7 Best Places to Visit In Basque Country
There’s no denying that the Basque Country holds a special place in my heart. I’ve taken numerous trips to the Spanish Basque region and dabbled my toes in the lovely French Basque Country.
There are many awesome places to see in the Basque region from picturesque fishing towns to world-renowned museums. It’s hard not to mention the streets of the numerous old towns that are meant for sauntering. The Basque Country is blessed with green countryside dotted with craggy mountains and a stunning coastline.
The Spanish Basque Country boasts quaint villages found in the Rioja Alavesa, which produces the famous La Rioja wine.
Included in this guide are tips about visiting the Spanish and French Basque regions and a sample itinerary for the Basque Country.
These are the best places to visit in Basque Country from Spain to France.
Table of Contents
- Where is the Basque region?
- How Much Time to Spend in the Basque Region?
- Best Places to Visit in Basque Country
- Is Basque Country Worth Visiting?
- Conclusion | Best Places to See in the Basque Region
Where is the Basque Region?
The Basque region sits picturesquely on the Bay of Biscay and spans across Spain and a small corner of France. The region boasts delicious cuisine, an ancient tribal language (Euskara), and a unique culture.
The Basque region is also famous for its distinct cuisine, making it one of the most popular culinary destinations in Spain.
The Spanish Basque Country holds tight and is proud of its Basque roots. The Basque Country in Spain is an autonomous region in Spain and is separated into three provinces, Álava, Biscay, and Gipuzkoa.
The Spanish Basque Country has popular cities like San Sebastian and Bilbao. The underrated capital city of Vitoria-Gasteiz is inland, but also unmissable. Along the sea are charming villages and head inland to wander the streets of well-preserved hilltop villages.
In France, it’s also possible to see traces of Basque culture. French Basque cities like Biarritz and Bayonne proudly display and wave the Basque Flag in their Old Towns. Additionally, small villages in the French countryside sit at the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains, like Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port that have ties to the Camino de Santiago.
There are also nearby autonomous regions like Navarre that house cities like Pamplona that speak Basque but aren’t officially included in the Basque Country.
How Much Time to Spend in the Basque Region?
There’s no denying that the Basque culture is more profound in Spain, hence why most people spend more time touring the Spanish Basque Country rather than the French Basque Country. This Basque County travel guide focuses more on the Spanish Basque region than the Northern Basque Country of France.
If looking to delve deep into the Basque region, it’s best to spend around a week in the region. Most visitors will spend their time between the cities of Bilbao and San Sebastian. It’s super easy to take numerous day trips from San Sebastian, including visiting the French Basque Region.
There are lovely coastal gems to visit from Bilbao. From either Bilbao or San Sebastian there are plenty of day trip options to the inland wineries of La Rioja.
Sample Basque Country Itinerary For First-Time Visitors
- Day 1 & 2 Explore Bilbao
- Day 3 Take a Day Trip Tour from Bilbao to San Juan of Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka, and Gernika
- Day 4 Join a Tour from Bilbao to Visit La Rijoa Wine Region
- Day 5 Explore San Sebastian
- Day 6 Day Trip from San Sebastian to one of the nearby coastal towns of Zarautz, Getaia, or Zumaia (This tour is a great option if you want to see them all)
- Day 7 Day Trip from San Sebastian to the French Basque Region
However, the Basque Country is so spectacular that it’s easy to slow down and spend longer than a week. If you’re like me, you’ll return again and again.
With more time, head to the capital of the Basque Autonomous Community, Vitoria-Gasteiz. From here, it’s easy to pick up a car and take a road trip through Spain’s spectacular La Rioja region.
7 Best Places to Visit in Basque Country
These are some of the best places to see in the Basque Country. As a bonus, I’ve added some worthwhile places to see near these main Basque destinations.
1 | Bilbao
Not so long ago, Bilbao was once a polluted and heavy industrial port city. Things changed when the city took a chance on building the Guggenheim Museum. The museum was designed by Frank Gehry and houses some of the world’s best contemporary art.
With the addition of regional funding to be used on public transportation and cleaning up the city, the Guggenheim Museum helped transform and revitalize Bilbao’s gritty reputation.
Today, Bilbao surprises visitors with an atmospheric Old Town (Casco Viejo) and pedestrian-friendly streets lined with pintxos bars. There are plenty of green spaces and delightful paths tucked along the Rio Nervión. Head up to the Funicular de Artxanda to see one of the grandest views of Bilbao.
Bilbao is home to numerous museums besides the Guggenheim, including the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao and smaller gems like the Archaeology Museum in the heart of Old Town.
Bilbao has the perfect blend of the Old World atmosphere and the New World architecture. It’s ideal to spend at least two days exploring the highlights of Bilbao.
