{"id":10076,"date":"2023-01-23T18:12:12","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T18:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/a-perfect-4-day-itinerary-for-exploring-the-basque-country-in-spain\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T10:18:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T10:18:44","slug":"a-perfect-4-day-itinerary-for-exploring-the-basque-country-in-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/a-perfect-4-day-itinerary-for-exploring-the-basque-country-in-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"4-Day Itinerary To Explore The Basque Country, Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our trip to the Basque Country in Spain<\/a> was definitely one of the most memorable trips we’ve had. We got to make new friends, eat lots of different and amazing foods to our heart’s contents and become a lot more open to travel.<\/p>\n

In the past, I’d  (like everyone else I suppose) been particularly keen on visiting places I’d known about for ages and when we visited the Basque country, this was one of the first time I’d been to a place I didn’t know much about and effectively had to wing things as we went along.<\/p>\n

It was incredible! Suddenly, this whole new series of options for travel planning and travel destinations opened up and to be honest, it’s very liberating.<\/p>\n

Since then, we’ve been so much more open to visiting places we’ve never been to before and travelling without having a real idea of what sights we’d like to see when we visit.<\/p>\n

Personal development aside, there’s also the whole thing about how beautiful the Spanish Basque Country is.<\/p>\n

The landscape is quite dramatic and unlike anywhere else in Spain<\/a> we’d ever been in before and the pace of life here is amazing.<\/p>\n

Everything is all centred around family and friends and even in bigger cities, there are still so many close-knit communities.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

To that end, we’ve put together an itinerary to help you explore the Spanish Basque Country and soak in all of its brilliance in just 4 days.<\/p>\n

Day One<\/strong><\/h2>\n

1.) Arrive in Bilbao<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Arriving at Bilbao<\/a> Airport and pick up your rented car. You can use public transport but if you can rent a car, for your own flexibility, it’s probably best to do this to get around the more rural parts of the Basque Country. <\/p>\n

2.) Drive to Arantzazu<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Drive to Arantzazu in O\u00f1ati (city)<\/a> and stop for typical Basque food at Sindika restaurant (you’re really here for the view though).<\/p>\n

\"Sanctuary<\/a><\/p>\n

3.) See the Sanctuary of Arantzazu<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Go on a guided tour of the Sanctuary of Arantzazu in O\u00f1ati which is an old Franciscan monastery and of huge importance to the wider region.<\/p>\n

\"Mountains<\/a><\/p>\n

4.) Visit the Arrikrutz caves<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Visit Arrikrutz caves in O\u00f1ati<\/a> (not too far from the Sanctuary).<\/p>\n

The caves have such an amazing history behind them and is home to several extinct prehistoric animals including cave lions!<\/p>\n

\"Mountains<\/a><\/p>\n

5.) Check into your hotel<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We stayed in the Hotel Torre Zumeltzegi which was the home to the old Count who ran the town and has now been converted to a hotel by the family who have owned it for several generations.<\/p>\n

\"Mountains<\/a><\/p>\n

6.) Go for an evening tipple<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pop-out for evening drinks and a mini walk around the village. No one has dinner in the Basque Country early!<\/p>\n

\"Mountains<\/a><\/p>\n

7.) Time for sleep<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After drinks, get yourself some dinner and then get back to the hotel for a good night’ sleep!<\/p>\n

\"Mountains<\/a><\/p>\n

Day Two<\/h3>\n

1.) Gorge at breakfast<\/strong> <\/h3>\n

Breakfast at Hotel Torre Zumeltzegi (it’s included so…)<\/p>\n

2.) Explore Pasaia<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Head over to the city of Pasaia<\/a> where you can learn all about Basque cuisine in Ziaboga restaurant. Don’t worry, you can get as involved (or as un-involved as you like) – all before you tuck into all the food you’ve been talking about all morning. \ud83d\ude42 (Do try the monkfish when you’re here – it’s so good!)<\/p>\n

\"Visiting<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Cobbled<\/a> \"Cobbled<\/a><\/p>\n

3.) Visit the Basque Maritime Heritage Foundation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Take a boat ride from the restaurant to the Albaola foundation (Basque Maritime Heritage Foundation) where you’ll get a fascinating insight into Basque culture!<\/p>\n

(You don’t have to spend too long here but you’ve gotta do it for the boat ride and the chance to stretch out in the sun while your food digests).<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

4.) See San Marko’s Fort<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Drive to San Marko’s Fort in Errenteria<\/a> and take a guided visit of this fortress.<\/p>\n

Oh, and stop for drinks afterwards (there’s a bar here so why not!)<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

5.) Stay in Hondarribia<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Head over to Rural Hotel Higeralde in Hondarribia.<\/p>\n

You’ll be exploring Hondarribia the next day and the owner cooks up one mean feast! Also, expect to be dining till late accompanied alongside lots of Spanish wine.<\/p>\n

\"Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n

This hotel is actually the owner’s home in his farmhouse (it’s quite big; there were several other guests there when we visited) and it’s another amazing way to immerse yourself in Basque country life.<\/p>\n

\"Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n

It’s like being a guest at a family dinner; definitely worth experiencing.<\/p>\n

\"Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n

Day Three<\/h3>\n

1.) Gorge at breakfast<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Have breakfast at the Rural Hotel Higeralde.<\/p>\n

\"Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n

2.) Explore Hondarribia<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Head down to the centre of Hondarribia town<\/a> where you should take a tour of the historical route around the town to the old castle (13th century).<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a><\/p>\n

3.) Visit San Sebastian<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Head over to San Sebastian<\/a> where you’ll check into the Hotel Londres and subsequently spend far too much time taking photos from your hotel room of the city and the beach.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

4.) Explore the city itself<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Once you remember that you can actually leave the hotel to see more of San Sebastian<\/a>, head on our and go explore the sights of the city<\/a> at your very own pace.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

\"So<\/a>\"So<\/a><\/p>\n

5.) Gorge on pintxos<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Chances are that all this walking has your tummy rumbling so settle your hunger pangs by venturing into the pintxo area<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pintxos are little portions of food – akin to tapas, so the plan here is to hop from one place to the other, trying out pintxos and having as much Spanish wine\/beer as you can handle.<\/p>\n

Pintxos are a must-do in the Spanish Basque country;, especially on Sundays.<\/p>\n

\"Pintxos!!!<\/a><\/p>\n

6.) See the Igeldo Mountain<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Visiting Igeldo mountain and enjoy Igeldo amusement park in San Sebastian.<\/p>\n

7.) Dinner in the city<\/strong> <\/h3>\n

Head back down to the city for dinner after which, it’s back to the Hotel Londres for bedtime! (Unless you wanna boogie – in which case, do your thing!).<\/p>\n

Day Four<\/h3>\n

1.) Gorge at breakfast<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Breakfast at hotel Londres in San Sebastian.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

2.) Head on a walking tour<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Visit the city of O\u00f1ati properly<\/a> and take a walking tour.<\/p>\n

4.) Go for lunch in the town’s little foodie spots<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Have lunch in O\u00f1ati and stop at the place that serves the seafood you like most. <\/p>\n

5.) Time to say goodbye <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Leave for the airport\/train station\/bus stop<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Spain<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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15 Best Places In Spain To Visit<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n