Private San Sebastian and Basque Coast Tour from Bilbao

Flysch cliffs and a Basque city in one morning and afternoon

This private guided tour departs from Bilbao and covers San Sebastian's beaches and old quarter, the dramatic Flysch rock formations at Zumaia, and the fishing village of Getaria on the Basque coast. A driver-guide leads the day in English or Spanish, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours and suits travelers arriving in Bilbao or with a free day who want to see both the city and the coast without driving themselves.

Step-by-step itinerary

San Sebastian and Basque Coast Tour

• Walk to Zurriola beach
• Guided tour of San Sebastian old quarter
• See La Concha beach and royal palace
• Visit fishing port of Getaria
• Enjoy scenic views of Flysch formations

The experience

If you're staying in Bilbao and want to see San Sebastian without renting a car, this tour handles the drive and the route. The guide picks you up at your hotel and takes you first to San Sebastian, where you walk to Zurriola beach (a working surf spot on the Atlantic), and then into the old quarter. The city sits between two beaches. You'll see La Concha, where Isabella II of Spain built a royal palace, and get a sense of the fiestas, culture and traditions that define the place. The guide provides the history as you move through it.

From there, the route heads along the coast to Zumaia, where the Flysch formations rise from the water: layered cliffs that are millions of years old and dramatic enough that Game of Thrones filmed here for season 7. The ocean views are the point. You stop to take them in. The final stop is Getaria, a small fishing port known for Txakoli, a local white wine, and for grilled fish and seafood. Lunch is on your own, but the restaurants are built around what the boats bring in that morning.

The vehicle is a private luxury car, fully insured and licensed by the Basque government. All taxes and fees are included in the price. Because this is a private tour, the pace and the stops are yours: the guide adjusts to what interests you. The exact drive times depend on traffic and the time of day, but the tour is structured to fit the main sights into a single outing.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Bilbao.
• round-trip private transfer in a fully insured luxury vehicle.
• driver-guide in English or Spanish.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 16 Mar 2027

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (1 to 17 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by The Best of Basque - Basque Country & La Rioja Tours

Is this one for you?At 7 to 8 hours, this tour fills most of a day but leaves room for an early start or a late dinner back in Bilbao. The private vehicle and fixed itinerary mean you don't drive or navigate, so you can focus on the coast and the city without the logistics of a rental car or public transit.

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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 (1 to 17 years).

What is there to do in San Sebastian on this tour?

San Sebastian has two main beaches: Zurriola, where surfers work the Atlantic swells, and La Concha, backed by the royal palace Isabella II built in the 19th century. The tour includes a walk through the old quarter, where the guide explains the city's unique fiestas and traditions. The city is also famous for its pintxo bars, though food is not included in the tour.

What are the Flysch formations at Zumaia?

The Flysch cliffs at Zumaia are layered rock formations that date back millions of years and rise directly from the Atlantic Ocean. The site is part of a protected GeoPark and is known for its dramatic coastal scenery. It was also used as a filming location for season 7 of Game of Thrones.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included, but the tour stops in Getaria, a fishing port where restaurants specialize in grilled fish and seafood. You'll have time to eat while the guide waits, and you can choose where to go.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Bilbao?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Bilbao are included, and you travel in a private luxury vehicle with a driver-guide for the entire day. The guide speaks English or Spanish.

How many people can book this tour?

A minimum of 2 people per booking is required. The tour is private, so it's just your group and the guide in the vehicle.