Travel the spectacular Basque coast east to San Sebastián — arguably Spain's most beautiful city — then on to the fortified fishing village of Hondarribia and the birthplace of Juan Sebastián Elcano, who completed the first circumnavigation of the globe.
What to expect
The day opens with San Sebastián's theatrical La Concha bay — one of Europe's great urban beaches — before diving into the tangle of the Parte Vieja old town, where Michelin-starred chefs started their careers at hole-in-the-wall pintxos bars. Your guide steers you past the neo-Gothic cathedral, the Belle Époque Kursaal, and the fish auction house on the harbour. After a leisurely lunch, the drive continues to Hondarribia: a colour-washed fishing port with a 10th-century castle and a Basque-French border atmosphere. The final stop, Getaria, is a tiny clifftop village with the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum and outstanding grilled fish over open coals.
Good to know
San Sebastián is 100 km east of Bilbao (approx. 1 hr 15 min each way). This is a full-day excursion — plan 9–10 hrs. Pre-check your vessel's all-aboard time carefully. The Balenciaga Museum in Getaria (EUR 10) should be pre-booked. Comfortable flat shoes strongly recommended for cobblestone old towns.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Bilbao — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Bilbao
- Guggenheim Bilbao: Private Guided Tour + Puppy & Titan Access
- Dragonstone, Mundaka & Guernica: Private Day in the Basque Heartland
- La Rioja Alavesa: Private Winery Tour & Laguardia Medieval Village
- Vizcaya Bridge + Txakoli Wine Tasting: Basque Icons in Half a Day
- Bilbao Pintxos & Casco Viejo: Private Gourmet Walking Immersion