Discover the soul of northern Spain on a flexible Basque Country road trip.
Our self-drive loop connects the region’s must-visit destinations, from Bilbao to Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastián and along the Basque Coast. Enjoy delicious pintxos, historic places, and the stunning coastline. This detailed itinerary helps you make the most of your journey.
Table of Contents
Basque Country Road Trip Itinerary
Our Spanish Basque Country road trip begins and ends in Bilbao. We visit Vitoria-Gasteiz, circle around to San Sebastián and along the Basque Coast. Adjust the time frame and stops to match your trip length and interests.
- Bilbao (2 days)
- Vitoria-Gasteiz (1 day)
- Visit the Rioja Alavesa Wine Region or Pamplona (1 day)
- Arrikutz Caves
- San Sebastián (3 days)
- Driving the Basque Coast (2 days)
Basque Country Spain Map
These are the highlights on our Basque Country Road Trip.
The road trip begins in beautiful Bilbao.
Bilbao
Bilbao, once an industrial powerhouse, has quickly become an international destination for culture. The city blends modern and historic architecture with world-class artwork and a vibrant food culture. Bilbao is a must-visit destination.
The iconic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a masterpiece of modern architecture, designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry. The museum’s flowing curves and shimmering titanium panels make the building a work of art itself. Its indoor gallery houses an impressive, diverse range of contemporary and modern art. Don’t miss the museum’s outdoor artworks, including the famous Puppy floral sculpture.
Explore charming Old Town Bilbao, where cobblestone streets wind past impressive churches and through vibrant squares. Immerse yourself in its lively pintxos (Basque tapas) scene. Indulge in traditional pintxos paired with the region’s crisp, effervescent txakoli wine for a truly authentic Basque experience.
Plan your perfect weekend with our comprehensive Bilbao guide, uncovering all the city’s highlights.
Our road trip heads south to Vitoria-Gasteiz. Enjoy the scenery of the eastern Cantabrian Mountain range.
Vitoria-Gasteiz
The capital of Spanish Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz is located in the southern part of the autonomous region. The buildings of the city’s ancient core and its incredible pintxos culture make the city a must-visit.
The UNESCO-recognized, 13th-century, Santa Maria Cathedral is a stunning Gothic church at the city’s heart. Guided tours visit its interior and see the results of the ongoing, decades-long, restoration.
Enjoy wandering the streets of Vitoria-Gasteiz’ medieval Old Town. Many of the buildings date back to the Middle Ages, including churches, museums, and former palaces. A number of beautiful murals have been painted on building walls, adding a contemporary touch to the historic district.
Beyond Old Town, visit the Ensanche neighbourhood’s beautiful squares and the 20th-century Cathedral of Mary Immaculate. Discover why Vitoria-Gasteiz was named a European “Green Capital”. Explore its exceptional network of parks and wetlands, including the remarkable Salburua Park with its observation tower.
Discover the rich history and stunning architecture of Vitoria-Gasteiz with our comprehensive 1-day guide.
After visiting Vitoria-Gasteiz, there are several route options:
- Enjoy one or both of these side trips: The Rioja Alavesa Wine Region, and the city of Pamplona. If you have time, they are both worth visiting; or
- Continue the road trip northeast toward San Sebastián and stop at Arrikutz Caves.
Rioja Alavesa Wine Region
The region, south of Vitoria- Gasteiz, is a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts. The Rioja Alavesa Wine Region has a unique microclimate and is famous for its high-quality red wines, especially those made from Tempranillo grapes.
Drive through the beautiful rolling hills and the charming towns of Laguardia and Labastida. Be sure to stop and enjoy the local wine and cuisine.
For a unique experience, time your visit for the annual Wine Fight in Haro on June 29th. During this fun festival, participants douse each other with thousands of litres of wine in a good natured battle.
After visiting Rioja’s vineyards, we continued to the captivating city of Pamplona. Though just outside of Basque Country, this historical gem is impossible to resist, offering a combination of culture and charm.
Pamplona
Famous for the thrilling Running of the Bulls during the San Fermín Festival each July, Pamplona draws people from around the globe. We found Pamplona had lots to offer, even outside festival time.
Walk Calle Estafeta, the main route of the bull run, and enjoy its many pintxos bars. We visited Pamplona City Hall and the impressive Gothic Cathedral of Santa María.
Plaza del Castillo, the city’s main square, is a perfect spot to rest, enjoy a coffee and people-watch before continuing your road trip.
