Highlights
- Hike in the hills of the Basque Country near San Sebastián
- Enjoy sailing along the Basque coast and La Concha Bay
- Drive through La Rioja wine country and stop to explore villages and vineyards
- Visit the Guggenheim Museum and eat pintxos in Bilbao
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San Sebastián, Pick Up Rental Car, History & Culture Walk | San Sebastián |
| Day 2 | Self-Guided Hike near San Sebastián, Private Sailing in La Concha Bay | San Sebastián |
| Day 3 | Drive to La Rioja via Pamplona, Secrets of Logroño Walk | La Rioja |
| Day 4 | Drive to Bilbao via Sajazarra, Guggenheim Museum, History & Gastronomy | Bilbao |
| Day 5 | Self-Guided Hike near Bilbao, Pintxos & Wine Tasting | Bilbao |
| Day 6 | Depart Bilbao |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in San Sebastián, Pick Up Rental Car, History & Culture Walk
Welcome to San Sebastián! After picking up your rental car from the airport, you'll drive to your accommodation, which typically takes 30 minutes. Once settled, head out to explore San Sebastián with a local guide. New and old, modern and historic, the city has a bit of everything, and you can explore it all with a scenic, historical, and cultural walk through the city.
You'll stroll along quaint streets and admire the city's beautiful hills, beaches, parks, squares, and architecture. Along the way, learn why this is one of the most captivating cities in Europe, how the sea has impacted its history and culture, and why the locals have such an affinity for contemporary art. Of course, finish your walk by chatting with your guide while enjoying pintxos (Northern Spain's version of tapas) and drinks.
Day 2: Self-Guided Hike near San Sebastián, Private Sailing in La Concha Bay
San Sebastián is an ideal spot for hiking, as the city features a rugged coastline and three hills, plus it sits within a half-hour's drive of several protected areas and parks. You'll find a few trails starting from the downtown area, including those hugging the coast and others trekking up the city's three peaks: Monte Urgull, Monte Igueldo, and Monte Ulía. From any trail, you can enjoy time in nature, and many options offer incredible views of the Bay of Biscay. But you can also venture farther out for longer and slightly more challenging routes.
As a self-guided experience, you get to create your itinerary! Upon booking, kimkim will provide you with all the practical information you need, plus personalized insider tips on enjoying your hiking day near San Sebastián.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Drive to La Rioja via Pamplona, Secrets of Logroño Walk
Get ready for a scenic self-drive from San Sebastián to La Rioja, with a stopover in Pamplona. The day is yours to plan, but some options include exploring the vineyards of La Rioja, seeing the famous streets where the Running of the Bulls takes place in Pamplona, and enjoying the breathtaking coastal views of San Sebastián.
Once you settle into your hotel, you'll explore the city of Logroño with a local guide. The city is La Rioja's capital and an old Roman settlement once named Vareia. Your guide will lead you through the charming streets, passing sites like medieval walls, parliament buildings, and convents, ending where the locals go, Laurel Street. Here you'll find narrow lanes and alleyways lined with delicious eateries where you can try different tapas and famous La Rioja wine varietals.
Day 4: Drive to Bilbao via Sajazarra, Guggenheim Museum, History & Gastronomy
Driving from La Rioja to Bilbao usually takes a little under two hours, but with so many fantastic stopping points along the way, you could easily make this a longer, more scenic journey. If starting in or around Logroño, La Rioja's capital city makes a good stopping point. This city hosts its annual Wine Harvest Festival in September, featuring the beautiful Puente de Piedra spanning the Ebro River. Laguardia is another choice; a beautiful walled city was once a defense fortress for Navarra in the 10th century.
But if you haven't yet made it to the Vivanco Wine Museum in Briones, known as the best wine museum in the world, you might want to make a detour here. Or you can stop in Haro, a town nearly surrounded by vineyards and known for the Train Station District with numerous winery tasting rooms. And for history and beauty, stop in Frías. The village and its dramatic castle sit atop a rock called La Muela, and you can also view the town's famous Casas Colgadas (Hanging Houses).
Either way, on your way to Bilbao, you'll stop for a unique experience to ride segways in the historic village of Sajazarra. With the help of your guide, you'll cruise along cobbled streets, hidden gardens, and the castle promenade, getting to know the village from a different perspective. Then, hit the gravel roads to view the vineyards and incredible landscapes of La Rioja.
End this exciting day with a private stroll in Bilbao by combining its history and world-famous gastronomy. A passionate local guide will lead you around the city, through Bilbao's colorful Old Town, into its modern neighborhoods, along the river, and to the Guggenheim Museum. Along the way, learn about its history while stopping to try traditional pintxos, Northern Spain's version of tapas.
Day 5: Self-Guided Hike near Bilbao, Pintxos & Wine Tasting
Despite being a large city, Bilbao is an excellent hub for hiking. You'll have your choice of walks and hikes that take you through the city's Old Town, parks, and riverfront, plus plenty of others that get you out into the surrounding countryside. And because Bilbao is a bit inland, you're perfectly set between a beautiful and rugged coastline along the Bay of Biscay and the verdant foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains.
The varied options for hikes in Bilbao mean you can enjoy time outdoors, whether looking for a leisurely walk in the city or a more challenging trek in the hills. And as a self-guided tour, you get to create your itinerary! Upon booking, kimkim will provide you with all the practical information you need, plus personalized insider tips on enjoying your hiking day near Bilbao.
Day 6: Depart Bilbao
It's time to catch your flight out of Bilbao Airport. The journey from the city center to the airport takes about 15 minutes, but give yourself plenty of time to return your rental car and get through security. Safe travels!
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