One hour from San Sebastian
Bilbao
Bilbao is just over an hour of San Sebastian. You can drive to Bilbao on the A8, or by bus from the bus station in San Sebastian to Termibus in Bilbao. There are direct buses every half an hour.
Bilbao is a city that can be seen walking in a day. From the Plaza Nueva in the Old Town until the new San Mames Stadium there are 2.5 kms, just over half an hour on foot.
Do not miss the Guggenheim Museum (inside and out), a visit to the Alhóndiga, the shopping areas and bars in Indautxu, the Old Town and the Museo de Bellas Artes in Doña Casilda Park. You can also take the funicular of Artxanda to see the city from above.
Architecturally, besides the Guggenheim, you will see the Iberdrola Tower, Isozaki towers, Euskalduna Palace and the buildings of the Gran Via.
Biarritz and the Basque Country
Biarritz, one of the most beautiful villages in the Bay of Biscay, is half an hour far. You can see its impressive buildings like the Hôtel du Palais or the Casino.
Bi Harriz means in basque Two Rocks, which are those that stand out in the bay.
The walk from the Hôtel du Palais to the beach of La Côte des Basques through les Rochers de la Vierge must be done. You will find parking troubles in Biarritz in summer, so a good option is the bus.
Bayonne is very charming and quiet. There are several bridges over the River Adur that link the two sides of this city well known for the jambon de Bayonne and the chocolate.
San Juan de Luz -Donibane Garazi- is a small town with a shopping street: the rue Gambetta. In addition to the shops you must visit the church: do not miss it.
Overall, in the Pays Basque there are many small towns that will amazed you with frontons without walls, cemeteries in the city center, small bistros, Saint Jean Pied de Port, Sara, le petit train de Larrun…
Pyrinees
Departing from Hondarribia-Irun and crossing the Sierra de Aralar by north towards Elizondo, you will find the amazing Natural Park of Señorío de Bértiz. You can go to places like the Irati Forest or the Foz de Lumbier or return through France, crossing east to Saint Etienne de Baigorry or north to Zugarramurdi and Dantxarinea.
Do not be worry about getting lost in these places because in each corner will find a pleasant surprise. The Pyrenees are fantastic.
The Way of St. James or Camino de Santiago
The Way of St. James passes through San Sebastian. If you sleep in San Sebastian you can do three steps of the Way beginning and ending in the day.
The first day you can go east by bus or train (el Topo) to Hondarribia and Hendaye (the Way comes from France), climbing the Jaizkibel Mountain and making the route through the shrine of Guadalupe, Pasajes de San Juan, crossing by boat to Pasajes de San Pedro, the lighthouse of La Plata, Monte Ulia and down to the Gros district in San Sebastian.
The next day you can climb the Mount Igeldo and continue west to reach Orio, climbing the camping and down to the beach of Zarautz, returning by train or bus to San Sebastian. You will see pilgrims walking in front of the restaurant Argiñano in Zarautz, and on the malecon (waterfront).
The third step would be from Zarautz to Itziar, by the mountains, or coasting by Getaria and Zumaia
Villages of Gipuzkoa
Many villages of the coast and inside Gipuzkoa have their charm.
Hondarribia is a fishing port, facing Hendaye, where you can see its Parador in the Plaza de Armas, and San Pedro street, with its seaside houses and bars full of pintxos (tapas).
The tourist office in Pasaia is in the Museum Victor Hugo, who fell in love with this village in the XIX century.
Orio has excellent grills and restaurants in its fishing port and old town.
The beach of Zarautz full of surfers, is unique. Landscape of Getaria, northwest, is great.
Before getting Biscay, you can see Zumaia and its flysch, Deba and Mutriku, Inside Gipuzkoa you will find Tolosa, famous for its beans and “tiles”.
Loiola is the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, with its basilica and the nearby towns of Azpeitia and Azkoitia Oñati with a spectacular civil architectural heritage: the University Sancti Spiritu, the Tower House Zumeltzegi and the City Hall.
And, finally, Aránzazu, in a stunning setting, with its sanctuary run by the Franciscans.
