Bilbao to San Sebastian: A Complete Guide
Travel Guide: Bilbao to San Sebastian, Spain
Taking a trip from Bilbao to San Sebastian allows you to explore the stunning Basque Country region of Northern Spain. Both cities are known for their rich cultural heritage and beautiful architecture.
Whether you’re looking for a quick hop from Bilbao to San Sebastian, tours of the cities, or a longer road trip with sites to see, we have it all covered below!
You can use the table of contents to choose your intended trip and transportation options.
Bilbao to San Sebastian by Car
By car, the distance between Bilbao and San Sebastian is approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) via the AP-8 highway. The travel time can range from 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions and the route taken.
I’d definitely consider checking out several amazing sites along the way if you’re driving! Those options are down below in the road trip section.
Rent a Car in Bilbao
Renting a car at the airport in Bilbao is easy, and the roads are easy to navigate with your phone or GPS.
Prices are pretty low for rental cars in Europe. I usually book through Discover Cars, because they include local rental car companies (like Centauro in Spain), in addition to the big international brands.
Bilbao to San Sebastian by Train
You can take the train between Bilbao and San Sebastian, operated by Euskotren. The journey typically takes around 2.5 hours.
How to Get to San Sebastian from Bilbao by Train
There are a few different options, but I would start at the Matiko Station in Bilbao. Take the E1 train to Amara Donostia in San Sebastian.
You can book tickets online in advance, but I’d just do it from the train station kiosk.
Timetables can change, but you can check them out at the Euskotren website.
The Bus from Bilbao to San Sebastian.
Buses don’t run directly between Bilbao and San Sebastion. You’d have to take the bus from Bilbao to Hendaye, which is across the border in France.
Cheapest Way to Get from Bilbao to San Sebastian: Carpool
Americans might not be familiar with BlaBlaCar, but it’s a carpool system in parts of Europe. You can buy a seat in someone’s car heading toward your destination.
Their website lists options and drivers for you to choose from. It’s usually less than 10 Euros for a ride between Bilbao and San Sebastian on BlaBlahCar. Not bad!
Bilbao to San Sebastian Tours
Tours are a good option if you’d rather have someone else do the planning, navigating and driving between Bilbao and San Sebastian!
These three options are highly-recommended, and include several stops between Bilbao and San Sebastian.
🇪🇸 TOUR: Bilbao to San Sebastian: Full Day
Road Trip from Bilbao to San Sebastian
While the drive from Bilbao to San Sebastian is short (around 90 minutes), taking your time and visiting cities along the route is a great idea!
Here’s a suggested itinerary for a drive between Bilbao and San Sebastian, with several sites to see and stops to make along the way.
1. bILBAO
Start your drive in Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country, with a metro population of more than a million people.
It’s home to the Guggenheim Museum, a beautiful Old Town (Casco Viejo), and endless options when it comes to food.
2. GAZTELUGATXE
As you leave Bilbao, make a detour to Gaztelugatxe, a small island with a famous set of steps leading out to a chapel perched on the rocks. It gained popularity as a filming location for the TV series “Game of Thrones.”
Visitors can walk the 241 steps across the rocks to the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Chapel. This small, medieval chapel dates back to the 10th century and is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.
Make sure to book tickets in advance if you want to make the stair-climb, since their timed entry time slots can sell out.
The Bay of Biscay’s blue waves crash against the rocky cliffs, creating a beautiful coastline. You can follow trails up above through the forests along the coast.
You’ll find a few cafes near Gaztelugatxe’s parking lot overlooking the water for a bite to eat.
3. BERMEO
Continue along the coast to Bermeo, an old fishing village on the route between Bilbao and San Sebastian. The old homes along the port are largely unchanged, but the old fish markets on the ground floor are now cafes and other businesses.
Bermeo’s Old Town is a charming neighborhood with narrow streets and traditional Basque architecture.
You might find a market open in the plaza outside the Santa Maria Iglesia (cathedral).
4. MUNDAKA
Mundaka, is a renowned surfing destination along the coast, thanks to the underwater topography off-shore. Surfers from around the globe visit Mundaka to ride its legendary wave, known as “Mundaka Bar.”
Apart from its surfing scene, Mundaka is also known for its natural beauty. The town, on the way from Bilbao to San Sebastian, is surrounded by lush green hills and the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
Mundaka has a charming and well-preserved historic center, with narrow, winding streets lined with traditional Basque houses.
GERNIKA
Next, head inland to Gernika (also known as Guernica), an area known for the bombing that occurred during the Spanish Civil War on April 26, 1937. The town was subjected to an aerial attack by German and Italian forces, in one of the first-ever large-scale bombings of a civilian population.
Today, Gernika stands as a symbol of peace and resilience. The town has rebuilt and preserved its historical center, which showcases traditional Basque architecture. The Casa de Juntas, the Assembly House, is a notable building where the Basque parliament used to meet and is now a museum.
