Basque Lifestyle

After meeting our local Travelmeister in your accommodations in the center of Bilbao, you will get a short introduction to the trip and our upcoming week. We'll start with a short walk through the city to the funicular. It will bring us to the top of mount Artxanda, where we will enjoy a stunning view of the city Bilbao, having a welcome drink paired with a pintxo - a traditional basque snack.

On our first morning, we’ll dive straight into the old town of Bilbao to discover and feel the history and traditions of the city and their lovely people.

Then you’ll get introduced in the culture of pintxos! This tasty delights are the lifeblood of the basque food scene. Together we will try different pintxos in some of the best pintxo bars of the city, learning about the ingredients and preparation methods.

Afterwards we will continue strolling along the river, getting in touch with the New Bilbao and its change, ending up at the world famous Guggenheim Museum.

Optional: Take the Guggenheim Museum Tour, to enter the Museum, marvel at its art pieces and learn more about the change this building brought to the city. (Let your local guide know that you want to do the tour at the beginning of the trip)

The sea looms large in the basque landscape and history. After breakfast we’ll start our journey to explore the basque coastline. You’ll discover San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and the Urdaibai biosphere reserve, soak up the flavour of the fishing port of Bermeo and learn more about basque history in Gernika.

On the way we will taste the traditional cuisine for lunch...where you can try some freshly-caught fish for example ;-)

After lunch we'll hike to Monte Atxarre to enjoy some of the best views of the Basque Country and if the weather allows it, we’ll stroll along the beach, and swim in the sea :D

Today is at your leisure. Enjoy some free time to relax, explore on your own, or make plans with your new friends. Anyway, if you don't need spare time and want more, you can book our optional experience: Ever heard about “Txakoli”, the typical basque white wine? In Getaria, a walled medieval fishermen village, sitting on a hillside we will enjoy a Txakoli wine tasting paired with the best possible view of this place.

At midday we continue to San Sebastian, the most renowned city of the Basque Country, famed for its beauty and fine food. Stroll along the La Concha beach, enjoy some delicious pintxos and feel as if you’re revisiting the Belle Époque when you walk along its bridges, squares and buildings.

Today it's time for our civil war bunker adventure that will immerse you in the history of Spanish Civil War. We’ll hike to some of the bunkers and tunnels of Bilbao’s Iron Ring, a labyrinthine fortification network around the city of Bilbao, which was constructed hurriedly by the Basque Government during the Spanish Civil War to defend from the Nationalist forces... On the way you'll be able to marvel at some impressive views of cliffs, hidden beaches, and the sea.

Optional: After the workout we deserve a reward. Enjoy the optional traditional and delicious seafood lunch with a beautiful view of the sea. If you don't like seafood or fish, there are some meaty options available as well, but for vegans or vegetarians, the options are sadly really limited. (Let the guide know you want to participate at the beginning of the trip, so he can make the reservation for all of you. Lunch is not included in the price of the trip)

Today again the choice is yours. Exhausted from all our adventures and need some relax time? Yes? Then feel free to use the day for whatever you want. Not at all? Then book our optional experience and leave the zone of Bilbao to dive into the wine area “Rioja Alavesa”. A region with its own character, original and different with a precious balance between tradition and modernity. A whole heritage dotted with prehistoric remains, medieval villages and unique landscapes, mixed with the impressive modern architecture of some of the wineries. We'll visit one of the wineries to immerse ourselves into real basque traditions, taste red wine, and eat basque food.

In the afternoon we’ll visit the capital of the Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz, a friendly, very green city, rich in natural areas and with one of the finest old quarters in the Basque Country, called the Medieval Almond, because of its shape.

Do you have some special plans, want to explore a bit on your own, visit some museums, go shopping or just relax at the beach?

Today you decide! Maybe a beach day? Book a private surf lesson or just stroll along the beach with your new friends, play some beach tennis, swim in the sea or make a SUP tour. Don’t feel like beach? Feel free to use the day for whatever you have in mind.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy one last dinner together, before discovering the nightlife of the city.

Enjoy one last breakfast together as a group.

The rest of the day is yours to spend on your own or with your new friends.