Basque Country, Spain
The Basque Country: a travel guide to San Sebastián, Bilbao and Rioja
PicoloIn northern Spain, where the Pyrenees meet the Bay of Biscay, lies the Basque Country. People here speak one of Europe’s oldest languages, Euskara, and have a food culture that has made the region one of the world’s most exciting destinations for anyone who loves to eat. The coast is green and dramatic, the cities are elegant, and distances are short enough to see a lot in one trip.
For most visitors, a Basque Country trip is about three places: the food city of San Sebastián, the art city of Bilbao and the Rioja wine region just to the south. Here is the guide that ties them together.
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San Sebastián: perhaps the world’s best food city
San Sebastián is known for one of the world’s highest concentrations of Michelin stars, and for the pintxos bars of its old town. The city curves around the beautiful La Concha bay, combining beach life with Belle Époque elegance.
Read our San Sebastián travel guide, and see where to stay in San Sebastián.
Hotel María Cristina: San Sebastián’s grande dame
The 1912 luxury hotel by the Urumea river, and home to the Michelin-starred restaurant Amelia.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel María Cristina
Bilbao: art, architecture and pintxos
Bilbao transformed itself from industrial city to cultural capital when the Guggenheim Museum opened in 1997. Frank Gehry’s titanium building on the Nervión river is now one of the world’s most famous museums, and the city has a lively old town with pintxos bars of its own.
Read our guide to 24 hours in Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum.
The Artist Grand Hotel of Art: next to the Guggenheim
A luxury hotel with a spa, close to the Guggenheim Museum.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Artist Grand Hotel of Art
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Photo: Picolo
Rioja: the vineyards south of the Basque Country
Just south of Bilbao and San Sebastián lies Rioja, Spain’s best-known wine region. Its Basque part, Rioja Alavesa, offers medieval villages, wineries and modern architecture among the vines.
Read our guide to the Rioja wine region.
Hotel Marqués de Riscal: the wine hotel in Elciego
A luxury hotel with a spa and its own winery, in Frank Gehry’s colourful building among the vines.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Marqués de Riscal
Viura: a design hotel in a wine village
A luxury hotel with a restaurant and bar in Villabuena de Álava, surrounded by vineyards.
Book your stay: See rooms at Viura
San Sebastián from above. Photo: Picolo
Suggested itinerary: a week in the Basque Country
Days 1-2: Bilbao. The Guggenheim, the Casco Viejo old town and pintxos by the river.
Day 3: The coast road. Drive along the coast towards San Sebastián, stopping in the fishing town of Getaria.
Days 4-6: San Sebastián. The old town, La Concha, Monte Igueldo and a Michelin dinner.
Day 7: Rioja. Wine tasting in Rioja Alavesa before driving back to Bilbao.
Only have a long weekend? Focus on San Sebastián. Read our guide to a San Sebastián city break.
Getting around
Most visitors fly into Bilbao. From there it is around an hour by car or bus to San Sebastián, and about the same south to the Rioja vineyards. A hire car gives you the most freedom, especially for the coast road and the wine villages.
Car hire: See car hire in Bilbao. Read our guide to car hire in Spain.
When to visit the Basque Country
The Basque Country is green because it rains fairly often, but the weather is often mild. May, June and September bring pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists than July and August. Autumn is also harvest time in Rioja, and a great time for a wine trip.
Basque food and culture
The Basques are proud of their culture, and it shows in everything from the language on the signs to the food on the plate. Pintxos, grilled fish, txakoli, a fresh white wine from the coast, and cider from Basque sidrerias are part of everyday life here. Many of Spain’s most acclaimed chefs come from the region.
Frequently asked questions about the Basque Country
Where is the Basque Country?
The Basque Country lies in northern Spain, on the Bay of Biscay and the border with France. Its largest cities are Bilbao, San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz.
How do you get to the Basque Country?
Fly to Bilbao, the region’s largest airport. From there it is a short trip to both San Sebastián and Rioja.
Where should you stay in the Basque Country?
Ideally stay in both Bilbao and San Sebastián. If you want one base, San Sebastián is the best starting point for food and beaches.
What is Rioja Alavesa?
Rioja Alavesa is the Basque part of the Rioja wine region, with wineries, medieval villages and famous wine hotels.