Bilbao to San Sebastian Coastal Guided Tour

Four coastal villages in one day, each one a different piece of Basque life

A guided day trip from Bilbao to four stops on the Gipuzkoan coast: Hendaye, the medieval village of Hondarribia with its colored houses and castle views, a panoramic tour of San Sebastian including La Concha beach and Miramar Palace gardens, and Getaria, a fishing village famous for seafood and the Balenciaga Museum. An expert local guide leads the tour in your choice of English, Spanish or Italian, and you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with free time to wander each place.

Step-by-step itinerary

Basque coast villages and San Sebastian

• Depart from Bilbao to Basque coast
• Visit Hendaye village and beaches
• Explore medieval Hondarribia village
• Panoramic tour of San Sebastian
• Free time in San Sebastian old town
• Guided tour of Getaria fishing village
• Return to Bilbao

The experience

The day starts with a drive from Bilbao toward the coast, passing green landscapes and maritime views before you reach Hendaye, a Basque-French border town where you walk through the villa's charming corners and absorb its relaxed seaside atmosphere. From there, Hondarribia sits just across the border: a medieval village with cobblestone streets, vibrantly painted wooden houses, and a working port. You'll explore the old town and climb to Hondarribia Castle, where views open across the bay and back toward France.

San Sebastian comes next, and here the guide leads a panoramic walk that takes in La Concha beach, the gardens of Miramar Palace overlooking the Cantabrian Sea, and the Maria Cristina Bridge. After that structured part, you have free time to wander the old town on your own. The narrow streets are built for eating and wandering, and this is where most visitors spend their unguided hours. The city is known for its food culture, and the streets fill with pintxo bars and restaurants, though lunch itself is not part of the tour.

The final stop is Getaria, a small fishing village where the guide walks you through the town's maritime history and charm. The Church of San Salvador and the Balenciaga Museum (entrance separate) sit here, and the seafood reputation is real. The village is built around what it catches. After the guided portion, you have time to sit by the water or explore before the drive back to Bilbao, which takes the afternoon into early evening.

What’s included

• Expert local guide in English, Spanish or Italian.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• guided walking tours of Hendaye, Hondarribia and Getaria.
• panoramic tour of San Sebastian including La Concha beach and Miramar Palace gardens.
• free time to explore each village on your own.

Options for this experience

3 options

Day Trip English08:30

Tour in Spanish08:30

Tour in ItalianAvailable from 7 Dec · 08:30

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 10h, runs every day except Friday at 08:30, from € 35 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and Italian and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except FridayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 55

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Buendía

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want to reach each village while the light is good and have time to linger without rushing back to Bilbao in the dark. The ten-hour span lets you see four distinct places without feeling hurried at any single stop, though it means an early start and a late return: best suited for travelers with a full day to spend on the coast and comfortable with a long drive.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How much free time do I get to explore on my own at each stop?

Hondarribia and Getaria include free time after the guided portions, so you can wander the streets, visit the castle or the museum, or sit by the water. San Sebastian also has free time after the panoramic tour, which is when most travelers explore the old town and the pintxo bars. Hendaye is a shorter stop focused on the villa and the coastal atmosphere.

What is Hondarribia Castle like, and can I visit it during the tour?

Hondarribia Castle sits above the medieval old town and offers views across the bay toward France and the coast. The guide will point it out and you can climb up to it during your free time in the village. It is not a separate ticketed stop, so you explore it at your own pace.

Is San Sebastian's La Concha beach included, or just viewed from a distance?

La Concha is part of the panoramic tour, so you see it and walk along the Paseo de la Concha with views of the bay and the golden sand. You have free time afterward to walk the beach itself or spend longer there if you choose.

Can I visit the Balenciaga Museum in Getaria?

The Balenciaga Museum is in Getaria and you have free time to visit it, but entry is not included in the tour and you pay separately at the door. The guide will show you where it is during the walking tour of the village.

Do I need to arrange my own lunch, or is there time to eat?

Lunch is not included in the tour. You have free time in San Sebastian and Getaria where you can eat at local restaurants (San Sebastian is especially known for its food scene), but you arrange and pay for it yourself.