Basque Country by Road Bike (Upscale Lodging)

Day 1: Arrival in Bilbao

Upon arrival in Bilbao, you'll be transferred from the airport to your hotel. Here, you will be welcomed by our local representative who will brief you about the upcoming tour and other activities. Your accommodation this evening is the boutique Hotel Miró, with its contemporary decor and minimalist design, located opposite the iconic Guggenheim Museum. Dinner at the Michelin-starred Mina restaurant.

Overnight in Bilbao. D.

Day 2: Bilbao - San Juan de Gaztelugatxe - Bilbao
58 miles/94 km

Leaving Bilbao, cycle along the splendid estuary past the beautiful villages that define the interior of Bizkaia. You'll bike along backroads through Markaida, Larrauri, and Bakio, an exclusive summer resort surrounded by beaches, cliffs, coves, and promenades.

Continuing parallel to the gorgeous coastline, you'll reach Jata. After a short climb with gentle gradients, you'll be rewarded with unmissable views over San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, surrounded by cliffs and the sparkling azure of the sea. The spectacular beauty of this spot led to it being chosen as a filming location for the famous HBO series Game of Thrones.

Further along the coast, you'll reach the blissful fishing village of Armintza and the coastal town of Plentzia, with its brilliant bay. You'll return to Bilbao along the coast, gliding past the impressive cliffs of Barrika, Getxo, Las Arenas, and the estuary.

Overnight in Bilbao. B and L.

Elevation: 7415 ft/2260m

Day 3: Bilbao - Getaria - San Sebastián
65 miles/105 km

Today you'll head towards the east of Bizkaia, warming up with a beautiful mountain pass ascent, followed by a descent into Guernica. This symbolic town was the scene of a terrible bombing during the Spanish Civil War, the resulting suffering of which was captured in the painting Guernica by Pablo Picasso.

Once again, you'll pass through beautiful rural villages into the interior of Bizkaia until you reach the fishing town of Lekeitio. Here, you'll find a serene coastal landscape complete wth lovely beaches, the island of San Nicolas, a port, and the old town.

Cycle parallel to the Cantabrian Sea to the fishing village of Ondarroa, located at the eastern end of the Biscayan coast where the coastline is defined by steep cliffs. Ondarroa's Old Town creates an enchanting atmosphere with its unmistakable medieval and seafaring flavor. You'll want to pause here to really soak up the atmosphere of its narrow, steep streets.

Once in the medieval fishing village of Getaria, you'll enjoy a delicious lunch featuring the village's famous salted anchovies and tuna in oil.

Overnight in San Sebastián. B, L.

Elevation: 5905 ft/1800m

Day 4: San Sebastián - Hondarribia - San Sebastian
45 miles/72 km

Head east on a little rural road for a pleasant 5 km climb up Castillo del Inglés into Aiako-Harria Natural Park. On a clear day, you'll be able to capture an incredible snap of the city of San Sebastián and the spectacular bay of La Concha.

Taking the fun descent through the trees, you'll eventually arrive in the beautiful coastal town of Hondarribia, bathed by the waves of the Cantabrian Sea. From here, you can gaze out over the wonderful bay of Txingudi, neighboring Hendaye, and even across the French border in the distance. As you venture into the walled Old Town, you'll be charmed by the cobbled streets fit with emblazoned houses and unique buildings like the Castle of Emperor Charles V, now converted into a Parador.

The mountain range of Jaizkibel stretches east to west between the Cantabrian Sea and the mouth of the Bidasoa River. The mountaintop affords picturesque vistas of the Bay of Txingudi, as well as the Atlantic coast of France. The descent will lead you back into San Sebastián.

Overnight in San Sebastián. B, L.

Elevation: 4691 feet/1430m

Day 5: San Sebastian - Zarautz - Rioja Alavesa
28 miles/45 km

A morning climb leads you up to Igueldo Mountain, located at the tip of Concha Bay and marking the boundary between the sea and city. You'll follow an up-and-down route that finally descends to Orio, a typical fishing town on the coast of Gipuzkoa located where the sea, mountains, and mouth of the Oria River merge. It's a town that has witnessed the comings and goings of many pilgrims over the centuries and is still closely linked to the Camino de Santiago. The historic center, dating back to the 12th century, is formed of a labyrinth of steep, cobbled streets evocative of medieval Spain.

You'll leave Orio by a 1 km backroad - a fun and demanding climb surrounded by farmhouses and traditional Basque buildings. You'll descend into Zarautz where the beach - over 2 km long - is popular with surfers, flanked by cliffs, and lined by a lively promenade of terraces and cafes, one of which you're welcome to take a scenic break in. The postcard-perfect presence of hundreds of blue and white awnings, coupled with the fine gold sand, makes the beach at Zarautz one of the most beautiful on the Basque coast.

Back in San Sebastián, you'll climb the scenic leg from Orio to Igueldo before the end of the day's cycling. You'll stay the next two nights at the luxurious Hotel Viura, superb accommodation that's something of an architectural masterpiece owing to its splendid design. You'll instantly notice that the vertical and horizontal shapes create an ultramodern fantasy contrasting incredibly with the traditional church next door.

Overnight in Rioja Alavesa. B, L, D.

Elevation: 2905 feet/885m

Day 6: Rioja Alavesa
33 miles/53 km

Today you'll pedal along a gravel path through unique landscapes and seas of verdant vineyards, ranging from small family-run wineries to huge commercial successes like the spectacular Marqués de Riscal winery, designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry.

Your route features charming settlements like the medieval town of Laguardia, the capital of the Rioja Alavesa region. Founded in the 10th century as a defense of the Kingdom of Navarre, Laguardia preserves its medieval layout which remains almost intact. Its main tourist attractions are its atmospheric wine cellars and echoing caves that crisscross underground.

Biking around the Laguardia Lagoons, you'll discover a protected biotope located right in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. These wetlands are privileged ecosystems due to the richness and diversity of the life forms that inhabit them. In addition, they're located in an almost exclusively wine-producing region that boasts an enormous wealth of archeological sites in its surrounding area, including the Poblado de la Hoya and the Dolmen of the Chabola de la Hechicera.

Overnight in Rioja Alavesa. B, L, D.

Elevation: 2200 feet/670m

Day 7: Rioja Alavesa
gravel - Bilbao (32 miles/52 km

During your last cycling stage, you'll immerse yourself in the natural charms of this sublime region, which is covered in vibrant vineyards and aromatic olive groves. You can also discover some of the most charming villages in the area, such as Samaniego, making an essential stop at the foot of the Sierra de Toloño. From there, you'll continue to Ábalos, laced with narrow streets lined by beautiful stone manor houses. Your journey then continues to the wine town of Labastida.

Returning along a network of enjoyable roads that run parallel to the Ebro River (the longest river in Spain), you'll find yourself fascinated by the ancient fortress of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a walled town located atop a hill.

Overnight in Bilbao. B, L.

Elevation: 2625 feet/800m

Day 8: Bilbao

Today is the official end of your tour. Departure airport transfer is included on this day.

Don't want your tour to end? You can maximize your time in Bilbao with one of our cycling day tours!

*B, L, D: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Provisions alter by day, so please check the itinerary codes.