two extra days after end of RS northern Spain tour before start of Heart of Portugal

I assume this one? https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/spain/basque-2024

I would rent a car and drive up to the coast, all the little towns that you miss on the tour--Lekeitio, Getaria, etc.
You could also explore inland, as there are some national parks.
I don;t know what islands you are referring to.
Are you flying Bilbao to Lisbon?

Thank you for responding! Yes, that is the tour. Have you taken this tour? If yes, when?

I saw online that there are some islands off the coastline near Bilbao that do day trips; I was hoping to hear from someone who had tried that idea out?

We do plan to fly Bilbao to Lisbon.

Thanks for the suggestions

R

I have not done a tour but explored the Basque region and that coast is gorgeous.
There is Izaroko uhartea--I guess that is it. I visited Mundaka and it is a pleasant area.

I am Basque, from Bilbao, and have never heard of islands north of Bilbao...actually, there are some very, very tiny islands, but they cannot be visited as they are heavily protected as a marine bird sanctuaries. Are you maybe referring to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (not an island, but a peninsula)?? Otherwise, I do recommend to take the subway to the last stop, Plentzia, or Getxo for the amazing Puente Bizkaia or the beautiful promenade ending in the quaint Puerto Viejo, for example. Easily accessible on the subway, too (cheap, clean, totally safe, very efficient public transport system). Come prepared for any kind of weather, this is a rainy, green and mountainous area!

Thank you Mike. Yes, those are the places I was thinking. I misunderstood that it was just a peninsula and not islands as well. However, the marine bird sanctuaries are quite appealing too as my spouse and I are avid birders!! Too bad they are not accessible, but no doubt that is the best thing for the birds!!

We will plan to visit the places you mentioned. Any other suggestions or ideas for day trips from Bilbao? Places you particularly recommend in the fall. We are not visiting until early October (we are quite heat adverse) so we know that we will need to be prepared for all kinds of weather. We are from western Washington State so we have all the necessary gear!

Best regards,

Robert

Urdaibai must be a birder's mecca with its large areas of wetlands--more info here: https://www.euskadi.eus/urdaibai/