Hi. I'm trying to plan a trip for about two weeks in June 2023. Our thought is to see Portugal and the Basque region (Spain and France). That's as far as we've gotten. Probably rent a car to get around and drive across the Spanish countryside to get from one to the other. Given that we'll probably spend about a week in each place, what would you recommend? Our interests are the ocean, food, basque cider, history, small towns, outdoor experiences and just spending some time in a place. Big attractions and museums are not high on our list. We prefer something less flashy if it means avoiding big crowds. Since we'll have a car, taking short day trips would be fun. Any recommendations? What about where to fly in and out? Thanks for any pointers!
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1700 posts
Are you saying you want to drive from Portugal to the Basque region of Spain and France? That's a 9-hour drive excluding stops along the way, getting lost, etc. It would make more sense to fly from Lisbon to Bilbao/San Sebastian.
Also, you don't have time to see all of Portugal and the Basque region of Spain and France in 2 weeks. Are you thinking of visiting just Lisbon? or Just Porto? And then go on to Spain?
And if you intend to pick up your rental car in Portugal and drop it off in Spain, there will be a huge drop-off fee.
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4180 posts
Yes the Basque country is on the other side of Spain from Portugal, not very close in between you have the regions of Galicia, Asturias, and Cantabria all worth one week each alone. I think you may want to just stick with either Northern Spain or Portugal for 2 weeks, but not try to combine the two.
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
894 posts
If I may, I'd like to offer a suggestion that I followed in 2019. I took the Rick Steves Basque Tour - beginning in Bayonne and ending in Bilbao. I then flew to Lisbon and rented an apartment for a week - using that location as a base for traveling in Portugal (Sintra, Evora, Porto, etc.) - all by public transportation. In truth - Portugal deserves far more than a week. Overall - the best 15 European travel adventures days I've experienced.
Posted by
OP
USA
10 posts
Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts. They have certainly given some things to think about.
With more research, we are thinking of focusing on the San Sebastian area (including the small french towns for day trips) and also Porto (instead of all of Portugal). We'll be traveling with a 12 year old, so nightlife and other adult stuff will likely be minimal. Mostly looking to explore, eat good seafood, have at least some beach time, find neat stuff (the salt valley seems cool), and just have a good time.
From your comments, sounds like a rental car is not really needed (although we really enjoyed road tripping from Frankfurt to Bruge last time).
Alternately, we should either focus the whole time in northern Spain/south France OR Portugal, but not both. Admittedly, not sure when we'll get back to this part of the world, so I'd like to check out both if possible.
Sound about right?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7159 posts
If you want the Basque region, then skip Portugal. If you want Porto and a rental car, then you could do a week in northern Portugal and a week in Galicia. A sample route might be to head north from Porto into Spain. If you like Celtic ruins, there’s a nice site at Castro de Santa Trega. Then there’s Baiona, Tui, Pontevedra, Muxia, Cambarro, Cambados, Santiago de Compostela, and Lugo. You could then head back south towards Lamego and Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. From there, on to Viseu and Igreja da Misericórdia de Viseu and Painel de Azulejos before heading west to Aveiro and back to Porto to turn in the car. One could easily spend 2 weeks in northern Portugal alone, or Galicia, Asturias, and Cantábria.
Whatever you decide, you should have a good time.