Ideas for Bilbao and San Sebastian

Stay for dinner, then stay the night, rather than taking a late bus back to Bilbao.

Thanks for the response....any particular reason why it's better to spend the night?

You will find Donostia-San Sebastian quite expensive for lodging, as it´s now a trendy city in Europe. It´s a small city, you can see it in less than a day, and you can do a pintxos crawl in the old town before getting the bus back to Bilbao (that is, as all the Basque Country, full of bars offering excellent pintxos). Beach weather is not always an option, D-SS is not in any way a beach resort as it´s a very rainy area, so come prepared for all kind of weather.

Thank you for the information. I had just assumed SS was a beach community and didn't really consider rain to be a potential issue. That's why the time you take to respond is so appreciated!!

I traveled across northern Spain in June 2017. I saw few people actually in the water, and those folks all seemed to be wearing wetsuits. I'm sure there are days when the air temperature is fairly warm, but you can't predict whether any such days will show up while you're in the area.

Our trip included staying in both cities, and it was nice to be able to go to our room in San Sebastián after pinxtos crawl/dinner and strolling the streets in the old town. It was also nice having breakfast outside on our last morning in San Sebastián before we moved on. If you’re just going for lunch and a look around, you could make the trip, but visiting San Sebastián is worth more than just a part of a day.

This was early October, and was rainy 2 of the 3 days in San Sebastián. The view of the beach below town from the belvedere high above it was pretty, but there certainly weren’t beachgoers then, and it was never part of our agenda. We also had a stunning lunch one afternoon at the Martin Beresategui 3 Michelin star restaurant outside of town.

It´s a common (mistaken) belief to consider Donostia-San Sebastian as a beach resort, while the truth is that it´s far from it. No bars by the beach, no beach weather for most of the year (D-SS is the second rainiest city in Spain, and the north is very wet, green and mountainous), and it´s really a working city that happens to have three beaches. Of course we go to the beach...but not that often. I live near Bilbao on the coast, I can see the beach from my home, and I think I go around 10 day per year. So if going to D-SS, do not consider going to the beach as an "always" option...but it´s also true that due to climate change our weather is getting drier and drier. And we have snow in winter! Food will be great and there´s a great atmosphere all over town (in any Basque town or city).

I had to step away from the computer for a few days so I apologize for my tardiness in thanking all of you for the information. We finalized our trip and decided D-SS won't be a stop for us this trip. But, we'll be in Ireland in the Fall and can easily fly to Northern Spain then. Just decided we wanted an extra day in Bilbao this trip. Thanks to all for the input, it really helped us make up our minds!

We stayed in Bilbao for 5 nights this past Oct and are going back again in Sept. It's a great base to take day trips. San Sebastian was one of our least favorites. Please check out tbb.toursbybasques.com. The owner Mikel has a car and has so many amazing ideas of where to go for history, beauty, wine and food.
Ex. Getaria and Mayflower our favorite restaurant in the Basque country. Guerica and all the histrory surrounding Picasso's painting. A walking tour of Bilbao ending up taking the funicular to overlook the city. Great restaurant on top.
Mikel will make your trip amazing. You can also call for free if you have the WhatsApp
More info if needed. This will be our 6th trip to Spain

Thanks so much for the Bilbao information. We'll only be there 2 full days so am I correct to assume we should NOT plan a day trip? We'll be back I'm sure so I think the 2 days in Bilbao without side trips will give us a good taste of the city. We're looking forward to adding this area of Spain to our itinerary.

We were in Bilbao and San Sebastian a couple weeks ago. To answer you question -- a big NO to daytrips if you are only staying two nights. Too much to see and do in Bilbao.

That's what I figured. We'll see a bit of Bilbao and then do a more in depth trip of the area this Fall. Thanks to everyone for their insights!!

I'm going to hop on this thread. I was planning to start a new thread, asking how long we should stay in Bilbao after our RS Basque Country tour this fall.

kwalsh1124, is the Mikel you recommend the same Mikel who posts on this Forum (and indeed on this thread?) I'll check his website to see what he suggests and offers.

MikelBasqueGuide, I may be checking with you.

It looks like the tour spends only one full day in Bilbao, and I suspect that won't be nearly enough. We're thinking about adding at least 2 or 3 nights. We like art, history, food, and wine. I see several food tours for Bilbao online. Anyone have specific suggestions?

Irishcatz, I hope I'm not hijacking your thread; it seems to me that any responses I get will be relevant to your original post, as well.

Thank you.

is the Mikel you recommend the same Mikel who posts on this Forum (and indeed on this thread?) I'll check his website to see what he suggests and offers.

