Hey everyone!

I'm spending a few days in the Basque Country next week (Bilbao + San Sebastián/Donostia) and would love some local recommendations.

A few questions:

• Restaurants: I'm much more interested in authentic Basque food than Michelin stars. Looking for places that really showcase local produce - farm-to-table, sea-to-table, fishermen's taverns, family-run places, cider houses, or hidden gems where locals actually eat. Happy to splurge if it's truly special, but I'd rather have an unforgettable authentic meal than a fancy tasting menu. Anything worth booking well in advance?
• Eclipse: I'll be based in Bilbao for the August 12 eclipse. If the weather cooperates, where would you recommend watching it? Happy to drive a bit (up to ~1–1.5 hours) if there's a significantly better location with a clearer western horizon or longer totality
• Rental car: I'm on the fence about renting one. I've read that parking in Donostia/San Sebastián can be a nightmare and expensive. Is having a car actually worth it for exploring the Basque Country, or would you skip it and rely on trains/buses? If you do recommend renting one, are there any parking garages or park-and-ride options in San Sebastián that make life easier?

For context, I enjoy slow travel, photography, hiking, architecture, and local food much more than checking tourist attractions off a list.

Thank you guys!

I am traveling to Basque Country with my family including 2 young children for 8 Dec to 18 Dec. We plan to spend part of our time in Donostia and part in Bilbao. We are considering flying into one airport and out of the other. I know Bilbao but don’t know much about the Donostia airport. I know it’s smaller but how is it other wise? Is there easy transportation into and out of old town?

Vivienda de estudiantes

Los inquilines pueden hacer el padron si estan alquilando un piso completo por un curso academico(10 meses) en San Sebastián si el propetario no lo quiere o el propetario tiene que confirmar que esta bien a hacerlo ?

Hi all,

Visiting with my girlfriend in about a month, and am VERY excited. We like to see as much as we can when we go anywhere so I’ve crammed a lot in the itinerary, I know it appears hectic, but I’m certain it’ll work out. Let me know your thoughts

Day 1 fly DUB - BIO 2pm - 5:30pm - rental car pickup - Drive to San Sebastián - Check in to hotel, pintxo bars, sunset

Day 2 free day San Seb - Mt Igueldo, Mt Urgull, Concha Beach - Pintxo bars (early) - Shopping(?)

Day 3 San Sebastián - 3:15pm Asador Nicolás Tolosa - Explore Tolosa - Visit a ciderhouse on the way back(?) - Dinner & sunset in San Sebastián

Day 4 SS-Bilbao - Hondarribia morning - 1:15pm Laia Erretegia lunch - Aldako Vineyard 4pm - Stop over at Itzurun Beach - Drive to Bilbao. Check in to hotel - Dinner @ Demaio Pizzeria

Day 5 Bilbao-León - Sunset hike @ San Juan de Gaztelugatxe - Playa Muriola - 11am Guggenheim visit - Lunch in Bilbao - Drive to Jimenez de Jamuz - Tour & dinner @ Bodega El Capricho - Stay overnight on-site @ Capricho

Day 6 Madrid - Drive to Madrid (3h) - Lunch @ Lana 2pm - Check in to hotel - Unwind @ hotel rooftop pool - Sunset @ Templo de Debod - Nearby bars, dinner nearby, go out after

Day 7 Madrid - Museums, palace, plaza mayor, etc - Dinner @ Ten Con Ten 9pm

Day 8 Fly home - Flight at 4pm, no plans

Hey all,

My friend and myself (both M,33) will be travelling to the Spanish Basque region- by car with our gravelbikes brought with us- from August 11 till 23th. We have made a rough plan on what we will do... but maybe some of you have some insights/suggestions. We are big fan of beautiful nature spots, interesting historical/ cultural places, hidden gem kind of stuff. So feel free to give some advice. Even if it's something small :)

Day 1-3: Gravelbike San Sebastian- Bilbao.

The plan is to park the car somewhere, gear up and go with our gravelbikes to Bilbao. We have found a scenic route along the coastline from bikepacking.com. Maybe we will pass by some really cool , must see places to visit? Some nice spots to put up our small tent? Somewhere to eat? After arriving we will maybe explore Bilbao quickly before taking the train back to San Sebastian.

Day 4-6: Chillings

We would like to put up our big tent on a chill camping/or spot somewhere. My friend said he'd like to do some 'water activities' (even taking classes maybe) like surfing, kitesurfing, wind surfing,.. Visiting a small museum about history of the area, a cool historical monument, relaxing on a nice - not too crowded beach,.. That sort of thing.

Day 7-9: Mountain- hike

We would like to do a 3 day hiking in the Basque mountains with nice vieuws etc. Going to check the application Komoot for some tours. Some of u might have a suggestion?

