Basque Country: Bilbao to San Sebastian via Olite

Bike to the best of the Basque

Behold the full glory of the Basque Country on this epic guided tour of its multifaceted landscapes and scintillating Spanish cities! As you bike from the vibrant, visionary city of Bilbao to the jewel in the Basque's crown, San Sebastián, you'll cross wide plains, admire views of rugged mountainsides, emerge from atmospheric forests, and cycle along sublime coastline. Along the way, experience incredible encounters with captivating cultural monuments, an enchanting language, archaic sports, and mouthwatering Spanish and Basque cuisine.

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Highlights

• Bilbao, city of modern art
• Traditional Basque Country landscapes
• Basque coastal resorts
• Former royal city of Olite
• San Sebastián, city of blissful beaches

Learn More

Learn more about guided tours or see more Spain bike tours.

Interested in adding to your itinerary? Check out our cycling day tours in Bilbao and San Sebastian.

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival in Bilbao
The adventure begins in Bilbao! Arrive in your hotel and meet in the lobby at 5:15 pm - the group will take a tour through the world-famous Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art, a distinctive architectural icon housing many treasured pieces. The evening is at your disposal - explore more of this vibrant Spanish city, or enjoy peaceful downtime in your hotel.

Overnight in Bilbao.

Day 2: Bilbao – Argomaniz (20 miles/32 km)
After your bike fitting in Bilbao, the journey begins! You'll start your cycle tour through the city of Bilbao as it slowly awakens to the day, following the River Nervion in the direction of the Atlantic Ocean. Pedaling mainly along cycle paths and peaceful adjacent routes, you'll gain an insight into the emergence of Bilbao as a modern, artsy metropolis following an industrial decline. In Portugalete, glide over the world's oldest transporter bridge with the gently weaving Nervion River beneath you.

The tour will stop for lunch in the lively seaside resort of Getxo, home to splendidly elegant villas, before a minibus takes the group to the Embalse de Ullibarri, a tranquil reservoir near Vitoria Gasteiz. Here, you'll cycle along secluded paths with views of the lake. In the late afternoon, you'll arrive in Parador, where dinner awaits.

Overnight in Argomaniz.

Day 3: Argomaniz – Estella (31 miles/49 km)
In the morning, a bus will take you to the Sierra de Urbasa (around 30 minutes). On this high, deserted plateau, barren grassland alternates with lush beech groves. Here, you'll find charming flocks of sheep, sneaky griffon vultures, and gently grazing horses. Enjoy a fun descent with panoramic views as the bizarre, rocky scenery of the Sierra de Santiago de Loquiz unfolds around you.

Pedaling on past pictorial villages, emerge into Estella, where the group will take a round trip past Romanesque churches like the San Sepulcro, with its impressive tympanum, and the palace of the Dukes of Granada de Ega. Tonight, dinner will be served at a highly regarded restaurant not far from your hotel.

Overnight in Estella.

Day 4: Estella – Olite (30 miles/48 km)
Your day starts with a short bus ride to a mirador (turret), from which you can admire the vast openness of Navarre. Enjoy the descent through the sublime Sierra del Pérdon on your way to Puente de la Reina, where the French Camino de Santiago joins the Spanish. In Calle Mayor, you'll discover architectural jewels such as the churches of Santiago and richly decorated residences - silent witnesses to a long tradition of pilgrimage in the area.

Around noon, you'll arrive in Artajona, towered over by a legendary fortress dating back to the 11th century. After a long ascent, you'll reach the wine growing area of Tudela, the production site of the famous Rosados de Navarre. Following atmospheric, lonely trails, you'll go on to reach the former royal city of Olite in the late afternoon. The eventful day draws to a close with a stylish dinner.

Overnight in Olite.

Day 5: Olite – Vera de Bidasoa (31 miles/49 km)
Weather permitting, a minibus will take you the 90 minute distance to the summit of Mount Artxueta in the Aralar range, where a splendid view will open up over the Urbasa mountain range.