➜ Browse All the Places to Sleep in Bilbao
More Places to See Near Bilbao
Bilbao also offers worthwhile day trips.
Located just a short metro ride away in the greater Bilbao area, visit the seaside city of Getxo. The city is home to stunning cliff beaches, the UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge, historical mansions, and hiking and biking paths.
If looking to soak in the atmosphere of coastal gems near Bilbao, visit San Juan De Gaztelugatxe. This cliffside hermitage chapel on the sea is an iconic spot in the Basque Country with frequent tours from Bilbao.
Guernica is also a moving day trip, a city that was bombed by German and Italian air forces under the direct orders of Franco during the Spanish Civil War. This brutal attack was depicted by Pablo Picasso in his black-and-white masterpiece Guernica.
2 | San Sebastian (Donostia-San Sebastian)
San Sebastian is a lovely city built right along the scenic shores of the Bay of Biscay. The city has always been a popular summer destination for the Spanish aristocracy and travelers flock to the city built by royalty.
San Sebastian is known for its charming Old Town filled with tiny pintxos bars that get so busy customers flow out into the streets. It’s no secret that San Sebastian is one of the best cities for foodies in Spain.
Most travelers plan a San Sebastian itinerary solely around the incredible gastronomy. There are bustling marketplaces, like centrally located Bretxa Market, and plenty of Michelin-star restaurants to treat yourself to. While the food scene is on point and with so many things to see and do, plan on allotting at least 2 days for your San Sebastian itinerary.
La Concha Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. Don’t miss a hike up one of the San Sebastian mountains like the old fortress of Mount Urgull or take the funicular up to Monte Igueldo. Both hillsides offer incredible viewpoints of San Sebastian, but Monte Uia is also worth the effort.
Donista-San Sebastian boasts an awesome free walking tour, informative museums, organized pintxos crawls, cooking classes, an aquarium, and hip neighborhoods. With extra time, head up the hillside to the village of Astigarraga above San Sebastian to experience Basque cider houses known as Sagardotegia.
➜ Browse All the Places to Stay in Donista-San Sebastian
3 | Zumaia
If looking to see one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Basque County, head towards the coastal village of Zumaia. Here it’s possible to walk the unique Flysch Route to the lovely town of Deba. This scenic hiking trail is part of the Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark.
The Ruta del Flysch showcases some of the most unique and largest continuous strata of Flysch stone in the World. The moderate trail is a point-to-point trail totaling almost 12.8 KM (8 miles). While the trail does follow along the sea, it also twists through the vivid green countryside of Spain.
Zumaia is not only the most popular starting point for the Flysch route, but Zumaia’s Itzurun Beach is famous for being a filming location for the popular HBO series Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones fans will recognize this filming location as Dragonstone Beach in season 7.
If looking to explore more of the best beaches in the Basque region, make sure to visit nearby Zuartz. This seaside town is a popular spot for surfers.
4 | Getaria
Another one of the best places to visit in Basque Country is the seaside village of Getaria. Built on a small peninsula that jets into the Bay of Biscay, Getaria offers plenty of culinary delights.
Numerous seafood restaurants have outdoor grills to cook some of the freshest seafood. Perhaps one of the most famous restaurants in Getaria is Elkano with a Michelin star and top reviews. However, simply follow your nose and find more restaurants near the harbor.
Getaria is also known for its vineyards (which can be toured) that produce the Basque wine of Txakoli wine. It’s no coincidence this wine pairs perfectly with seafood.
Getaria is also home to the hillside Aldamar Park, which has hiking trails, a lighthouse, and views of the sea. The cobblestone streets of Old Town are dreamy to walk along or visit the Cristobal Balenciaga Museum. There are two sandy beaches in Getaria.
Getaria is a popular stopping point for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago Norte route to the stunning city of Santiago de Compostela found in the Galicia region in Spain.
To savor this quaint village, opt to spend the night in Getaria.
5 | French Basque Country
The French Basque Country is also known as the Northern Basque Country and should not be overlooked. While there is Basque culture, the French Basque Country has a very present French flare.
Biarritz and Bayonne are two of the more popular places to visit in the French Basque Country. Additionally, the small town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a popular fishing town to base and explore the Northern Basque Country.
Biarritz is a lively resort town and is one of the most desired surfing spots in the Basque region. The numerous beaches attract surfers, beach strollers, and sunbathers. Another popular place to see in Biarritz is the old fishing village of Port Vieux. This bustling area is lined with cafes, restaurants, and lovely places to stay. Make sure to wander through the Halles Les Biarritz food market.
Bayonne straddles the Nive and Adour Rivers and has a more gritty feel to it. The city is not as polished, but that’s one part of it I love. Don’t miss the iconic Cathedral Sainte-Marie de Bayonne with its colorful paintings and stained glass windows. Get lost on Bayonne’s medieval cobblestone streets that are lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Bayonne is also known for its chocolate and culinary delights. A Bayonne food tour is a popular way to tour the delights of the city.
