Xmas week in Basque country. Stay in Bilbao n Day Trips or include a Stay Over at St Sebastian?

Santander has pretty beaches but to me is otherwise not a particularly interesting city. There was a massive fire in the 1940s that destroyed a great deal of the historic architecture.

Other possible day trips around Bilbao are Bermeo and Lekeitio. The latter is often mentioned in guidebooks, but I haven't been there.

Farther away is the capital of Vitoria-Gasteiz, which is inland. It has a nice medieval center on top of a hill; escalators assist with the climb. However, it's probably too geographically inconvenient for this trip.

Although I really liked Hondarribia, staying there rather than in San Sebastian would mean a bit more driving for you. Lodging in Hondarribia might be quite a lot less expensive, though. San Sebastian can be pricey. I have no idea whether many people go there in late December.

Even in mid-summer the Basque Country tends to be cloudy/rainy and cooler than points south. You may have to deal with very little sunlight during a December trip. According to Wikipedia, in December San Sebastian has, on average, 7" of rain spread across 12.8 days and only 80 hours of sunshine. The looser you can keep your itinerary, the better off you'll be, because you'll be able to take a look at the weather before deciding on indoor vs. outdoor activities.

A) Laguardia, Rioja Alalesa and Logrono to the South (is one day trip enough or we need a repeat visit?). So possibly Dec 25 and Dec 26. If we stay only two nights in Bilbao should we overnight in that area too? Any recommendations for Xmas dinner? Are wineries open on the 25th or 26th?

No, wineries and most places will be closed on Dec 25 and that week. Logroño is not that interesting, Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country, deserves a visit of its old quarter (on the way to Rioja Alavesa).

B) Santander to the west on Dec 26, only IF no repeat visit will be needed for (A) above. We could skip this trip to the West, unless you feel we can pack it in.

Can you fit in Santillana del Mar, Cartes, Castro Urdiales and Comillas going west to Cantabria? Santander is not that interesting...although it has a beautiful lively food market.

C) Then on Dec 27 and 28 we are thinking to viisit Zumaia and Getaria to the East, before continuing on eastward to St Sebastian, (possibly including a stop to the Nuevo Bosque de Oma yet time is tight, so I doubt we will have time for it).

For the new Bosque de Oma you need prior reservations to visit. Try to visit Gernika and the Assembly Hall, Bermeo, Elantxobe, Lekeitio, Ea...if you have the time.

St Sebastian and then Hontarribia: Q: Should we sleep over at St Sebastian or Hontarribia (which one?) for one or two nights? (27 or/and 28)? any recommendations for 4 star hotels? I am thinking that sleeping over for one night on the 27th would be enough, as this way, we ll also have the 28th to explore and drive back late to Bilbao, as on Dec 29, we have an 11.30 flight to catch. (unless we stay overnight at St Sebastian on the 28th too, hence drive direct to the Bilbao airport on the 29th.

Donostia-San Sebastian will be quite expensive, similar to Hondarribia, I´d stay in Donostia-San Sebastian and do a day trip to Hondarribia.

Whether you decide to stay in San Sebastian and/or Hondaribbia, highly recommend a visit to Chillida Leku. Enjoy!

Thank you all for your replies.

We have reversed our order of travel and we will first visit San Sebastian from 22-24, taking a bus from Bilbao, as I have realized that parking in the town is expensive.
When we depart of the 24th we may visit Chillida Leku - thanks for the recommendation - if we rent a car and then drive to Bilbao. However I have been told, as you also noted, that on Xmas and Boxing Day there won't be places open to visit, hence renting a car just so as to to drive to Bilbao, may be not be worth it..?
We hope that on Xmas Eve night, Xmas Day and Boxing Day, there will be some places open ion Bilbao. Depending on how much we manage to see in Bilbao, if we have time on the 27th we may venture West, otherwise we will stay still and on our last day the 28th we will venture to Haro where we have been told we may find some wineries open. On the way to Haro or on the way back, we can stop at Vittoria-Gasteiz, (thanks for that tip!)
Our initial plan was too ambitious!
If you still have any tips on the above, feel free to add them here.
Thank you!

Also, if you feel that we are better off staying over an extra night at San Sebabstian on the 24th (Xmas Eve) rather than driving to Bilbao that late afternoon, please let me know...perhaps is better to drive or take a bus on Xmas Day rather than on Xmas Eve. Thanks

There's no "Boxing Day" in Spain (except in Catalonia, where they celebrate St Esteve/St Stephen), so all places will be open as any other weekday. Take into account the much fewer bus connections on Christmas day.

If you decide to spend a night in Hondarrbia, consider staying at the 4 star Parador. It is a circa 900 castle located in the old town up on the hill. It does have paid parking. It is one of the pricier Paradors in Spain.

Τhank you very much, we have decided to stay in S.S. from 22-25 and at Bilbao from 25-29.
Merry Xmas to you!

Τhank you very much, we have decided to stay in S.S. from 22-25 and at Bilbao from 25-29.
Merry Xmas to you!

It sounds good. Just make sure you book the buses in advance, as there are much less frequencies than on a normal day. And enjoy, Christmas is a great time in the Basque Country...but come prepared for any kind of weather! Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!!