Zarautz

Leave Bilbao and discover a charming fishing village, Getaria. Enjoy a sea products workshop, and a tasting, and learn about the traditional methods used to make them. Travel to San Sebastian and admire views of Mount Igeldo and enjoy some free time in San Sebastian on this day trip. Depart from Bilbao and travel to Getaria, one of the most charming coastal villages of the Basque Country. Enjoy a walking tour around the historical quarter. Stop to visit a workshop of excellent quality Cantabrian sea products, only captured with traditional methods. Enjoy a tasting of a pintxo with products from the workshop included. Pass by the famous summer resort of Zarautz. Move on to San Sebastian, and enjoy the views of Mount Igueldo, followed by a walking tour around the historic old town. Take free time in San Sebastian to explore the city at the end of the tour.

After pick-up, you will head along the coast to Zarautz, a surf spot in the Basque Country where many Basque people go for holidays. Then, you will visit Getaria, a fishing village where it seems like time has not passed. The streets of the city are well-preserved and it is also the birth town of Juan Sebastian de Elkano, the first man making an earth round-trip and Cristobal Balenciaga, famous fashion designer and the founder of the Balenciaga fashion house. Finally, you will visit the Txakoli cellar where you will see fields of grapes, accompanied by an expert who will explain everything regarding the local wine. At the end of the visit you will taste different kinds of Txakolis produce.

This full-day tour combines the typical coastal villages like Zarautz, Getaria &and Zumaia and the lovely mountain roads and views. Zarautz boasts a strong marine tradition of whale hunting which lasted here until the 16th century. Getaria is a charming small fishing village and home of Juan Sebastian Elcano, the man who was first to sail around the world. Discover the famous "Txakoli" local white wine vineyards along the coast and their amazing views and landscapes. Zumaia town offers green mountains which crash into the wild Atlantic Ocean. Driving by old Basque farmhouses, narrow mountainous roads, small villages, sheep and cows, you'll discover the essence of the Basque Country. Explore Ernio and Izarraitz mountains, stunning 360-degree views from the top, with no effort as you will be driven almost to the summit.

Start your day with a convenient pick-up service at your hotel. Here, your driver will be waiting to pick you up and after a short meet and greet, you will hop aboard your private vehicle and set off for your first destination.  After a short and scenic drive, you will arrive in the village of Orio. Here, your friendly driver/guide will introduce you to some of the local customs whilst you go sightseeing around this spectacular place. Follow this up with a trip to Getaria, the birthplace of Sebastian Elkano the first man to complete the voyage around the globe. Witness how the village proudly remembers the feat with a monument and several statues in different locations. Getaria is also the birthplace of Cristobal Balenciaga, the famous fashion designer that created the Balenciaga brand. After this, you will visit San Telmo hermitage in Zumaia. Located on top of a cliff, the beach and coastline below has become increasingly famous in recent years since it was used as a shooting location for popular TV series, Game of Thrones. Experience stunning panoramic views of the coastline whilst you are here. After this half day full of adventure, your guide will drop you off at your hotel or any other place of convenience, and you can continue enjoying the city of San Sebastian during the afternoon.

Pickup from your hotel will take place at 9:00 AM. Proceed to stops at Orio and Zarautz, where you will have the opportunity to see the traditional and the modern Basque coastal lifestyle from fishing boats to popular surfing spots. In Getaria, see fields of vineyards where txakoli, the most famous Basque white wine, is produced. Finally, visit Zumaia where San Telmo hermitage, the Flysch area and Itzurun Beach are located. This town has become well-known for being one of the areas where the last season of "Game of Thrones" was shot. You have the option to book this tour as a private or shared experience. Along the journey a lunch will be served, included with your tour. The tour will conclude with a drop-off at your hotel so you don't have to worry over logistics; just get ready to enjoy an amazing trip.

