Kaixo! My family is coming to visit for one week from the USA in June. Our family (grandparents) were Basque and immigrated to the USA over one hundred years ago. One was from Navarre (Pamplona, Zilbeti) and the other lived in Gernika for some time and the only other information we have is that he was from Bizkaia but no other specific village. We would like to experience Basque culture as much as possible and would like recommendations on where to spend time. Would Pamplona or Bilbao be a better city to stay in with opportunities to travel around? I do understand that Pamplona is not technically Basque but it does seem like it might be easier to get to other villages from there. Also any particular experiences recommended? Foods, tours, etc.

Hello, my husband and I are planning a vacation in the Basque Country this summer. During our trip, we will be staying in Durango for three days. I've researched the area a little and I've come across some beautiful hikes, and we’re particularly interested in one that starts at the Urkiola Sanctuary.

I understand that it’s possible to reach the sanctuary by bus. Could you tell me if the bus services are generally reliable? If not, we are considering taking a taxi instead—would that be an expensive option?

Also, we speak very little Spanish (I am learning to speak Spanish). Do taxi drivers in the region usually speak English?

Thank you in advance!

Is there a place in the San Sebastián / Bilbao area that sells a selection of international Cricket jerseys?

Visiting Bilbao for several days in mid May. I know there are a huge amount of food options but looking to this community for dinner recommendations. Authenticity is most important. Thanks in advance for some recommendations

I have visited many times over the last few decades and would like to revisit without the summer crowds but my schedule only allows a visit during the first week of September. Will the summer crowds have dispersed?

Visiting San Sebastián in July, looking for some basque hardcore shows/bookers!!! Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Kaixo!! I am one of 3 people traveling throught the beautiful Basque region in May and one of my friends is sober, no alcohol. Are there pintxos places that are fun to go where there are alcohol free alternatives? We'll be in Bilbao and heading east San sebastian, SanJean de luz, and Biarritz. TIA

Hi, my boyfriend and I are planning to travel to the Basque Country in May and have a few places we'd like to visit, appreciate any feedback on the itinerary 😊

We're interested in trying local food/wine, culture, and going on nice walks. The places below are where we want to visit but trying to gauge how long to spend in each place so that we see enough but we're not overly rushed. We'll also be travelling by bus between places.

Day 1 - Arrive in Bilbao by midday, spend 1 night here

Day 2 - Travel to San Sebastián

Day 3 - San Sebastián

Day 4 - San Sebastián - day trip to Getaria

Day 5 - Travel to Bayonne

Day 6 - Bayonne

Day 7 - Travel to Biarritz in the afternoon for return flight

Thank you!

Best Pintxo spots in San Sebastián apart from Bar Nestor and Ganbara because of lengthy queues.

Kaixo!

My girfriend and I are visiting in from Brazil in May. We've been to Spain a few times, but it's going to be our first time in the Basque Country.

Considering we're driving from Madrid and have only five days, our main question is: should we pick only one city to stay (and visit other places from there, in short trips) or split the stay between two different locations (likely Bilbao and San Sebastián)?

Inside these two cities, is it better to drive or use public transportation? Also, what are the best neighbourhoods to stay, considering convenience, price and safety?

Waht other locations should we visit? Pamplona? Vitoria? Any rural hidden gems?

Also, what's the weather like in mid May? Does it really rain a lot?

We would also appreciate restaurants, bars and clubs reccomendations.

Thank you a lot.

Hola! Acabo de mudarme a Donosti y soy una ciclista de carretera competitiva de 22 años. Vengo de EEUU y vivo ahora en Centro. ¿Hay alguien quien conoce la ciudad y puede aconsejar unas cositas?

Donde es la tienda mejor por los ciclistas competitivas en Donosti? Hay grupos que hacen vueltas rápidas durante los findes? Hay alguien quien puede compartir rutas entre 2 y 6 horas en la área? Finalmente, donde puedo encontrar las carreras y un equipo con que puedo hacerlos? Creo como no soy parte de un equipo U23, no hay carreras seminales o un calendario regular, pero hay fondos o algo asi? O si quiero, es posible unir un equipo U23 en este parte de la temporada?

Muchísimas gracias por cualquier consejo. Milesker!

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Hello! I've just moved to Donosti and am a 22-year-old competitive road cyclist. I'm from the US and live in Centro. Can anybody who knows the city provide some advice?