After a comfortable cycling leg that's mostly downhill, the bus will take you uphill to another pass. From here, you'll cycle almost 19 miles downhill into the most characteristically 'Basque' region of the tour. In the Rio Ezkurra Valley, with its sleepy villages and magnificent views into a wildly romantic landscape, the independent culture of the Basque Country really becomes evident.

On the last miles of today's tour, you'll follow the former railroad track to Vera de Bidasoa where you'll be welcomed at the hotel and served a scrumptious Basque dinner.

Overnight in Vera de Bidasoa.

Day 6: Vera de Bidasoa – San Sebastian (24 miles/38 km)
In the morning, you'll travel by taxi to the Spanish-French border. From here, you'll cycle into the fabulous French Basque Country. The route leads you on a constant up and down path through picturesque villages like Sare and Ascain, home to the impressive Pelota Palaces.

By noon, you'll reach the quaint commune of St. Jean de Luz, with its picturesque alleys. There's enough time here to take a stroll or a dip in the sea before you turn your bicycle in Spain's direction once again.

Arriving in Hendaye, you'll take the ferry to Hondarribia, Spain. From here, there's a transfer to San Sebastián and your modern hotel, the NH Collection Aranzazu*** (two overnight stays). Dinner will be enjoyed together.

Overnight in San Sebastián.

Day 7: San Sebastian round trip (8 miles/12 km)
Today's the day for exploring the scintillating city of San Sebastián, the jewel in the crown of the Basque Country. From the hotel, you'll cycle along Concha Bay into Old Town, home to impressive buildings from the Belle Epoque such as the Teatro Victoria Eugenia and the modern Palacio de Congresos. Pedaling into the suburb of Pasaia, you'll be immersed in the authentic Basque culture, with the Ikurriña (Basque flag) proudly flying from many balconies here.

You'll arrive back at your hotel in the early afternoon, leaving you with enough time to head down to the beach for a swim in the azure ocean waters, or to explore Old Town's numerous bars and shops. You'll enjoy your final group dinner, sharing your memories and experiences from the trip.

Overnight in San Sebastián.

Day 8: Departure
As there is nothing on today's program, your departure can be arranged individually. Buses travel hourly to the airport in Bilbao as well as into the city center of Bilbao (duration approximately 1 hour 15 min – tickets are not included in the travel price).

Looking to add to your itinerary? Why not spend the day uncovering something extra in San Sebastián or Bilbao on one of our cycling day tours?

Surface and terrain

The terrain on this tour is mainly downhill or flat, with only a few climbs. There are some short arranged transfers.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary by availability.

Gran Hotel Domine, Bilbao
www.hoteldominebilbao.com

Parador de Argomaniz, Argomaniz
www.parador.es

Hotel Tximista, Estella
www.sanvirilahoteles.com

Parador de Olite, Olite
www.parador.es

Hotel Churrut, Vera de Bidasoa
hotelchurrut.com

NH Collection Hotel Aranzazu, San Sebastian
www.nh-collection.com

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airport and train station: Bilbao, Spain

From the airport of Bilbao you will reach the starting hotel within 15 minutes by taxi. There are shuttle buses, leaving regularly, which also take you to the city center.

Tips on getting to and from your tour.

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation
• Breakfast
• Luggage transfers
• Guide during the whole tour
• 6 multi-course dinners (beverages not included)
• All visitors and tourist taxes
• All transfers as mentioned in the tour description
• All entry fees as mentioned in the tour description
• Touring bike rental
• Support vehicle during the whole tour
• City guide in the Museum Guggenheim Bilbao

Bike rentals

Bikes available on this tour and included in the tour costs (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Hybrid touring bikes

Bikes available to rent (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Electrically-assisted bikes*

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:

• Saddlebag (water-repellent), rear
• Rotalis waterbottle souvenir

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmet rental is not available on this tour. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.

Note: wearing a helmet is mandatory in Spain.

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

Tour Company