Arrikutz Caves
Explore 500 metres of the 14-kilometre network of interconnected galleries. Learn about its geological history and the cultural practices of early humans who inhabited these caves. The Arrikutz Caves are about 5 kilometres south of Oñati in the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park.
The wilderness park boasts towering peaks and stunning trails. Hike and enjoy views of Aitxuri (the highest peak in Basque Country at 1,551m) and Mount Aizkorri. The park has dolmens, ancient caves and Roman roads and stunning nature. An ancient road crosses the Saint Adrian Tunnel, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Routes of Santiago de Compostela. Carved through solid rock, this tunnel connects Gipuzkoa and Álava, a key route on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
From Oñati, drive east to Beasain then northeast to San Sebastián.
San Sebastian
Basque Country’s coastal Donostia-San Sebastián is known for its stunning beaches on the crescent-shaped La Concha Bay. With the city’s rich history, architectural splendour and renowned culinary scene, there is something for everyone in this beautiful city.
San Sebastián’s beaches are renowned as some of Europe’s best urban beaches, offering stunning coastal scenery and a variety of seaside activities. Don’t miss these iconic locations: La Concha Beach, famous for its picturesque promenade; Ondarreta Beach, located near Chillida’s Wind Comb sculpture; and Zurriola Beach, popular for its vibrant surf culture.
Stunning architecture and history are on display throughout the city. Visit Old Town’s Basilica of Santa María, the Centre’s Maria Christina Hotel, the Miramar Palace along La Concha Promenade and the century-old Mount Igeldo Amusement Park.
Don’t miss trying Old Town’s pintxos, the bite-sized Basque version of Spanish tapas. They are often skewers with ingredients like green peppers, olives, and anchovies and more. The lively pintxos bars are the perfect places to enjoy the vibrant Basque culture.
Dive into our full Donostia-San Sebastián travel guide to discover the best this stunning coastal city has to offer.
Driving the Basque Coast
The Basque coast offers plenty of options for outdoor activity, like swimming and surfing. Discover historical landmarks, caves and the beauty of its natural parks and bioreserves along the way.
From San Sebastián, drive east through the town of Orio and on towards Zarautz.
Zarautz
The town’s claim to fame is its beach. It is the longest beach in Basque Country at 2.5 kilometres and is known worldwide as a premier surfing destination. Its consistent waves and vibrant surf culture draws enthusiasts from around the globe.
The extensive golden sands provide an ideal setting for both beginners and experienced surfers alike. With numerous surf schools and local instructors readily available, it’s a fantastic place to catch your first wave.
Although best known for surfing, many swim here as well. Its beach boardwalk is lined with bars and ice-cream parlours.
From Zarautz, drive west along the Basque coast through the villages of Getaria and Zumaia. The town is the eastern limit of Geopearkea.
Basque Coast Geopark
UNESCO recognized the rugged coastline between Zumaia and Deba as geologically significant in 2015. It’s a stunning landscape of dramatic cliffs at the coast and pastures and forests inland. Stop at the Algorri Visitor’s Centre in Zumaia to learn more.
Along the coast are the rock formations called “flysch”, which are truly unique. They represent continuous accumulation of sediments over 60 million years.
Geologists continue to learn about the earth’s evolution by studying these formations. One of the most famous layers (called the K-Pg boundary) is associated with the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago due to the impact of an asteroid in the Caribbean. This boundary is only visible in a few places worldwide. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a guided boat tour to see the unique coastal flysch.
Drive west toward Deba. Consider detouring south to the town of Zestoa and the Ekainberri Museum.
The museum features a faithful replica of the nearby Ekain Cave, a protected UNESCO site. The public is not allowed to enter the original cave. The Ekainberri Museum showcases interesting replicas of Ekain’s Palaeolithic paintings. For information and directions, visit the Ekainberri Museum website.
Continue the drive to Deba. Cross the Deba River and hug the coast passing through Ondarroa to the beautiful fishing village of Lekeitio.
Lekeitio
Overlooking the sea, Lekeitio’s historic centre features colourful tower houses and the spectacular Basílica de Santa María de la Asunción.
For a unique adventure, visit at low tide and stroll along the causeway to Isla de San Nicolás, enjoying the stunning view. Relax with a drink or meal at one of the lively terraces in the bustling harbour area.
Leave the coast and drive south through the lush Basque countryside to the outskirts of Arretzinaga. Continue southwest to Iruzubieta Auzoa. Head west and watch for “Camino” signs to the Zenarruza Church and Monastery. It is about 2 kilometres off the main road.
