The Basque country is marked by tradition, culture, and beauty. Although this autonomous community lies majorly in northern Spain, Basque country shares borders with parts of France, allowing tourists to experience an exciting mix of the two nation’s cultures and traditions. If you’re traveling to Basque country soon, you’re probably looking for an easy and simple itinerary. So we’re sharing the perfect itinerary for you; here’s how you can spend a fun one week in Basque Country:
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ITINERARY ONE: SEVEN-DAY BASQUE COAST AND CULTURE TOUR
The best way to explore the Basque country’s beauty and culture is to take a seven-day trip exploring popular tourist destinations in Spain and France. Here is a fun cultural itinerary for one week in Basque Country:
Day One: Bilbao, Spain
You’ll realize that most of these itineraries will start/finish in Bilbao because this Spanish city is one of the most iconic. Start at the Guggenheim Museum to explore contemporary art and architecture. Next, visit Casco Viejo, the old town, after a short stroll through the Nervion River. Plaza Nueva is perfect for night dining.
Day Two: Gernika and Mundaka, Spain
If you’re a history buff, head up to Gernika Peace Museum to learn about the Spanish Civil War. Once you’re done, visit Casa de Juntas, a cultural center, where you’ll learn more about Basque culture and tradition. While Gernika is a fun destination on its own, don’t forget to stop at Mundaka and surf stunning waves to make your one week in Basque Country exciting.
Day Three: San Sebastian, Spain
The third day of your one week in Basque Country is all about relaxing and soaking in Basque Country’s beauty. San Sebastian is the perfect destination to eat, sleep and repeat. Tan at La Concha Beach, hike up to Mount Igueldo, and if you’re up for a bit of fun, the Parte Vieja (old town) is a great way to end the day.
Day Four: Hondarribia, Spain
Lying on the west shore of Bidasoa, Hondarribia is the perfect destination to explore Basque Country’s coastal charm. Marina Quarter’s vibrant houses, cobbled streets, and Iglesia del Manzano church are ideal for anyone looking to dine and explore old architecture. You could even spend all seven days of your one week in Basque Country here.
Day Five: Bayonne, France
Cross the border and step into Bayonne, where you’ll mark the fifth day of your one week in Basque Country. Here, Cathédrale Sainte-Marie and Rue d’Espagne make for a charming and exciting trip. Next, you can visit the local chocolatier to learn about Bayonne’s chocolate-making heritage or relax at the Nive River.
Day Six: Biarritz, France
Biarritz’s glamor makes it one of the most exciting destinations for your one week in Basque Country. Grande Plage and Rocher de la Vierge offer stunning ocean views, while waterfront chic boutiques and hotels are perfect for anyone hoping to spend their day frolicking.
Day Seven: Espelette and Ainhoa, France
Espelette’s famous hot red chili peppers and bustling markets make it an exciting destination for culinary enthusiasts. Once you’re done smoking peppers, head to Ainhoa, one of the most picturesque villages in France, to tie off your traditional Basque experience.
ITINERARY TWO: SEVEN-DAY BASQUE CULINARY TOUR
If you’re a foodie, you’ll love the itinerary we’ve prepared for your one week in Basque Country:
Day One: Bilbao, Spain
Grab a couple of pintxos in Casco Viejo, then head up to Ribera Market, one of the largest in Europe, to feast on seafood and traditional Spanish cuisine. You can also spare some time and visit the famous Guggenheim Museum and admire its beautiful art and design. Conclude the day at a Michelin-starred restaurant or stop for dinner at Bilbao’s famous street food vendors.
Day Two: Rioja Alavesa Wine Region, Spain
Is there anything dreamier than fine wine? Tour wineries like Ysios and Marques de Riscal, where you’ll dine on fresh grapes, mouthwatering wine, and other delicacies. Top the day with a vineyard lunch surrounded by stunning views. You can also explore the area by bike or visit a local olive oil farm for a tasting experience.
Day Three: San Sebastián, Spain
Parte Vieja in San Sebastian is the perfect spot for foodies to spend one week in Basque Country because it offers traditional meals and homemade delicacies like nowhere else. You can sample fresh ingredients and head to La Brecha Market for a more immersive open-air eating experience. After eating, take a walk along La Concha Beach or hike up Mount Urgull for amazing views of the city and the sea.
