Basque Country Road Trip Planner & Guide: San Sebastian to Bilbao

Bordered by both the Pyrenees Mountains and Atlantic sea, as well as straddling two nations, this seaside region of Basque country has much to offer to travelers year-round. From ocean air and sunny beaches to the rolling hills of the Basque countryside, immerse yourself in the locals' unique language, exciting personalities and amazingly rich history. With the advantage of having your own rental car in Spain, you will have a vacation that is uniquely you and nothing like the packaged tours you'll find else where.

Take advantage of the Spain Road Trip itinerary below, or craft your own as you go; this adventure is in your hands!
 

Road Trip Drive	Distance	Driving Time
San Sebastian to Vitoria-Gasteiz	99.6 km	1 hour 16 minutes
Vitoria-Gasteiz to Haro	49.7 km	41 minutes
Haro to Bilbao	94.6 km	1 hour 2 minutes
TOTALS:	243.9 km	2 hours 59 minutes

Read on to Drive to Discover Spain's Basque Region

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Basque Country Road Trip Day 1: San Sebastian to Vitoria Gasteiz

San Sebastian Events & Attractions:

With it's classic romantic ambiance, it's difficult to understand why San Sebastián--known by locals as Donostia--isn't a Mediterranean hotspot. Come discover the magical atmosphere for yourself. Known primarily for it's golden-sand beaches and paradiasical coastal flora, San Sebastian is the perfect destination to relax and soak up the sun in-between adventures to must-see attractions.

San Sebastian Restaurants, Bars, and Nightlife:

Parte Vieja--historic downtown--is a gourmet food lovers paradise, overflowing with tempting tapas and pintxos bars, it's a perfect locale for hopping from place to place sampling all the flavors this countryside has to offer. San Sebastian's seaside locale means that the seafood offerings are almost always fresh caught, so be sure to sample the local ocean-fare.

• La Cuchara de San Telmo: Often crowded & lively, risotto with squid ink, foie a la plancha

• La Mejillonera: Traditional patatas bravas, calamari, mussels

• Astelana: Tapas with an Asian twist

• Arzak: Michelin-starred, seafood, larger meals

San Sebastian Hotels & Lodging:

• Maria Cristina: 5-Star Hotel, centrally located waterfront locale, on-site restaurant

• Nh Aranzazu: 4-Star Hotel, beach hotel mere 300m from Playa de Ondarreta, minutes from city center 

• Husa Europa: 5-Star Hotel, located in downtown shopping district walking distance from Playa de la Concha

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Basque Country Road Trip Day 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz to Haro

Vitoria-Gasteiz Events & Attractions:

Many tourists visiting Spain don't find their way to modest Vitoria-Gasteiz, heart of Basque Country, but you're one of the lucky ones. Visiting this enchanting village, with its 15th century storefronts, will no doubt be a highlight on your trip as you're swept back in time.

Vitoria-Gasteiz Restaurants, Bars, and Nightlife:

• Calle Correría: Memory-making, high-end splurge restaurant

• El Portalón: Historic stagecoach inn turned restaurant, wait staff wears vintage farming costumes

• Zaldiarán: Eight-course tasting menu, classy yet affordable

• Restaurante El Clarete: Adventurous Basque cuisine, "surprise degustation" menu

Vitoria-Gasteiz Hotels & Lodging:

• Nh Canciller Ayala: 3-Star Hotel, centrally located, balcony views of Cathedral, parliment, and Florida Park 

• Holiday Inn Express Vitoria: 3-Star Hotel, lobby area is medium in size and modernly decorated 

• AC Hotel General Alava: 3-Star Hotel, located in Heart of Vitoria, walking distance to Fine Art Musuem, Cathedral, and old quarter   

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Basque Country Road Trip Day 3: Haro to Bilbao

Haro Events & Attractions:

Haro sits at the northwestern tip of the celebrated wine region of Rioja, a region that produces some of the best value bottles of wine in the world--like its Tempranillo-dominant, cherry and vanilla hinted reds, and its crisp whites. The best time to visit Haro is during the Summer when the Haro Wine Festival begins, where vintners and oenophiles engage in a red wine fight. Be sure to pack an old white shirt for June 29, the Day of Patron Saint San Pedro, and prepare for a wine and grape slinging free-for-all.  

Haro Restaurants, Bars, and Nightlife:

"Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost." ~ Andre Simon
Experience the life and excitement of perfect parings on your Basque road trip at one of Haro's many fabulous restaurants. 

• Asador Beethoven: Traditional Spanish dishes, varied wine list

• Restaurante Mesón Atamauri: Rustic, lamb, asparagus, mushrooms, reasonably priced wine

• Arrope: Centrally located, vegetarian options 

Haro Hotels & Lodging:

• Hotel Los Agustinos: 4-Star Hotel, luxurious, large rooms, centrally located to fine restaurants, originally a 13th century convent 

• Casa de Legarda Cottage: Cottage-style Hotel, romantic ambiance, 3km from Haro city center  

• Hostal Aragón: 1-Star Hotel, family-run, budget, simple, spacious rooms

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Basque Country Road Trip Day 4: Bilbao & Beyond

Bilbao Events & Attractions:

Welcome to Bilbao, the final stop on your Spain road trip, and the capital of Basque country. Art and culture lovers will find themselves at home in the frenetic cultural capital of Bilbao. Myriad attractions await you, from stunning architecture to idyllic beaches, so be sure to use your Bilbao rental car to the fullest and explore unabated. Looking for a bit more history out of your Spanish tour? Day trip to Guernica and experience one of the first aerial bombing targets by the Nazis in 1937. Take in this inspirational location for Pablo Picasso's black-and-white mural Guernica or contemplate the challenges of war and peace at the Gernika Peace Museum.

Bilbao Restaurants, Bars, and Nightlife:

• Mercado de la Ribera: Open air market with fresh produce, food-carts, and sit-down eateries

• Plaza Nueva: Prime people-watching location, tapas bars in all directions

• Rio-Oja: Traditional Basque fare (like sheep brains & squid in pools of its own ink)

Bilbao Hotels & Lodging:

• Lopez De Haro: 5-Star Hotel, facilities include tearoom, restaurant, cocktail bar, and workout room 

• Spa Husa Jardines De Albia: 4-Star Hotel, located in the centre of Bilbao, near the church of San Vicente, in the heart of the commercial and business area 

• Gran Bilbao: 4-Star Hotel, located in the new Miraflores neighbourhood, just 500 m from the Bilbao-Atxuri Station and a 5-minute walk from the city's Las Siete Calles del Casco Viejo district

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