Eat, Hike, and Celebrate Life the Basque Way

The Basque Country isn’t just a destination, it’s a way of life. Over 8 unforgettable days, you’ll dive deep into this fiercely proud region, tasting its world-famous food, hiking its dramatic coastlines and mountains, and uncovering stories that few travellers ever get to hear.

This isn’t a whistle-stop bus tour. Think pintxos shared shoulder-to-shoulder with locals in San Sebastián, the roar of the Bay of Biscay at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a txakoli toast overlooking rolling vineyards, and stargazing in the wild mountains of Urbasa. You’ll explore medieval towns, learn the Basque game of cesta mano, cycle along the coast, and soak up the spirit of three iconic cities: Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Pamplona.

With local insight guiding the way, every day balances adventure, culture, and connection. By the end, you won’t just have seen the Basque Country, you’ll have lived it.

Hi, nice to meet you! I’m Bea, the founder of Bea Adventurous, and I couldn’t be more excited that you’re considering joining me in the Basque Country – the place where I grew up and that I’m lucky enough to still call home.

For me, this isn’t just another destination on a map. The Basque Country is part of who I am, from childhood afternoons on its wild beaches, to family gatherings in mountain villages, to the pintxo bars that have always been a second living room. Every time I return from my travels elsewhere in the world, this region pulls me back with its spirit, its people, and its deep sense of identity.

On this journey, I’ll share the Basque Country I know and love, not just the famous sights, but also the hidden corners, traditions, and flavours that locals hold dear. Together, we’ll meet the people who keep our culture alive, walk the landscapes that shaped my childhood, and experience the Basque way of life in a way most travellers never do.

My goal is for you to leave with more than beautiful memories; I hope you’ll take away the essence of what makes the Basque Country so special: connection, resilience, and joy. And maybe, like me, you’ll find that this little corner of the world feels like home too.

• San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
  Climb the legendary stone steps to this cliff-top chapel with sweeping ocean views, made famous as Game of Thrones’ Dragonstone.

• Colourful Fishing Villages
  Wander through Bermeo, Mundaka and Lekeitio, where brightly painted boats, vibrant harbours, and Basque coastal charm come alive.

• Zumaia Geopark Hike
  Walk dramatic clifftops where 60 million years of Earth’s history are etched into striking rock formations and sea-sculpted landscapes.

• Txakoli Vineyard Experience
  Sip crisp Basque white wine overlooking rolling vineyards, meeting winemakers who keep this unique sparkling tradition alive.

• San Sebastián Pintxo Tour
  Hop between buzzing Old Town bars with a local guide, sampling bite-sized culinary masterpieces that make San Sebastián a foodie mecca.

• Cycle the Coast
  Discover San Sebastián on two wheels, from golden La Concha Bay to leafy parks, seaside promenades, and vibrant neighbourhoods.

• Hondarribia Charm
  Explore one of Spain’s prettiest towns, with cobbled streets, medieval walls, and flower-filled balconies right on the French border.

• Pamplona Culture & History
  Uncover more than the Running of the Bulls: Gothic cathedrals, Hemingway’s haunts, and lively plazas full of Navarran life.

• Urederra Springs Hike
  Marvel at turquoise pools, mossy forests, and tumbling waterfalls on this enchanting walk through Navarra’s most magical natural wonder.

• Bilbao Finale
  Stroll the vibrant Old Town, admire the Guggenheim’s iconic curves, and celebrate with a farewell pintxo crawl in this cultural capital.

• Location: Basque Country, Northern Spain

• Date: 7th -14th June 2026

• Accommodation: Twin Share in a range of hotels, rural homes and cabins

• Trip type: Culture, Food, Mountains, Coast, Adventure

 Please do not book your flights until you have heard from us that this trip has been confirmed 

•Arrival Airport: Bilbao (BIO)

•Arrival Date: 7th June 2026 

•Arrival Time: Before 12:30 pm

(An additional night at a hotel in Bilbao for the night before the 7th can be booked at an additional cost, if you are not able to arrive before 12:30 pm).

• Departure Airport: Bilbao (BIO)

• Departure Date: 14th June 2026

• Departure Time:  Anytime

You’ll be collected from the airport and whisked straight into the laid-back rhythm of local life. No frantic sightseeing today, just time to settle in, shake off the jetlag, and start soaking up your new surroundings.

We’ll share our first menu del día together, the ultimate Basque lunchtime ritual where three hearty courses, bread and wine count as a "work day lunch".  After that, you can choose how to spend your afternoon: ease in with a stroll along the cliffs of Sopelana, or throw yourself straight into adventure with an optional surf lesson on one of the Basque Country’s most iconic beaches.

Dinner is free this evening so you can follow your curiosity, whether that’s grabbing pintxos at a local bar or keeping it simple with seaside views. Rest up at your hotel in Sopelana, because tomorrow the adventure truly begins.

Accommodation: Hotel Goizalde

Meals Included: Lunch

Our first stop is Plentzia and Gorliz, two seaside towns where brightly painted boats bob in the harbour and locals still gather for morning coffee overlooking the water.

From there, we head to one of the most iconic sights in Spain: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Perched dramatically on a rocky islet and linked to the mainland by a winding stone bridge, this chapel-on-a-hilltop feels almost mythical (Game of Thrones fans might recognise it as Dragonstone). The climb to the top is worth every step for the sweeping ocean views.

We’ll continue through the fishing villages of Bermeo and Mundaka, both bursting with character. Lunch is at a local cervecería, the Basque's response to fast food!

In the afternoon, we dive into history with a guided tour of Gernika, the spiritual heart of Basque identity. You’ll stand beneath the famous oak tree, learn about Picasso’s masterpiece, and uncover stories of resilience that shaped this proud region.

