How many days do you need in Bilbao & San Sebastián?
- Most travelers spend 5-7 days in Bilbao and San Sebastián combined
- Visiting Bilbao and San Sebastián in 4 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 8 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Barcelona, Madrid, and Santiago de Compostela
How Many Days to Spend in Spain
Recommended Itineraries for Bilbao & San Sebastián
Recommended Itinerary for 5 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bilbao, Food & City Tour | Bilbao |
| Day 2 | Guggenheim Museum Tour | Bilbao |
| Day 3 | Transfer to San Sebastián, Coastal Tour & Wine Tasting | San Sebastián |
| Day 4 | Walking Tour of San Sebastián | San Sebastián |
| Day 5 | Depart San Sebastián |
In a mere five days, you can enjoy an unforgettable Spanish vacation. This is possible when you make the culturally rich Basque region your destination. This itinerary includes tours of Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum, plus a coastal drive to San Sebastián, a seaside resort city of singular beauty. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bilbao, Food & City Tour | Bilbao |
| Day 2 | Cooking Class & Guggenheim Museum Tour | Bilbao |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to the Basque Countryside | Bilbao |
| Day 4 | Transfer to San Sebastián, Coastal Tour & Wine Tasting | San Sebastián |
| Day 5 | Walking Tour of San Sebastián | San Sebastián |
| Day 6 | Depart San Sebastián |
In less than a week, you can visit the highlights of Spain's northern Basque Country while enjoying its rich culture. It begins in Bilbao with city tours, then a Basque cooking class followed by a visit to the famous Guggenheim Museum. Then you're off to the Cantabrian Mountains to see how rural Basque residents live before heading to one of the most beautiful seaside cities in the country, San Sebastián. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
11-Day Itinerary Including Barcelona
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Barcelona, Exclusive Tapas Tour | Barcelona |
| Day 2 | Private Tour of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia | Barcelona |
| Day 3 | Free Day in Barcelona or Optional Day Trip | Barcelona |
| Day 4 | Private Day Trip to Montserrat & Penedès Wine Region | Barcelona |
| Day 5 | Free Morning in Barcelona, Exclusive Wine Tour | Barcelona |
| Day 6 | Train to San Sebastián, Private Culinary Experience | San Sebastián |
| Day 7 | Underwater Winery, Optional Day Trips | San Sebastián |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Bilbao via Coastal Tour | Bilbao |
| Day 9 | Bike City Tour, Urban Winemaking | Bilbao |
| Day 10 | Free Day in Bilbao | Bilbao |
| Day 11 | Depart Bilbao |
Eat and drink your way through northern Spain on this 11-day gastronomic adventure. Begin in Barcelona, exploring the city and its surroundings on a tapas tour, a local organic winery tasting, and a sunset sailing experience. While digesting, experience Gaudí's world-famous architectural delights and sunbathe on city beaches. Take a train to San Sebastián and visit the world's first underwater winery, then wind your way to Bilbao to sample the Basque Country's famous pintxos and Txakoli wine. Read more
12-Day Itinerary Including Barcelona & Madrid
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Madrid, Explore | Madrid |
| Day 2 | Gourmet Walking Tour | Madrid |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Segovia & Pedraza | Madrid |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Bilbao, City & Museum Tour | Bilbao |
| Day 5 | Day-Trip to the Basque Countryside | Bilbao |
| Day 6 | Transfer to San Sebastián, Coastal Tour & Wine Tasting | San Sebastián |
| Day 7 | Bike Tour of San Sebastián | San Sebastián |
| Day 8 | Day Trip to Hondarribia & Pasai Donibane | San Sebastián |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Barcelona, Optional Sailing Excursion | Barcelona |
| Day 10 | La Sagrada Família & Barcelona Market Tour | Barcelona |
| Day 11 | Free Day in Barcelona or Optional Day Trip | Barcelona |
| Day 12 | Depart Barcelona |
Travelers who want to experience Spain's legendary culinary scene won't want to miss this 12-day food-forward tour filled with tapas, wineries, olive-oil tastings, and more. Start with a gourmet tour of Madrid, enjoy a homecooked meal in the Cantabrian Mountains, dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant on the Cantabrian Coast, taste txakoli wine in San Sebastián, and end with an architecture and market tour in vibrant Barcelona. Read more
How to travel between Bilbao & San Sebastián
How to get from Bilbao to San Sebastián
The port city of Bilbao and the foodie metropolis of San Sebastián are two essential stops in Spain's Basque Region. A trip between the two is typically a short, one-hour drive across 62 miles (100 km), so the recommended way to travel is by private transfer or with a rental car. These methods allow you to make stops in a few villages along the beautiful Basque coastline, such as Gaztelugatxe or Zumaia. Other options include the train and bus. Read more
How to get from San Sebastián to Bilbao
San Sebastián and the port city of Bilbao are two essential stops in Spain's Basque Region. A trip between the two is typically a short, one-hour drive across 62 miles (100 km), so the recommended way to travel is by private transfer or with a rental car. These methods allow you to make stops in a few villages along the beautiful Basque coastline, such as Bermeo or Getaria. Other options include the train and bus. Read more
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