Bilbao

Bilbao to San Sebastián: bus, car and the coast road with the best stops

It is around a hundred kilometres from the Guggenheim to La Concha. You can take the bus and arrive before your coffee goes cold, or drive the coast and make a day of it. Here are your options, and the places worth stopping along the way.

Most people travelling to the Basque Country land in Bilbao and want to continue to San Sebastián. It is easy to see why. Bilbao has the Guggenheim and the Basque tapas bars of its old town, San Sebastián has La Concha beach and some of the world’s best restaurants. The distance is short, about a hundred kilometres, and you have several good ways to travel.

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Short answer: the bus is easiest

The bus is the fastest and easiest way to get from Bilbao to San Sebastián without a car. The journey takes about an hour and a quarter, and buses run frequently throughout the day. By car it takes roughly the same on the motorway, but you can also take the coast road and stop along the way.

By bus

Buses leave from Bilbao Intermodal, the main bus station by the San Mamés football stadium, and arrive at San Sebastián bus station, close to the centre. There are also direct buses from Bilbao Airport to San Sebastián, handy if you want to head straight on after landing. Book ahead at weekends and in summer.

By train

There are local trains between the cities, but the journey takes more than twice as long as the bus, as the train stops at many small places along the way. It suits travellers with plenty of time who want to see the villages en route.

By hire car

A hire car gives you the most freedom. The motorway gets you to San Sebastián in just over an hour, but the coast road is where the journey becomes an experience. Note that parts of the motorway are toll roads.

Car hire: See car hire in Bilbao. Read our guide to car hire in Spain.

View over San Sebastián and La Concha bay — San Sebastián, your destination. Photo: Picolo

The coast road: stops worth the detour

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

A small chapel on top of a rocky islet, linked to the mainland by a narrow stone bridge and around 240 steps. It lies north-east of Bilbao, in the opposite direction from San Sebastián, so stop here before heading east. In high season you often need to book a time slot in advance.

Gernika

The small town bombed during the Spanish Civil War in 1937, which gave its name to Picasso’s famous painting. The Peace Museum tells the story in a powerful, understated way.

Zumaia

Here the cliffs plunge into the sea in thin, tilted layers of rock, like the pages of an old book. Itzurun beach is the best place to see them, especially at low tide.

Getaria

A small fishing town where restaurants grill fish outdoors over open charcoal. Have a glass of txakoli, the light, fresh white wine of the coast, and visit the museum of fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, who was born here.

Zarautz

A long sandy beach with surfers and a promenade, just fifteen minutes from San Sebastián. A good last stop before you arrive.

Stay in both cities

Many spend a couple of nights in Bilbao before moving on. That gives you time for the Guggenheim and the old town, before heading to the beaches and restaurants of San Sebastián.