The Basque Country is one of those places that stays with you, where the intense green of the mountains clashes head-on with the blue waters of the Bay of Biscay. If you have a week free and want to follow a route through the Basque Country that doesn’t just scratch the surface, this 7- day trip around the Basque Country will help you connect with our culture, our cuisine and those wild landscapes that appear to have been taken from a postcard.
This route is intended to savour each stop, without the typical frantic rush to see everything in a split second, always looking for accessible plans and moments that are truly worthwhile.
Preparations for your 7 day trip around the Basque Country
Before we start, a couple of details that will make all the difference between a tourist and someone who really knows where they are coming to:
- Perfect season: between April and October are the best months in terms of light and weather, ideal for enjoying the cliffs without the wind catching you out.
- Freedom of movement: although the bus network is good, the best option to complete this 7-day route with absolute freedom is to hire a car. This is the only way to reach those viewpoints in Urdaibai where even the GPS sometimes gets confused.
- Survival kit: xirimiri (that fine rain or drizzle that inadvertently leaves you soaking wet) is part of the landscape. Light layers, an umbrella and shoes with a good grip are your best allies.
Day 1 and 6: Bilbao, what to see and do in the capital of Bizkaia
Bilbao is much more than a titanium museum; it is a city that has managed to keep its neighbourhood essence while opening up to the world. To move like a local from the outset, have a look at the Top 10 places not to be missed in and around Bilbao in 2025.
- The local feel: start by wandering through the Siete Calles (Seven Streets in the Old Quarter) and end up at the Ribera Market, where fresh produce reigns supreme.
- A peaceful spot: Doña Casilda Park is our own “Central Park”, perfect to spend a leisurely afternoon amidst ponds and in the shade.
- Logistics: if you arrive by air, here’s the fastest and most direct way to get from Bilbao airport to the city centre.
Day 2: Bizkaia Coast (Mundaka and Sopelana)
Today the trip goes vertical. After admiring the engineering of the Bizkaia Bridge, head for Sopelana. Its cliffs are the perfect balcony overlooking the Bay of Biscay and an incredible spot to admire the sunset. The day ends in Mundaka, where time seems to stand still in its harbour. It is the ideal place for a relaxed dinner watching its famous left wave break.
Day 3: San Sebastian, the most elegant bay, in a day
San Sebastian can be enjoyed walking along the sand on La Concha Beach and going up Mount Igueldo on the century-old funicular railway to understand its layout. The Old Quarter is the world’s epicentre of the pintxo; choose a bar, order a txakoli and go with the flow. If your stay is shorter, this day would be the pillar of a 2-day trip to Bilbao.
Day 4: Zumaia’s Flysch and the soul of Urdaibai
Zumaia offers a live geology lesson with its Flysch cliffs, that seem to have been sculpted by hand. After the visual impact, the Urdaibai Reserve offers you a haven of peace. It is the perfect day to enjoy the silence of the marshes and connect with the purest nature in Bizkaia.
Day 5: the mystique of Gaztelugatxe and the flavour of Bermeo
This is the highlight of the trip. Visiting San Mamés teaches you about our modern passion, but climbing up to the chapel of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe connects you with our seafaring legends.
- Friendly advice: the climb is quite a challenge (231 steps), so bring water, comfortable shoes and treat it as a procession to the best views of your life. When you finish, Bermeo will welcome you with its salty aroma and the best grilled fish in its taverns in the port.
Day 7: Bakio to disconnect or Vitoria to discover
The end of the trip depends on whether you prefer the sea or history:
- Coastal option: Bakio is synonymous with relaxation, wide beaches and leisurely strolls by the sea before saying farewell.
- Inland option: Vitoria-Gasteiz will surprise you with its “medieval almond” and its Green Belt. It is an excellent plan if you want to complete a 4-day trip in and around Bilbao.
The Icing on the Cake: San Mamés
No trip around the Basque Country is complete without visiting “The Cathedral”. It is the place where our identity becomes tangible. You don’t need to be a football expert; the San Mamés Tour will impress you with how it brings together technology and a unique emotional legacy.
Make sure you don’t miss out on anything by checking out our full guide to visit San Mamés. And if you want to cap it all off, book a VIP Experience on match day to feel the roar of the stadium from the most
exclusive area and end your week in the Basque Country with an unforgettable memory.
If you still want more ideas for day trips from Bilbao, have a look at our article on “day trips in the Basque Country“.