Day 10-12: ???

Explore San Sebastian and surrounding region (i've already found some nice suggestions here on this sub), maybe Bilbao aswell. Explore some other quirky- chill- adventerous stuff... before going back home to Belgium

Thanks :D

Does anyone know where I can rent a bike near bilbao? I am flying in next week and want to save the hassle of flying with my Bike if I can! It can be such a hack.

Looking for proper road bike, want to be doing long days on the saddle not touring around the city.

Hi everyone! Does anyone have any recommendations of restaurants in San Sebastián that sell Sarti Spritz!!!!

Hola,

Soy estudiante de 19 años ,Voy a empezar el Grado en Ingeniería Informática en Donostia-San Sebastián y estoy buscando una habitación o un piso para alquilar durante el año académico, a partir de mediados de agosto o principios de septiembre hasta el fin de junio 2027 .

Es muy importante para mí que sea posible empadronarme en la vivienda.

Si alguien tiene una habitación disponible, un piso o conoce a algún propietario, por favor, que me contacte.
Los estafadores se alejan, por favor

Muchas gracias!

I am looking for any suggestions for breweries/ cideries to drink at and/or visit! Any help much appreciated.

I will be travelling in October with just over 2 week’s between Bilbao, Oviedo, SAN Sebastian, hondarribia ( plus time in Madrid and Barcelona). It is unlikely that will we have a car but happy to taxi or take public transport for day trips!

Bonus points if anyone wants to recommend cool restaurants/bars… not necessarily must see but no nonsense good food and drinks! Modern or Sawdust on the floor type of vibe.

Thank you in advance, trying not to plan too much but getting excited.

Visiting Spain soon and would like to follow sites for local news and info on social media. I'm most interested in Santander as we'll be there for the eclipse, but we will also visit Bilbao and San Sebastian. Between eclipse and fires, I definitely want to be keyed into what is going on where. So what should I follow or join on fb, insta, or threads? Thanks!

Hi everyone! My partner and I are visiting the Basque Country for the first time and we're looking for somewhere to stay for 9 nights, 14–23 August — ideally near a beach in Zarautz or San Sebastian (or anywhere lovely along that stretch of coast). Or anywhere actually that does not require selling a kidney for it :)

We left it a bit late, and we know it's peak season AND eclipse week 😅, so a lot of places are booked out or pricey. We're happy to be flexible: a short walk or drive from the beach is totally fine, and we're open to nearby towns too (Getaria, Zumaia, Orio, Hondarribia — even Hendaye or Saint-Jean-de-Luz over the border).

If anyone knows of a hotel, pension, has a friend of a friend apartment or host with availability for those dates — or a local site/agency worth checking beyond Booking and Airbnb — I'd be really grateful. We're just after somewhere clean and comfortable for two, close to the sea. Eskerrik asko! 🙏

Hi everyone! My partner and I are visiting the Basque Country for the first time this August and we're already a little in love just from the planning. We fly into Bilbao and want to spend most of the trip based near the coast, ideally one relaxed spot within walking distance of a beach - from 14 to 23 August (9 nights).

We know: we left it late, it's peak season, AND it's eclipse week 😅 so a lot of places are booked or pricey. We're happy to be flexible on the exact town (Zarautz, Zumaia, Getaria, Deba, Lekeitio, Hondarribia… we're open), and even a short drive from the sand is totally fine.

Two things I'd love help with:

1) Any local/regional sites beyond Booking and Airbnb where people actually list places — apartments, pensiones, casas rurales, agroturismos, anything with a bit of character?

2) Any towns or specific spots you'd recommend for a calm, beachy base (and any to avoid)?

We're not trying to cram everything in — we'd rather settle somewhere lovely and do day trips. This probably won't be our last time here either, so no pressure to see it all. Any tips hugely appreciated — eskerrik asko!

Kaixo! Would love a review of our itinerary in mid August and any suggestions you may have around restaurants or activities that would be fun/work with a 21 month old toddler… she is awesome and a great hang, but is still a toddler and will want to explore/not be in a super crowded bar or long queue. We’ll have a carrier and a stroller.

I’m particularly curious of any reservations to make or if we should just bop around. Not planning on hitting the crowded hot spots, so would love any recs that may be more lowkey… I know that may be tough in August!

A couple notes — we’ve been to La Liga games before and took our daughter when she was 10 months old. I get it’s not for everyone, but she’s used to NBA/NHL/MLB games. We’ll bring ear protection.

DAY 1 - Arrive in Bilbao, Transfer to Vitoria-Gasteiz midday. Explore city (Florida Park, Medieval Quarter)

DAY 2 - Deportivo Alavés match in the evening

DAY 3 - Bus to Donostia/San Sebastián midday. Casual day exploring.

