Road trip planning in Basque Country

If I’m reading correctly, you’re looking for any stops on the one day drive back to Bilbao from San Sebastián. Two easy to reach places that can been seen in a few hours are the small towns of Getaria and Zumaia. Getaria is a fishing port and has a nice, yet small church. Zumaia has the San Telmo hermitage and a beach with unique flysch rock formations. The hermitage is small, but the view from it is very nice. The towns are only 6km from each other via the back road (N634).

More than what you want, but here's a recent Guardian article - Northern Spain road trip: pull over for pintxos

Actually, Jaime, what I meant to convey was that we had at least an extra day, maybe two and a night before we need to be back at Bilbao airport. Does anyone have any recommendations for things to explore, places to stay and/or eat in the French side?

Don't know the French side at all, but I liked both Hondarribia and Vitoria-Gasteiz.

We were just there (Bilbao and San Sebastian) in June. There are so many good restaurants there is no need to do the Michelin $500 per person thing. Here are some recommendations for places to eat and visit:
Bilbao

We didn’t know about this bridge with its gondola car ferry but wish we had at the time because it's pretty cool looking:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizcaya_Bridge

The number one attraction is the Guggenheim Museum. Assume you are going there?

There are several downtown neighborhoods to explore, along with the fully restored Mercado de Ribera. The Mercado has an entire floor of Pintxo bars. The Plaza Nueva (lots on Pintxo bars), Cusco Viejo and the Archeological Museum are also worthwhile.

Between Bilbao and San Sebastian: Gaxtelugatxeko Doniene. Dramatic church set out on a promontory. It's a hike down to and back up but it has amazing views.

San Sebastian
San Telmo Museum (STM) is good place to get overview of the region and the Basque culture. La Cuchara is a good restaurant right around the corner. We walked the beach and took the funicular up for great views.

Here’s a list of recommended restaurants:

Urola
Gambora
Xiri, at Calle Idiakez 10 (in the "newer" part of town. A little place with friendly service, great tapas in a restaurant setting; great art on the walls)***
Bar Axkena in the Mercado La Brexta, for breakfast ***
Paco Bueno, Calle Mayor 6
Lots of seafood restaurants on the promenade area on the way to Aquarium – we did not eat at any of them.
La Cuchara de San Telmo (right next to the San Telmo Museum – good place for before or after museum visit)
Bar Narrika, Narrika Kalea 16, Donastia
Bar Etxebarria, Inigo Kalea 8
Vinos Martinez (wine bar), Calle Narrica 29

Cider taverns in Astigarraga, a short drive south of town – huge amount of food and unlimited cider. Come hungry!
Sidreria Bereziartua, Iparralde Bidea 16 (dinner starts at 20:00)

We took an excursion to the French part of the Basque region:
Biaritz – an older resort town with fading charm
St Jean de Luz – a smaller resort town with more character. Terrific shopping streets, a funky little marina and lots of good food options.

I would also recommend watching Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown episode on San Sebastian as it will give you good feel for the people, food and history of the region.

Have fun!

hey james
glad to hear you're traveling this area, my BFF from the french side of the basque region. check maribelguides.com under destinations and click saint-jean-de-luz. lots of other info too
sent you a message about it, check your inbox
aloha

Princess- got a long note from Lauren, is that it?

no james not me. don't know lauren
my message came from me. did you get it? upper right hand corner is my account and may say you have unread message, then click

Yes, got it now, thanks. Am reading.

good lol
lots to read and ponder about
aloha

How I would attack this proposition ...

Mon - Arrive Bilbao. Pick up rental car & drive (62km) directly to Vitoria-Gasteiz (1N)

Tue - Day in the vineyards of Rioja before driving (100km) to San Sebastián (3N)

Wed - Possible day trip to Hondarribia or Getaria. Drop off hire car in San Sebastián

Thu - Explore San Sebastián

Fri - Bus to Bilbao (2N)

Sat - Explore Bilbao & visit the Guggenheim

Sun - Fly to Barcelona

Thanks, David, very interesting ideas considering the sequence of events. We've done a lot of vineyard visits here in California, Washington and Oregon, and weren't that anxious to spend our Spain time, at least this trip, in the vineyards. I might consider getting the car earlier and heading off for San Sebastian and French Basque Country and concluding our time in Bilbao. I would think, however, that the penalty for leaving the car in San Simeon (not our pick up point) would more than offset the savings of turning it in a day earlier and the bus ride over to Bilbao.

hey james
look at autoeurope, booking.com has some car rentals deals. pickup car in bilbao and return to san sebastion, bus or train back; or drive back to bilbao. check rome2rio.com about transportation. the fee for returning to different countries could be in the hundreds of euros, not worth it. my friends did that not knowing, paris to basque region to barcelona and paid 800 euro penalty. OUCH! when renting car, make sure automatic or standard (manual shift), how big car is to hold luggage, an outlet to charge phone, check collision damage coverage, maybe cheaper to buy with no hassles or your credit card has coverage, look carefully and if need be take pictures of exterior with no damage, how much gas, you can always call. don't leave bags in the open, is there hatchback? seems like so much to check and worry about but when you have this info, trouble free vacation to enjoy. you've done your homework and not looking like a deer in headlights when you arrive. have fun and enjoy
aloha

French Basque country, Pays Basque. On the water, St-Jean de Luz. Among the prettiest villages of France are these in the the Pays Basque: Ascain, Ainhoa, Saré, Espellette. They have a pelota court in the town center, nice Basque linen shops, in the foothills of Pyreenes. Not far from Hondarribia, Spain.
Look at www.maeibelsfuides.com and find lots of excellent info on Pays Basque(France) and Pais Vasco(Spain). Print out the pdfs and take them along.

@suki- thanks
that website should read maribelsguides.com
aloha