Travel tips for the Basque Country

07-06-2024

In this article, we cover the “basics” you need to know before traveling/cycling to the Basque Country. Among other topics, you'll learn about the various ways to get there, things to see and do, and more…

For general travel tips, we recommend you check out:

If you plan to arrive from the French side of the Basque Country, including getting to Biarritz, check out our blog on:

Getting To The French Pyrenees

How to get there: Air, train & bus service to the Basque Country

To get to the Basque country, you can choose to fly, take the train, bus or via a car.

If you are arriving internationally, the Bilbao airport is your best choice for the most international flights. For domestic flights, the Basque had 3 other airports, Biarritz Basque Country airport, Pau airport, and San Sebastian / Hondarribia airport.

The train is another convenient way to get to the Basque Country, serviced by the SNCF railway network and Renfe, Spain's national railway company. In addition, there is the TGV express train that links Paris to Hendaye-Irun that stops at Saint-Jean-de-Luz / Ciboure station.

If you decide to take a bus, the main bus operators include Pesa, La Union and Alsa. There are alson international companies that operate in the Basque Country, like Flixbus or Eurolines.

If you decide to travel via car, major highways like the AP-8/E-70 (coastal route) and A-1/E-5 (inland route) connect Madrid and other Spanish cities to the Basque Country. You may also want to check out the carpooling service with BlaBlaCar.

Getting to Vitoria-Gasteiz and San Sebastian:
Our tours in the Basque Country start in Vitoria-Gasteiz, and end in San Sebastian, here is some information on how to get there by bus, train or plane.

Vitoria-Gasteiz:

Airports:
If you are arriving internationally at the Bilbao airport, you can take the urban bus service (Bizkaibus) that takes you to the central Bus Station, where it only takes up to an hour to get to Vitoria-Gasteiz.
If you are landing in the Vitoria airport, you can use the bus to city center service or take a taxi.

Train:

Getting to Vitoria-Gasteiz by train, check out the Renfe website for schedules and connections.

Bus:
There are many connections and companies that reach Vitoria-Gasteiz, you can check out the schedules and timetables .

San Sebastian:

Airports:
The San Sebastián Airport has connections to the major Spanish cities; Madrid and Barcelona, and is only 20 kilometers from the city center.
From the Bilbao Airport, you can take the bus service that runs to and from San Sebastian.

Train:
Similarly, the Renfe national railway system can take you in and out of San Sebastian.

Bus:
San Sebastian's new bus station has lines to cities throughout Spain and part of Europe, located in Paseo Federico García Lorca 1, near the RENFE train station. For more information, check out here .

If you wish to travel by train with your bike, make sure to take a look at the following articles from us:

When is the best time to visit?
In our opinion, the best time to visit the Basque Country depends on your preferences. Summer (June to August) has the warmest weather, which is perfect for beaches and exploring outdoors, but can be crowded in popular destinations as being the peak of tourist season. While you may expect a little more rainfall in Spring and Fall, it can be extra fruitful as harvest and greenery blooms, with milder temperatures creating a very pleasant biking environment.

The Terrain:
The Basque Country offers a mix of coastal beauty, mountainous terrain, and lush countryside, making it very picturesque with its varied landscape. Especially on a bike tour, where you will get to get different types of scenery with each destination, explore terrains from the coasts to the mountains, as well as enjoying urban areas with the wonderful backdrop of mountains and greeneries.

What to see and do?
Apart from the beautiful terrain, the Basque Country has more to offer, including attractions in cities, cultural landmarks, quaint villages and coastal towns. When in urban areas, visit museums like the Guggenheim Museum, surround yourself with bustling markets while sampling pintxos, get lost at a park and visit different cities' old towns. When visiting the coastal areas, check out the picturesque sea port while trying some local seafood restaurants.

Gastronomy
The gastronomy of the Basque Country is a fusion of traditional and contemporary, with a focus on premium ingredients and innovative cooking methods, with an abundance of Michelin star restaurants to dine from.

Popular Dishes:

Pintxos (tapas)
Bacalao a la Vizcaína (Cod Bilbao-Style)
Marmitako: a hearty fish and potato soup
Txangurro (crab)

Wine and liquor:

Txakoli (sparkling white wine)
Basque Cider (Sagardoa)

Local Markets

La Ribera Market (Bilbao): The largest covered market in Europe
San Martín Market (San Sebastián): fresh ingredients and local delicacies.

Weather and climate in the Basque Country
The Basque Country enjoys all year round, moderate temperatures and substantial rainfall due to its mild, oceanic environment. Summers (June to August) are warm and pleasant, with average highs about 22–27°C (72–81°F). While spring and autumn can be more unpredictable and rainy. Winters (December to February) are moderate and damp, with temperatures rarely falling below 5°C (41°F).

Monthly Weather Chart:

Source