Things to do in Basque Country, Spain

Explore the Basque Country with a guided tour starting in San Sebastian around the old town to see San Vicente's Church and the Basilica of Santa María del Coro. Step back in time as you learn about the local history and visit important sites such as the Plaza Mayor, Plaza Gipuzkoa, and Town Hall.  Enjoy the atmosphere of San Sebastián as you stroll around Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Constitución. Arrive at the port, one of the most important places in the area. Learn about the fires that devastated a large part of the town. Get your camera ready for photos of La Concha Bay.  Walk around the Town Hall, one of the finest buildings in the city, until arriving in the Ensanche de San Sebastián. Visit the city's lungs, Plaza Gipuzkoa and Plaza Okendo, greenspaces that are surrounded by the Urumea River. After the guided tour is finished, you will have some free time to explore or purchase some of the typical pintxos, or small plates. The tour will end in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, an islet that can only be accessed by a pedestrian path. Go on a panoramic tour of the area and discover the area’s dreamlike cliffs which were featured in the HBO series, Game of Thrones.

Access the Museum between gates 19 and 20 of the famous San Mamés stadium where the tour visit begins. Then experience a unique insight into the world of football at grass level. Live the experience of a real-life footballer as you run out onto the field from the tunnel, wander through the locker rooms, and imagine the buzz of excitement in the press room. Along with the stadium tour, visit the modern and innovative Athletic Club museum, home to a wide selection of fascinating football memorabilia. Explore the museum and marvel at its collection of 500 original football-related objects that have been collected over more than a century. See the past and present of the club come to life as you admire trophies, costumes, graphics and audiovisual material celebrating the Red and Whites. There’s plenty to see and do at the museum with 4 audiovisual productions, 13 interactive systems, 600 videos, an immersive video-wall, and a playroom equipped with entertainment for all ages.

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Bilbao, and then get back to nature on a trip to the amazing rock islet of Gaztelugatxe, located on the coast of Bizkaia just 35 kilometers from Bilbao city center. Arrive at the viewpoint and get 2 hours of free time to explore independently. Use the time to climb to the 10th-century hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, where you can touch the bell of the chapel three times and make a wish. Soak up the stunning views of the Bay of Biscay before traveling to Bermeo to take a walking tour of the charming fishing village. Continue to the historic town of Gernika, site of one of the first aerial bombings by Nazi Germany, and visit the Casa de Juntas (Assembly House) with the famous Tree of Guernica that symbolizes the traditional freedom of the people.

Immerse yourself in the charming Parte Vieja (Old Town) of San Sebastian on a guided food tour. Discover the best pintxos in town, paired with 5 Spanish wines from different regions and local cider. Taste the best gastronomic creations combined with delicious Spanish wines. Learn the history behind each turn of the picturesque Old Town as you stroll to the five eateries with your guide. Choose between a shared or private option, and feel free to ask your guide for any recommendations on where to eat or drink during your stay.

Enjoy a guided tour of the world-famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Discover the temporary and permanent exhibitions in the museum during your 1.5 hour tour. Admire the work of artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Eduardo Chillida, Yves Klein, Jeff Koons, and Fujiko Nakaya. Be greeted by a local guide at the entrance to the museum which is surrounded by promenades, parks, and recently-built squares. Since opening in 1997, the museum's acquisitions have focused on works from the mid-twentieth century to the present day. Uncover the main attractions is the ArcelorMittal gallery, which is a large space where eight works by sculptor Richard Serra are permanently displayed. Of the 24,000 square meters occupied by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, 11,000 are reserved for exhibition spaces. Stroll through the architectural heart of the museum which is comprised of 20 galleries that make up the museum. Enter the atrium, a large open space of curved volumes, surrounded by large glass curtain walls and crowned by a large skylight. 

