San SebastiÁn & bilbao
The Basque Country is one of the most unique regions in Spain and definitely worth a visit. Located in the North, they have their own language, Euskera, whose origin remains unknown and is agreed to be one of the oldest living languages in Europe. This region is well known for its world-class gastronomy, nature, and beaches that are perfect for surfing. Keep reading to learn more about the two main cities in the region and what they have to offer: San Sebastián and Bilbao.
San Sebastián
Known to locals as Donosti (as in the Euskera language), this city is the capital of the Gipuzko province, located off the coast of the Bay of Biscay. This beautiful seaside city is known for its excellent beaches and outstanding culinary tradition.
bilbao
This city was best known as an important seaport and industrial city in northern Spain until the construction of the Guggenheim Museum in the 1990s. Since then, the capital city of Vizcaya has experienced a boom in tourism and economic growth, which has led to the reveal of its many hidden gems as one of the best places to visit in Spain.
How to get to the basque country
There are a couple ways to get to the Basque Country from Barcelona:
1) By train. There is a direct train from Barcelona to San Sebastián which takes about 6 hours. If you prefer to travel to Bilbao, there is also a direct train which takes a bit longer (almost 7 hours).
You can check the individual train websites, but we recommend you check Trainline's website, which compares all the companies' timetables & prices to show you the different options so you can choose the most convenient one for you.
A few recommendations when traveling to the Basque Country by train:
Book your tickets in advance. You will find the best schedules and prices by purchasing them a few weeks before the trip, so make sure you plan and buy your train ride with enough time so they are not sold out.
Most train companies use numbered seats (just like planes) so make sure you sit in your specific seat.
Keep in mind that the train's cafeteria sells snacks but for a considerably more expensive price, so we recommend you bring a sandwich, snack, and water with you.
2) By bus. There are direct buses from Barcelona to the Basque Country but they take a bit longer than the train (around 7 to 8 hours). If you prefer this option, we recommend that you check the websites of Alsa, Flixbus and Vibasa. You can also use ComparaBUS, which compares the different bus companies and shows you the best deals.
Where to stay in San Sebastián & Bilbao
San Sebastián & Bilbao are two popular cities, so accommodation can get pricy if you leave it to the last minute, so booking in advance is key to finding affordable accommodations. However, if you want to treat yourself there are a wide range of expensive and high class hotels to choose from. A few options for all budgets:
If you want to travel on a budget, we recommend you stay in a hostel or B&B. Sometimes you can find great hotel deals as well. A few websites that compare prices and allow you to view results from lowest to highest price are Kayak, Booking.com, and Expedia.
If you don't know where to start looking and you don't know much about the cities' different areas, we recommend you read these articles from the Nomadvisor on Where to Stay in Bilbao and this guide to the Best places to stay in San Sebastian.
If you prefer staying in an apartment, we recommend that you check out Airbnb's website. They have a great selection of apartments and you can choose if you want to book the whole place for yourself or just a private room.
hip neighborhoods in San Sebastián/donosti
Gros
Sandwiched between the Kursaal (modern art building) and the Monte Ulia, we find this trendy neighborhood. One of the main attractions is La Zurriola beach, which offers a wide range of sports, making it a favorite for surfers and young tourists from all over the world. Don't miss the views that you can catch from climbing Monte Ulia. This is also the perfect spot for pintxos bars. You can read more about Gros and what to do there here.
parte vieja
The Parte Vieja or the Old Town of San Sebastián is one of the liveliest corners of the city. Located between the River Urumea, La Concha Beach, and Monte Urgull, the neighborhood is probably Donostia’s most visited attraction. Walking around its streets you'll see the Plaza de la Constitución, San Vicente Church, Calle 31 de Agosto, and the Basilica of Santa María. Try La Cuchara de San Telmo and Gangara for some traditional and delicious pintxos. If you are a fan of cheesecake, we recommend you stop by La Viña.
Read more about Parte Vieja here.
centro
The centro of Donosti is surrounded by what is often referred to as the “romantic area” of the city. Buildings such as the Donostia Town Hall (a former casino built in 1887) and the Alderdi Eder city gardens remind us of the Belle Époque in the French Côte d'Azur. In addition, the romantic area is well-known for being the shopping epicentre of Donosti, with streets like Urbieta Street, Fuenterrabia Street, and Getaria street.
Read more about the Centro here.
hip neighborhoods in Bilbao
casco viejo
The narrow and lively streets of Casco Viejo (Old Town) are home to romantic buildings, beautiful churches, the Cathedral of Santiago de Bilbao, and some of the best restaurants and bars. Here you'll find the art deco La Ribera Market, which is Europe's largest indoor market.
