50 Essential Stops in the Basque Country – Basque Country Grand Tour

Are you planning an unforgettable getaway to the heart of Basque Country? Need ideas on what to do and visit during your road trip? From the waves of the Bay of Biscay to the peaks of its mountains, through its rich history and unique culture, Basque Country offers an unforgettable experience. Here are the 50 unmissable stops on the “Basque Country Grand Tour”: UNESCO, Art and Culture, Nature, Basque Coast, Cities and Towns. Each stop will show you something unique. We recommend you take the time to discover them. This trip will show you the diversity of Basque Country, and you will discover why it is a unique destination that attracts travellers from all over the world.

UNESCO

1. Bizkaia Bridge. Known as the “Suspension Bridge”, it is an engineering prodigy declared a World Heritage Site.
2. Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. A unique natural paradise with fishing villages and a magical islet, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, which you can only reach by climbing 241 steps.
3. Caves of Santimamiñe. Fascinating cave paintings and archaeological finds.
4. Basque Coast Geopark. Between the Cantabrian Sea and the Basque mountains, formed by the villages of Deba, Mutriku and Zumaia, you can discover a geological history written in cliffs. On your visit, don’t forget to do the Flysch Route.
5. Albaola, Basque Maritime Factory: Recovering Basque maritime history. The wreck of the 16th-century whaler in Red Bay provided unique insights into shipbuilding at the time. In Albaola, you can visit the reconstruction of this ship, sponsored by UNESCO, in recognition of the exceptional quality of the work carried out.
6. San Adrián Tunnel: A thousand-year-old path full of history. The San Adrián Tunnel is part of the Way of St. James and is one of the most beautiful places in the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park.
7. antiago Cathedral Bilbao: A Gothic jewel in the capital of Bizkaia. The Cathedral of Santiago, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in the context of the Pilgrims’ Roads to Santiago de Compostela, is one of the most outstanding expressions of the Gothic style in the Basque Country.
8. Zenarruza Monastery. A journey to the heart of medieval art and spirituality.
9. Santa María Cathedral: Emblematic Gothic building in Vitoria-Gasteiz. St. Mary’s Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is in the historic centre and part of the Caminos de Santiago del Norte. This recently restored monument has inspired prominent writers such as Ken Follet, Paulo Coelho and Arturo Pérez Reverte, among others.
10. Ekainberri: Ekain Cave is a treasure trove of Cave art.

Art and Culture

1. Sanctuary of Loyola. A place of pilgrimage surrounded by mountains and in an idyllic setting. Birthplace of the founder of the Society of Jesus, one of the most numerous religious orders in the world.
2. Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum. A tribute to the legendary fashion designer in the charming fishing village of Getaria.
3. Chillida Leku Museum. Immersion in the world of the famous Basque artist Eduardo Chillida.
4. El Peine del Viento. Where art and nature meet in Donostia / San Sebastián.
5. Sanctuary of Arantzazu. An icon of modern religious art and architecture.
6. Marqués de Riscal Winery. The perfect union between wine and design. Discover Rioja Alavesa, an essential destination for wine lovers and gourmets. Among the many wineries that adorn this landscape, you will find a gem: an avant-garde winery with a Michelin-starred hotel and restaurant.
7. Salt Valley of Añana. Centuries-old tradition of salt extraction.
8. Loizaga Tower. A castle housing a collection of classic cars. Discover this fortress built in the 14th century as a defensive bastion. Tucked away in the mountains of Enkarterri, it was the place chosen to house a unique collection of Rolls-Royce cars.
9. La Ribera Market. The heart of the most local and traditional gastronomy in Bilbao. Discover one of Europe’s largest covered markets dating back to the 14th century.
10. Ordizia Market. A traditional historical market in the interior of Basque country.

Nature

1. Pagoeta Natural Park. Its extensive green fields slope down to the ocean, and the ancient cave paintings in the Altxerri caves stand out.
2. Aiako Harria Natural Park. Geology and history in one place. Discover the impressive granite massif, from where you can see the land and sea borders of France and Spain.
3. Aizkorri Aratz Natural Park. From the most imposing heights. It stands out for its limestone mountain ranges and endless beech forests. You will find the highest peak in the Basque Country, Aitxuri (1,551 m).
4. Aralar Natural Park. Tradition and nature in its purest form. ou will find the largest beech forest in Gipuzkoa, a real jewel in our natural heritage.
5. Oma Forest: A work of art in nature. Created by Agustín Ibarrola in Urdaibai, it is a space where trees become living canvases.
6. Gorbeia Natural Park. The most extensive Natural Park in the Basque Country. At the top, you will find a 17.23-metre cross.
7. Caves of Pozalagua. The world’s largest concentration of eccentric stalactites, formations that grow in defiance of gravity.
8. Anboto: The highest peak in Urkiola Park and an iconic place in Basque cultural tradition to which popular legends are attributed.
9. Izki Natural Park: One of the most extensive forests of Marojo oak. Furthermore, within this natural environment, there are also leafy beech forests, further enriching the forest diversity of the area.
10. Valderejo Natural Park: Tranquillity and biodiversity in a unique valley. An essential visit for lovers of hiking, where the largest colony of griffon vultures in the Basque Country resides.

