on the water. Grilled turbot or hake — expect €30-40 per person. The terrace overhangs the harbour

Walk back via the coastal path to San Sebastián(1.5 hours)

Clifftop trail with views over the Bay of Biscay. Moderate difficulty. Connects to Paseo Nuevo near Parte Vieja

Drive to Rioja Alavesa(1.5 hours)

Rental car needed. Through dramatic gorge scenery south of Vitoria-Gasteiz

Bodegas Marqués de Riscal(1.5 hours)

Frank Gehry-designed winery in Elciego. Tour and tasting €20-35. The building alone is worth the drive

Lunch at Héctor Oribe in Páganos(1.5 hours)

Michelin-starred Basque-Riojan cuisine. Lunch menu from €50. Superb wine pairing

Visit Laguardia medieval village(1 hour)

A hilltop walled village with medieval gates, underground wine caves, and views across vineyards. Free to explore

Farewell dinner at Mugaritz or Martín Berasategui(3 hours)

2-3 star Michelin farewell. Book well ahead