Top Basque Country Day Trips

Departing from Bilbao or San Sebastián : live an unforgettable day through three of the most iconic destinations in the French Basque Country: Biarritz, Bayonne and San Juan de Luz. A complete excursion combining history, coastal elegance, traditional architecture and local cuisine. We start in Biarritz, a city of aristocratic air and spectacular views of the Atlantic. We will visit places like the Grande Plage, the Casino, the Hotel du Palais and the church of Sainte Eugénie, with free time afterwards to enjoy the surroundings. We will continue to Bayonne, where we will take a guided tour of its historic center, including the City Hall, the church of San Andrés and the Gothic cathedral. Then you will have time to have lunch and explore at your own pace. We close the day in San Juan de Luz, a charming fishing village where we combine a short guided tour with free time to stroll, shop or relax. A complete experience with guidance, transportation and the perfect balance between culture and leisure.

Exploring the Basque countryside from Bilbao typically includes juggling transportation logistics and navigating rural roads. This full-day trip takes care of everything for you, leaving you free to soak in the experience as you walk along the spectacular coastal path to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, then continue to the charming fishing town of Bermeo and the historic Casa de Juntas in Gernika.

Visit iconic San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, aka the castle rock, during this full-day tour that includes stops in Bermeo and Gernika. Climb the narrow, winding steps connecting this castle built high on a rocky island to the mainland and overlook the sea and stunning landscape. Featured on the HBO show “Game of Thrones”, this tour lets you visit “Dragonstone” in real life.

Discover the charm of the French Basque Country on an excursion from Bilbao and San Sebastian. You will cross to France to visit Sare, one of the most beautiful villages, with free time to tour its historic center and church. Continue to Ainhoa, famous for its main street of white houses and traditional atmosphere. The route ends in Espelette, known for its red pepper, where you can have lunch, walk and enjoy its gastronomy. A complete experience between landscapes, culture and traditions, ideal to know some of the most authentic corners of the region in one day.

Soak up spectacular coastal views while discovering the rich history and culture of Spain's Basque coast. Highlights include a walking tour of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, visiting the charming fishing villages of Bermeo and Mundaka, and an insight into the cultural legacy of Gernika-Lumo. Round off the day at Berroja Auzoa winery to taste the region’s signature txakoli varieties.

Do something a little different for dinner on this small-group food-and-wine tour in Bilbao. Rather than opt for a sit-down meal, follow your guide around local bars to try traditional pintxos. Enjoy enough small plates, paired with drinks, to make up a full meal. Learn about Bilbao's history as you go from bar to bar, passing by city highlights along the way.

San Sebastián Highlights Tour from Bilbao Experience the best of San Sebastián on this full-day tour from Bilbao. Explore the city’s most iconic spots, starting with breathtaking views from Monte Igueldo, where you can admire the entire bay and coastline. Visit the Peine del Viento, Eduardo Chillida’s famous seaside sculpture, a stunning blend of art and nature. Discover the charming Old Town, stroll through its narrow streets, and admire the beautiful Buen Pastor Cathedral. During the tour, you’ll have free time for lunch, allowing you to choose from local restaurants or sample the city’s famous pintxos at traditional bars. Enjoy a perfect balance of sightseeing, culture, and gastronomy, all in a comfortable minivan with private transportation.

San Sebastian is a great springboard for visiting Spain’s La Rioja, a wine-growing region known for its high-quality red wines. Explore the vine-covered hills on this small-group door-to-door tour, visiting two wineries to see their vineyards and production facilities. At each estate, enjoy a wine tasting to sample different varieties, and finish with a small pintxos lunch paired with local wines in the beautiful town of Laguardia.

Get to know the wines of La Rioja on a full-day small-group tour from San Sebastian. Skip the hassle of a rental car and admire the scenery while your guide does the driving. Visit a winery and stroll through the vineyards while learning about the local winemaking process. Relax over a traditional lunch complete with a wine tasting. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included for your convenience.

Explore the Basque Country beyond San Sebastian on this full-day, small-group, guided tour. Get picked up at your hotel or apartment and set out to see the 10th-century hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Stroll through the old town of Bilbao and along the riverbank to explore the striking Guggenheim Museum with an audio guide. Lunch in a traditional restaurant is included.

Embark on an excursion to the Baztan Valley and Zugarramurdi Caves from Pamplona or San Sebastian (choose departure at booking), a journey where nature and history intertwine. We depart for Elizondo, the elegant capital of the valley, famed for its stately houses, stone bridges over the River Bidasoa, and welcoming atmosphere reflecting Navarre’s essence. After strolling its streets and squares, we continue to the Zugarramurdi Caves, a unique natural site shrouded in mystery, linked to ancient covens and the history of witchcraft in Navarre. There we explore rock galleries that have fuelled myths and traditions for centuries. We return to meeting point, after a journey blending green landscapes, ancestral culture, and fascinating stories evoking Dolores Redondo’s trilogy: The Invisible Guardian, The Legacy in the Bones, and Offering to the Storm. The tour includes a bilingual guide, private transport, visits to Elizondo, Baztan Valley and entry to the Zugarramurdi Caves.

