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Basque
San Sebastian, Bilbao & Pyrenees

Basque Cultural Walking Tour

7 DaysStarting at $6,295
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Overview

A museum sheathed in titanium. Wild horses that eat baguettes. Villages with names in three languages—Basque, French and Spanish. Every time we venture onto the gentle western slopes of the Pyrénées on our tours of Spain and France, the richness of Europe’s oldest culture surprises us again. Farmers on tractors yield the right of way to fierce but friendly pelota games in village squares. Garlands of brilliant red pimientos dry in the sunlight…then show up on a dinner plate stuffed with seafood. This region may well have more festival and market days per person than anywhere else in Europe, and we're always happy to change plans and join in. As this Classic Journey moves between France and Spain, we go from the scenic green meadows of the Jaizquibel to medieval market towns to the dramatic Guggenheim museum you've heard so much about. The Basques have a deep affection for Americans and you'll experience it time and again as you go exploring with our local Basque guide.

The Basque region is like an entire farm to table country.”
Dr. Michael Maywood, 18x guest

Itinerary Highlights

Download Full Daily Itinerary

• Stroll through Saint-Jean-de-Luz with your expert local guide, discovering Basque culture and savoring pintxos at hidden local cafés

• Walk along the picturesque La Nive River, immersing yourself in the Basque countryside while your guide shares insights on local flora and fauna

• Experience an exclusive pepper tasting in Espelette, guided by a local farmer through their fields

• Meet passionate Pelota players after watching a match, gaining insider knowledge of this traditional Basque sport

• Traverse the vineyards of Irouleguy, learning about unique terroir and sustainable practices from your expert guide

• Visit a traditional farmstead to meet Michele, a local cheese maker, and taste artisanal Basque sheep’s milk cheeses

• Walk a historic section of the Camino de Santiago, following in the footsteps of pilgrims while your guide shares centuries-old stories

• Hike to the Jaitzubia watchtower, enjoying panoramic views stretching from Spain to France

• Explore the iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, marveling at its revolutionary architecture and world-class modern art collection while learning how it transformed the city’s cultural landscape

Download Full Daily Itinerary

Map

  • Starting Point:

    Saint Jean-de-Luz – 3:00 pm – Lobby of Hotel Madison

  • Ending Point:

    Bilbao – 1:00 pm – Downtown city center
Itinerary Map

Click map to enlarge

Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 2-8 miles

  • Route Notes:

    The terrain on this trip includes a mix of paved and cobblestone streets in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hondarribia, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and San Sebastian, as well as well-maintained countryside and coastal trails, vineyard, olive grove and shepherds’ paths of compressed dirt and stone. The footpaths offer a selection of level, rolling and hilly terrain with some elevation gain and loss.
To See Mileage Daily, Download Full Itinerary

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more options you’ll have and the lower your price. Secure your spot with a deposit of just $500 per person at the time of reservation. Plus, you can always change your mind — there’s no fee to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

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Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Hotels

We spend years cultivating personal relationships with our hoteliers to provide you thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Here is a sampling of our favorite hotels on this tour. 

Hotel De Londres Y De Inglaterra

With its location on La Concha Bay, this grand beachfront hotel is the perfect spot to enjoy vibrant San Sebastián. Built in 1865 and lovingly renovated, the rooms blend romantic touches with modern amenities and have views of the wide beach and the sea.

Ostape

A cluster of Basque-style farmhouses on a hilly estate, this unique property in the Navarre region offers the comforts of a 5-star hotel. Each suite blends classic and contemporary design. The heated outdoor pool overlooks pastures dotted with sheep.

Madison Hotel

Located in the heart of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, just a few steps from the beach, the historic hotel offers elegant modern rooms combined with traditional Basque charm.

What’s Included

  • Meals: All breakfasts and five dinners.
  • Perfect Pairings Dinner: A special dinner prepared by one of our favorite chefs with a procession of wines tailored to each course.
  • Tour Leader(s): Expert guides who are your well-connected local friends and provide you access to people and places you wouldn’t find on your own.
  • Supplemental Experts: Additional regional guides and specialists on select tours.
  • Transportation: All land transportation as listed in the daily itinerary, including fares for trains, ferries, and other modes of travel.
  • Privileged Access Events: One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places, and experiences arranged just for you, as noted in the daily itinerary.
  • Admissions & Entry Fees: Entry to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled activities listed in the daily itinerary.
  • Baggage Transfers: Upon arrival, we whisk you and your bags directly to your room—no waiting, no tipping.
  • Gratuities: All gratuities at hotels, restaurants, and for baggage handling.
  • Dedicated Guest Services Coordinator: Your pre-trip concierge and tour expert, available to answer questions and ensure you’re fully ready to get the most out of your tour.
Not Included: Tour Leader gratuities, travel to and from your trip’s start and end points, and any meals or activities taken independently.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

Travel + Leisure has awarded Classic Journeys the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times and says, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you.

  • Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
  • Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
  • Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
  • Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
  • Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes and history of the places you visit with us. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, our meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
  • Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
  • Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

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FAQs

Why is Classic Journeys the best tour company for Basque tours?

Classic Journeys is the top choice for Basque tours if you want to walk through stunning countryside and villages with well-connected local guides leading the way. You’ll explore on foot at eye-level, setting out on daily curated walks in the region’s most cinematic footpaths, including a historic section of the Camino de Santiago. Immerse yourself in the local culture when you join spirited market days, meet artisans, and enjoy sampling the region’s authentic dishes along the way.

Which locations does the Classic Journeys Basque Country itinerary include?

On the Classic Journeys Basque tour, you’ll stroll the Old Town of San Sebastián, take in Saint-Jean-de-Luz’s breathtaking views, explore Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim Museum, wander fishing villages like Getaria and Hondarribia, and taste Rioja Alavesa wines in the vineyards of Irouleguy. You’ll also stroll a historic section of the Camino de Santiago.

When is the best time to visit the Basque Country?

The Basque Country is magical from spring through autumn—April to October—when you can walk sunlit coastal trails and savor Rioja harvest tastings on our small group tour. Led by expert local guides, you’ll see the best of each region as they share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.

How active is the Classic Journeys Basque walking tour?

Expect a lively walking pace of 2-8 miles each day. You’ll hike dramatic cliffs in the Basque Coast, follow pilgrim paths on the Camino de Santiago, and amble through vibrant city quarters in Bilbao and San Sebastián. Each of your curated walks is at a comfortable rhythm and led by our expert local guides along well-maintained countryside and coastal trails, vineyards, olive groves and shepherds’ paths of compressed dirt and stone.

Are food & wine experiences included?

You’ll savor every flavor, from pintxos sampling in San Sebastián to a convivial cider house dinner as well as sipping crisp txakoli at a family-run winery in Getaria. Every meal is a chance to eat like—and with—the locals to truly immerse yourself in the Basque region.

How many travelers are in each small group on the Basque tour?

Our groups are small with just a handful of travelers – typically from 8-12 on tour – and with no more than 18 on any departure. Together you’ll enjoy personalized attention from your expert local guides as well as genuine camaraderie from your travel companions during your Basque trip.