Getting there
Fly into the main regional gateway for Basque Country. Reserve airport pick-up or the fastest train link into the centre.
Itinerary · Basque Country · 7 days
7 days in Basque Country · the essential route
Basque Country in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
A 7-day plan to see the best of Basque Country without wasting time on transfers. Each day pairs one hub with the sights worth queueing for, a beach or excursion for the afternoon, restaurants worth booking and 1–2 Viator tours that fit the rhythm of the day.
- Ideal for
- First-time visitors · slow travellers
- When
- May–June and September–early October
- Budget
- 1540–2660 € per person (accommodation + tours, excluding flights)
- Duration
- 7 days · 6 noches
Getting around
Rent a car for inter-hub transfers; use taxis inside town centres.
Where to sleep
Split your nights across the hubs listed below, one to two nights per base to avoid check-in fatigue.
Trip index
7 days, día por día
Day 1
San Sebastián — La Concha
Day 2Bilbao — Titanium curves
Day 3Getaria — Fishing village
Day 4Zarautz — The longest beach on the Basque coast
Day 5Hondarribia — Walled town on the French border
Day 6Mundaka — The legendary left-hand wave and Urdaibai estuary
Day 7Bermeo — The Basque country's biggest fishing port
Day 01
San Sebastián — La Concha
Sleep in · San Sebastián
Day 1 centred on San Sebastián. La Concha, pintxos and Belle Époque elegance. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in San Sebastián: La Concha bay and Parte Vieja old town.
Afternoon
Afternoon at La Concha (or Zurriola (surf) if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Arzak (3★) (back-up: Mugaritz (2★)).
Where to eat
- Arzak (3★)
- Mugaritz (2★)
- Bar Néstor tortilla
Day 02
Bilbao — Titanium curves
Sleep in · Bilbao
Day 2 centred on Bilbao. Titanium curves, seven streets and the Guggenheim. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum and Casco Viejo (Siete Calles).
Afternoon
Afternoon excursion: Guggenheim skip-the-line.
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Nerua (1★) (back-up: Etxanobe Atelier (1★)).
Where to eat
- Nerua (1★)
- Etxanobe Atelier (1★)
- Café Iruña
Bookable for day 2 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 03
Getaria — Fishing village
Sleep in · Getaria
Day 3 centred on Getaria. Fishing village, Txakoli and Balenciaga. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Getaria: Balenciaga Museum and Salt-cod harbour.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Malkorbe (family) (or Gaztetape (surf) if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Elkano (turbot on the grill) (back-up: Kaia-Kaipe).
Where to eat
- Elkano (turbot on the grill)
- Kaia-Kaipe
- Iribar
Bookable for day 3 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 04
Zarautz — The longest beach on the Basque coast
Sleep in · Zarautz
Day 4 centred on Zarautz. The longest beach on the Basque coast. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Zarautz: Talaimendi lookout and Palacio Narros.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Playa de Zarautz (2.5 km).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Karlos Arguiñano restaurant (back-up: Aiten Etxe).
Where to eat
- Karlos Arguiñano restaurant
- Aiten Etxe
Day 05
Hondarribia — Walled town on the French border
Sleep in · Hondarribia
Day 5 centred on Hondarribia. Walled town on the French border. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Hondarribia: Charles V Castle (Parador) and Church of Santa María de la Asunción.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Playa de Hondarribia.
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Alameda (1★) (back-up: Danontzat).
Where to eat
- Alameda (1★)
- Danontzat
- Sebastián — pintxos
Bookable for day 5 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 06
Mundaka — The legendary left-hand wave and Urdaibai estuary
Sleep in · Mundaka
Day 6 centred on Mundaka. The legendary left-hand wave and Urdaibai estuary. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Mundaka: Mundaka wave (world tour stop) and Santa Katalina hermitage.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Laida (10 min) (or Laga (15 min) if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Portuondo asador (back-up: Casino de Mundaka).
Where to eat
- Portuondo asador
- Casino de Mundaka
Bookable for day 6 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 07
Bermeo — The Basque country's biggest fishing port
Sleep in · Bermeo
Day 7 centred on Bermeo. The Basque country's biggest fishing port. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Bermeo: Fisherman's Museum and Portu Zaharra old port.
Afternoon
Afternoon excursion: Boat trip to Gaztelugatxe.
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Jokin (back-up: Aritz Erretegia — grilled fish).
Where to eat
- Jokin
- Aritz Erretegia — grilled fish
Before leaving home
Packing and logistics tips
- 01Layer for cool mornings and hot midday sun
- 02Book restaurants and top-tier tours 2–3 weeks ahead
- 03Comfortable walking shoes — most old towns are cobbled
- 04A small day-pack for water, sunscreen and a light shell
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Portugal · 3 days
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