When planning a trip to Spain's northern coast, travelers often face a decision: Bilbao or San Sebastián? Both Basque cities offer distinct sites and activities, world-class gastronomy, rich cultural experiences, and comfortable lodgings. But what makes them different, and which one should you visit if you had to choose? Let's break it down with the help of kimkim local specialists.
Coastal San Sebastián sits in Spain's scenic north, in Basque Country. Known as a foodie hub, you can enjoy the city's culture with walking or e-bike tours and dive into the renowned gastronomy with a cooking class. Get out of the city to visit farms, vineyards, and some of Northern Spain's most popular walking trails within this coveted region of Europe.
San Sebastián's boutique hotel scene matches its foodie, with some of the best options offering hip downtown locations, delicious Michelin-starred restaurants, unique settings like restored 19th-century villas, and rooftop terraces with outdoor pools. As a bonus, as a laid-back city, some of San Sebastián's best hotels fall into the more affordable mid-range and standard categories. After visiting this Basque hub and searching for the top accommodations, kimkim staff recommends these 13 options.
Though most rooftop terraces in San Sebastián are only open through the summer months, some of the city's best hotels have them—which might be exactly what you need to enhance your stay. Kimkim staff checked out San Sebastián's famous rooftop hotels and listed the top options below. Many pair this perk with other amenities, like an outdoor pool, on-site restaurant, spa, and historic elements.
The Basque countryside is an exceptionally scenic stretch along northern Spain, between the Bay of Biscay and the region's inland hills. If you'd like to pair a city escape in Bilbao or San Sebastián with a rural retreat, kimkim visited and vetted several hotels in the Basque countryside, and some of the best come with incredible views, historical charm, and expansive outdoor spaces. Most of these top picks require a car or private transfer, but your reward is a relaxing stay among nature.
San Sebastián is famous for its long, picturesque La Concha Beach and waterfront promenade, so staying at a hotel near the sea or at least within quick walking distance is definitely a perk. Though there aren't too many options, kimkim staff visited San Sebastián and found the best hotels near the beach. And many properties provide amenities like rooftops, restaurants, spas, and suites with large windows opening up to the bay to make your stay even more memorable.
Historic hotels are aplenty in San Sebastián, and some of the best include those housed in luxurious villas, beautiful convents, and even famous city landmarks. After visiting and evaluating the hotels in San Sebastián, kimkim staff agreed that these 13 options were the best regarding historic elements, architecture, backstories, and amenities. And despite their age, these hotels still provide modern comforts like on-site restaurants, opulent lobbies, outdoor pools, stylish rooms, and more.
As a relaxed city that focuses on its authenticity, you'll find that some of San Sebastián's best hotels actually fall into the standard category, meaning they're a bit friendlier on the budget. After visiting the city and checking out numerous hotels, the kimkim staff was impressed by the quality of this selection, ranging from modern urban properties with fresh aesthetics to charming yet rustic countryside retreats. You'll even find excellent amenities at some choices, including on-site restaurants, wellness facilities, bike rentals, and outdoor terraces.
Though San Sebastián is known for its authentic, laid-back charm, the city does have three luxury hotels for those seeking an upscale stay. Kimkim visited the top hotels in the city and recommends the following 5-star options, all offering exclusive amenities like incredible city or sea views, high-end dining options, relaxing spa treatments, and/or elegant decor.
Spanish Old Towns are a perfect place to stay, and the best hotels of this category in San Sebastián are some of the city favorites. When kimkim staff visited and vetted the city's hotels, the following properties made the cut for San Sebastián's small yet charming historic center. Most are budget-friendly properties with prime locations and perks like trendy, modern rooms, a delicious breakfast, and terrace views.
Known for its down-to-earth, authentic character, there aren't many luxury properties in San Sebastián, meaning its mid-range selection is where you'll find the city's best hotels. Kimkim staff traveled to the Basque gem and visited over 30 of its accommodations, and by far, the mid-range hotels were the most impressive. Save a little money while enjoying perks like historical buildings, sea views, outdoor pools, on-site dining, and more.
In a mere five days, you can enjoy an memorable Spanish vacation. This is possible when you make the culturally rich Basque region your destination. This itinerary includes tours of Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum, plus a coastal drive to San Sebastián, a seaside resort city of singular beauty.
