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Please leave your luggage in the hotel reception each morning (by 9am at the latest) so that it can be transferred to your next hotel. Make sure that your luggage is clearly labelled with the nametag provided.
Your bike fitting is scheduled for Tuesday August 27 at 10am at Hotel Euskalduna.
Please be aware that Spaniards follow a very particular routine in terms of their daily meals, and this is often strictly enforced by restaurant opening hours, especially in small towns!
You can expect restaurants to be open for lunch from approximately 1:30pm – 4pm. Many places will offer a menú del día: a set menu with 2/3 options for each course, and usually including a drink and bread. Remember that lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain.
Dinnertime in Spain is any time from 8pm onwards. Dinner in Spain is typically a lighter meal.
The Basque Country is a bilingual region of Spain, so expect to hear both Spanish (castellano) and Basque (euskera)! Almost everyone you meet will speak Spanish, but in the smaller villages you are likely to come across people whose first language is Basque, and all official signs will be in both languages.
Here are a few basic words which will likely earn you a smile in the smaller Basque-speaking villages:
kaixo (kai-sho) – hello
agur – goodbye
eskerrik asko – thank you
mesedez – please
Basque cuisine is a vibrant and diverse culinary tradition that reflects the region’s rich culture and history. Located in the northern part of Spain and southwestern France, the Basque Country is known for its stunning landscapes and a strong connection to the sea and mountains, which greatly influence its gastronomy.
One of the most iconic aspects of Basque food is pintxos, which are small snacks typically served on a skewer or toothpick. These delightful bites can be found in bars throughout the region and often feature a variety of ingredients, such as seafood, meats, and vegetables, all beautifully presented.
Seafood plays a significant role in Basque cuisine, with dishes like bacalao a la vizcaína (salted cod in a rich red sauce) and chipirones (baby squid) being popular choices. The region is also famous for its txangurro, a spider crab dish that showcases the freshness of local seafood.
Meat lovers will enjoy traditional dishes like txuleta, a thick, juicy steak often grilled over an open flame, and cordero al horno, a succulent roast lamb. The use of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients is a hallmark of Basque cooking.
When it comes to drinks, the Basque Country is renowned for its txakoli, a slightly sparkling white wine that pairs perfectly with seafood and pintxos. Another popular beverage is sidra, or Basque cider, which is made from local apples and has a unique, tangy flavor. For those who enjoy a good cocktail, the kalimotxo, a mix of red wine and cola, is a beloved choice among locals.
Overall, Basque food and drinks offer a delightful experience that reflects the region’s unique identity and culinary heritage. Whether you’re enjoying a casual pintxo at a bar or savoring a traditional meal, the flavors of the Basque Country are sure to leave a lasting impression!
On egin — enjoy your meal!
Click here for our packing suggestions for a self-guided bike tour.
Click here for our recommendations for cycling safely and legally in Spain.
Click here for our recommendations on what to do if you experience mechanical issues with your bike during your tour.
Call Miguel on +34 636 19 53 85, or the Bike Spain Tours office on +34 915 590 653, or out of office hours call +34 677 356 586. We will get you where you need to be and get you the help you need.
Sunday September 27: Bilbao
Accommodation: ABBA Euskalduna
Ongi etorri! Welcome to the Basque Country and the start of an amazing tour!
There are endless dining options in Bilbao: if you’re looking for a Michelin star experience you can find a list of restaurants here; alternatively, if you haven’t ever had a Basque cider house experience you can enjoy steak and unlimited cider at Bilbao Urban Sagardotegi (open daily from 10:30am) or Galtzagorri Sagardotegia (open daily from 11am).
Another fantastic dining option is the Mercado de la Ribeira (open daily from 8am), a historic market building converted into a modern gastromarket with an impressive range of eateries.
If you’d prefer a more relaxed dinner, you can enjoy the many pintxos bars of Bilbao’s old quarter! Some of our favourites are Gure Toki, Café Bar Bilbao, Irrintzi, Bar Charly and Victor Montés.
Tuesday September 29: Bilbao – Plentzia
Route: 32 km/ 19.9 miles
Elevation: +356m/ 1180 feet
Plentzia: Accommodation: Hotel Boutique Bahia de Plentzia
Your bike fitting is scheduled today at 10am with our local partner Miguel at your hotel!
Your first ride of the week takes you over the bridge, as you pass by the iconic Guggenheim Museum, Frank Gehry’s masterpiece. As you enter Getxo, you’ll pass by the Puente Colgante, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest suspension bridge in the world (walkway visits available daily 10am – 7pm). Getxo is the 19th century Basque elite´s old stomping grounds, and it´s still replete with palaces and manors. Then you´ll head through the old town of Algorta which hints at the small, quaint fishing village the town once was.
Lastly, you will continue along the coastal path across the cliffs, with sweeping views of the dramatic Basque coastline all the way.
Dating back to the end of the 13th century, the pretty fishing town of Plentzia boasts a charming old quarter, a historic port and a long, sandy beach – the perfect place to relax after a day of cycling!
For the freshest “ocean to plate” seafood with views over the estuary, we recommend Restaurante Arrarte (open Thu – Tue 9am – 11pm).