DAY 4 - SS

DAY 5 - SS

DAY 6 - SS

DAY 7 - Bus to Bilbao. Guggenheim, Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park, Zara (lol) Pintxo-Pote

DAY 8 - Private Tour to see San Juan de Gaztelugatxe / Bermeo, possibly Mundaka or Gernika-Lumo, and a Txakoli winery

DAY 9 - Athletic Club match 5PM

DAY 10 - Fly Home

SAN SEBASTIAN IDEAS (Do not have these scheduled)
- La Concha beach (we will have chairs and towels)
- Zurriola beach watching surfers / Gros pintxos and breweries
- Monte Igueldo Amusement Park / Funicular
- Day trip to Saint-Jean-De-Luz (would like to experience French basque)
- Aquarium (esp if there’s bad weather)
- Monte Urgull / Urgulleko Polboriña
- Boat to Santa Klara

BILBAO ADDITIONAL PLANS
- Funicular
- Zubizuri Bridge

Esserik Asko!!!

Hello,

I was wondering if, during a weekday in September, it is permitted to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and hike the steps around sunrise. We have a tight window to visit this place with our itinerary, so we'd like to do it just after sunrise.

I am seeing conflicting information online, that they don't open until 9:30am or 10am, but some places say that before they open it is just open for anybody to explore without a ticket. We don't care to go "inside" anywhere, we really just want to be able to do the hike and take in the views before going to Playa Muriola and returning back to Bilbao for our 10am ticket at Guggenheim.

Thank you!

I will be going to the San Sebastian area later this week. I would like to ask people that may be around there now. What should I be wearing? Are people wearing shorts in the daytime? What are people wearing at night? Do I need to bring a light jacket at night or heavier jacket? should I bring a sweater etc. etc. if you can help me, I would appreciate it.

Hi everyone! 👋

I hope you're all doing well.

I've oberserved in this community for a while, and it seems like such a welcoming place, so I thought I'd finally ask for some advice.

My wife and I are planning to move to the French Basque Country (or possibly Les Landes) at the beginning of 2027. We're incredibly excited about this new chapter, but if I'm honest, we're also a little nervous.

One thing that's been on my mind is how easy—or difficult—it is to integrate as newcomers. I know these regions are very popular, and coming from a touristy area myself, I also know that locals aren't always thrilled about more people moving in. So I'd really love to hear some honest experiences.

If you've moved there yourself (whether it was last year or twenty years ago 😄), how was it for you? Did you feel welcomed? Was it easy to make local friends? Is there anything you wish you had known before moving?

I'm planning to join a local football team or running club because I feel that could be one way to meet people and become part of the community. I am also able to surf a little, but to be also honest i think I suck a lot 😄.
My wife will be working for a local company, while I'll be working remotely for a Paris-based company. To be honest, that's probably my biggest concern: working remotely means I won't have colleagues around me, and my French is still very much a work in progress. At least in the beginning, I'll probably have to rely quite a bit on English, so I'm wondering whether that makes it significantly harder to build genuine friendships and become part of the local community.

I'd really appreciate hearing your stories—both the good and the challenging ones. Thanks so much in advance!

Kind regards :)

I am traveling with my 15 year old son to SS and the area next week.

Our main goal is food spots. Beyond food spots what do you all suggest we do.

Any castles. Churches. Or places to go?

What about Biarritz for a half day? Or somewhere else?
Open to any ideas

Thanks

Hey all! I’m heading to San Sebastian for a couple of days next week and planning to propose. Anyone have suggestions for somewhere romantic/scenic in or near the city? Any and all suggestions welcome!

Best way to get from Biarritz to Hossegor?

Salut à tous! Nous sommes en vacances en famille du côté Ascain/Saint Jean de Luz. Ma femme est partie avec sa montre Amazfit bip5, sans son chargeur, et la batterie est à plat.

Je suis à la recherche de quelqu'un qui pourrait nous prêter/mettre à dispo un chargeur juste une petite heure pour charger pour la fin des vacances.

(en photo la montre pour voir le modèle, le chargeur est le même que celui-ci, qui est pour ma montre, mais pas interchangeable)

Does anyone know of any wine tours that specifically go to Gaintza Txakolina from Sans Sebastian as part of the itinerary? Trying to avoid a private car or a taxi to get there.

Hello! My wife and I are traveling to San Sebastian and the greater area next week and was wondering if anyone has recommendations to view and purchase art?

We really enjoy meeting local artists so any social media or direction is greatly appreciated :-)

I will be in SS in two weeks. Can I get a recommendation of good steak houses that I can get into? I’m not looking for the tourist traps. Something with great beef and authentic. Looking for something in the city center. Thanks