The evening is yours to wander the seaside streets of Lekeitio, our home for the night. 

Accommodation: Silken Palacio Uribarre

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch.

After breakfast, we head west to the striking coastline of Zumaia, home to the UNESCO-protected Geopark. This stretch of coast is famous for its dramatic flysch cliffs — ancient rock layers formed over millions of years that tell the story of the Earth’s past. As we hike along the clifftop path, the views of the Cantabrian Sea crashing below are nothing short of spectacular. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel both small and exhilarated at the same time.

From there, we continue inland to a traditional txakoli farm, where this crisp, slightly sparkling Basque white wine is produced. You’ll walk through the vineyards, meet the winemakers, and of course, enjoy a glass (or two) paired with local produce while overlooking the hillsides.

In the evening, we arrive in San Sebastián, widely considered Spain’s gastronomic capital. Here, we’ll dive straight into the city’s most iconic experience: a guided pintxo tour through the buzzing Old Town. Hopping from bar to bar, you’ll sample these bite-sized works of art and discover why Basque cuisine is world-renowned.

Accommodation: Barcelo Hotel Vasca

Meals Included: Pintxos and dinner

Today begins with a refreshing bike tour of San Sebastián, the perfect way to explore the city like a local. Pedalling along the sweeping La Concha Bay, through leafy parks and lively neighbourhoods, you’ll see why this elegant seaside city so often tops the lists of Spain’s most beautiful places.

We then head east to the French border to visit Hondarribia, a colourful fishing town often described as one of the prettiest in the Basque Country. Its cobbled streets, timbered houses, and flower-filled balconies are postcard perfect, and the old town brims with history. You’ll have time to wander at your own pace, perhaps stopping for coffee or exploring the medieval walls.

In the afternoon we’ll head inland to our casa rural in Tolosa, a cosy country house that will be our base for the night. Instead of eating out, tonight we’ll come together for a relaxed Basque-style BBQ, sharing local meats, vegetables, cider and wine, the perfect evening of food, friendship, and laughter.

Accommodation: Casa Rural 

Meals Included: Breakfast and BBQ dinner

After a quick breakfast on the go, we will lace up our boots for a morning adventure in the Aizkorri mountains, one of the Basque Country’s most spectacular hiking regions. With a local guide leading the way, we’ll follow scenic trails through rolling meadows and limestone peaks, breathing in the crisp mountain air. It’s a rewarding hike that offers stunning panoramas, and the perfect excuse for a hearty lunch afterwards.

That lunch will be a traditional menú del día, a three-course Basque institution where generous portions are paired with local wine. Afterwards, we’ll travel to Pamplona, capital of Navarra and a city made famous by the Running of the Bulls.

The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Wander the medieval streets, admire the Gothic cathedral, or trace Hemingway’s footsteps with a coffee in Café Iruña. In the evening, you’ll have plenty of choice for dinner, from rustic taverns serving pintxos to elegant restaurants showcasing Navarra’s rich cuisine.

Accommodation: Hotel Ciudadela

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch 

This morning begins with a guided walking tour of Pamplona, where medieval streets, grand squares, and centuries of history reveal a city that is so much more than its famous festival. You’ll learn about the old city walls, the elegant cathedral, and the stories that inspired Ernest Hemingway to set his novels here.

Next, we’ll step into the world of cesta mano, the Basque ball game considered one of the fastest sports in the world. A hands-on class introduces you to the skills, techniques and competitive spirit that make this tradition so unique to Basque culture.

Afterwards, we share a traditional almuerzo (brunch) before setting off into nature for a guided hike to the Urederra Springs, one of Navarra’s most enchanting natural wonders. Think turquoise pools, mossy forests, and tumbling waterfalls that feel almost otherworldly.

This evening we settle into Camping de Urbasa, a rustic yet cosy base in the mountains. After dinner at leisure, we’ll gather beneath unspoilt skies for an unforgettable stargazing experience.

Accommodation: Camping Urbasa

Meals Included: Brunch included

Today we make our way to Bilbao, the beating heart of modern Basque culture. Once an industrial port city, Bilbao has reinvented itself as a hub of art, design, and gastronomy, and you’ll see why the moment we arrive.

We’ll begin with a guided walking tour, weaving through the narrow streets of the Casco Viejo (Old Town), where colourful façades, Gothic churches, and bustling plazas showcase the city’s lively spirit. From there, you’ll glimpse the futuristic architecture that defines modern Bilbao, including the shimmering titanium curves of the Guggenheim Museum; even viewed from outside, it’s an icon.

The afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish. Take the funicular up Mount Artxanda for sweeping views over the city, or opt for a gentle boat ride along the river, seeing Bilbao from a different perspective.

Tonight, we reunite for a farewell pintxo crawl, sharing one last round of small plates, laughter, and stories from the week, a fitting finale to our Basque adventure.

Accommodation: Hotel Barcelo Bilbao

Meals Included: Dinner

All adventures must come to an end, and today it’s time to say agur to the Basque Country. Depending on your flight time, you might squeeze in a final stroll for coffee or a few last souvenirs before we arrange your transfer to the airport.

Over the past week, you’ll have walked historic streets, hiked dramatic coastlines and mountains, sipped txakoli on vineyard hillsides, and shared pintxos and laughter in tucked-away taverns. More than just ticking off sights, you’ll have experienced the true spirit of the Basque Country, its food, its landscapes, its traditions, and above all, its people.

We’ll part ways in Bilbao, but with new friends, plenty of memories, and perhaps even a touch of Basque spirit carried home with you.

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