Basque Coast

1. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. A magical islet that separates land and sea by 241 steps. Famous for its appearance in Game of Thrones, Rocadragon. However, its real name translates as rock castle in Basque (gaztelu = castle + aitz = rock).
2. La Concha Beach. Urban beauty in Donostia / San Sebastián.
3. Santa Catalina Lighthouse. Watching the sea from Lekeitio. Discover the only lighthouse in Basque Country that can be visited.
4. Port of Getaria. Fishing tradition and txakoli.
5. Zarautz. Waves and surfing at an endless beach.
6. The hermitage of San Telmo. Located on the edge of the cliffs, just above Itzurun beach, this hermitage was first mentioned in writing in 1540. San Telmo is the saint of sailors. This hermitage has been the headquarters of the Brotherhood of Mareantes de San Telmo since the 17th century.
7. Old Port of Getxo. Discover this traditional but lively and busy fishing quarter overlooking the Cantabrian Sea.
8. Plentzia. Coastal village founded in 1299. It combines medieval architecture with maritime and palatial touches. Near the Plentzia estuary, there is a port with small boats and a beautiful natural bay where the beaches of Gorliz and Plentzia meet.
9. Pasaia: A small town protected by the Ulía and Jaizkibel mountains, close to Donostia / San Sebastián, it offers a charming landscape with a seaside atmosphere. Its fishermen’s houses, the bay, the trawlers, and the harbour bear witness to its maritime character.
10. Port of Ondarroa. Explore the most significant port in the Bay of Biscay and enter the fishermen’s market to get an up-to-date view of fishing activity in the region.

Cities and Towns

1. Bilbao’s Old Town: The Siete Calles (Seven Streets) in the heart of the city. Bilbao was founded 700 years ago in the Siete Calles area, where fishing and the river Nervión were important. The city was divided into Bilbao la Vieja (mining) and Casco Viejo (commercial). Over time, the wall between them was demolished, and four more streets were created, giving rise to Las Siete Calles. In 1979, the Old Town became a pedestrianised area, transforming it into a shopping and leisure centre with shops, bars and restaurants.
2. The Medieval Quarter of Vitoria-Gasteiz: Living history in every corner. Vitoria-Gasteiz is a thousand-year-old city with a well-preserved medieval layout dating back to the 12th century. Its historic centre is located on a hill where it was originally established as “Nueva Victoria”.
3. Ea: Small, coastal and surprisingly charming. The village with the shortest name in Spain is located on the Basque coast.
4. Toulouse. A historic city founded in 1256 by Alfonso X, the Wise. Despite a fire in 1503, the town was rebuilt in stone, and the old town has retained its medieval charm.
5. Elorrio: Elegance in every palace and stately home. Elorrio, known as the Villa de los Escudos, is a small town in Bizkaia, near Gipuzkoa, with an outstanding old quarter and a well-preserved heritage. Surrounded by the Anboto and Udalaitz mountains.
6. Balmaseda: The first town in Bizkaia and is full of history. It has been a point of convergence of diverse cultures, and this legacy is manifested today through a wide variety of traditions and celebrations that are not to be missed.
7. Old Part of Donostia / San Sebastián: Culture and gastronomy at every step. he Old Quarter is the most visited place in the city and the second oldest neighbourhood after El Antiguo. Located next to Mount Urgull, the port, and the Urumea River, this neighbourhood is the city’s social centre. Its cobbled streets, such as 31 de Agosto, are full of bars where you can enjoy the best pintxos.
8. ñati: Architecture and spirituality in harmony. A town with a rich and diverse history as a trading and craft centre from the Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution. It was a feudal lordship and county before it became part of Gipuzkoa in 1845. The city has been home to the most important university in the region for centuries.
9. Laguardia: Wine and tradition in a fortified medieval town. In the quiet village of Laguardia, a surprising secret lies beneath its cobbled streets: an ancient pond built more than 2,100 years ago. This fascinating revelation of history came about thanks to an exciting excavation in 1998, layer upon layer, unearthing the locality’s hidden treasures. But that’s not all; just a few minutes’ drive from the centre of Laguardia, one of the most impressive dolmens awaits you: The Sorceress.
10. Hondarribia: The medieval town that is a must-visit in Gipuzkoa. Where the charm of a fishing port merges with the elegance of its historic centre. For a more authentic experience, head into the La Marina neighbourhood, where seafood taverns along the Txingudi River await you with delicious delicacies.

Don’t miss the chance to explore these 50 must-see stops.

Remember that every stop is a story, and every story is an invitation to explore further. Euskadi – Basque Country awaits you with open arms and endless adventures to experience. Plan your trip now and get ready for an experience like no other!