Basque Country

Bilbao

This is an open-air architectural museum and brings together numerous buildings designed by prestigious architects for example the Guggenheim Museum (one of the most important contemporary art museums in Europe), designed by Frank Gehry. Tour the city and discover the Euskalduna Palace, Norman Foster's metro, the Isozaki and Pelli towers and the San Mamés football stadium.

Needless to say, this city is at the forefront of international cuisine with its multi-Michelin-starred restaurants and a visit to one of them is an experience in itself. Explore the old town, made up of 7 picturesque streets, and head to the bars to sample the "Pintxos" (tapas). Visit the Mercado de la Ribera, one of the largest indoor food markets in Europe.

The city is surrounded by a fertile landscape with forests, mountains, beaches and rugged coastline, some of which also featured in the Game of Thrones series. You can visit the Vizcaya Suspension Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located a few kilometres from the city, in Getxo, or the hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and the impressive cliffs of the Flysch route, which have featured in many film productions.

San Sebastián

Also known as Donostia, the city's stately elegance made it a favourite holiday destination for royalty. Like Bilbao, it is also a major gastronomic destination with a number of Michelin stars for its culinary excellence. Beyond its cuisine, visit the old quarter, enjoy La Concha beach, climb Mount Urgull for panoramic views and discover the Miramar Palace. Don't forget to visit the Peine del Viento sculpture complex and Zurriola beach, a favourite destination for surfers.

If you're going with the family, don't think twice about visiting Monte Igueldo (which has a funicular railway and an amusement park) and the San Sebastian Aquarium.

You can also go shopping in the city centre, which has many international boutiques.

Every September, the city turns into a film set. International stars fly in daily for the city's International Film Festival and take the opportunity to visit the Kursaal (an avant-garde architectural building) which is the official auditorium of the festival.

If you can, drive to the charming town of Hondarribia, known for its seafaring tradition, near the French border. Wander through its streets and don't forget to visit the Plaza de Armas, the Puerta de Santa María and the Plaza del Obispo.

Vitoria-Gasteiz

The capital of the Basque Country has a wide variety of interesting places to visit. You can start by exploring the old town, where you'll find the Cathedral of Santa Maria, an impressive 13th century Gothic church with a mixture of architectural styles. The Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, the heart of the city, is also worth a visit, surrounded by charming cafés and bars. Other major points of interest include the Palace of Ajuria Enea, an example of stately Basque architecture and the official residence of the Lehendakari (president of the Basque government), and the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses a remarkable collection of Basque and Spanish art.

Nature lovers will appreciate the Parque de la Florida, a green oasis in the centre of the city, ideal for strolling and relaxing. Vitoria-Gasteiz is a green city, with a strong commitment to sustainability and a culture of preservation. In fact, it was internationally recognised with awards such as European Green Capital 2012 and Global Green City 2019. As such, Vitoria-Gasteiz has 42 square metres of green areas per person, more than 170 kilometres of cycle lanes, more than 115,000 trees in its streets and urban parks, and routes that are more than 100 years old, such as the Paseo de la Senda.

Also, don't miss the opportunity to try the delicious Basque cuisine in the city's numerous bars and restaurants.

By the way, if you decide to visit in July, don't miss the Jazz Festival, which takes over the streets of the city filling it with music and artists to celebrate the genre.

When you're here, don't forget to try the famous 'pintxos': bite-sized morsels of 'haute cuisine' displayed in all their splendour on the counters of numerous bars, and also taste delicious food in many of its iconic restaurants. Traditional dishes include beans with their "sacraments", cod in pil pil sauce and Bilbao-style sea bream. And for dessert try: oxua, pantxineta, intxaursaltsa, Basque cake, sheep's milk curd, Idiazabal cheese, canutillos filled with custard or chocolate... they are bound to impress.

The Basque Country is the birthplace of some of the most prestigious Spanish chefs in the world who have revolutionised haute cuisine. Discover the Basque restaurants that have been awarded Michelin stars and enjoy a luxury meal in the city. Find them on the Basque Country website.

You can choose between different means of transport to get to the Basque Country, depending on your location. If you are coming from outside Spain, you can fly into Bilbao Airport or San Sebastian Airport. Within Spain, Renfe trains connect the country's main cities with the Basque Country, while buses also offer a convenient option. Alternatively, if you prefer the flexibility of driving, you can arrive by car using the motorways and roads that connect the region. Once in the Basque Country, you can easily explore its charming towns and picturesque villages using public transport or by renting a car.