6 | Vitoria-Gasteiz
Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital of the Basque autonomous region in Spain. The city is landlocked and away from the ocean making it oftentimes overlooked by visitors. This is a huge mistake, as Victoria-Gasteiz is absolutely one of the best places to visit in Basque Country.
Vitoria-Gasteiz offers visitors plenty of things to see and do. The city was founded during the 12th century and is one of the most well-preserved Old Towns in Spain. In the hilltop old town of Vitoria-Gasteiz find the centerpiece landmark of the Cathedral of Santa María. The church is in restoration, but can still be visited as part of a guided tour.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is also known for its numerous museums, from modern art to playing cards. There are busy streets filled with spectacular pintxos bars and restaurants. Artistic at heart, Vitoria-Gasteiz has colorful murals located throughout the new and old sections of the city.
The impressive Town Hall sits in the center of Plaza España and the nearby Plaza Virgen Blanca are both excellent places to people watch.
Vitoria-Gasteiz has been recognized as one of the top Green Cities in Europe, so don’t leave without exploring one of its many green spaces. If short on time, the urban La Florida Park and lovely city walk are ideal. Nature lovers should not miss the sprawling park of Salburua, with its Atrium, hiking trails, and Center of Interpretation.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is easily one of the more hidden gems in the Basque Country and also is an ideal place to explore the nearby Rioja Alavesa Wine Region.
➜ Browse All the Places to Stay in Vitoria-Gasteiz
7 | Rioja Alavesa
La Rioja may be one of the most famous wine regions in Spain. Most people don’t realize that some of the La Rioja denominación de origen calificada (denomination of qualified origin DOCa) is produced in Rioja Alavesa, which is part of the Basque region.
The La Rioja Wine region boasts over 600 wineries with vineyards scattered throughout the autonomous communities of La Rioja, Navarre, and Basque Country. If you have a few days it’s delightful to explore the Rioja Wine region in depth.
In Rioja Alavesa in the Basque Country, one of the must-visit villages is Laguardia with its picturesque streets lined with family bodegas. This hilltop village is well preserved and a highlight of the Alavesa wine region.
For architecture and wine lovers, a stop at Winery and Hotel Marques de Riscal on the outskirts of Eltziego to see the Frank Gehry-designed building. Eltziego is another picturesque hilltop town of the Basque Rioja Alavesa region.
Highlights of the La Rioja Wine Region Beyond Rioja Alavesa
The La Rioja wine region in general is fantastic to explore. Not only are there vineyards and charming villages, but waterfalls, hiking trails to hillside ruins, and even hot springs. The different autonomous communities of the La Rioja Wine region blend together, so it’s worth it to visit all three.
Haro is another excellent place to base and sip on the wine of the La Rioja Wine Region. Logroño is the capital of the La Rioja region and an important stop on the Camino de Santiago Camino Frances route. There are plenty of memorable small villages on the Camino route in La Rioja like Navarrete, Najera, and Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
History buffs will love San Millán de la Cogolla with the UNESCO World Heritage Yuso and Suso Monasteries. The Yuso Monastery houses replicas of the Glosas Emilianenses, which are the first-ever known writings in Castilian Spanish. It was said these writings were created in the hillside Suso Monastery.
These are some of my favorite places to see in La Rioja.
Is the Basque Country Worth Visiting?
With so many amazing and diverse places, it’s easy to see why the Basque Country is worth visiting! The entire Basque region is filled with breathtaking nature, incredible cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historical villages, prestige wine regions, and hidden gems.
It’s also impossible to not mention the incredible cuisine and gastronomy of the Basque region. The Basque Country also has its own language and a fascinating culture with deep roots connected to the sea.
From Spain to France, the entire Basque Country is something special and is worth seeing and experiencing.
Conclusion | Best Places in Basque Country
In short, there are many awesome places to visit in the Basque Country between Spain and France.
While most people think of the Basque’s powerhouse cities like Bilbao and Donostia-San Sebastian there is so much more to the Basque Country. Some of the best hidden gems in the Basque Country are the delightful seaside villages, hamlets surrounded by mountains, and inland cities.
The Basque Country has a plethora of attractions and things to do, so it’s ideal to spend a week in this little corner of France and Spain. However, if short on time, try to allot at least 3 days to see the main Basque Country highlights.
I continue to return to the magnificent Basque region to experience the beauty and rich culture of this underrated region in Spain and France. The Basque Country is worth visiting again and again. Don’t make the mistake of skipping past this incredible region when visiting Spain
Have you explored some of the best places to visit in Basque Country? Is there a place you love in the Basque region that I’m missing? Let me know in the comments below!
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