Our Basque Country vacations & tours
Treasure hunters, mark your maps: the rolling hills and forests of the mysterious Basque country contain hidden delights. The land between northern Spain and France was once crossed by smugglers and members of the WWII resistance, but is now known for its bucolic countryside, green coast, and the fantastic cities of San Sebastian and Bilbao. Learn a bit of Basque and discover the way of life, which ranges from the all-Basque football team, to the pinxtos dining culture.
Since there’s so much local pride, all the more reason to stay local. Our Basque Country vacations use accommodation embedded in the community, where you’ll learn a bit of the language, meet the neighbours and enjoy produce from the neighbouring farm – and make your own treasured memories.
Since there’s so much local pride, all the more reason to stay local. Our Basque Country vacations use accommodation embedded in the community, where you’ll learn a bit of the language, meet the neighbours and enjoy produce from the neighbouring farm – and make your own treasured memories.
Spain tailor made vacation, Green Coast
Tapas, mountains, authentic charm, lovely towns and hotels!
From
€1295 to €1450
12 days
ex flights
Northern Spain cultural tour
Experience Northern Spain's Culture, History & Landscapes
From
US $3499 to US $4099
11 days
ex flights
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Basque Country map & highlights
Many visitors to the Basque Country never stray far from its charming cities – and it’s easy to see why. San Sebastian, Vitoria and Pamplona are quaint and walkable, bursting with superb restaurants and beautiful churches, while Bilbao’s Guggenheim alone will keep you entertained for a whole afternoon. But to really explore this region of farmers and fishermen, you need to go rural. Walking and self drive vacations allow you to make the most of the dramatic landscapes, the hidden hamlets and the many natural parks – exploring vineyards, caves, salt mines and monasteries that have each played their own role in the history of the Basque Country.
We’ve included both the Castilian Spanish and Basque names on the map below; you’ll hear both versions used interchangeably.
We’ve included both the Castilian Spanish and Basque names on the map below; you’ll hear both versions used interchangeably.
Bilbao/Bilbo
1. Bilbao/Bilbo
Once an ugly, industrial city, Bilbao has undergone a TV-worthy makeover, with the restoration of its colourful, old buildings, the impressive Guggenheim Museum and Norman Foster-designed metro. The Casco Viejo – Old Town – is filled with cafes, restaurants, craft shops and the cathedral. Ride the century-old funicular railway to the top of Artxanda Mountain for impressive city views.
Coast
2. Coast
The Med has its charms, but Cantabria’s craggy coast, bashed by the Atlantic waves, delivers waves of character. There are attractive city beaches and miles and miles of wilder coast, with sweeping bays, cliffs and tiny coves offering endless exploration. Don’t miss the chapel of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, atop an island reached by a stone bridge, as well as fishing villages such as Elantxobe and Mundaka.
Hondarribia
3. Hondarribia
The fishing village Hondarribia has everything you want from a Basque town: quaint, colourful architecture, a walled Old Town, a pretty marina, pintxos bars and a golden sand beach – the perfect place to spend a day wandering and grazing. It’s a 26km, hilly hike from here to San Sebastian – well worth it for the stunning coastal Cantabrian scenery.
Pamplona/Iruña
4. Pamplona/Iruña
Synonymous with bull runs, boozing and Hemingway; happily, there is more to Pamplona than just San Fermín, and the medieval streets of the old town are wonderful for an atmospheric wander. Pamplona is also a great base for daytrips out to Roncesvalles – a key town on the Camino de Santiago, the Leyre Monastery, dating back over 1,000 years, or the Pyrenees – just a short drive away.
San Sebastián/Donostia
5. San Sebastián/Donostia
Curving around the ridiculously picturesque Concha Bay, San Sebastián is the Basque Country’s gastronomic capital, with enough Michelin-starred restaurants (seven!), pintxos bars, and cider houses to keep you full for weeks. Explore the pretty old town and its churches, hang out on the golden sands of its three beaches, and work off that food by renting a bike – or a surf board.
Zarautz To Zumaia
6. Zarautz To Zumaia
These small coastal towns are both worth visiting – Zarautz for its sweeping, 2.8km beach and extraordinary restaurants, and Zumaia for its art gallery and stunning location, bordered by lush mountains and cliffs. However, it is the 9km walk between them that is the most impressive. Always within sight of the coast, the trail passes through the fishing village of Getaria, gateway to the txakoli wine region.
Our Basque country vacations reviews
4.8
6Basque country vacations reviews
Avril Nettleton23 Jun 2026
A fantastic way to see northern Spain...Being informed of the history and culture...The guide was great.
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Jenny Abbott22 Sep 2024
Seeing the golden eagle and griffon vultures soaring in the Pico was memorable.read more
Elena Perelmuter01 Jul 2024
5 stars - this trip was well organised, full of new discoveries and very interesting.read more