Eight to 10 days is the most popular trip length for Spain travelers interested in visiting both Bilbao and San Sebastián, especially when also including Barcelona. If you're only headed to Bilbao and San Sebastián, you can enjoy a comfortably-paced trip in five to seven days. A fast-paced highlights trip is possible in four days for travelers with limited time. For the best itineraries, including Bilbao and San Sebastián, keep reading below.
In less than a week, you can visit the highlights of Spain's northern Basque Country while enjoying its rich culture. It begins in Bilbao with city tours, then a Basque cooking class followed by a visit to the famous Guggenheim Museum. Then, you're off to the Cantabrian Mountains to see how rural Basque residents live before heading to one of the most beautiful seaside cities in the country, San Sebastián.
Spend two weeks on a culinary odyssey of Spain and Portugal as you travel across the Iberian Peninsula from east to west. Discover delicious tapas in Barcelona and dainty pintxos in San Sebastián, then hop over to Porto and Lisbon to sample some of Portugal's best wines. Carefully-selected private and small-group tours will illuminate each destination's gastronomic traditions as you feast on local produce in beautiful settings and learn to cook regional dishes alongside local chefs.
Embark on a culinary journey through Spain's gastronomic capitals, Barcelona and San Sebastián, for an unforgettable foodie experience. Savor the flavors of the country's rich and diverse cuisine as you explore local markets, take part in a city tapas walk, visit iconic monuments like the Sagrada Família, take a cooking class, and even venture out to nearby vineyards and epicurean villages.
Pack your bags for a 10-day escape to Spain's northern Basque Country. Discover the flavors, history, and culture of this beguiling region by tasting its delicious pintxos on the streets of San Sebastián, exploring the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and crossing the border into France. If that's not enough, you'll visit wineries in La Rioja and hike above the Bay of Biscay to complete the adventure.
Discover the wonders of Spain's northern Basque Country with this elegant six-day itinerary. Take in the gastronomy and viticulture of Bilbao and San Sebastián as you combine the best of the region's art with its stunning natural beauty. Along the way, you'll uncover the treasures of the Guggenheim, explore the rolling vineyards of La Rioja, and set sail to a romantic 13th-century fishing village.
Explore two of Spain's scenic northern regions in your own car, the foodie-centric Basque Country with its scenic coastline and La Rioja, a famous wine region. You'll start in San Sebastián and discover the city's history, culture, and gastronomy, followed by a detour to La Rioja for wine tasting and charming towns. End in Bilbao with hiking, foodie adventures, and visiting the famous Guggenheim Museum.
Over 10 days, you'll embark on a gourmet road trip from Madrid to Spain's northern Basque Country. This unforgettable excursion is a delight for the eyes and taste buds that includes tapas tours in Madrid, wine tasting in La Rioja, and sampling the great cheese and seafood of the Basque coast. A visit to the famous Guggenheim caps the trip, adding a cultural cherry atop an epic vacation sundae.
In just a week, you can embark on the road trip of a lifetime from Spain's capital to its stunning Basque Country. The adventure begins in Madrid with city tours before hopping in your rental and driving north to La Rioja, one of Spain's most beautiful wine regions. After a tasting, you'll continue on to Basque Country, where tours of San Sebastián's historic center and Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum await.
Spend one week exploring three provinces of northern Spain with a road trip starting in San Sebastián. Enjoy urban walks, hiking, and sailing, then head to La Rioja and Navarra to visit cities like Pamplona and Logroño and enjoy the countryside and its vineyards. End in Bilbao, uniquely known for its eclectic public art and modern aesthetic.
For wine lovers and foodies, this road trip in northern Spain takes you along the incredible Basque coastline with its rugged sea cliffs, charming fishing villages, and gastronomic cities, then into the rolling vineyards and hills of La Rioja and Navarra. Blend city walks with small towns, food tours, and an overnight stay at a winery in Spain's most famous wine region, Rioja.
A road trip through Northern Spain offers a glimpse into the region's rich cultural roots and diverse landscapes, from the coastal heritage of San Sebastián to the rolling vineyards of La Rioja. This 10-day excursion includes opportunities to explore unique traditions, cuisine, and architecture that define this corner of Spain, with stops in historic Pamplona and vibrant Bilbao.
Discover the wonders of northern Spain on this luxury weeklong trip. Embark upon a self-drive adventure from Madrid to the lavish vineyards of La Rioja, then continue to Bilbao to sample the Basque Country's tasty pintxos and tour the world-famous Guggenheim Museum. End with a striking coastal drive to San Sebastián, where you'll stay at a lavish hotel overlooking the Bay of Biscay and explore the city's architecture and beaches with a private guide.