This day tour allows you to enjoy a unique experience to discover La Rioja and its wineries and taste high quality wines. Departure directly to Haro, capital of Rioja Wine. There, we will visit CVNE, a centenary winery. We will take a guided tour of its essential spaces, including the barrel room designed by the legendary architect Gustave Eiffel and the underground cellars including tasting. We will then go on a guided walking tour of the historic centre of Haro. We will continue to Laguardia, where will start a walk through through its picturesque narrow streets and then take guided tour of a small traditional winery. After the visit, free time for lunch (not included). Before returning to Bilbao, we will pass through Elciego to discover the Marqués de Riscal building, an outstanding example of modern architecture.

This full-day small-group tour from Bilbao runs in English and includes transport throughout Rioja. Visit Marques de Riscal and Ysios wineries, known for their wines and architecture, with complete guided tastings. If Ysios is closed, you’ll still visit for photos and enjoy an equivalent tasting at another winery. The tour also includes a stop in the medieval village of Laguardia for a tapas lunch.

Book this tour for a dose of nature followed by a regional gastronomic treat. You’ll have both a hike in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a chance to do some exploring of fishing villages and the local area, and then sit down, or stand up, while enjoying a delicious pintxos lunch with drinks.

Maximize time in the Basque Country on this full-day tour from San Sebastian or Bilbao, which takes you across the border into France. Visit the glamorous beach city of Biarritz and the historic town of Bayonne with a professional guide. Upgrade to a tour in your choice of Spanish or English that also includes a restaurant lunch, transfers, and a visit to the seaside town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

If you only have a day to spend in the Bilbao area, this small-group tour to Gaztelugatxe, Gernika, and Bermeo fits a lot into a day. Fans of “A Game of Thrones” won’t want to miss the hermitage of Gaztelugatxe. Witness the old fishing traditions at Bermeo, and learn about Basque history at Gernika. Admire Picasso’s painting of the same name. Hotel pickup adds convenience to your scenic day.

Getting to the Picos de Europa National Park isn't easy on your own, especially if you don't have a car—but this full-day, private tour makes your visiting experience seamless. Following pickup from your hotel, travel in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle, and immerse yourself in nature. Pause at the park's beauty spots, opt to travel in the Fuente Dé cable car, or forgo the tourist trails for a personalized route through the mountains, with a special lunch stop en route.

Experience the seafaring charm and coastal beauty of the Basque Country on a full-day tour from Bilbao. Option 1 •Begin with hotel pick-up in the morning and travel to Hondarribia, a picturesque town with a walled medieval center, colorful fishermen’s houses, and historic squares. •Next, visit Pasaia, exploring the historic port districts of San Pedro and San Juan. •At midday, arrive in San Sebastian for a pintxos tasting in the Old Town, sampling the flavors that make the city famous. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of San Sebastian’s highlights. Option 2 • Walking tour in Hondarribia, a coastal colorful town • Guided visit in San Sebastian, discover its landmarks and Belle Époque architecture. • Free time in San Sebastian for lunch (lunch is not included in this tour option) • Finish the day with a one hour visit in Zarautz

This visit gives you a chance to learn about the work of Basque farmers visiting a 16th-century farmhouse. Afterwards, the trip continues through the landscape until we reach the Cider House. You will get to know the family that runs it and the steps required to make Basque cider will be explained. You will then taste the product, first in the bottle and then sitting down to a traditional cider house menu. * The guided tour, as it is a shared service, may be in several languages depending on the origin of the clients.

Benefit from personalized attention and private round-trip transportation for your group on this multi-stop Rioja wineries tour. There's no need to rent a car or choose who will be the sober driver; sample famous and lesser-known drops at three Rioja winery stops. Learn about the history and viniculture of this particular variety of Spanish wine, and soak up the alcohol with tasty local snacks, such as cheese and chorizo.

Visitors to Basque Country can easily miss the charming capital city of Vitoria, opting to tour the smaller villages and wine regions. On this full-day tour across Basque Country, travelers don't need to choose—you'll visit both the city and countryside. Start your day walking through Vitoria's historic quarter, and then head to La Rioja for an afternoon in the vineyards and villages. Wrap up your day at a traditional winery for a wine tasting, included at no extra charge.

In this amazing tour, we will take a full winery tour at Marques de Riscal, Best Winery in the World 2024, and we will visit Ysios, Third Best Winery in the World 2026, to taste their premium wines. All of that together with local cheese and cold meats. After, you'll enjoy a delicious three course lunch! *Pick up or drop off in different cities only available booking on our website, North Coast Tours (I.e. pick up in Bilbao and drop off in San Sebastian) *Min. for the tour to run, 5 people. Couples check out our website for booking to guarantee your spot * Tours en Español: las visitas a Marques de Riscal son en Inglés, aunque todos los guías hablan español.

Learn more about Spanish wine on this fun small-group day tour of two wineries near Bilbao. Sample three Rioja wines and enjoy a light pintxos lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free options in Laguardia. Walk through the vineyards and learn how wine is made. A fun way to indulge in a glass or three without worrying about driving back to your hotel after.