Meet your guide in San Sebastian and set out on a guided hike along the picturesque Basque coastline. Stop at a farmer’s market to taste local specialties, visit a winery, and end your tour in the village of Getaria. Start your hiking adventure with a scenic train ride from San Sebastian to Zarautz, admiring the striking landscapes along the way. A native of this coastal town, your guide will show you all the best sights of Zarautz. Walk along the beach promenade and visit the farmer’s market where you’ll taste homemade bread, local cheese, apple jelly, and cider. Then, set out on a hike along the Way of St. James and make your way to a txakoli winery. Sample 3 of the wines produced here along with some pintxos or small snacks of tasty tuna, cheese, and salted anchovies from the village. Finally, set out for the coastal town of Getaria, the hometown of Juan Sebastián Elcano, a seaman well-known for being the first man to circumnavigate the earth. It was also home to Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. Walk the narrow streets lined with medieval buildings and wooden balconies as your guide tells you about the fascinating lives of these two important figures. At the end of your tour, you can choose to board a bus back to San Sebastian with your guide or remain in Getaria to explore the village on your own. The cost of the return bus ticket is not included in the tour.

Explore the Basque Country on a week-long journey to the sites of historical and cultural importance on a trip that includes 4-star accommodation. Using Bilbao as your base, enjoy half-day and full-day excursions to surrounding cities and towns. Travel along the coast to see fishing villages, old ports, and picturesque beaches. Spend time inland visiting mountains, wineries, and remote villages. Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Bilbao After arriving in Bilbao, transfer to your hotel. Receive your dossier with information about the Basque Country and the program. Depending upon your time of arrival, there will be free time for exploring on your own. Lodging at the hotel in Bilbao. Day 2: Urdaibai – Bermeo – Gernika - Bilbao Breakfast, Depart for the coast on a half-day excursion, heading along the right bank of the river and by the industrial towns of Barakaldo, Sestao, and Portugalete. Travel past the famous Transporter Bridge of Biscay, through the imposing Castle of Butron, and to the hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Visit Mungia, the fishing village of Bermeo, Mundaka and the Urdaibai Reserve of Biosphere, and Gernika. Return to Bilbao and free time for lunch (your guide will recommend you the best options). Later, walking tour of Bilbao, visiting the old quarter and seeing the main squares, churches, and more. Lodging at the hotel. Day 3: Biarritz – San Sebastian Breakfast. Travel to Biarritz and tour the old port, the Virgin on the Rock, and the Beach of Kings. Continue along the coast to Saint Jean De Luz, and then stop in Hondarribia where you have some free time for lunch (your guide will recommend the bets options). In the afternoon, you will arrive in San Sebastian, for a panoramic tour of the city’s mountain and historical quarter, followed by free time. Then return back to Bilbao and accommodation. Day 4: Vitoria – Rioja Breakfast. Travel to Vitoria for a tour of the city and the best preserved Old Town in the Basque Country. Then follow the route toward the wine region, passing by Labastida, to arrive in the medieval village of Laguardia. Enjoy a walking tour and a visit to a traditional Rioja winery. By mid-afternoon you will return back to Bilbao by way of Elciego, where you will see the magnificent architectural work of Frank Gehry at the Marques de Riscal Winery. Accommodation in Bilbao. Day 5: Sanctuary of Loyola – Getaria – Zarautz – San Sebastian Breakfast. Make your way to the Sanctuary of Loyola, then visit Getaria, a charming fishing village and the birthplace of Juan Sebastian Elcano. See Zarautz, home to the longest beach in Basque Country. Then go to San Sebastian for a city tour, followed by a walking tour in the historic center, before returning to Bilbao in the afternoon. Day 6: Elorrio – Oñati – Sanctuary of Arantzazu Breakfast. Spend the day exploring the traditional inner Basque Country. Head toward Durango, located near Gorbea Natural Parka and Urkiola Natural Park. Stop in Elorrio, an area characterized by the abundance and slenderness of its palaces and manor houses of stone and carved stonework. Continue to Oñati, home to the oldest university in the Basque Country. Travel up a road between cliffs to reach the Sanctuary of Arantzazu, where you can tour the grounds and enjoy the view, before returning to Bilbao in the afternoon. Day 7: Bilbao Breakfast. Enjoy free time in the city until it’s time to transfer to the airport, train station, or bus station.

Start your day with pickup from your accommodations in Logroño. Discover San Sebastian, one of the most charming cities of Europe, famous for its high quality food and, of course, its pintxos. Visit Donostia, along with some small fishing villages on the coast to create the perfect day trip during your stay in Basque country.  Take in the fishermen culture in coastal villages, like Getaria Zarautz. Enjoy a unique day along the Basque coastline in a small group tour with a local guide and lunch included.