Day Four: Hendaye, France
The best part about adding Hendaye to your one-week Basque Country tour is the diversity; you can enjoy delicious food along with stunning scenery. Start your day by trying traditional dish like Axoa (veal stew) or Piperade (tomato and pepper dish) and then head to the Hendaye Beach for some relaxation or you can even try surfing. Don’t miss out on the fresh seafood at one of the seaside restaurants. End your day by visiting the beautiful castle Château d’Abbadie.
Day Five: Bayonne, France
Bayonne’s artisan chocolates are worth the bite, but we recommend strolling through Les Halles Market, where you can pick out fresh ingredients or eat straight from a vendor’s stall. After eating, wander through the old town to see the beautiful half-timbered houses. Don’t miss the Gothic Bayonne Cathedral, a historical gem and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day Six: Biarritz, France
Beat the streets with Biarritz’s upscale dining experience. Here, you can start your day by visiting the La Cote des Basques for stunning city views. You can spend your afternoon at Halles de Biarritz – famous fresh food market in the city where you can taste several specialties such as chorizo and Halles de Biarritz. Visit the famous monument Rocher de la Vierge and end your day by having a nice dinner at one of the restaurants on Rue Mazagran.
Day Seven: Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France
Lastly, if you want to top your culinary Basque country experience, head to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and explore seafood markets. Don’t forget to try ttoro (Basque fish stew) and artisanal Basque cake to give your taste buds the trip of their dreams. Take a relaxing walk along the harbor or visit the Church of Saint John the Baptist, where King Louis XIV was married, to soak up a bit of history before heading home.
ITINERARY THREE: SEVEN-DAY BASQUE NATURE TOUR
If you’re a naturalist, then ditch the other two itineraries and spend one week in Basque Country exploring nature:
Day One: Bilbao, Spain
Walk along the Nervion River and take a short hike to Mount Artxanda for panoramic views of the region. If you’re willing to spend a few hours walking beautiful gardens, head to Dona Casilda Park.
Day Two: Durango and Urkiola Natural Park
Durango’s tall peaks, covered in lush greenery and stunning skylines, make it fun enough for naturalists but take it up a notch by visiting the nearby Urkiola Natural Park, where lush forests and stunning hiking trails make one week in Basque Country sound like pure bliss.
Day Three: Lekeitio, Spain
On the third day, head to Leketio, where you’ll spend the day exploring Spain’s coastal charm. Here, the low tide at Isla de San Nicolas makes for an exciting swim, while Santa Maria Basilica’s waterfront views and promenade bring you bliss like you’ve never experienced.
Day Four: Orduña and Salto del Nervión, Spain
The fourth day in your one week in Basque Country will combine Spain’s natural beauty with historical significance. Orduna, a fun, historic town, is perfect for naturalists to explore and learn about Basque history. Once free from there, hike up to Salto del Nervion, Spain’s tallest waterfall, to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Day Five: Sare and Zugarramurdi, France/Spain
Just before you step into France, spend some time at Sare, where the hike up to the Rhune Mountains gives you stunning views of the sprawling Basque countryside. Next, head up to the Witch Caves in Zugarramurdi for a truly unique experience. You’ll spend the whole day spelunking, so you’ll sleep like a baby back at the hotel.
Day Six: Espelette and Itxassou, France
The sixth day of your one week in Basque Country will take you through the scenic trails and expansive pepper fields of Espelette, where you can even pick out fresh pepper or buy spicy snacks. Next, make your way to Itsxassou to stroll along the river and get panoramic views from the hike near the Pyrenees.
Day Seven: Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France
End your nature-based one week in Basque Country by visiting Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where serene beaches, coastal walks, and rugged coastlines become your main theme. Once you’re done tanning and enjoying delicious cocktails, visit Port Saint-Jean-de-Luz to capture memorable pictures.
Video Guide: 3 Amazing One Week Basque Country Itinerary Ideas (Coming Soon)
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Travel resources for planning a multi-city trip to Basque Country, Spain
To make planning a one-week Basque Country itinerary easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip to Basque Country.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportation and transfer options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to Basque Country, Spain?
Want to plan a trip to Basque Country but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a one-week Basque Country itinerary are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
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To learn more about how our process of trip planning works in detail, please see our “How It Works” page or check out our video on “How to Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe in 5 Easy Steps” here.
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