Take a luxury 10-day road trip through northern Spain's culture-soaked cities, historic vineyards, and beach-studded coastline. You'll stay at grand palaces and 5-star heritage hotels, enjoying private cultural tours of Madrid, Bilbao, and San Sebastián. Highlights include wine tasting in lush La Rioja, a gourmet pintxos food tour, visiting the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, and hiking to the hilltop Guadalupe Fort for panoramic Basque Country views.
Calling all foodies! This three-week epicurean adventure through Italy and Spain takes you to the heart of Europe's most celebrated food destinations. Stroll through the charming piazzas of Venice, explore the gastronomic delights hidden in the backstreets of Rome and Emilia-Romagna, and indulge in Florentine delicacies. Then, discover the Basque Country's culinary gems in Bilbao and San Sebastián before indulging in Madrid's paella and sangria.
Bring your appetite on this 10-day tour of Italy and Spain's gourmet hotspots. Your culinary journey starts with a pizza masterclass in Naples, where you'll snack your way through backstreets before dining on Roman fare in Italy's capital. Throw in a vineyard trip to elegant Frascati before hopping on a plane to the Basque Country, Spain's renowned foodie region. Indulge in pintxos and sip Rioja, then season your trip with a final stop in Madrid for winery visits and a sprinkling of culture.
From pizza in Naples to the best of the Basque Country's pintxos, this two-week vacation covers Italy's gourmet hotspots and Spain's most sought-after foodie cities: Bilbao and San Sebastián. Combine Baroque fountains and delicious tiramisu in Rome with Renaissance art and Bistecca alla Fiorentina in Florence, then compare the wines and vineyards of Chianti and La Rioja with trips to both before feasting on paella in Madrid.
This 19-day itinerary allows you to visit three different regions of Spain, including Madrid, Basque Country, and Catalonia, as well as the Balearic Islands and Portugal. Throughout the adventure, you'll enjoy great food, wine tours, a flamenco show, historic Gothic architecture, and even make time for a bit of island-hopping in Ibiza and Mallorca. You'll also fly into Portugal to explore the cities of Porto and Lisbon, as well as the wine region in the Douro Valley and the famous palace of Sintra.
Eight days are enough to road trip through northern Spain. On this itinerary, you'll drive from Madrid north through the stunning La Rioja wine country, of course stopping for a tasting or two. The experience culminates on the coast of Basque Country with city tours of Bilbao and San Sebastián, both home to a rich culture and incredible food.
Travelers who want to experience Spain's legendary culinary scene won't want to miss this 12-day food-forward tour filled with tapas, wineries, olive oil tastings, and more. Start with a gourmet tour of Madrid, enjoy a homecooked meal in the Cantabrian Mountains, dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant on the Cantabrian Coast, taste txakoli wine in San Sebastián, and end with an architecture and market tour in vibrant Barcelona.
Discover Spain and Portugal's beauty on this well-balanced 21-day cultural tour. You'll explore world-famous cities' cuisine, history, and architecture, from Barcelona and Madrid to Lisbon and Porto. Highlights include wine tasting in the lush Douro Valley and day trips to UNESCO-listed gems like hilltop fort city Toledo and Sintra, home of fairy-tale castles and palaces. The trip ends with sun-drenched beach time on the golden sands of the Algarve.
If food and wine are your passions, then this unparalleled 12-day trip through the heart of Spain's Basque Country has your name on it. You'll see Barcelona's highlights — including the Sagrada Familia — as well as the coastal towns of the Bay of Biscay. Tour family wineries, visit shepherds, and hop from pintxos bar to pintxos bar, grazing until your heart's content.
Discover culture, royalty, gastronomy, and more on this epic 12-day family vacation to Spain. Through child-friendly walking and cycle tours, nature hikes, and cooking classes, you'll experience the best of northern Spain, the Basque Country, and Madrid. Marvel at Gaudí's iconic structures in Barcelona, enjoy beach life and art in San Sebastián and Bilbao, and then hop on a plane to the country's capital. You'll round off your trip with sightseeing and flamenco dancing in Madrid!
Nine days is enough time to immerse yourself in a couple of areas of Spain, ensuring you get the most out of the experience. This itinerary begins with a road trip from Madrid to wine country for a tasting of Spain's world-renowned varietals. You'll finish the trip on the Basque coast and its most beautiful cities, San Sebastián and Bilbao.
