Basque Country Things to Do

  Entering the plaza
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  • Entering the plaza
      Entering the plaza
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  • The exploration begins
      The exploration begins
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  • A corner
      A corner
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  • Scenic photo stop?
      Scenic photo stop?
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  • La iglesia
      La iglesia
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Most Viewed Things to Do in Basque Country

1.

Guggenheim Museum & Puppy   Bilbao

Guggenheim Museum & Puppy, Bilbao

 95 Reviews  “Because it had elevator towers and stair towers in it, I started building a metaphoric visionary city, à la Fritz Lang. The catwalks and things became like freeways in the sky.” — Frank O. Gehry, on... 

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2.

Old Town + Cathedral - Casco Viejo & El Arenal   Bilbao

Old Town + Cathedral - Casco Viejo & El Arenal, Bilbao

 53 Reviews  Built in 1799 and rebuilt in 1986, the Arriaga is THE theatre in Bilbao, the place where the main plays and events take place, there you can see theatre, ballet, and many other shows. They have guided... 

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3.

Near Bilbao...around Vizcaya / Bizkaia   Bilbao

Near Bilbao...around Vizcaya / Bizkaia, Bilbao

 16 Reviews  It´s located in Gatika, a rural village between Mungia and Urduliz. You can go to Urduliz by metro and then take a bus to Mungia. Ask the bus driver for more information. It´s a castle in the middle... 

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4.

Zubizuri (White bridge)   Bilbao

Zubizuri (White bridge), Bilbao

 8 Reviews  This new pedestrian bridge over the Nervion river in Bilbao is part of an enterprising plan to reinvigorate the city, specially the river banks around the Guggenheim Museum. There is a nice view of... 

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5.

Museums   Bilbao

Museums, Bilbao

 13 Reviews  A great little museum that you can enjoy in a few hours and not be over arted. There are some great pieces, El Greco, Murillo, Goya. While I visited they had a special exhibition of Artemisia... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Admire the Biscayan Coast

by DanielF

The Biscayan stretch of coastline is arguably the most spectacular in the entire Basque Country. This is an area of dramatic beauty, where the force of elements can be experienced at its most: the fierce waves of the Atlantic crash violently against the sheer cliffs and islets that line the coast, where only some estuaries of great scenic beauty provide for shelter. A few incredibly picturesque fishermen towns dot the coast. This is also the area where one of the important parts of the Basque soul was forged: the arrantzaleak, or Basque seamen who crossed the Northern Atlantic for centuries in search of fish and whales and reached as far as Newfoundland, fighting the terrible storms the Bay of Biscay is known for. Galernas are, in truth, violent and sudden storms with very strong winds that occur in the Bay of Biscay mostly in Spring and Autumn. These disturbances have claimed thousands...

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Yield to your Whims in the Province of Gipuzkoa

by DanielF

Gipuzcoa is the smallest province in Spain (about the size of the Island of Mauritius), and the only province in the Basque Autonomous Community to have a border with France (a few kilometres in the last stretch of the Bidasoa River).Nestled between the Pyrenees and the last ranges of the Cantabrian Mountains, Guipuzcoa enjoys an Atlantic weather with minimal temperature oscillations and abundant precipitation throughout the year. Thus, the verdant valleys, surrounded by jagged peaks, are covered by velvety pastures and crammed with small historical towns. It is in these towns that the Basque culture and language have been best preserved and chances are that you hear people speaking Euskera on a daily basis. On the other hand, the capital, San Sebastian, in spite of its small size, is one of Spain's finest cities, with pretty beaches, an active cultural life, and an old-fashioned...