Meet your guide outside the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao to begin a guided tour of both the inside and the outside of the museum. Skip the ticket line and discover more about one of the foremost symbols of the city. Learn why Bilbao was chosen as the home for the stunning Frank Gehry-designed building, and discover the structure of the building and the outdoor sculptures that surround the museum.  Then, get to know the most important works of the Guggenheim's permanent and rotating collections as you wander through its galleries, atrium, and terrace in the company of your guide. Admire its undulating, serpentine forms, among large-scale works of art that will surprise you due to the material used.

Follow the river road of Bilbao towards the coast and admire the old industrial areas that once powered Bilbao. You will visit the Transporter Bridge of Bizkaia, the oldest bridge of this type in the world, still active and considered a beloved icon by locals. Afterward, you will see the neighborhood of Neguri and its old mansions owned by rich industrial managers before you head towards the interior of the province. Admire the traditional local houses and farmhouse structures, and discover the imposing old Castle of Butron. Arrive at the coastal village of Bakio, a popular summer holiday destination among Basque natives, before you follow the beautiful and wild coastal road, eventually arriving at your second stop, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.  This place is said to be one of the most beautiful locations along the Basque coastline. It is a huge rock on the top of the old hermitage of San Juan, and it is connected to the mainland by means of a long stone stairway. Next, you will continue to the fishing town of Bermeo. Here, you will stop to visit the narrow streets, the Juradera Church, the Ercilla Tower, the old port, and the Town Hall, among other sites. Enjoy free time for lunch, and your guide will recommend a selection of local restaurants. Later, you will stop at Mundaka, a beautiful site with magnificent views of the Urdaibai Biosphere, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Afterward, you will arrive at the village of Gernika to visit the Basque Sacred Tree and Casa de Juntas, or old Law House. Finally, you will return to Bilbao around 2:00 PM.

Dive into the real Game of Thrones experience during a tour of the incredible filming locations for Season 7. Walk in the footsteps of Tyrion, Daenerys, and Jon Snow as you explore incredible landscapes. First, walk along King's Landing beach, filmed at Muriola Beach in Barrika. Explore the location where Davos Tyrion and Gendry had to flee from the Gold Cloaks. After that, head to a medieval-like castle at Butron Castle. Take some photos with cloaks and swords and feel like a Lord or a Lady of Winterfell. Next, continue the tour with a visit to the Dragonstone Fortress at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in Bermeo. Climb up 241 steps just like Daenerys and feel like a true Khaleesi. Take a lunch break in Bermeo where you can enjoy pintxos, tapas, and a local white wine called txakoli. Finally, make the last stop at Dragonstone beach where Daenerys first walked when she finally came back home. Filmed at Itzurun Beach in Zumaia, this 60million-year-old beach was the perfect choice to set Dragonstone.

Leave Bilbao and discover other exciting and historic locations on the Basque Coast on this day tour. See the Vizcaya Bridge, the historic city of Gernika, visit a traditional fishing village, and enjoy a tasting of local products. Travel along the river of Bilbao, discovering the interesting industrial past of the city, and once at the coast, stop to see the Vizcaya Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage designated site. Pass by the majestic Castle of Butron, and eventually arrive at the Biosphere of Urdaibai. Admire the beautiful view from its lookout point, and discover the secrets of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a filming location of the famous TV series “Game of Thrones”. Make another stop in Bermeo, a typical fishing village, and stop to take a walking tour to enjoy its charming atmosphere. Take part in a tasting of local food, where a sample of pintxo is included. Reach the last stop in Gernika, and make a visit to the interesting Assembly House and the famous Tree of Gernika.

See amazing sights at La Concha Bay as you head to Santa Clara Island. Along the way, you'll be able to see beautiful views of the Town Hall, the famous La Perla Spa, Mount Urgull, the Miramar Palace, and the Peine del Viento. The 30-minute journey will take you to Santa Clara Island. There, you'll be able can sunbathe, take a bath, enjoy the beach at low tide, visit the cliffs, and have a drink at the bar. Return boats to San Sebastian from Santa Clara depart every 30 minutes or every hour depending on the weather. If you do not wish to stop on the island for some free time the whole trip will take about 40 minutes in total.