I have 9 days in Spain with husband and two teens to visit oldest son in San Sebastian. Flights are available landing at 15:00 hours into either Barcelona or Madrid. Should we fly into Madrid, spend the evening/morning there, then fly/train to Bilbao? Then explore the Northern coast near San Sebastian, then take train to Barcelona and explore that for a few days before returning home? Any guidance would be helpful.
Posted by
Paris
7304 posts
You could have a look at multi-city airline fares: Home country -> Bilbao / Barcelona -> Home country. It is not necessarily much more expensive than a round trip. There is an airport in San Sebastian but with limited connections.
I am suggesting that because a jetlagged evening/morning in Madrid is not a "proper" way to enjoy Madrid, also, I am not sure that Madrid is that interesting for teens unless they are somehow into 17-18th century European painting.
I would then split the time 5 nights in Basque Country and 4 in Barcelona, or the other way around. I strongly recommend renting a car in Bilbao, public transport connections between towns are plentiful but very slow.
For the Bilbao - Barcelona leg, I would consider flying, it is cheap and fast whereas the train takes almost seven hours.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
This is great advice. I will plan on flight from US/Madrid/Bilbao. Then rent a car and explore the Northern area near San Sebastian. And, then go to Barcelona by flight (sightsee for a few days) then return to US. Any other advice? Hotels? Towns to see?
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4180 posts
I agree with balso's itinerary too, something along the lines of:
Fly in to to San Sebastian via Madrid
San Sebastian (3 nights)
Dive along the coastal to
Bilbao (2 nights)
Fly to
Barcelona (4 nights)
Fly out of Barcelona
From San Sebastian, since you will have a car, you can consider day tripping to one of these places:
- Vitoria-Gasteiz - capital of the Spanish Basque Country, has a nice baroque old center on the top of a hill.
- Royal Palace of Olite - was the seat of the Kings of Navarre. For me, it's one of the more impressive medieval palaces in Europe. Surrounded by a charming walled medieval old town.
- Bayonne - cultural capital of the French Basque Country, has a lovey center with colorful half-timbered houses.
With only 2 nights, I don't think you will have enough time to day-trip from Bilbao. Although I would give yourself plenty of time driving from San Sebastian to Bilbao to make many stops. That coastal road is really spectacular.
Posted by
Paris
7304 posts
Yes, by all means drive that coast road! The coastal road from San Sebastian to Bilbao has the following must-see stretches according to me:
- Zarautz to Getaria. Getaria itself is cute but touristy (lots of fish/seafood restaurants, the place is famous for it). Then back on highway at Zumaia until...
- Deba, that greets you with a great beachview. Beyond Deba you take a right towards Mutriku and Ondarroa,
- A right into Ondarroa, crossing the entire town will take you to a minor road towards Lekeitio: that road is absolutely stunning
- Lekeitio itself is beautifully located and a good legstretching / coffee spot (Assuming Spanish lunch hours, it will not be time for lunch yet)
- From there, even though Elantxobe is very interesting (a village on a very steep hillside above the ocean), I would cut towards Gernika, and head north towards Mundaka (would make a good lunch spot), skirt around Bermeo, and stop by...
- San Juan de Gaztelugatze, a view and a site as hard to forget as it is to spell
- From there continue to Bakio and take the shortest, fastest inland route to Bilbao.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks for these tips. I am booking air today and will take notes on the rest of the details. I appreciate your time and expertise.