We really wanted him, tour the Basque Country on a road trip It was one of the plans we most wanted. And although the 4 days fell short, we were able to discover some of its best places. Here we detail our roadtrip through the Basque Country.
We stayed 4 nights in a cottage in Igorre, about 30 km from Bilbao. From there we made routes every day, especially through the coast road. These are the places you can't miss, from west to east.
Our trip coincided with the big week of Bilbao, so there was a great atmosphere. You can't miss the Guggenheim museum, the famous 7 streets and the New Square in its historic center, the La Ribera Market wave Santiago's cathedral. Here are the 20 things you should visit in Bilbao.
Where to park in Bilbao? We were recommended to park in the industrial zone of Bolueta. We recommend that you go right next to the subway station, where there is free parking (although you can also park on the streets), and from there go to the center by subway, which are two stops. The price of the single ticket is € 1.60, but if you plan to move more times you may want tobarik card, which costs € 3 plus the balance to travel.
If you want to park in closed paid parking, one idea is to book it with Parclick, which usually have better prices online than directly on the site.
The great attraction of Portugalete is theBiscay Bridge, which joins the two banks of the estuary, connecting this town with Guetxo. You can also visit the Basilica Santa María de Portugalete, the Plaza del Solar or the Salazar Tower.
This entire area north of Bilbao offers good beaches, especially for those who want to surf in the part of Sopelana. They are protected by cliffs so the views from the top are the most. The trouble is that parking lots are paid (at least the ones we saw).
In Getxo there is also some cool beach like that of Ereaga. In this town also visit theLas Arenas dock, known as Paseo de las Grandes Villas, where the nobility built their humble homes, the Cisco House and the Galleries of Punta Begoña.
If you want to enjoy other cool beaches, here are some of them. The Muriola beach It was one of the scenarios that Rocadragón set in Game of Thrones, small but impressive. Between Plencia and Gorliz there is an urban beach with a very beautiful promenade.
If you follow the direction of the Ria de Plencia inland we find this amazing place. Lost in the middle of the forest rises a medieval castle, which seems to be taken from a fairy tale. Although the current look so careful is due to a deep restoration. By the way, it is for sale, in case you are interested in increasing your properties with a castle.
It is a small town with a Very cool fishing port, with high walls above the water, where there are several barecitos. An ideal place to make a pintxo and pot stop!
From Armintza Portua there is a road with some viewpoint over the interesting coast. You pass through Baquio before reaching San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, one of the most impressive places in the entire roadtrip. Here we tell you more about your visit.
It is one of the populations with more personality from all over the Basque Country. It is worth approaching old Port, with its colorful houses, and the whaler Aita Guria, a reproduction of a typical 17th century boat dedicated to whale fishing, so common at that time in northern Spain.
It is a very small town but with a pleasant surprise: hermitage of Santa Catalina, in a strategic location that dominates the entire estuary. But also take a walk through its narrow streets until you reach its charming port. This place is also famous among surfers around the world for its popular Mundaka left wave.
Biosphere ReserveUrdaibai
This protected space is home to different bird species and offers beautiful landscapes. It is concentrated around the Oka River, at whose mouth in the Mundaca estuary it forms perfect marshes to house the shelter of these animals.
That he became world famous for Picasso's painting, but that for a long time before he was already the Basque identity center and of the freedoms of this people. Although it was almost completely destroyed in the bombing during the Civil War, it was known to recover and today is a great half-day stop to learn more about the history of the Basque Country. Here we tell you more about our visit to Guernica.
If we return to the coast road, on the other side of the estuary is this small town, built on the slope of Cape Ogoño and whose steep alleys flow into the fishing port. As the town is so narrow, a rotating roundabout has been built on one of its squares, on which the bus parks to turn around.
Another small town quite curious, because although it is not directly next to the coast, it has an urban beach. The water arrives through the mouth of the Ea Erreka river, which divides the town and over the cross several bridges to join the two parts.
One of the most beautiful villages in the Basque Country. It stands out from the rest of the buildingsBasilica Assumption of Our Lady, although it is worth getting lost in its streets to discover other corners. It has two beaches, separated by a river: that of Isuntza and the beach of Karraspio, in front of the island of San Nicolás, accessible from the beach when there is low tide.
Another one of those characteristic villages of the Guipuzcoan coast. Their Colorful houses are placed on the hills of Mount Arno and around a small bay. There are a few interesting buildings, such as the Zaharra Market, the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, the Galdona Palace or the Berriatúa Tower considered the tallest medieval tower house in Guipuzcoa.
Famous for the flysch, some stunning cliffs that cut the coast, and by the hermitage of San Telmo, where the wedding of Eight Basque surnames was filmed. Here you have all the info about what to do in Zumaya. The Itzurun beach, under the protection of the cliff, it is one of the most beautiful in this area.
The naked eye will be struck by theMonte San Anton, known as "The mouse of Getaria", although this charming fishing village offers many more things, among others, a great Txacolí and its fresh grilled fish! He is also known for being the hometown of sailor Juan Sebastian Elcano.
It is a pretty tourist town, thanks in part to its beautiful beach. Has a lot surf tradition, so if you feel like learning to catch the waves, it is the ideal place. Oh, and that we don't forget, Karlos Arguiñano He has his restaurant here.
It is definitely the crown jewel of the Basque Country. In a route by car through the north of Spain you cannot miss a visit to this city, if it is several days better than better! You can't miss a pintxos route through the streets of downtown asKale Nagusia, visit theCathedral of the Good Shepherd and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Choir, take a dip in the La Concha Beach and get to the curious Wind Comb. Here you have all the ideas of things to do in San Sebastián.
Passages are divided into 4 districtsthat of San Juan It is the most beautiful of all. It is a group of houses, buildings, arches and small squares around a street that winds next to the estuary. Take your time to walk quietly through it, and if you feel like it, cross in a little boat to the other side of the bay, to Pasajes de San Pedro.
The last town before crossing the border with France, and possibly the most beautiful in the Basque Country. It is divided into two zones, the old town, of cobbled streets and emblematic buildings such as the Puerta de Santa María, the Church of Our Lady of Manzano, the Plaza de Armas with the Castle of Carlos V. And the La Marina neighborhood, where it is impossible not to be tempted to try some pintxos. More information about the visit to Hondarribia.
These were the villages where we passed on our route by car through the Basque Country. Although there are other interior visits that are also worthwhile, such as: Sanctuary of Loiola and theSanctuary of Aranzazu, Take in, the Urkiola Natural Park, Balmaseda and its Old Bridge, The guard and its wineries of Ysios and those of Marqués de Riscal in The blind.
Do you have in mind a car trip through the Basque Country? Do not hesitate! A roadtrip through northern Spain is always a great idea!
