Beyond Bilbao
Make a Trip Out of It!
Getting to Bilbao from abroad is no easy task and we would be grateful if you could join us for our special weekend. If you have time and are feeling adventurous enough to make a trip out of it, we have laid out below a few recommendations of famous locations close to Bilbao to make your planning easier:
Driving distance from Bilbao: 1h
Things to do: San Sebastian is worth visiting for its beautiful old town full of pintxos bars, must-visit iconic La Concha beach and its renowned culinary scene (best food in the Basque country). Hondarribia is a charming medieval town that served as a fishing town for centuries (This is one of Bego’s favourites spots in the region)
San Sebastian (Donostia) and Hondarribia
Driving distance from Bilbao: 1h 45mins
Things to do: La France! Biarritz is the capital of the French Basque Country and one of the nicest (and fanciest) spots in France. No wonder the French aristocracy spent their summer holidays there for centuries! If you are looking for a beach-style experience, this is the place to visit. For all experience and aspiring surfers reading this, this is a world known surfing destination!
French Basque Country: Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz
La Rioja
(for wine lovers)
Driving distance from Bilbao: 1h 30mins
Things to do: If you appreciate a good Rioja once in a while then you would definitely appreciate a visit at some of the most famous wineries in La Rioja region. The oldest and most famous ones are:
Marques del Riscal (known for its iconic building designed by Frank Gehry - it’s a hotel too)
Bodegas Muga
Compañia Vinicola del Norte
Bodegas Bilbainas
San Fermin in Pamplona
Driving distance from Bilbao: 1h 30mins
Things to do: From the 6th to the 13th July 2025, the famous San Fermin festival in Pamplona will take place. This probably needs no introduction: one of the most famous festivals in Europe, known for the running of the bulls
Attention fans of Game of Thrones!
Driving distance from Bilbao: 45 mins
Things to do: Remember Dragonstone in Game of Thrones? It was filmed here! San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is located next to Urdaibai, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (probably the nicest landscape around Bilbao) and Mundaka, a fishing village considered one of the best surfing locations in Europe (unfortunately only in the winter months)