Wednesday September 30: Plentzia – Mundaka
Route: 38 km/23.6 miles
Elevation: +904m/ 2875 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Atalaya
As you depart Plentzia you will make your way along the coast to Bakio where we recommend a stop to the Txakoli Museum (open Tue – Sat 10am – 2pm (Nov – Apr); Mon – Sun 10am – 2pm (May – Oct)), where you can learn more about the production and enjoy a taste of Basque txakoli wine. Entrance tickets and tasting are included in the price of your tour.
After Bakio you will continue along the coast until you arrive to one of the most magical spots on the Basque coast: the beautiful island hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a 9th century fortified chapel recently made famous in its role as a filming location for Game of Thrones. You do not need a ticket to enter today, we recommend walking up and down the many steps!
Shortly after the visit you will arrive in the fishing town of Bermeo, where we recommend a short stop to explore the town. Visit the colourful fishermen’s houses in the old port and the 14th century Franciscan convent, and stop by the Ercilla tower, a fortified aristocratic home dating back to the 15th century, which now houses the Fishermen’s Museum (open Tue – Sat 10:30am – 7pm, Sun 10:30am – 2:30pm), dedicated to the life and customs of Basque seafarers.
After Bermeo you´ve got a few km to roll into Mundaka, enjoy the coast!
Mundaka is a surfer’s paradise, and is considered to have some of the best waves in the world, best viewed from the Mirador de Atalaya or the viewpoint at the Ermita de Santa Catalina, once used to quarantine plague victims.
Historically a fishing town, Mundaka’s old port remains the beating heart of the town, and marks the start of the charming old town.
We highly recommend walking up to the Portuondo viewpoint, where you’ll find Restaurante Asador Portuondo (open daily 1:30pm – 3:30pm, Fri&Sat 1:30pm – 3:30pm/9:15pm – 10:30pm), offering delicious views with spectacular views over the bay, where the greenery of the mountains sweeps down into the sea.
Thursday October 1 : Mundaka – Lekeitio
Route: 45 km/27.3 miles
Elevation: +815 m/ 2681 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Silken Uribarren
It’s worth making a stop just after leaving Mundaka to take in the views at the Portuondo viewpoint. Then, as you continue on the road you will pass the Ekoetxea Urdaibai (open Tue – Sun, 10am – 7pm), an exhibition centre dedicated to the biodiversity of the area.
Today’s route follows the Urdaibai estuary, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the most richly diverse natural landscapes in the whole of the Basque Country, including a wetland that is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Those interested in ornithology can visit the Urdaibai Bird Center (open Sat/Sun, 11am – 7pm Nov – May, Daily Jun – Oct), while history fanatics can take a detour to the Caves of Santimamiñe (open daily 9:30am – 2:30pm), which boast paintings dating back to the Late Paleolithic. Although the paintings themselves cannot be visited in order to prevent their deterioration, the visitor centre offers excellent 3D virtual tours.
As you continue on heading inland, you’ll come to the town of Guernica, made famous by the Picasso painting which depicts the bombing of the town by the Luftwaffe during the Spanish Civil War, considered to be the first deliberate attack on civilians in military history. We highly recommend a stop here to visit the ceramic representation of Picasso’s painting, a visit to the Peace Museum (open Sun & Mon 10am – 2:30pm and Tue – Sat 10am – 6pm, closed Mondays Nov – Mar) to better understand the local history, and a visit to the magnificent Casa de las Juntas (open daily 10am – 2pm/4pm – 6pm) to visit the original Tree of Guernica, and see the stained-glass ceiling depicting important scenes in Basque history. If all that sightseeing has given you an appetite, we recommend lunch at 1000 Kolorau (open Wed – Mon 11am – 6pm).
After leaving Guernica you have a nice ride up the other side of the estuary before continuing along the hilly, coastal roads all the way to Lekeitio.
Lekeitio’s “new” port, Txatxo Kaia, dates back to the 19th centry and was named after a local sailor who accompanied Christopher Colombus on his voyage to the Americas. The colourful fishermen’s houses that line the port once looked out directly over the sea.
The town was surrounded by a stone wall in the 14th century, to defend against both invaders and the fires that frequently devastated the town. Parts of this can be seen to this day.
The magnificent Basilica de Santa Maria dates back to the 15th century and boasts a Gothic altarpiece that is considered to be one of the most important in the region.
At low tide, a path appears across the bay to the island of Garraitz, also known as the island of St Nicholas, after the hermitage that once stood there. It’s well worth walking out to the island to enjoy spectacular views of the coast all the way to Zarautz (please consult the tide schedules).
Take a stroll down Calle Arranegi to admire the juxtaposition of 16th and 17th century palaces with traditional fishermen’s houses.
Your hotel has its own excellent restaurant, specialising in locally-sourced traditional Basque cuisine; however, if you would like to explore the town further, we recommend a tapas crawl around the port in order to try the diverse seafood dishes of this traditional fishing village.
