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Travel to Basque Country - Early April

Posted by on

Hi there - I'm a solo-traveler in my early 30s with a one month sabbatical from work and the trip focus is food, cooking, nature, and sunshine. I'm planning to spend the first week in Basque country and am hoping for some input based on the following:

Dates: April 5/6th - April 13th

My interests: I'm here predominantly for the food!! Also exploring small villages (get out on a boat if possible), and some time in nature (light trekking or biking, or walks where I can cozy up in a book / write); I'm a solo traveler, early

My budget: $200 - $400/day (including accommodations)

Transportation: I have rented a car to maximize what I'm able to see in 6 days

Base: I'm considering San Sebastian, Getaria, Bilbao; preference is one location, max two

Language: English primary, with very basic Spanish ability

Finally, I would love some honesty on the time of year I'm planning to visit. I've never been to the north, but if I'm forcing it at a bad time of the year (looks like peak rainy season) then I would consider a late change to Mallorca.

Posted by
492 posts

Learn at least 10 words of Euskara.
Visit Guernika. Picasso’s famous work is excellently recreated in ceramic tile. Actual size. No crowds.
I love Euskal Herria.
The Guggenheim in Bilbo is a must visit.
Stay in the old town part of both Bilbo and Donostia.

I stand corrected
“Euskaltzaindia, the official regulatory institution of the Basque language, has agreed that between the two possible names existing in Basque, Bilbao and Bilbo, the historical name is Bilbo, while Bilbao is the official name”

Posted by
11569 posts

Bilbao is correct spelling not Bilbo. Visit the city and the Guggenheim too.

Posted by
743 posts

We don´t have a peak rainy season. It´s rainy all year round, but of course it does not rain every day and we have many dry days too (climate change has also arrived and impacted our weather, drier than usual). Mallorca is a whole different world, and definitely less rainy. Good food everywhere. Consider Lekeitio, Getxo, Plentzia, Hondarribia...as smaller towns as a base.

Posted by
12313 posts

I visited San Sebastian in early April. Here's two thoughts that might help.

First, the weather. After visiting in early April (around April 7-8), I decided this is an area to visit in summer. The weather was cold and rainy. The north coast of Spain is a popular summer destination but it's hard to enjoy the beach vibe when it's freezing, foggy and rainy. My thought was, if I planned a return trip, it would be during a summer month (probably early September for me).

Second, party scene. While I was there, it was during a Spring Break, of sorts, in France. There were a lot of all-night parties in the night clubs the weekend I was there. Bad for me but possibly good for you, depending on your interests.

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