BILBAO LA VIEJA
Lying just across the river from Casco Viejo, this is Bilbao's hippest barrio and has been nicknamed "Bilbi." Often compared to London's Soho, La Vieja contains tons of urban art, fashion boutiques, bars, and international cuisine.
ABANDO
Abando is the most central district in Bilbao and is the most elegant. It's home to the city's finest boulevards and shopping streets, as well as the famous Guggenheim, which is filled with contemporary art. In this area you'll also find the beautiful Gardens of Albia and the Abando Train Station (check out its huge stained glass window representing Basque culture).
muSt-see's in san sebastiÁn/donosti
Playa de la concha
From the three beaches of San Sebastián, La Concha beach is the most beautiful one, being known as a symbol of the city. If you visit Donosti, make sure to walk along the boardwalk enjoying the old town until you reach the Miramar Palace. You'll also be able to enjoy the views of Santa Clara island and the fresh air from the Cantabrian Sea.
Monte igueldo y funicular
Monte Igueldo is crowned by Torreón, an amusement park and hotel. It is one of the most wonderful places in Donosti due to its panoramic views of San Sebastián. To get to the top, you can take the funicular cable car, and enjoy some of the rides of the vintage theme park.
peine del viento
Peine del Viento is one of the best-known works by sculptor Eduardo Chillida and also one of the most famous in the city.
It is placed at one of the ends of Ondarreta beach, right on the slope of Igueldo mountain, which makes it really easy to spot from any point of La Concha bay.
muSt-see's in bilbao
catedral de bilbao
Located in the center of the Casco Viejo district, the Cathedral is one of the city’s most famous sights. Dedicated to the Apostle St. James, it was built during the 15th century and is Gothic in style. The Cathedral also has two porticoes (similar to a porch) – one Renaissance and one Neoclassical.
Azkuna centroa
The Azkuna Zentroa is a cultural center housed in the city’s old wine exchange. The Modernist building was re-designed by the French designer Philippe Starck, and now rests upon 43 columns. Even if you’re not going to see an exhibition or a show here, it’s worth going in for a guided tour just to look around.
RÍO de NERVIÓN
One of the best ways to explore the city of Bilbao is by boat, down the Río del Nervión, as many of the major attractions are located along its banks. Take a ride with Bilboats to see places like the Guggenheim Museum, the Ribera Market, the historic Hotel Arenal Bilbao, and the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall).
museums in the basque country
guggenheim bilbao
Housed in an interesting metal ship-like building designed by Frank Gehry, the museum showcases modern works by artists such as Anish Kapoor, Jeff Koons, Eduardo Chillida, Yves Klein and Anslem Kiefer. Many of the larger artworks are displayed outside, in what is known as the Art District.
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm.
You can check out the ticket prices here.
tabakalera (donosti)
The building housing this cultural center used to be an old tobacco company (which is how it got its name). In Tabakalera you can find expositions and they have a great rooftop, which we recommend for its panoramic views of the city.
The entrance is free and you can check their opening times here.
¿Qué quieres comer? - FOOD in san sebastián
In the Gros neighborhood, explore this street and the variety of bars and cafés it has to offer: Bodega Donostiarra, Lobo, Casa Aramendia, and more!
Sit on their terrace and try one of their famous pastries: Pantxineta, Gateau Basque, Plum cake or simply a croissant... which one would you choose?
Txuleta means cutlet in the Euskera language. Try their mini cutlet pintxo or their croquettes (everything is amazing and at a great price).
Not the fanciest bar but definitely a great choice for yummy and affordable sandwiches!
¿Qué quieres comer? - FOOD in Bilbao
A Txoko (meaning "corner" in Euskera) is a gastronomic club. Most of them can only be accessed via a membership but Piperrak is open to the public. They have lots of menus with a wide variety of options.
Plaza Nueva
Around the Plaza Nueva area, you can find many pintxo bars. Don't forget to bar hop (locals typically only have one pintxo and drink per bar. Some of our recommendations are: Gure Toki, Sorginzulo, and Café Bar Bilbao.
This market has a fascinating story but also many places inside where you can taste delicious food. Try La Bodeguilla (trying the gildas is a must), Torti-Ya, and Zubiburu.
If you're looking for a sit-down restaurant, you need to try this one. They have a menú del día for 11,80€ (Monday to Friday) and everything is delicious.