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Visit the Capital of the Basque Country

by DanielF

Vitoria-Gasteiz is the administrative capital of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country and of one of the Province of Alava (Araba). Traditionally viewed as a grey city of army men and priests, Vitoria has reinvented itself in the last decades to offer a vibrant cultural scene and innovative solutions for its social issues.Located in an important crossroads, Vitoria was founded by King Snacho VI of Navarre on a former village located on a small hill that dominates the plane, known as Gasteiz. Its Medieval core has preserved the original structure of narrow streets that still bear the names of the professions that were established there since the birth of the city.The city started its expansion beyond the Old Town in the 19th century, when architect Olaguíbel designed grand and classical squares and colonnaded streets that communicated the hill-top Old Town with the surrounding...

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Tour the Province of Alava

by DanielF

Alava, even if small by Spanish standards, is the largest of the three Basque Provinces, similar in size to the State of Rhode Island. It is, however, the least populated of them, with less than half the population of Gipuzkoa. In addition, most of the population lives in the capital, Vitoria, which also happens to be the administrative capital of the entire Basque Country. In spite of its small size, Alava is a very diverse territory, although it is the only Basque province which does not have a sea coast. The Mediterranean influence is clearly palpable, with a much more arid climate than the Northern areas. It is, in truth, a transition territory between Castile and Navarre, between the Atlantic and the Spanish Central Plateau.The Northern regions are very similar to the neighbouring provinces, mountainous and wet. In the capital and the flat central and southern regions, where the...

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Succumb to Hedonism in San Sebastian

by DanielF

San Sebastián, or Donostia in the local language, (pop. ca. 200 000) is an irresistible city: the beauty of the shoreline is beyond description; the atmosphere that it oozes is sophisticated and aristocratic; and last but not least, Donostiarras have cultivated the art of gastronomy with so much fervour and devotion that they have turned their city into one of the culinary capitals of Europe. Be it haute cuisine in the numerous Michelin-starred restaurants in the city and its surroundings (San Sebastián has the highest concentration in Spain), the popular pintxos, elevated in the capital of Gipuzkoa to the category of gastronomic jewels, or in the sociedades gastronómicas (eating clubs where men gather to cook, eat, and discuss on virtually anything), gourmet food is always present in San Sebastián and one of the main draws for the tourist. Luckily, it is easy to burn out all these...

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Go Back in Time in Elorrio

by DanielF

The Very Noble and Very Loyal Town of Elorrio is truly a hidden gem. Although not very well known beyond the boundaries of Biscay, it is the most monumental urban ensemble in the Duranguesado region (Durangoaldea in Basque). This region, with its capital in Durango, was a formerly independent lordship, only annexed to Biscay in the 13th century, as a gift from the King of Castile in return for the help given in the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa against the Moors. This annexation was not documented until the 17th century, though. The old town of Elorrio is entirely composed of urban palaces and historical buildings which have been delightfully renovated. In the pedestrian-friendly centre, the sturdy stone buildings, often embellished with coats of arms, bring you back to the 14th century, when the town was founded by don Tello, Lord of Biscay and of Aguilar de Campoo, as a defensive post...

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Witness the Rebirth of a city in Bilbao

by DanielF

Bilbao, with a population of more than 350,000, is the largest city in the Basque Country and the eleventh in Spain. It is also the centre of one of the main industrial poles in the country, which covers a large area on both sides of the Nervion estuary and comprises a population of almost one million, making of it the fifth largest metropolitan area in Spain. Bilbao is one of the youngest Spanish cities, as it was founded only in A.D. 1300 by don Diego López de Haro on a former settlement on the Nervión river. The city strived thanks to its port and the exploitation of the nearby coal mines, becoming eventually the capital of Biscay in detriment of Bermeo. Since then, it has been a pioneer in Spain's industrial history and one of the economic engines of the country. Industry, mines, banks and business have been associated to Bilbao for many decades, and the huge fortunes that were...

