The charming Basque Country: An undiscovered pearl of Spain
The Basque Country, or Euskadi as it is known in the local Basque language, is a unique and proud part of Spain. Here tourists can experience a unique blend of rich history, breathtaking nature and impressive art and culture.
Hidden between the crest of the Pyrenees and the vast blue of the Bay of Biscay lies the Basque Country. Here the traveler will find a variety of landscapes that are incomparable.
The rugged coastline is a paradise for surfers and offers some of the best waves in Europe. The cities of San Sebastian and Bilbao are ideal for enjoying the urban charm, while the green valleys and picturesque villages inland provide the perfect backdrop for hiking and cycling tours.
To experience authentic Basque life, it is best to travel to the smaller villages in the interior. Gernika, for example, is famous for its weekly market and the impressive Peace Museum. The idyllic fishing village of Mundaka is known worldwide by surfers for its excellent surfing conditions.
The Basque Country is proud of its unique culture and language. At the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, you can admire some of the best contemporary art in the world. The Basque Country has insights into one of the oldest cultures in Europe. The Basque language, Euskara, is one of the few non-Indo-European languages in Europe. Traditional festivals and dances, the lively Basque music scene and the locals’ passion for sport, especially pelota games, give the Basque Country a distinctive character.
The Basque Country is also a paradise for gourmets. The region enjoys an excellent reputation for its innovative cuisine and is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants. The local gastronomy offers everything from traditional pintxos (small bites) to sophisticated culinary creations. Accompanied by a glass of txakoli, the characteristic local white wine, a visit to one of the many sidrerías or tapas bars is an unforgettable experience.
Discover the Basque Country
San Sebastián is located in the very north of Spain in the beautiful Basque Country and only around 20 kilometers from the French border. The city is also known by its Basque name Donostia and is one of the best-known vacation resorts in the Basque Country.
Txakoli (or “Txakolina” in Basque) is a wine from the Basque Country. Known for its freshness, tangy character and unique flavor profile, this wine has also made a name for itself internationally in recent years.t.
A visit to the Basque Country without drinking the famous and unique cider - unthinkable! The best thing to do is to visit one of the cideries and try the cider.
The Basque national sport of pelota (also known as pelota vasca) is one of the most traditional and impressive sports in Spain. Jai Alai or Cesta-Punta is a variant of the Basque pelota game. We watched jai alai games and were thrilled by the sport.
What could be better than sitting relaxed on a train, letting the landscape pass you by and listening to the rattle of the wheels. Clearly, a train that travels as a rolling hotel! Traveling in northern Spain on the Transcantábrico, the Costa Verde Express, taking excursions in the region and falling asleep in your own…
Book a tour
Travel information
Arrival
By plane:
There are three international airports in the Basque Country:
Bilbao Airport is the largest and most important airport in the region. It has direct flights from many uropean cities.
San Sebastián Airport, also known as Hondarribia Airport, serves mainly national flights, but there are some international connections.
Vitoria Airport, also known as Foronda Airport, is the smallest of the tree and is mainly used for cargo flights, but there are some passenger flights.
By Train:
The Spanish high-speed train network (AVE) connects the Basque Country with many major cities in Spain, such as Madrid and Barcelona. There are also connections to neighboring countries, including France.
By car:
The Basque Country is well connected to the Spanish highway network. The main links are the AP-8 freeway, which crosses the region along the coast and leads to France, and the AP-68, which connects Bilbao with Zaragoza and the rest of Spain.
By Bus:
There are numerous long-distance bus services that connect the Basque Country with the rest of Spain and many European cities.
By boat:
The port of Bilbao offers ferry services to Portsmouth and Southampton in the United Kingdom. The crossing takes about 24 hours.
Travelling in the Basque Country
By bus:
The major cities of the Basque Country – Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz and San Sebastian – are connected by national bus lines such as ALSA and regional lines such as Lurralde (Bilbao to San Sebastian) and La Union (Bilbao to Vitoria Gasteiz). Each province in the Basque Country also has its own bus network, with Bizkaibus in Bizkaia, Lurraldebus in Gipuzkoa and PESA in Alava. There are also special urban bus lines in each city.
By Train:
Euskotren, the Basque train line, serves the entire Basque Country. Tickets can be purchased in advance or paid for with the Creditrans barik cashless payment system. In addition to the Euskotren service, Bilbao has a metro that connects the city with surrounding areas, as well as a municipal streetcar.
By car:
The Basque Country has an extensive infrastructure that allows for convenient travel by car. Note, however, that there is a charge for using the highways.
Beste time to travel
The Basque Country has an oceanic climate, which means that it is quite humid all year round. It is known for its rainy days, so it is always a good idea to bring an umbrella or a rain jacket no matter what time of year you visit the region.
Spring is an excellent time to visit the Basque Country if you want to enjoy nature. Temperatures are mild and the countryside blossoms.
Summers are warm and sunny. This is the high season for tourism.
Autumn can be a good time to visit the Basque Country, especially if you are interested in culture and gastronomy. Temperatures are still mild.
While winters in the Basque Country tend to be mild, it can be rainy.
Language
Spanish is the official language of Spain and is understood and spoken by all inhabitants of the Basque Country. Basque, also known as Euskara, is the traditional language of the Basques and one of the oldest languages still spoken in Europe. It is not related to any other known language and therefore presents a fascinating mystery to linguists.
The Basque language has a strong regional presence and is actively promoted by the Basque government. Many street signs and official documents are written in both languages, and it is common to hear and read Basque in public institutions, schools, and the media.
Nevertheless, the proportion of Basque speakers in the population is variable. In some rural areas and smaller towns, Basque is the predominant language, while in larger cities such as Bilbao and San Sebastian, Spanish is more dominant.
For travelers, it is important to know that you will be fine with Spanish or English in most situations, as most Basques are multilingual.