Located on opposite coasts of northern Spain, Barcelona and the Basque Country are 270 miles (435 km) apart. If you want to see both regions during your vacation in Spain, this 9-day itinerary gives you a chance to see Barcelona and Bilbao, with a stop in the Rioja Alavesa wine region. If you have a few weeks and want to get to know more of the country, this 19-day itinerary will take you from north to south with stops in Barcelona, San Sebastian, Madrid, Granada, Seville, and more.
By Plane
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours (plus travel to/from airports)
Direct flights connect Barcelona to both Bilbao (BIO) and San Sebastian (EAS), the two major cities in Spain's Basque Country. The Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN) is only a 30-minute drive from the city center and is easily accessible by taxi or private transfer. Direct shuttle buses also leave from Plaça Catalunya every day between 5 a.m. and midnight.
By Train
Duration: 5.5 to 6.5 hours
Trains from Barcelona to both Bilbao and San Sebastian leave from the Barcelona Sants train station daily. The easiest way to reach Sants is by taxi or private transfer; the L3 and L5 metro lines also stop nearby.
By Car
Duration: 5.5 hours
If you're driving from Barcelona to the Basque Country, take the AP-7 highway, then the AP-2 towards Zaragoza. After Zaragoza, continue on the AP-68. If you need a break, make a short detour to La Rioja to visit a bodega and taste some Spanish wines.
Map