Zenarruza Church and Monastery
The monastery is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Routes of Santiago de Compostela. We saw a number of walkers on their way to the sacred city of Santiago de Compostela.
While it is known that people worshipped in this area before the 10th century, Zenarruza became a parish in the mid-10th century. The current church was built in the 15th century as Zenarruza was elevated to a collegiate church due to its importance on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
The main altarpiece and the side altarpieces are dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and Our Lady of the Rosary. Leaving the church, we entered the adjoining moss-covered, Gothic cloister. Among the intricate stone carvings, watch for the scallop shell, a symbol of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Enjoy the calmness and quiet of this beautiful spot.
Return to the main road and drive northwest to Guernica.
Guernica
The iconic Tree of Gernika, an oak tree, is a symbol of freedom and autonomy for the Basque people. In the middle ages, local lords swore to respect Basque laws and important assemblies were held under the oak tree. Today the tradition continues, as the swearing in of the Basque Country President is held near the tree.
The current tree is a direct descendant of the original “Father Tree” from the 14th century. It survived for 450 years. The trunk of the second tree, known as the “old tree”, is protected in a colonnaded pavilion on the Assembly House grounds. There are several spare trees, all descendants of the Father Tree, to ensure the tradition is kept alive.
Take a guided tour of the nearby Assembly House, which houses the government of Biscay, a province of Basque Country. Inside, the Assembly Hall features an amazing stained-glass ceiling depicting the Tree of Gernika.
Behind Assembly House, enjoy a peaceful break and watch the ducks in the pond at the Park of the Peoples of Europe.
Guernica is perhaps best known worldwide for the tragic bombing raid by German forces in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. The bombing left the town in ruins with two-thirds of its buildings destroyed. Visit the Peace Museum to learn more about the town’s past and the culture of peace.
We enjoyed our visit to the Basque Country Museum (Euskal Herria Museoa). The museum displays artifacts and insights into Basque language, traditions, and customs.
Guernica sits within a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Local people and organizations work together to promote the area’s sustainable development while conserving its biodiversity.
Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve
This area is a diverse ecosystem covering 22,000 hectares that includes holm oak forests, coastal cliffs, and wetlands. It’s a fantastic area for bird watching, particularly in winter when migratory birds arrive. The Urdaibai Bird Centre is an observatory and tracking centre.
Consider a detour to the Santimamiñe Cave. Drive about 6 kilometres northeast to the village of Basondo Auzoa.
The Santimamiñe Cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due its impressive collection of cave paintings dating back 12,000 years. To preserve these delicate masterpieces, visitors cannot enter the cave anymore. The cave visit has been replaced with a cutting-edge virtual reality experience located at the nearby San Mamés Chapel. Learn about the cave paintings and see the charcoal-drawn animal figures, including bison, goats, and horses.
From Guernica, drive north for about 7 kilometres to the main visitors’ centre for the Biosphere Reserve, the Ekoetxea Urdaibai to learn more about their work.
Continue north to the town of Bermeo. Wind along the Basque Coast to the rocky islet of Gaztelugatxe.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
The 10th-century hermitage of San Juan sits atop the islet’s rocky headland. The small chapel has become a place of pilgrimage. The islet is connected to the mainland by a winding, man-made, stone bridge.
Climb the 241 steps to the chapel for breathtaking views of the rugged coastline. The location gained popularity due to its appearance in the Game of Thrones TV series. (It served as the fictional island of Dragonstone.)
A popular guided day tour to Gaztelugatxe is available for those who don’t want to drive.
Enjoy the last section of our road trip along the Basque Coast with its impressive cliffs, beautiful beaches and traditional fishing villages. Drive west through Bakio, Armintza, Gorliz, Plentzia and Sopela to the town of Getxo, a residential suburb of Bilbao. Our last stop is its unique bridge.
Vizcaya Bridge (UNESCO)
This UNESCO-listed bridge, completed in 1893, was the first to carry people and traffic on a high, suspended gondola. It connects Getxo and Portugalete over the Ibaizabal River’s mouth.
Designed by Ferdinand Arnodin, it merged railway ironworking methods with then new, twisted, steel-cable technology. The bridge has operated almost continuously since its completion and served as a model for similar bridges worldwide. This is one of the few still in operation.
Return to Bilbao, the starting point of our Basque Country road trip.