Immerse yourself in Northern Spain's breathtaking natural beauty, medieval history, and world-class gastronomy on this 13-day road trip. Traverse the dramatic Basque coast, sail to the stunning beaches of the Cíes Isles, and explore the foodie hotspot of San Sebastián. Along the way, you'll discover the world's first winery under the Cantabrian Sea, tour the best of Bilbao's pintxos bars, and marvel at the masterpieces of the legendary Guggenheim Museum.
Wine, cheese, tapas, pintxos — this gourmet tour around northern Spain is a treat for foodies! Start in the capital city of Madrid, where you'll go on a tapas tour around local bars to learn the proper way to order small plates paired with drinks. Then hop in a rental car and drive north to the wine country of La Rioja, where you'll tour family-run wineries and blend your own wine to take with you. Continue onward to the culinary hot spot of San Sebastian, sampling pintxos (Basque-style tapas) at traditional bars in the old city. Then finish the trip with a tour of Bilbao and an excursion into the surrounding countryside to see how Basque cheeses are produced.
Spain is famous for its dynamic gastronomy, but this rich food heritage extends beyond borders. On this two-week culinary odyssey across the Iberian Peninsula, you'll discover distinct and delicious flavors, from Spain's tapas and olive oils to the wine and food markets of neighboring Portugal. During the adventure, you'll take cooking classes, go on wine tours, dine with locals, and much more.
Discover the highlights of northern Spain and the Basque Country with this 13-day family vacation that combines the perfect blend of culture and fun outdoor activities. Explore castles and Gaudí's famous works in Barcelona, then fly north for scenic hikes and cruises around San Sebastián. Sharpen your taste buds in Bilbao and see spectacular art at the Guggenheim before learning classic flamenco moves and cooking the perfect paella in Madrid.
Explore northern Spain's highlights with a side trip to Barcelona on this two-week luxury tour. Exclusive adventures include VIP seats to a Real Madrid soccer match, a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over La Rioja's lush vineyards, and kayaking along the Costa Brava. Stay at 5-star heritage hotels and palaces, soaking up culture on city walking tours and private trips to UNESCO-listed treasures, from Gaudí's La Sagrada Família to the medieval town of Ávila.
On this 15-day excursion through Spain, you'll take the road less traveled but filled with incredible scenery. After a couple of days in Madrid, you'll drive north to wine country and follow the pilgrims' route into beautiful Galicia. You'll sample delicious regional cuisine and visit historic cathedrals before hitting the Cantabrian coast for an unforgettable stay in San Sebastián and day tours to rural Basque Country.
Embrace Spanish culture and ease into the Mediterranean outdoor lifestyle with this 15-day family trip to Spain. Discover gastronomy in Barcelona and Madrid with child-friendly cooking classes, and experience the Basque Country's stunning scenery and history with cycle tours around Bilbao and San Sebastián. There'll be plenty of beach time, too, with a self-guided trip to the Costa Brava and the perfect blend of activities, relaxation, and sightseeing to make the most of your Spanish adventure.
On this 16-day road trip, you'll see some beautiful regions of Spain, many of which are off the tourist trail. The adventure begins in Madrid, from where you'll hop in a rental car and proceed to the Ribera del Duero wine country and into the river canyons of the Ribeira Sacra. You'll continue to Galicia, a region famous for delicious food and natural beauty, before ending up on the stunning coast of the Spanish Basque Country.
A little over two weeks is all you need to visit the highlights of Spain. This 16-day itinerary is a whirlwind of royal palaces and Moorish temples, world-class gastronomy and some of the most beautiful natural landscapes anywhere in the world. The destinations you'll visit cover the map, from Barcelona and Basque Country to Madrid and the stunning cities of Andalusia, like Seville and Granada.
Eat and drink your way through northern Spain on this 11-day gastronomic adventure. Begin in Barcelona, exploring the city and its surroundings on a tapas tour, a local organic winery tasting, and a sunset sailing experience. While digesting, experience Gaudí's world-famous architectural delights and sunbathe on city beaches. Take a train to San Sebastián and visit the world's first underwater winery, then wind your way to Bilbao to sample the Basque Country's famous pintxos and Txakoli wine.
This Spanish itinerary offers a mix of gastronomy in Basque and outdoorsy fun in Catalonia for the ultimate winter adventure. Arrive in San Sebastián, a picturesque city on the Bay of Biscay with a notable food scene where you'll bike and sample local pintxos with a private guide. Then head uphill to the forested mountains of the Pyrenees for three days of snowshoeing followed by cozy evenings surrounded by nature (and a fireplace).