Gernika is also known for its weekly market, which has been held in the town since the 15th century. Every Monday, local farmers and traders gather to sell their goods, including fresh produce, local crafts, and traditional Basque products.
ZUMAIA
Zumaia is a coastal town on the Bay of Biscay, known for its rock formations known as the Flysch cliffs. These cliffs consist of layers of sedimentary rock that were formed over millions of years. They are part of the Geopark of the Basque Coast, a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Zumaia is located at the mouth of the Urola River and offers beautiful beaches, picturesque coves, and scenic coastal trails.
The old town of Zumaia, also known as Zumaya in Spanish, is a charming area with narrow streets and traditional Basque houses.
ZARAUTZ
Zarautz is on the coast and known for its long sandy beach and surf culture. The beach, which is a great stop on the way from Bilbao to San Sebastian, is more than two kilometers in length, and the water is beautiful.
The historic center of Zarautz is full of interesting architecture and restaurants. The town’s Old Quarter features narrow streets lined with traditional Basque buildings, historic landmarks, and a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
GETARIA
As you approach San Sebastian from Bilbao, consider a final stop in Getaria, another coastal town.
The town’s picturesque fishing port, known as the Puerto Viejo, is full of colorful boats and fishermen.
The Balenciaga Museum is in Getaria, dedicated to the renowned fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, who was born here.
SAN SEBASTIAN
Finally, reach your destination, San Sebastian, a city renowned for its beautiful beaches, world-class cuisine, and lively atmosphere. Take a stroll along the stunning La Concha Beach, climb Mount Urgull for panoramic views, and explore the historic Old Town (Parte Vieja), filled with pintxo bars and traditional Basque architecture.
You can also cross the border to France, and visit its coastal towns like Biarritz.
Things to Do in San Sebastian
San Sebastian’s “Old Town,” known as Parte Vieja, is home to many blocks of shops and restaurants. It’s pedestrian-friendly with stone streets.
San Sebastian is famous for its picturesque beaches. The most popular beach is La Concha, a crescent-shaped sandy beach with crystal-clear waters. It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Europe.
Boat crews offer ferry tours of the bay for 7 Euros from the port.
You can also rent bikes, scooters, kayaks, and more from businesses down by the water
Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo are two hills that provide panoramic views of San Sebastian and its coastline. The walking paths wind up a mountain looking back at the city and out to Santa Klara Isand in the bay.
🇪🇸 BOOK: Bike Tour of San Sebastian
🇪🇸 BOOK: Wine Tour (pickup from hotel)
San Sebastian’s Old Town is known for its pintxos bars.
I’d suggest a lighter meal at Tedone, a vegetarian and fish restaurant.
Things to Do in Bilbao
The Guggenheim is one of many art galleries, museums, and theaters in Bilbao. Jeff Koons’ “The Puppy” installation outside the Guggenheim is reason alone to stop by, even if you’re not an art fan!
The city is also home to big brand-name shopping boulevards, as well as a popular “Old Town.”
The stone streets in the Casco Viejo neighborhood are pedestrian-friendly, and lined with shops and restaurants.
Best Time to Visit Northern Spain
Northern Spain has cooler summers compared to the rest of the country (and much smaller crowds). So for most tourists, the time between late spring (May) and early autumn (September) is the best time to visit.
You can generally expect pleasant temperatures and relatively low rainfall. The summer months of June, July, and August tend to be the warmest, with average temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
For even smaller crowds, the shoulder seasons in the spring and fall (April/May/September/October) are also good options. The weather is still relatively mild, and you’ll find flowers blossoming in the spring and leaves turning colors in the fall.
Hotels in Bilbao
We’ve enjoyed two stays at the NYX Hotel Bilbao.
The NYX is located in a neighborhood, known for its lively atmosphere, shopping, and restaurants. Bilbao’s “Old Town” is just down the block. The pedestrian-friendly streets are full of restaurants and shops.
The NYX Hotel features works by local artists, and is full of pop art.
The rooms are decently-sized, and some have separated office areas.
Hotels in San Sebastian
We enjoyed our stay at Casa Nicolasa. It’s nothing fancy, but the staff was friendly and I enjoyed the balcony windows and the view outside. I also appreciated the unlimited supply of coffee pods for espresso!
Location is always a priority, and Casa Nicolasa is a great base to explore the best parts of San Sebastian.
Wrap: The Bilbao to San Sebastian Road Trip
I think the best way to explore Northern Spain is to fly into a smaller city (like Bilbao). Renting a car from there allows you to avoid the hassle and confusion of renting from a much bigger city (like Madrid).
If you’re landing in Bilbao from the USA, take a day or two to adjust to the time zone before setting out on the road trip to San Sebastian. They’re really close to each other, which is great! You won’t spend a whole lot of time on the road, but you’ll still be able to see a diverse group of cities, villages, and coastal towns!
