San Sebastian Basque Coast Day Trip: Pintxos & Getaria

San Sebastian's La Concha Bay and the Basque coast in one afternoon

A full-day tour from Pamplona to San Sebastian and Getaria combines walking the Old Town, tasting local pintxos paired with wine, and learning the seafaring heritage of a Balenciaga birthplace on the Cantabrian coast. The small group option includes hotel pickup, lunch with wine, and a guided visit to Getaria. The bilingual group covers the same route with free time to explore pintxos independently and skips the Getaria stop. An expert guide leads in English, Spanish or both depending on the option you choose.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore San Sebastian and Basque Coast

• Depart from Pamplona at 9:30
• Guided tour of San Sebastian downtown and Old Town
• Lunch or free time for pintxos in San Sebastian
• Guided tour of Getaria town and coastline

The experience

The day starts at 9:30 with pickup from your Pamplona hotel (small group option) or a meeting point, then heads north toward the coast. San Sebastian arrives mid-morning, and the guide walks you through the downtown and Old Town, pointing out the architecture and history that frame the city. La Concha Bay (the crescent of beach ringed by the iconic railing) is the centerpiece: you'll have time to photograph it and absorb the scale of the place before moving on to lunch.

At 13:00, the small group sits down to four traditional pintxos paired with two local wines, eaten in the Old Town itself. The bilingual group gets 45 minutes of free time instead, with recommendations from the guide on where to find pintxos on their own. After lunch, the afternoon route splits: the small group continues along the coast to Getaria, a fishing town where a guide explains its seafaring past and the connection to Balenciaga, the designer born there. The bilingual group returns to Pamplona without the Getaria stop. The full day runs between five and eight hours depending on traffic and how the group moves through the stops.

An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group throughout. Vegetarian and gluten-free pintxos are available, as are non-alcoholic beverages if you prefer them to wine. The tour runs in all weather, so dress for the Basque coast: rain is common even when the forecast says otherwise.

What’s included

• Expert guide in English, Spanish or both.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day.
• four traditional pintxos with two local wines (small group option only).
• hotel pickup and drop-off (small group option only).
• guided tour of Getaria and the Cantabrian coast (small group option only).

Options for this experience

3 options

Bilingual groupGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30This tour does not include pickup from accommodation; it begins at a set meeting point. The guide speaks Spanish and English at the same time, and travelers who speak either language are welcome. The group has a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 25 adults. The tour lasts 5 hours. Food and drinks are not included in the price. The tour covers only the San Sebastian city tour and does not visit Getaria. The vehicle may be a bus or a minivan, depending on demand. Meet in front of the lottery shop in the underground bus platform area of the Central Bus Station of Pamplona.

Small group (English)09:30Small group tour for up to 8 participants lasting 8 hours. The meal is 4 pintxos and 4 drinks. The itinerary covers San Sebastian and Getaria. Transport is by private minivan. The tour is conducted in English, and pickup is included.

Small group (Spanish)09:30Small group of up to 8 participants on an 8-hour tour. Four pintxos and four drinks are provided as the meal. The full itinerary includes San Sebastian and Getaria. The tour travels by private minivan and is conducted in Spanish. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 49 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or 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

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Local Experts Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the small group option if you want the full experience (hotel pickup, a seated lunch with wine, and the Getaria stop) all guided and paced by someone who knows the coast. The bilingual group covers the same San Sebastian highlights but gives you free time to explore pintxos on your own and skips Getaria, which suits travelers who prefer independence and a shorter day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (under 12).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is La Concha Bay like when we get there?

La Concha Bay is a crescent-shaped beach in the heart of San Sebastian, ringed by an iconic railing that frames the water and the surrounding hills. You'll have time to walk along it, photograph the view, and take in the scale of the bay before the guide moves the group into the Old Town.

Does the small group option really include pintxos and wine at lunch?

Yes, the small group includes four traditional pintxos paired with two local wines, eaten in the Old Town of San Sebastian at 13:00. The bilingual group gets 45 minutes of free time to find and buy pintxos on their own, with recommendations from the guide.

What is Getaria, and do all groups visit it?

Getaria is a fishing town on the Basque coast and the birthplace of designer Balenciaga. The small group option includes a guided tour of the town and views of the Cantabrian Sea. The bilingual group skips this stop and returns to Pamplona after lunch in San Sebastian.

Is hotel pickup included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the small group options (English and Spanish). The bilingual group meets at a designated point in Pamplona instead.

How long is the full day, and when do we get back?

The tour runs between five and eight hours depending on traffic and the pace of the group. Departure is at 9:30. Return time to Pamplona varies but typically falls in the late afternoon or early evening.

Can I do this tour if I don't eat meat or drink alcohol?

Yes. Vegetarian pintxos are available at lunch, and non-alcoholic beverages can replace the wine pairing. Let the operator know your preferences when you book.