He is. We spent a lovely day with Mikel just before Easter seeing lots of interesting places around Bilbao.

In Bilbao give yourself plenty of time to visit the Guggenheim as it is not only the art but the building, the adjacent bridge and the views of the building from the riverfront and bridge that make it such a special place. We loved this gallery! The exhibition space is amazing and the way the art is curated exceptional. It was a refreshing change after the "just plonk it on the wall in a dimly lit room" approach that we had encountered in Madrid.

No problem, no one is hijacking the thread. We can't use Mikel this time but love all the info for our next visit. Guggenheim is definitely a must see. History and tapas in Bilbao....heaven!!

We do not have "tapas" in Bilbao, it´s called "pintxos" and it´s quite a different concept...I´m sure you´re going to enjoy them!! :)

Irishcatz, I've been corresponding with Mikel, and his tour and activity suggestions are wonderful!

It looks like the tour spends only one full day in Bilbao, and I suspect that won't be nearly enough. We're thinking about adding at least 2 or 3 nights. We like art, history, food, and wine.

Jane, we will be on the Basque tour that begins May 16. In addition to adding 2 more nights in Bayonne before the tour, we've added 2 more nights in Bilbao after the tour. (This tour is sandwiched in between other travels in France, and we know we will want to stay in one place for a while. Not used to moving every 2 days!) I could tell that 1 full day in Bilbao wouldn't be enough. When I was planning this trip, I spoke to someone in the RS office, who recommended 2 additional days in Bilbao. The day the tour ends will be a "day off," so we can sleep in, do laundry, and have minimal activity. Our final day in Bilbao will include a visit to El Museo de Bellas Artes, a museum that some compare to El Prado because of its collection of works by Spanish artists (e.g., Goya, El Greco, Picasso, Zurbarán). Being art lovers, and given that this tour has few museum visits, we knew we didn't want to miss it!

museobilbao.com
NB. closed on Tuesdays.
Near the Guggenheim, so it's walking distance from the tour hotel.

I imagine that even those 2 additional days may still not allow enough time to see everything of interest, but it is what works for us in the middle of a longer trip. Having read many of your posts, I can tell we are kindred spirits with similar interests.

Lynne with an e, we've blocked out 4 days after the tour, including that last "tour day," when only breakfast is on the agenda.

Like you, we're planning on spending more time at the various museums, including El Museo de Bellas Artes. We're also looking at hiring a private guide for at least one more in-depth look at Bilbao, and possibly a trip to local wineries.

We will have finished two RS tours, so will definitely be looking for some down time! We're doing the Best of Portugal before the Basque tour, but have a full week between the two. We're staying on in Porto a few nights, then spending 3 (I think) nights in Bordeaux, then heading to Bayonne a day or two early. I'm being a bit vague here; I don't have our schedule in front of myself at the moment.

I hope you post a trip report after you get home. It sounds like you have a great trip planned!

I hope this does not stop you from coming to Bilbao, but the Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum) is undergoing a major renovation and most collections cannot be seen. Truly, it seconds El Prado in importance, but when it´s fully open and with all the art work displayed. The Museum is going to be renovated by Norman Foster, the same British arquitech that designed the metro in Bilbao, and it will imply a huge change in shape and capacity.

Mikel, Oh, no! That won't change our coming to Bilbao, but it will impact what we thing about doing there, as well as how long we extend our stay.

The Fine Arts museum is open, free entrance, but with less works on display. Just in case, there´s an archeological/etnographic museum dedicated to our past, and also a Sacred Art museum with Basque artworks dating back 800 years ago (both in the old town or vicinity). And very much off the beaten path, a Museum of Art Reproductions, inside a church. Also, a Maritime Museum, also dedicated to our past and our whaling practices until the 17th century. And good food everywhere!! :)

In Getaria, where the famous designer was born, there´s the Balenciaga Dress Museum, quite unique too.

Oh, so disappointed to learn that Museo de Bellas Artes will not be in her full glory when we visit! But, it is good to know this in advance, as it forces us to modify our expectations, and gives us thinking time about what we can do instead. Given how close Bellas Artes is to the hotel, it may still be worth a look. Old town is now a leading contender. Mikel, I appreciate your suggestions of other things to do. So helpful!

eskerrik asko - gracias - thank you!

Thanks, Mikel!

Mikel, I misspoke (or mis-typed in this case). Pintxos in Bilbao and Basque Spain. Sorry and yes, pintxos are delicious and fun...count those picks! Unfortunately, we won't have to time for your services this trip but we'll be back in Fall. I'll be in touch before then!