Overview

Explore the Basque Country by bike taking in the magnificent coastline from San Sebastian to Bilbao and enjoying the region’s rich gastronomy along the way.

This biking trip is a great way to enjoy the countryside and the coast of the Basque Country. Enjoy a ride by the sea, discovering the wonderful beaches, enjoying beautiful landscapes and visiting the lovely fishing villages that seem directly brought out from a book story.

The itinerary also includes the two most exciting cities of this region: San Sebastian and Bilbao. San Sebastian is a small city but world famous as a food tourism destination, since it’s collected more Michelin stars per square meter of its territory than anywhere else in the world. It is also the birthplace of the “new Basque cuisine” movement. The quality of its ingredients and its world famous “pintxos” give much pleasure to both local people and visitors all year round. The beauty of its Bay, known as the Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea, its situation in a natural amphitheater facing the sea and protected by mountains and its quality of life have turned it during the past two centuries into a world-class tourist destination.

Bilbao, capital of the province of Bizkaia, is one of the main economic and cultural hubs in northern Spain, and has gained international recognition as an architectural point of reference. Certainly, the Guggenheim Museum has acted as its main calling card. But Bilbao has plenty of other interesting sites to offer, in and around the city. And its strategic location makes it an ideal port of entry to other parts of the northern Iberian Peninsula, and to the southwest of France.

Itinerary

Day 1: San Sebastian
Accommodation: Hotel Codina

Arrival in San Sebastian today is at leisure. Take the evening to explore the city centre and the spectacular shell-shaped beach of La Concha, which is just minutes walking distance from your hotel. We recommend you stroll around and try the famous ‘pintxos’ in any of the local bars of the area. ‘Pintxo‘ is a ‘Basque-ified’ take on the Spanish word ‘pincho’, which itself comes from the verb ‘pinchar’, which is ‘to pierce’.  They are small finger foods served at bars and taverns throughout the Basque Country. Their are the backbone of the Basque food culture.

Day 2: San Sebastian – Zumaia
Route: 35 km/21.8 miles
Elevation: +650 m/ 2217 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Flysch

This morning you will meet with our local partner Miguel in the lobby of your hotel. He will be there to fit your bikes and give you the maps and documents you need for the week. Leaving from San Sebastian by bike you will start to climb out of the city into the rich Basque countryside directly surrounding it. With stunning views of lush green landscapes and the Bay of Biscay you will make your way along the coast passing through the famous surfing town of Zarautz and the charming fishing port of Getaria, before arriving in your final destination, the town of Zumaia.

Your hotel tonight boasts fabulous ocean views and has a relaxing spa, where you are invited to use the circuit to loosen up the muscles after your first day in the saddle.

Day 3: Zumaia – Lekeitio
Route: 44 km/ 27.3 miles
Elevation: +768 m/2520 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Silken Palacio Uribarren

From the seaside town of Zumaia, you will make your way inland at the start of the ride before returning to the coast and passing through the pretty fishing village of Ondarroa and onto your final destination, another charming fishing port, the town of Lekeitio.

Day 4: Lekeitio – Mundaka
Route: 44 km/27.3 miles
Elevation: +793 m/ 2601 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Atalaya

From Lekeitio today’s ride heads inland until you reach the Bay of Guernica and from there you follow the river Mundaka to Guernica, historical capital of Biscay and infamous for Picassos painting. Following a stop in Guernica, you continue along the other side of the Mundaka river until you reach the town istelf, where you will spend the night.

Day 5: Mundaka – Plentzia
Route: 38 km/23.6 miles
Elevation: +845 m/ 2772 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Bahia

Today we cycle from Mundaka to the fishermens town of Bermeo, where we recommend a short stop to visit the town. Your biking route then continues along rolling roads with seaviews and a great glimpse of the beautiful island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe before arriving to Bakio, where we recommend a stop to the Txacoli Museum. Txakoli or Chacolí is a slightly sparkling, very dry white wine with low alcohol produced in the North of Spain. (Entrance ticket and wine tasting is included in tour price).

You will then get to your destination, the town of Plentzia and your beautifully located and charming hotel right by the fishing port.

Day 6: Plentzia – Bilbao
Route: 32 km/ 19.9 miles
Elevation: +375 m/ 1230 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Hesperia Bilbao

Your last ride of the week takes you all the way into the city of Bilbao, which is the largest city in the province. After leaving the coastline, you will arrive in the city on a mix of roads and biking paths, which will bring you directly into the heart of the city along the river where the imposing image of Frank Gehry’s mindblowing architecture will greet you at the Guggenheim Museum,

Take the afternoon to enjoy this impressive structure and then go for an evening stroll through the city’s old quarter for a final farewell “txakoli” white wine.

Day 7: Departure

After breakfast, you will bid farwell to your bike and the beautiful Basque Countryside. Get in touch with us if you are interested in spending some extra nights in Bilbao or extending your trip to the beautiful green city of Vitoria.

Hotels

Hotel Codina

Hotel Flysch

Hotel Silken Palacio Uribarren

Hotel Atalaya

Hotel Bahia

Hotel NH Hesperia Zubialde

Photos

What’s included

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