Friday October 2: Lekeitio – Zumaia
Route: 39 km/ 27.3 miles
Elevation: +836 m/2640 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Talasoterapia
As you leave Lekeitio you continue along the coast to the pretty fishing village of Ondarroa, which is an interesting cultural experience because it’s one of the places with most Basque language speakers in the country: The small town also boasts a bridge designed by prestigious architect Santiago Calatrava. We recommend a lunch stop here at Sutargi Jatetxea (open Tue – Sun 12pm – 10:30pm), which specialises in kokotxa (fish cheeks), a local delicacy, or Batzoki Ondarroa (open Wed – Mon 1pm – 3:30pm), which boasts a terrace with beautiful sea views.
The next spot to visit is the fishing town of Deba, where we recommend making a brief stop to visit the 15th century Church of Santa Maria, which boasts a well-known polychromatic façade.
From here, your ride continues along the coastal path all the way to the charming coastal town of Zumaia where you´ll be in for a treat when you make it to the local beach to see the flysch.
Your hotel tonight boasts fabulous ocean views and has a relaxing spa, where you can loosen up your muscles after a long week in the saddle (spa treatments not included in tour price).
The top attraction in Zumaia are the flysch landscapes: layers of sedimentary rock that can be read like a geological textbook, and which have created spectacularly beautiful cliffs that have been used as filming locations for Game of Thrones, among others. You can enjoy fantastic views from the small chapel of San Telmo, and we highly recommend a short hike along the GR-121 to explore the beaches and flysch landscapes.
Weather permitting, we also suggest a visit to Itzurun beach, where the high concentration of iodine in the sands and water has proven health benefits.
For a hearty and traditional dinner after your day of cycling, we recommend Txopa Gastro (7 days, lunch: 12-3pm, dinner: 7-10pm) which is a local classic spot with delicious homemade fare, or Taberna Muina (open Tue-Sunday, lunch Tue-Sun, Dinner 8-10pm Tue-Sat), which has a variety of fish, meat and seafood.
Saturday October 3: Zumaia – San Sebastián
Route: 32 km/ 19.3 miles
Elevation: +596 m/1950 feet
Accommodation: client books
Say goodbye to the cliffs and get ready for a short, but gorgeous, last day! The first recommended stop is in Getaria, famous for producing txakoli white wine and boasting its own Protected Denomination of Origin status. A favourite of top chef Antony Bourdain, Getaria boasts famous seafood restaurants such as Elkano (open Tues – Sat 1pm – 3:15pm/Fri & Sat 8:30pm – 10:15pm) and Kaia Kaipe (open Tues – Sat 1pm – 3:30pm/Fri & Sat 8pm – 10:30pm) Prior booking is essential for both.
Around Getaria, you will cycle through txakoli vineyards and past numerous bodegas, many of which offer visits upon prior appointment: Gaintza (Tue – Sat at 11:30am), Txomín Etxaniz (Mon – Sat 9am – 12pm) Ameztoi (Guided tours available Tue – Sat at 11am (Spring/Autumn), daily at 11am (Summer), Tastings daily 11am – 2pm).
Today is full of fun, and after a windy road along the coast you will come to the surfer haven of Zarautz, where you’ll enjoy spectacular views over the town and across to bay to the “mouse”: the mountain of San Antón, which is connected to the village of Getaria by a strip of land. We recommend that you make a stop to watch the surfers and have a drink at Hotel Restaurante Karlos Arguiñano (open daily from 8am), owned by a famous local chef and offering fabulous views of the beach.
As you depart Orio, which is an interesting town, you will begin the final gradual ascent and then descent heading out of the lush Basque countryside . Enjoying stunning views of bucolic green landscapes and the Bay of Biscay, you’ll make your way along the coast, heading downhill into the the world-renowned foodie paradise of San Sebastian.
We hope you´ve enjoyed your bike tour and that your last days in San Sebastian are relaxing and enjoyable.
Check out of list of google maps recommendations here!
San Sebastián is world-famous for its gastronomy, and with good reason! The city boasts more Michelin starts per person than any other city in Europe. Central to Basque cuisine are pintxos, small finger foods served at bars and taverns throughout the Basque Country. The word pintxo is a ‘Basque-ified’ take on the Spanish word pincho, which itself comes from the verb pinchar, meaning ‘to pierce’. This is because pintxos are very often held together by cocktail sticks, and many bars will bill you by counting how many empty cocktail sticks are left on your plate!
The most famous area to go out for pintxos is the old town. Some of our favourite pintxos bars are Atari (don’t miss the carrilleras or the torrijas), La Txuleta (grilled meat and fish), Bar Sport (foie and sports!) and La Viña (famous for its Basque “burnt” cheesecake). Further towards the city centre, we recommend Bar La Espiga.
If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, why not try one of the city’s ten Michelin-star restaurants?
Alternatively, take a taxi to the nearby village of Astigarraga and enjoy a traditional cider house meal, a very popular activity among Basques! The menu typically consists of cod tortilla and steak followed by cheese and membrillo (quince), plus unlimited cider, brewed in-house and served straight from the enormous barrels that line the walls! Basque cider must be aerated, so try to copy the local technique of catching it mid-stream in your glass!
Sunday October 4: Departure
After breakfast, you will bid farwell to the beautiful Basque Countryside. We hope your trip was a success!