Starting in Barcelona, this 16-day trip to Spain ticks all the boxes for active families searching for the perfect blend of sightseeing, excursions, and beach time with the kids. See Gaudí's iconic works in Catalonia's capital before discovering Dalí in the Costa Brava. Next up is the Basque Country, where you'll feast on pintxos, marvel at the Guggenheim and sail around foodie hotspot San Sebastián. Finish your vacation in the cultural capital of Madrid, where you'll learn to flamenco and master the art of paella!
Experience the best of northern Spain and the Basque Country with this 11-day family trip that starts in Barcelona and ends in Madrid. Discover Gaudí, Roman ruins and castles in Catalonia's capital, then fly to Bilbao for family-friendly art and gastronomy. Explore the stunning San Sebastián coast with a cruise and hike along the Bay of Pasaia before discovering culture, royalty, and flamenco in the country's capital.
Get ready for the trip of a lifetime. In 17 days you'll experience the highlights of Spain, from Barcelona to Basque Country, Madrid to Andalusia. It's a grand tour that covers all the hallmarks of this incomparable nation, from the legendary food to the beautiful landscapes to the legendary architecture and historic palaces.
The northern region of Spain is just as rich in culture and beauty as anywhere in Catalonia or Andalusia. You'll see this for yourself on a 12-day road trip that takes you from Madrid into the Galicia region, known for its delicious seafood, beautiful coast, and historical and religious pilgrimage sites. It all culminates with a gorgeous drive through Basque Country and a couple of days in the cities of Bilbao and San Sebastián.
To do Spain right what you need is time, and 18 days is the perfect amount to get to the heart of this historic nation. This timeframe allows you to visit the Mediterranean coast and Barcelona, the Atlantic and Basque Country, the capital of Madrid, and finally southern Andalusia. Throughout, you'll stroll some of the most historic streets and marvel at some of the most ancient architecture anywhere in Europe.
There are ways to do Spain differently; this 13-day self-drive road trip is a perfect example. While it begins in Madrid, after two days, you'll leave the glitz behind for the pastoral tranquility of the Ribera del Duero wine country. You'll then continue to Galicia's fantastic food and historical sites before winding up on the rocky Cantabrian coast and the incomparable resort city of San Sebastián.
19 days is more than enough time to travel the length and breadth of Spain on a tour of the most remarkable locales in the country. This includes not only the capital of Madrid but the sunkissed metropolis of Barcelona, the Basque Country, and the southern Andalusia region. It's on this last leg of the journey that you'll discover some of the country's most historic landmarks that date back to the time of Moorish rule.
Over 20 days, you'll visit Spain's most beautiful and iconic regions as you spend time on both the Mediterranean and Pacific coasts. The journey begins in the north with stays in the incomparable city of Barcelona as well as the foodie haven of San Sebastián. Heading south, you'll enjoy the highlights of Madrid, followed by a stop in Andalusia, a region rich in Moorish culture and romantic flamenco melodies.
Spain is so much more than its famous cities. Over two weeks, you'll see its hidden gems as you drive from Madrid north through wine country to historic sites in the lesser-visited Galicia region. The adventure culminates on the Atlantic coast and a stay in the beautiful seaside city of San Sebastián.
Get to know the major regions of Spain with this three-week getaway from north to south. Begin in Barcelona and enjoy an immersion in Catalan culture, followed by a jaunt to the Basque Country to sample world-renowned cuisine. Finally, head to the mountains of Málaga and further south through Andalusia, a region rich in Moorish culture and home to historic cities like Granada, Córdoba, and Seville.
Experience northern Spain through a series of private gastronomic and cultural experiences over nine days. Get to know the world of Spanish wine in La Rioja, tour modernist architecture in Barcelona, try pintxos in San Sebastián, and dine in beautiful Bilbao. Throughout the tour, you'll see these areas through the eyes of a local with knowledgable private guides.
Spend a delectable three weeks traveling through Spain from north to south and enjoying its world-class food and wine as you go. This 21-day gastronomic vacation will take you from Barcelona across the nation to Basque Country. From there, travel to the capital of Madrid and finally down into Andalusia, the birthplace of flamenco. Throughout, you'll dine on regional specialties like tapas, plus enjoy vineyard tours and guided visits to olive groves.