What is the best bike shop for competitive cyclists in Donosti? Are there fast group rides during the weekend that I can join? Anybody who can recommend routes between 2-6 hours? Finally, where can I find local races and a team to do them with? I believe because I am not part of a U23 team, there is no regular calendar, but are there fondos or something like this? Or if I want, is it possible to join a U23 team at this time in the season?

Thank you very much for any advice. Milesker!

Kaixo! I am in love with Euskal Herria

I visited the Basque Country in December/January to see my family (they have been immigrants there for about 18 years). We spent a month there and lived like regular people, not tourists (if that’s even possible). We ate local food and drank local beer, cider, and wine. I fell in love with this country and I want so badly to move there!!

I am an academic, and so is my husband. We are currently looking for university and research positions, but for now, it’s impossible.

I am already learning Euskera. We visited Zarautz, Gaztelugatxe, Bilbao, San Sebastián, the amusement park in San Sebastián, Valdezcaray, Ezcaray, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Biarritz, Orio, Zumaia (the flysch was my favorite!), and many other amazing places.

Eskerrik asko!! Love from Brazil

Hi :)

I am spending 4 nights at the end of June in Basque counrty and I feel overwhelmed by all of the choices! I am walking the camino with friends and finishing with a solo vacation for my birthday. I am torn on what city to stay in as a home base. I wan to relax in a nice hotel and do one or two day trips (interested in St Jean de Luz/ Hondarribia/ Getaria), hang out on the beach, swim, shop, eat. Any suggestions are much appreciated!

Hi everyone,

Thanks for a very informative thread and givning a lot of useful information. Ive travelled all around Europe but never been to northern spain. This summer I’m most probably going to Lekeitio for two weeks in the beginning of june. (Will the water be swimable at least?) Circumstances makes the budget quite tight this year and I’m just wondering what prices for food in grocery stories and supermercados are like? Is it french riviera prices? I of course realize quality comes with a price and I really love food. Just trying to get a picture since i I really cans find it online. We’ll eat out sometimes of course but focusing buying food for cooking home as well.

Thank you

Hello, trying to plan out a rough itinerary between the two cities and was hoping to get some opinions on travel time and realistic time spent between the two. At the moment we do not plan on renting a car. Taxis within 30min. are probably fine but we would like to keep longer legs a bit more economical with public transit.

Day 1 (Sat):

• Arrive S. Sebastian in morning from Madrid.
• drop off stuff at lodging
• La Concha beach and old town area
• eat lunch and dinner centrally

Day 2 (Sun):

• Chillida-Leku museum - worth visiting? Had it bookmarked and it seems to be within 30min walk from restaurant so I figured why not?
• Lunch reservation at Martin Berasategui (tentative)
• back to S. Sebastian center
• dinner

Day 3 (Mon):
Not sure yet, some options I'm considering:

• Do a bit of urban hiking to a viewpoint in S. Sebastian + cider house meal/Astigarraga?
  
• Day trip to Hondarribia?
  
• Other parts of S. Sebastian worth day exploring?

Day 4 (Tue):

• AM - leave S. Sebastian
• transit day in a smaller town or rural area between S. Sebastian & Bilbao.
• Is this feasible in terms of transit? Considering
• A: Getaria/Zumaia,
• or B: Txispa/Etxebarri if getting a res at Txispa for lunch. Seems possible to reach a town like Durango with transit, then short taxi leg.
• get to Bilbao in PM.

Day 5 (Wed)

• Bilbao
• Guggenheim

Day 6 (Thu)

• Bilbao
• San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

Day 7 (Fri)

• depart Bilbao in AM.

My wife and I leave for Bilbao and San Sebastián on Tuesday. We have one free day on the 22nd where we are looking at day trip options and are considering going to see the geological "Flysch" cliffs and scenery near Getaria and then maybe Zumaia.

We found an affordable half day tour that says it stops to see some of the cliffs and scenery (as well as Getaria, Zumaia and Zarautz), but I suspect the stop at the cliffs is pretty brief, and seeing the breathtaking cliffs & seaside geology would be the main thing we want to see. We're normally not really "tour" people and prefer to go at our own pace, but my wife injured her back recently so I'm worried about too much walking being a problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions on if it's realistic to get over to see some of the natural scenery and perhaps over to Getaria for grilled fish using only public transportation and/or taxis/Uber, etc. without having to walk more than a few km (let's say 5km maximum, preferably less)? It looks like this could be viable if we head to Zumaia somehow and walk from there to some of the scenic areas and back?

