How we spent one week in Basque Country: Bilbao and San Sebastián
On our way back to London from Gran Canaria, we stopped in Basque Country for a week. We spent three days in Bilbao and three days in San Sebastián. As a renowned foodie hotspot, we had wanted to travel here for a while. And with Bilbao being one of the few places that you can fly direct from Gran Canaria, this was the perfect opportunity.
Here is how we spent a week in Basque Country in December.
Three days in Bilbao
The city of Bilbao is the de facto capital of Basque Country, which spreads across northern Spain and south western France. It’s an industrial port town that is surrounded by mountains, which gives the feeling that you’re in the middle of a valley despite its urban scenery.
We spent three days in Bilbao in early December 2022. The weather was fairly mild at around 12ºC, but coats and jumpers were needed.
This was our itinerary:
Day 1: Land at Bilbao, check into our hotel. Wander the Abando area, eat pintxos and drink sangria at Abando Restaurante.
Day 2: Guggenheim museum, walk to Cafe Iruna. Eat pintxos and vermouth around Plaza Nueva.
Day 3: Explore the old town, wander around the Christmas market. Eat pintxos in Bilbao Centro.
Want to know more about what we did in Bilbao? (Hint: it was mostly eating pintxos). Read our blog: Things to do in Bilbao.
Where to stay in Bilbao
We spent 3 days at the Radisson Collection Gran Via, in the town centre of Bilbao. We didn’t realise how perfect this location would be. It’s just a 15 minute walk from the Guggenheim Museum, and within 10 minutes walk of some of the best Pintxos spots.
The Radisson Collection wasn’t the cheapest option in Bilbao. But we were given a room upgrade when we arrived and it was definitely one of the nicer hotels we’ve stayed in. The art deco interiors gave it a warm but luxury vibe. And the massive cosy bed was ideal for the daily mid-afternoon naps we needed between vermouth and pintxos stops!
Three days in San Sebastián
The only thing better than pintxos in the city is pintxos at the beach. So from Bilbao we travelled to San Sebastián by the Supra coach. This took 1.5 hours and cost between €12-25 each way. Prices vary depending on the time and day. But the Supra is still cheaper and faster than the train which takes 5 hours.
Another famous food spot, San Sebastián (also known as Donostia-San Sebastián) is on the Bay of Biscay on the northern tip of Spain. While it wasn’t too cold during our December trip, the weather was drizzly on some days.
This was our itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive, check into our hotel. Wander the Christmas market, pintxos and sidra at Txox Gourmet, dinner at TOPA Sukladeria.
Day 2: Walk to the beach and around the bay. Lunch at Kai Sushi, Monte Igueldo funicular railway. Pintxos in the old town for dinner.
Day 3: More exploring and pintxos in the old town.
Discover our favourite spots in our blog: The best places to eat in San Sebastián.
Where to stay in San Sebastián
We stayed at the Hotel Villa Katalina in San Sebastián. This boutique hotel is right next to the Buen Pastor Cathedral near the centre of town. It was a great location right near the river and just 10 minutes walk from the old town and the beach. San Sebastián is quite a small town, so it’s easy to find a place to stay that’s central, but still quiet.
Want to know more about what we did in San Sebastián? Read our blog: Things to do in San Sebastián.