Basque Coast Swimming Beaches
The coast is home to some of Spain’s most stunning beaches. San Sebastián’s La Concha Beach stands out as one of Europe’s best urban beaches. All along the coast, there are great beach options, set against a backdrop of rugged cliffs and rolling green hills.
These are the 8 most popular beaches in Basque Country.
Basque Coast Surfing
The Basque Coast is home to a number of well known surfing beaches, each offering its own unique breaks and surfing experiences.
These are the best known surfing beaches in Basque Country.
Rowing like the Basque
In the fishing town of Orio, I had the opportunity to learn more about the Basque tradition of rowing. I tried the exhilarating sport of Trainera rowing.
Traineras are traditional long boats of the Cantabrian Sea coast, which were essential for hunting whales centuries ago. Today that spirit lives on through dedicated athletes at the Arraunetxea Olympic Rowing Club, who have brought home numerous competition trophies and flags.
We rolled out the large trainera and set out on the water. The rowing experience was a lot of fun while offering stunning views of the picturesque village and its surroundings.
Experience this unique part of Basque culture for yourself through the local tourism association. On their one-day tour, join the rowing adventure and learn firsthand from experienced local rowers. It’s a great workout and a lot of fun!
Know Before You Go – Visiting Basque Country
How many days do you need in Basque Country?
Most travellers need 6 to 9 days to properly explore the Spanish Basque Country. This allows enough time to visit the main cities of Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz and San Sebastian, explore smaller coastal towns, experience the renowned Basque cuisine, and take in cultural attractions like the Guggenheim Museum.
Best Time to Visit Basque Country?
The best time to visit the Basque Country is during June or September. These months offer pleasant weather, fewer tourists than peak summer months, and ideal conditions for enjoying both the coastal areas and city attractions.
What is Basque Country known for?
The Basque Country is famous for its unique culture, language (Euskera), and world-renowned gastronomy.
Key highlights include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, beautiful beaches like La Concha in San Sebastián, pintxos (Basque tapas), and traditional Basque cuisine.
The region also boasts distinctive architecture and a rich maritime history. Additionally, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking in the region’s natural areas.
How to get to Basque Country
By Air: The main gateway is Bilbao Airport, which handles international flights. Other options include airports in Biarritz (France) and Santander. Flights from Madrid to Bilbao take about 1 hour.
By Train: The region is well-connected by rail from Madrid and other major Spanish cities through RENFE services. The train journey from Madrid to Bilbao typically takes around 4-6 hours.
By Ferry: Ferry services connect Bilbao with Portsmouth (UK) through Brittany Ferries providing another route for international visitors.
How to get around Basque Country
Rental Car: A car is recommended for exploring smaller towns and coastal areas. The region has well-maintained roads and good highway connections, making it easy to navigate.
City Buses and Metro: The region has excellent public transportation, especially in Bilbao and San Sebastián. The metro system in Bilbao (Gran Bilbao) provides extensive coverage. In San Sebastián, the city bus service ‘Dbus’ connects various parts of the city efficiently.
Is Basque Country expensive?
The Basque Country is relatively affordable compared to other European destinations, although San Sebastián tends to be more expensive. While high-end restaurants and hotels are available, reasonable accommodation options and local pintxos can be enjoyed at moderate prices.
What is typical Basque food?
Traditional Basque cuisine includes pintxos (tapas), cod dishes prepared al Pil-Pil, grilled lamb chops, and an abundance of fresh seafood. The region is famous for dishes such as marmitako (a hearty tuna stew with potatoes) and Piperade (a mix of tomatoes, onions, and peppers). The cities of Bilbao and San Sebastián also have amazing world-class restaurants.
Do I need to speak Basque to visit?
No, you don’t need to speak Basque (Euskera) to visit the Basque Country. While both Basque and Spanish are official languages, Spanish is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas where locals are accustomed to English-speaking visitors. However, learning a few basic Basque greetings like ‘Kaixo’ (hello) or ‘Eskerrik asko’ (thank you) is always appreciated.
Explore All of Our Basque Country Guides
Discover our complete series of detailed guides to help you plan your perfect road trip through Spain’s beautiful Basque region.
Main Article: Basque Country Road Trip – Best Things To Do in Spain’s Basque Country (You’re reading this guide now!)
Part 1: Bilbao – The Guggenheim, Architecture, and Riverside Charm
Part 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz – Medieval History and UNESCO Cathedral
Part 3: Donostia-San Sebastián – Pintxos Culture and stunning Beaches
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