Things to See & Do On a Tour of the Basque Country

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The best way to travel around the Basque Country is to drive. Whilst the region is suitably well served by trains and buses, the freedom afforded by your own car (or a rental) is unparalleled. You’ll be able to stop off to see all the sights you’ve bookmarked for your very own Basque road trip, beginning the moment you drive off the ferry.

Holidays to Basque Country

Discover the Basque Country a region with rich culinary traditions, and vibrant cultural heritage.

One of the Basque Country’s most popular holiday destinations, San Sebastián, is home to a whole host of beautiful beaches. La Concha Bay is probably its most famous sandy stretch thanks to its central location and gorgeous views of Santa Clara island. Great for surfers, swimmers, sunbathers and beachcombers alike, La Concha is well worth the visit.

Make sure to check out El Peine del Viento (the Comb of the Wind) while you’re nearby - a stunning collection of three sculptures conceived by Eduardo Chillida and Luis Peña Ganchegui, which sit at the Western end of La Concha Bay.

There’s masses of stuff to do nearby, too - swing by a local pintxos spot for a bite to eat before hitting up any number of live music venues that form part of the city’s thriving nightlife scene.

Walk along La Concha Bay, the most famous sandy beach in the Basque Country

Bilbao’s world-famous Guggenheim Museum is an absolute must for those touring the Basque Country. Its exterior alone is worth the trip - designed by US architect Frank Gehry, the sculpture, composed of titanium, limestone and glass, is now recognised to be emblematic of the city of Bilbao itself.

Inside, you’ll find one of the most extensive collections of modern and contemporary art in the world, with pieces rotated between a constellation of Guggenheim Museums stretching across the globe.

Visit the amazing Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, designed by Frank Gehry

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao offers a unique museum experience in the way its architecture interacts with the artworks exhibited within, contributing to a complex, mutually enriching dialogue between visitor and site.

Open from 10am to 7pm, Tuesday to Sunday, with free entry to under 18s and audio guides available, and a couple of onsite eateries to choose from - you can spend the full day here quite happily.

This incredible cave was originally discovered in Biscay in 1957, when a nearby quarry opened a hole in the mountain wall to reveal the stunning Cueva de Pozalagua. By 1976, the Karrantza City Council decided to close the quarry entirely to safeguard its preservation.

Following a conditioning process, the cave was eventually opened to the public in 1991 - and the same hole through which it was discovered now acts as the visitor entrance. The caves host an abundance of stalactites and stalagmites, but most impressive are the ‘eccentric stalactites’ - those which grow in any and every direction.

Remarkably similar to underwater coral formations or even tree root networks, they’re an extraordinarily rare mineral formation which make for a unique day out, for all the family.

Discover the unique and beautiful stalactites of Cueva Pozalagua

A tour around Basque Country wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, or (roughly translated) castle rock, connected to the mainland by a stone bridge. If it looks familiar, that’s likely because it was one of the filming locations for the hit HBO show Game of Thrones.

Whether you know it as ‘Dragonstone’ or not, the raw beauty of this incredible spot can be relied upon to dazzle all of its visitors. With a staircase that’s been recognised as one of the world’s grandest, make sure you’re wearing appropriate footwear - it’s 241 steps to the top!

Check out our Spain Game of Thrones Tour - a stunning five-night touring break, which covers a spectacular array of must-see locations in Northern Spain.

Explore the magical island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

The island’s church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, and according to legend, those who’ve completed the climb should ring the church bell three times to make a wish. If you’re keen to know more about the rich history of the island, we’d recommend securing tickets for one of the many tours available.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is only a 45-minute drive from Bilbao, located just offshore along the Bay of Biscay, so it’s easily reachable for those touring around the Basque Country.

Further inland, Saint Jean de Luz is home to France’s largest Basque church. Behind a plain facade lies a spectacularly Baroque interior, replete with an ornate golden altarpiece and beautiful vaulted ceilings.

Visit the Church of Saint-Jean Baptiste on San Juan de Gaztelugatxe island

The church was famously where the marriage of Louis XIV and María Teresa (the daughter of King Philip IV of Spain) took place, in 1660. The wedding secured peace between Spain and France after 24 years of warring, commemorated with the exchange of rings, and the church’s history is innately tied to that of the Basque Country.

For this reason, it’s a brilliant stop for history buffs travelling around the region - and there’s plenty to do in Saint Jean de Luz beyond the church, too.

Ring the church bell three times to make a wish at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

Laguardia, a historic mediaeval town in Rioja Alavesa, is home to the Bodegas Solar de Samaniego. The site’s industrial architecture from the early 1970s has been transformed into an incredible space to enjoy both wine and literary cultures.

Project Beber Entre Líneas, or drink between the lines, has transformed the winery into a series of truly unique spaces. The Medio Millón Space is probably the most famous of them all, thanks to muralist Guido van Helten transforming the monumental former wine tanks.

Discover Laguardia, a picturesque medieval town located in the Rioja Alavesa wine region

Fans of viticulture will be spoilt for choice across the Basque region, but if you’ve only got time for one wine-related stop off, the Bodegas Solar de Samaniego are the place to go. Cheers!

For fans of outdoor pursuits, the Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark - which runs from Zumaia to Deba and Mutriku - encompasses a whole host of stunning natural sites. You’ll encounter meadows, forests, caves, and dramatic cliffs along the narrow coastal strip.

There are a variety of paths to take, ranging in length from the 2km Algorri route, to the 11km Talaia trail, depending on how long you want to trek for. You can find plenty of guided walking tours to partake in, or boat trips, should you prefer to take in the sights from the sea.

Walk through 13 km of spectacular coastal cliffs in the Basque Coast Geopark

Whether your tour of the Basque Country is all about its beautiful natural scenery, its food and wine culture, or its cultural institutions, there are countless incredible options for those holidaying in the region.

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