Itinerary
Bilbao and San Sebastián itinerary: five nights in the Basque Country
Two nights of art and pintxos in Bilbao, three nights of beach and restaurants in San Sebastián. How to plan the trip day by day, with the hotels we recommend in both cities.
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In short: Bilbao and San Sebastián
Five nights is the right length: two in Bilbao for the Guggenheim and the old town, three in San Sebastián for the beach and the food. If you land in Bilbao, start there and take the bus on. The journey between the cities takes about an hour and a quarter. Stay at Hotel Miró in Bilbao and Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastián.
First choice in Bilbao: Check availability and prices at Hotel Miró
First choice in San Sebastián: Check availability and prices at Hotel Maria Cristina
The two cities are a hundred kilometres apart and make two quite different trips. Bilbao is the working city that rebuilt itself with art and architecture. San Sebastián is the seaside town where Queen Maria Cristina spent her summers, and where some of Spain's best-known chefs run their restaurants. Together they show you the Basque Country from two sides.
Day 1: Arrival and Bilbao's old town
Take the airport bus into town and check in. Walk down to the Casco Viejo in the afternoon, when the bars on Plaza Nueva fill up. Order a pintxo and a glass of txakoli in each bar, then move on. Read our old town guide before you go, and Bilbao airport to the city centre if you land late.
Day 2: The Guggenheim and the river
Be at the Guggenheim when the doors open, and allow two to three hours. Walk along the river to Zubizuri and the Mercado de la Ribera for lunch. In the evening, ride the funicular up to Artxanda and watch the city light up.
Maman by the river
Louise Bourgeois’ Maman stands by the river, with La Salve bridge behind. Photo: Adrian Leversby / Picolo.com
Day 3: On to San Sebastián
Take the bus from Bilbao Intermodal. Buses leave often, and you are by the sea in just over an hour. With a hire car, drive the coast road and stop in Getaria and Zumaia on the way. Everything about the journey is in our guide from Bilbao to San Sebastián.
Day 4: The beach and the old town
Start with a morning swim at La Concha, and walk to the Parte Vieja for lunch. In the afternoon, take the funicular up Monte Igueldo for the view over the bay. Read about the beaches and San Sebastián's old town.
Day 5: The big dinner
Save the long lunch or dinner for your last day. Book the table before you book the flight, as the famous restaurants are full months ahead. See our foodie weekend in San Sebastián for ideas.
Day 6: Home
The direct bus from San Sebastián to Bilbao airport runs about once an hour. Leave a margin: tickets are tied to one specific departure.
Hotels in Bilbao
Hotel Miró
Two nights here mean the museum on foot, a spa after the galleries and a gym open day and night. Walk to the museum in the morning and take the tram to the old town in the evening.
Best for: couples who want to start the trip with art and calm.
Good to know: Moyúa, where the airport bus stops, is close by.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Miró
Hotel Tayko
The belle époque-style hotel is five minutes from the Santiago Cathedral, with a restaurant and a bar. It is the right choice if you want to sleep among the pintxos bars for your two nights in Bilbao.
Best for: having the old town on your doorstep.
Good to know: Weekend evenings are lively in the streets around the hotel.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Tayko
Hotels in San Sebastián
Hotel Maria Cristina
The grand hotel by the Urumea river opened in 1912 and has the Amelia restaurant and the Mimo cookery school in the building. It is San Sebastián's classic address.
Best for: your last three nights, when food is the point.
Good to know: During the film festival in September the hotel fills up early.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Maria Cristina
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
The white hotel on the promenade at La Concha has rooms looking straight across the bay. From the door you walk straight onto the sand.
Best for: a beach holiday in the city.
Good to know: Book a bay-view room. The view is what you are paying for.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
More options in our Bilbao hotel guide and our San Sebastián hotel guide.
Tips for the trip
The order: If you fly in and out of Bilbao, spend your last night in San Sebastián and take the direct bus to the airport.
Bus tickets: Buy in advance at weekends and in summer.
Tourist tax in both cities: Both Bilbao and San Sebastián introduce a tourist tax from 1 January 2027. It is charged per person per night, and under-18s are exempt. Last checked: October 2026.
The wider region: Read our Basque Country travel guide for more stops along the way.
Our pick for two nights in Bilbao
Vincci Consulado de Bilbao
Two nights in Bilbao are about fitting in the Guggenheim, the old town and an evening by the river without losing time in transit. Vincci Consulado is five minutes from the museum, and Moyua station is eight minutes away, so the old town and the bus onwards are quick to reach. The roof terrace is a good place for a drink before dinner, and the restaurant serves local dishes when you want to eat in. The price is usually lower than at The Artist. It leaves more of the budget for dinner in San Sebastián.
Frequently asked questions about Bilbao and San Sebastián
How many days do you need for Bilbao and San Sebastián?
Five nights is a good length: two nights in the city of art, three by the beach. That covers the Guggenheim and the old town in Bilbao, and the beach, the old town and a big dinner in San Sebastián. With seven nights you can add the coast road with Getaria and Zumaia or a day trip to Rioja.
Should you stay in Bilbao or San Sebastián?
With only one base, choose San Sebastián for the beach and food, and take a day trip to Bilbao. The coach ride is a little over an hour. If art and architecture matter most, Bilbao is the better base. Most travellers get the most from splitting their stay between the two.
How do you travel between Bilbao and San Sebastián?
The bus from Bilbao Intermodal is easiest and takes about an hour and a quarter. There is also a direct bus from Bilbao airport. The local train takes more than twice as long. With a hire car you can drive the coast road and stop in the small towns along the way.
Which city should you start in?
Fly into Bilbao, start there and end in San Sebastián. That gives you the calmer part first and the food and the beach at the end. The direct bus from San Sebastián to Bilbao airport makes the journey home simple. Buy your ticket in advance.