Things to see in Basque Country

It would help to know where you are going to stay, to give you some ideas, and if it´s the Spanish side or the French side. Will you have your own transportation those two or three days?

Time of year can make a difference as well, hiking and beach is not much fun in the rain, which could happen anytime, but more or less prevalent depending on month. Plus which tour will you be taking? If the Basque tour, no sense duplicating things you will do there.

San Sebastian, Bilbao and St-Jean-de-Luz (45m). Here’s a website that will help you get around: https://www.euskotren.eus/en.

A bit more detail to my question. We are still in the final planning stage of our tour, "Best of Spain in 14 Days", which departs from Barcelona. We are considering flying into Barcelona 4-5 days before our RS Tour starts on April 17th. We are considering renting a car, driving to the Basque Country, perhaps Bilbao, and exploring that area for 2-3 days. We prefer to stay at one location (looking into an AIRBNB). We are outdoors people, so hiking and biking would be of interest. Also, avid landscaper and gardener, so botanic gardens or similar would be of interest. However, I am still determining how far into the growing season they will be in that area; has anyone visited at this time of year? It is likely our early-mid May. (We are from EC WI. Go Packers!!) I appreciate all the comments and advice. This is our 5th RS tour, and very much looking forward to our trip.

If you like gardens, take a look at the Jardín Botánico de Santa Catalina. It is about 12 miles west of Vitoria. It has been closed all 2022, but should be open for the Sping of 2023.

Not in the Basque County, but you may also be interested in the Palacio Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso just outside of Segovia. It is a a Versailles type place with gardens.

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A bit more detail to my question. We are still in the final planning stage of our tour, "Best of Spain in 14 Days", which departs from Barcelona. We are considering flying into Barcelona 4-5 days before our RS Tour starts on April 17th. We are considering renting a car, driving to the Basque Country, perhaps Bilbao, and exploring that area for 2-3 days. We prefer to stay at one location (looking into an AIRBNB). We are outdoors people, so hiking and biking would be of interest. Also, avid landscaper and gardener, so botanic gardens or similar would be of interest. However, I am still determining how far into the growing season they will be in that area; has anyone visited at this time of year? It is likely our early-mid May. (We are from EC WI. Go Packers!!) I appreciate all the comments and advice. This is our 5th RS tour, and very much looking forward to our trip.

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Ok, as you´ll be using a car, I would recommend (from Bilbao) this route: castle of Butron, then a hike to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka, Bermeo, Gernika and the Assembly Hall and our Oak, and then maybe continue until Puente Bizkaia (aka Hanging Bridge, I live just half a mile from this unique UNESCO World Heritage Monument) and the fishing port of Algorta. Or continue to Plentzia, vastly ignored by foreign visitors and one of my favorite places in the world. Another day may be spent hiking in beautiful mountains surrounding Durango, for instance a hike in Urkiola. Or maybe the European Green Capital and its Green Belt with great hikes, the capital of the BAsque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz, with an almond shape medieval quarter. If you stay in Donostia-San Sebastian, the best hike is to Pasai Donibane, following the St James Camino (or pilgrimage), for around 10 miles.

(by the way, I was a foreign exchange student in Hilbert, WI)

Thank you to all that made suggestions. They were wonderful!

ViaMichelin.com can be helpful in identifying driving routes. If you zoom way in on its maps, the most scenic roads will be outlined in green. VM indicates that the basic drive from Barcelona to Bilbao would take over 6 hours without allowing for stops, navigational errors, traffic tie-ups, etc. So that's at least 12 hours' worth of driving. Be sure you allow yourselves enough time to enjoy the Basque Country once you get there. There are lots of sightseeing options.

I don't know what time the tour group meets up on Day 1, but it looks to me as if you'd have to get quite an early start if you planned to drive all the way back to Barcelona on that day. I assume you'd want to allow extra time to drop off the car.

• San Sebastián: This coastal city is known for its beautiful beaches, delicious Basque cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. Don't miss the opportunity to try some pintxos, small Basque tapas, at one of the many bars in the old town.
• The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: This modern art museum is a must-see for art lovers. Its striking architecture and world-class collections make it one of the most popular attractions in the region.
• The Great Wall of China: Okay, this one is a bit of a joke! But the Basque Country does have its own Great Wall, known as the Murallas de Álava. These medieval walls are located in the town of Vitoria-Gasteiz and offer great views of the surrounding countryside.
• The Basque Coast Geopark: This UNESCO-designated geopark is located in the French Basque Country and is home to a unique geology and diverse ecosystems. It's a great place to go hiking or visit one of the many cultural sites, such as the Abbadia Castle.
• The Basque Country's charming villages: The Basque Country is home to many charming villages, each with their own unique character and history. Some worth visiting include Espelette, known for its red pepper festival, and Getaria, the birthplace of the famous designer Cristóbal Balenciaga.

I hope this list gives you some ideas for things to see in the Basque Country! Let me know if you have any other questions.