My husband and I will have 14 nights and 12 full days in Spain starting end of April. Not interested in Andalusia (been there before). We fly into and out of Madrid. First time in that part of Spain. We love food, wine, soccer, music, nature, architecture, some art (not much). We could rent a car. Madrid and Barcelona are a must.
Should we rent a car and spend some time in Basque Country, specifically San Sebastián (I understand it could be rainy that time of year) or should we just split our time between Madrid and Barcelona with some day trips. In that case, we would do a separate trip to Basque Country some other time.
And what could be our possible itineraries.
Open to other suggestions… Should we include Valencia?
Thank you 🙏
Posted by
778 posts
Barcelona and Madrid each can easily fill a week, especially if you include a couple day trips from each city. Trim a night or two from them for an in-between stay in Valencia or Zaragoza (my preference), and you are at the bare minimum of what I'd consider needed for either city, especially if it is your first time. Going up and back from Basque Country on top of that seems like a bridge (and squeeze) too far.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6580 posts
For my wife and I, San Sebastián doesn’t hold, and never has held, any special interests. It has some nice beaches, but we don’t go to Spain for beaches. We just drive past it.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2394 posts
The Basque Region, especially San Sebastian, is known for it's food and that was my draw. That said, I have enjoyed every area of Spain I have visited, so I'd figure out what works best logistically for your trip.
Posted by
Bilbao
651 posts
I´d say that the Basque Country deserves at least three or four nights, it´s very varied and there are lots of places to see and enjoy (Bilbao, Rioja wine region, the mountains, the coast, the food...). It´s rainy (or I should probably say that "it used to be more") any time of the year, Donostia-San Sebastian is a working city (beautiful) with three beaches, but do not expect at all a Mediterranean-like resort, in any way. I´d do this trip to the Basque Country some other time.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks everyone. We’ll skip the north this time. Now on to planning our Madrid and Barcelona time!!!
Posted by
San Francisco, CA (USA)
488 posts
I very much enjoyed my time in San Sebastian and wished I had spent a lot more time. Both Madrid and Barcelona deserve at least 3-nights minimum, which means you could devote 3-4 nights to visiting Basque Country. Getting to/from Madrid either from San Sebastian or, Bilbao is not an issue.
Food was the major draw for visiting San Sebastian with the many highly rated restaurants and the exceptional pintxos; it lived-up to the hype and then some. The best seafood dinner I've ever eaten was at Elkano in nearby Getaria, it was worth it as was the enjoyable drive along the coast.
Rain is always a possibility however it's off-set by the lush countryside and the exceptional food. My next trip to Basque Country, I'd like to spend more time inland to enjoy the countryside along with visiting Vitoria-Gasteiz and eat a few more of the highly rated restaurants. The You Tuber's Vaga Brothers do a good job of covering Basque Country and the many attractions there.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4051 posts
I think the OP is making a wise decision -- but only with a promise to return to Bilbao and the rest of the northwest. Plenty to see, do, history, art, and food. And Bilbao has an international airport and decent train connections.