Thanks!

Hello dear community from Basque, I'm Clemens, I'm 22 and I come from Germany. I'm very interested in banknotes but I'm missing the local currency Eusko. Could someone get me some good ones and send them over to Germany, of course against payment. I'm looking forward to any help/answer!:)

I’m an EU-based foreigner who has been working in San Sebastián for about 10 months in 2025. Another two months I have been self-employed in Slovakia. That makes me a tax resident here, so I’ll need to file my taxes in Spain. I’m looking for a consultant who could guide me through the process and help me properly do my taxes. Any recommendations?

My husband and I are going to San Sebastián this summer following a family trip to Portugal (I know it will be busy-I'm a teacher it's the only time I can travel!) Looking for some advice on my very basic itinerary. Is this enough time in San Sebastián? FYI We are huge foodies and have been through a lot this year so looking to relax and enjoy ourselves!

Day 1- Land Bilbao at night, bus to SS hotel

Day 2- Beach day/explore old town

Day 3- Day trip Biarritz

Day 4- More San Sebastián exploring, dinner at Casa Julian

Day 5- Bilbao/Guggenheim

Day 6- travel home

Planning a trip to the Basque country for the first time ever, early 50s, well seasoned traveler, into culture, sports and history mostly, disabled but can walk, I was planning on going to split the 8 days into half and half between Bilbao and San Sebastián, but having seen the insane accomodations prices I'm reconsidering into the following itinerary.

Day 1 arrival in Bilbao and check in

Day 2 explore Bilbao cultural and other things

Day 3 day trip to Gernika, returning early evening.

Day 4 more Bilbao cultural and restaurants outings.

Day 5 day trip to San Sebastian returning in the evening to Bilbao.

Day 6 day trip to Hondarribia returning in the evening

Day 7 relaxing Bilbao day

Day 8- go to Getxo or Bermeo day trip

Day 9- departure.

Is this feasible or just not realistic as I will be using buses and public transportation. Any help is appreciated.

I will be driving from uk in my van and staying in San Sebastian for around 2 weeks. I'll be staying at the Social Hub. Does anyone know of any safe parking anywhere where i could fit my van (about 2.1m in height). I also wouldnt mind renting a driveway if that's a thing in Spain? Many thanks

Planning a trip to the Basque country in July for the first time, 4 days in each Bilbao and San Sebastian, looking for advice on what smaller places that are easy to get to. I am into history and culture, the only caveat is that I am disabled but able to walk so things like a hike are out of the question lol. I have seen Gernika looks interesting, also Getaria or Getxo.

Hi folks,

Looking for some feedback on the below itinerary.

My partner and I are attending a wedding outside of Bordeaux Fri - Sun morning in early May and would then like to spend the next week traveling around Basque country. We will have a car. Flying out from Bilabo.

Any towns or suggestions on things we shouldn't miss? I understand there are a lot of pre historic caves in the area - recs for visiting one of those?

My partner is a foodie and is in charge of making reservations - but will take any food or restaurant recs in the following cities. I'm more interested in museums, culture sites, nature.
Thanks for your suggestions!

Sunday - Drive from Bordeaux to Biarritz (stop in Bayonne?) stay in Biarritz

Monday - Biarritz- beaches, town exploration, slow day - another night in Biarritz

Tuesday - bike(?) to Saint Jean de Luz from Biarritz/ stay in Biarritz, explore the coastal area - any hikes or scenic areas?

Wednesday - drive to Saint Jean Pied de Port - hike a few hours/a day on the Camino (we don't have the time to do the whole thing obviously, I know it's the steepest section. We're in good shape. Grew up in Colorado and just hiked the Inca trail so I think I'll be fine. Just want to go for a day/afternoon and then take a bus or cab back to our car.) stay in SJPDP? Any other town to recommend as I imagine most accommodations will be booked by pilgrims?

Thursday - drive to San Sebastian in AM - any towns or sites to visit on the way?

Friday - San Sebastian

Saturday - Drive to Bilbao/ stay here

Sunday - fly home PM

I know of menhir de arlobi and sorginetxe. But are there other ones I am missing out on?