nflores

Family of four, two adults, and two kids are traveling in end of July-Early August to Basque Country. Our plan is the following (most are subject to change, except staying in San Sebastian for a week since our kids our in summer camps there and we need to keep this as home base.
Week 1 - French Basque side
Arrive early morning in Bilbao from a long flight, spend all day in Bilbao - Stay 1 night
Next day head out to French side to do the following places
Someone recommend staying in the Stay in Chateau D Urtubie for 1 night - Not sure if worth stopping ? Also is there anything to see before we stop in St. Jean de Luz (Not San Sebastian)
Saint Jean de Luz - I am open to making either St Jean de Luz, Biarritz or Bayonne (would love to hear what people recommend ) as home base for 3 days/2 nights so that we can do day trips Espelette, Ainoai, Sare, Ascain
Biarritz
Bayonne
Espelette
Ainoai
Sare
Ascain
St Jean Pied de Port - 3 days/2 nights
Visit Valle des Aldudes via St Etienne de Baigorry - Day trip or would be open to spending an extra night in another town if someone recommended it.
This is where I go blank, because I have 2 days/1 night before I have to be in San Sebastian for a week, was thinking of ending in Pamplona an then heading up to San Sebastian for my next week.
2nd Week Spain Basque - San Sebastian Home Base
during my week in San Sebastion, I intend of seeing if possible the following during day trips of Spanish Basque, using it as home base.
Zumaia, Plentzia, Sopelana, Gorliz ,San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka, Guernica, Getaria, Tolosa (I have 7 days so this is flexible)

Would love to hear opinions!

mikelg

Some remarks from a Basque local: Biarritz, this town has the name, but nothing much on it, unless you´d like to see a Casino, expensive shops and...well, not much, nice food market. For some reason, it´s always on the bucket list, but to me it´s a big disappointment. Bayonne/Baiona and St Jean de Luz/Donibane Lohizune (French and Basque names) are much more interesting to visit. Ainhoa, Espelette (touristy), Sare (take the zip train to Larrun mountain), St Jean de Pied de Port are good visits.

When in Donostia-San Sebastian (one week seems too much time there), you can easily visit Zumaia and the flysch, Tolosa and Getaria. For the rest of towns (why Sopelana???, I live 10 min from it and wonder why you want to go there) I would definitely stay in Bilbao. You are missing Bermeo (much better visit than Mundaka, although this one is also very nice, moreove if you like surfing), then Gernika for the Assembly House, and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe for the climb up to the hermitage (make sure you have prior reservations for the climbing).

StuDudley

See attached Pays Basque itinerary.

Stu Dudley

nflores

Thanks, I listed places that I have seen on many sites, but will take your suggestions of moving a few of these off the list or shifting. I am spending a week in San Sebastian because both my daughter is in a camp in Lasarte-Oria, Gipuzkoa for 7 days and my son in a camp for 5 days in Donostia. So that is why, the most I could adjust it would be 1 day max.

Michael

This is my report on our last trip in Basque country. The first stay and the first paragraphs under What We Saw describe a part of the Spanish Basque country that you have not planned on, and can fill in your two days and one night.

Trip Report: Spanish Basque Country, Asturias and Leon, Madrid==July 2018

rouelan

Between Bilbao and St Jean, I suggest this detour.
East of San Seb, a cute village: Pasaia Donibane. Then, drive to the top of Jaizkibel (if weather is good, the views are spectacular). After, head for Hondarribia, another very interesting place. Cross the border at Hendaye and drive the "corniche" (coastal road) to Ciboure / St Jean de Luz.

The main problem with the area in July August will be the crowds and the traffic. So, I would suggest that the main criteria for a base would be ease of access to places you want to visit. And St Jean seems to be #1. It is also a hub for public transport. When visiting Bayonne or Biarritz, it would be better to leave the car and ride train and bus. For example, train to Bayonne, then trambus T1 to Biarritz and bus or train back to St Jean (with optional stop en route in Guethary).
There are also buses to all places you want to visit but less frequent. Don't use current schedules if you want to work out this option. Summer schedules are completely different.

nflores

I think this is ultimately what I will need as a home base, and it appears since it is peak season most places have to be booked now, and many have minimum night requirements. Would anything close to St Pied de Port work as a home base for 4 days or so, since I eventually have to get to back up to San Sebastian and was considering doing it via Pamplona to avoid back tracking the same route.

rouelan

You could do some research on Cambo les bains, halfway between Bayonne and St Jean Pied de Port. I never stayed or dined there but it is a small spa town, so I guess there are some options. It is mainly famous for villa Arnaga, a "neo basque" mansion built by a French writer. It is really worth the visit. Location is great. Espelette, Ainhoa, Sare... are also close. If you don't want to drive, there are buses for st jean de luz (via Espelette and Ascain) and Bayonne. It is on the train line between Bayonne and St Jean Pied de Port (the ride between Cambo and St Jean is spectacular along the Nive).
When you want to go to Pamplona, you can either drive through Dantxaria, Otsondo or, better, via St Étienne de Baigori and col d'Ispeguy, or, as initially planned, via Aldudes.

nflores

Thanks I have a rental car, so I just need to be close to all towns via driving. Thnk you, I will probably drive to Pamplona via St Etienne de Baigori as it sounds like the nicest and has been recommended by yourself and others. Unless the Aldudes via is far better, than I can change my route.

MFNYC

I actually like Bilbao better than San Sebastian. We stopped in some of those towns mentioned. We also spent a night in Laguardia which we enjoyed.

MFNYC

Here's my Basque country trip report
Our Basque country fall 2019 trip