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Explore the Province of Biscay

by DanielF

Biscay was born in the Middle Ages as a sovereign Lordship within the Crown of Castile, after noblemen and landowners sought to consolidate their holdings under Castilian feudal Law in detriment of the ambitions of the Kings of Navarre. It was the House of Haro (a town in Northern Rioja) who was granted the rule of the Lordship in return for the support given to Castile. In the 14th Century, the title of Lord of Biscay fell by inheritance in the King of Castile, but even then, Biscayans managed to maintain their sovereignty, as the Kings of Castile, and later of Spain, kept on swearing to defend and maintain the fuero (Territorial Chart) under the oak of Gernika.Today, Biscay is the second smallest province in Spain, with an area equivalent to the one of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, and one of the most densely populated, especially on the banks of the Bilbao estuary (Greater Bilbao...

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Visit a Local Cider Restaurant

by DanielF

Well known as a pro-independence stronghold, Hernani is one of the largest towns in the surroundings of San Sebastian. It has preserved an interesting old town, with several monumental buildings and picturesque alleys. This picture shows the town's main square (Gudarien Enparantza), with the Town Hall and the Baroque Church of Saint John the Baptist. Together with Astigarraga and Usúrbil, Hernani is one of the centres of the thriving cider industry in Guipúzcoa. During the season, from February to May, people from the entire province come to the sidrerías or sagardotegiak of this region to taste huge steaks and cod omelettes prepared in the traditional way, all accompanied by large quantities of cider and the local wine, txakoli. Hernani is also the title of one of the plays by the French writer Victor Hugo, which inspired the famous opera Ernani by Giuseppe Verdi. Hernani is, however,...

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Taste the Tolosa Black Beans

by DanielF

Tolosa was founded on the banks of the Oria River in the 13th century by Alfonso X the Wise, King of Castile, who named it after the French city of Toulouse. It made part of a series of defensive posts on the border to the Kingdom of Navarre (Segura, Ordizia and Tolosa). The settlement was encouraged with a territorial charter which granted generous privileges to the town. The original street pattern from that period has been admirably preserved.Tolosa was the capital of Guipuzcoa for a short period in the 19th century, until it passed the honor to the city of San Sebastian. Tolosa celebrates the best-known and most traditional Carnival in the Basque Country (Tolosako Inauteriak) and is also particularly famous for the black beans produced in the region, with an exceptional quality, and a base for many of the local dishes.

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Fun things to do in Basque Country

Top 3 Hotels in Basque Country

AS Express Altube Hotel Zuia  Basque Country

 1 Opinions

 Hotels in Basque Country

Sheraton Bilbao Hotel  Bilbao

 4 Reviews and 166 Opinions  This hotel is one of my favourite parts of this vacation. The rooms were amazing, like most... 

 Hotels in Bilbao

Pension Bellas Artes  San Sebastián

 1 Review and 329 Opinions  Having recently spent 3 nights at the Pension Bellas Artes, I would highly recommend this pension to... 

 Hotels in San Sebastián

259 Hotels in Basque Country
 
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Reviews and photos of Basque Country attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Basque Country sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in Basque Country
  1. Bilbao Things to Do
  2. San Sebastián Things to Do
  3. Vitoria Things to Do
  4. Bermeo Things to Do
  5. Guernica y Luno Things to Do
  6. Fuenterrabía Things to Do
  7. Pasajes de San Juan Things to Do
  8. Mundaca Things to Do
  9. Axpe Things to Do
  10. Cestona Things to Do
  11. Portugalete Things to Do
  12. Plencia Things to Do
  13. Irùn Things to Do
  14. Guetaria Things to Do
  15. Elciego Things to Do
  16. Las Arenas Things to Do
  17. Sopelana Things to Do
  18. Salvatierra Things to Do
  19. Oñate Things to Do
  20. Elorrio Things to Do
  21. Azcoitia Things to Do
  22. Durango Things to Do
  23. Arrízala Things to Do

More Cities in Basque Country

 

Questions and Answers

saritnn profile photo

Q:  Can anyone tell from his own experience what is the best Hotel Room Overlooking Guggenheim Museum and/or River ? Please send the... 

ranger49 profile photo

A: We were very happy with both of our stays at Hotel Nervion. Our room overlooked the River and from it we could see the bridge that crosses over to the Guggenheim Museum... 

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