Overview
An eight day, self-guided holiday, cycling the Basque Coast, starting in Hondarribia and ending in Bilbao. The Basque Country in Spain is a beauty, with many cultural highlights unique to the region, and no shortage of natural wonders either. Cycle through fishing villages and forests, alongside massive beaches or through the metropolis of San Sebastián. Visit Bilbao’s spectacular Guggenheim and enjoy a wealth of natural sculptures and visual splendour everyday cycling along the Basque Coast’s cliffs, coves and estuaries.
We also offer the possibility of renting an e-bike on this tour.
- Hondarribia
- San Sebastián
- Getaria
- Lekeitio
- Mundaka
- Plentzia
- Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Castle
- Bilbao
Itinerary
Day 1: Hondarribia
The picturesque village of Hondarribia, looking out across the estuary to France, has a heavy Gallic fragrance, a characterful old centre and a buzzing beach scene.
- Accommodation: Hotel San Nikolas or similar in Hondarriba
Day 2: Hondarribia – San Sebastián | 32km
This first stage of today’s cycle links two large bays of breathtaking beauty via a demanding ascent of Mount Jaizkibel. Once you leave the mountain behind, visit the old town of Pasaia and, after crossing the estuary by boat (payable locally), cycle to Spain’s culinary capital – San Sebastián. Once a favourite destination for Spanish royalty, the town boasts an extraordinary coastline with some superb viewpoints.
- Cycling for the day: 32km, total ascent 550m
- Accommodation: Eurostars Amara or similar in San Sebastián
Day 3: San Sebastián – Getaria | 30km
Today, after the first couple of kilometres, it is worth taking a short detour to see San Sebastián and La Concha Bay from the hilltop heights of Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo. The second part of the route is much more comfortable and gentle, along the coast. Visit the historic town of Zarautz and finish today’s route in the traditional fishing village of Getaria, located next to Mount San Antón, a natural park known by the locals as the “mouse of Getaria” because of its shape.
- Cycling for the day: 30km, total ascent 550m
- Accommodation: Hotel Saiaz Getaria or similar in Getaria or Zumaia
Day 4: Getaria – Lekeitio | 32km
Continue cycling the coast road until you get to Zumaia, where we recommend taking the train to the next town, Deba (payable locally), to avoid the traffic. After crossing the bridge over the river, you will continue along a pleasant cycle path, also passing a gorgeous beach. You will reach Lekeitio – one of the most beautiful towns in the Basque Country. Visit its harbour, church and mansions and enjoy some chillout time at one of the many waterfront bars and cafes.
- Cycling for the day: 32km, total ascent 300m
- Accommodation: Hotel Silken Palacio Uribarren or similar in Lekeito
Day 5: Lekeitio – Mundaka | 50km
During the first few kilometres of today’s route, you will ride through an impressive inland landscape, mostly off-road, following the Lea River. You will then pass through Guernica, made famous by the infamous bombing of 1937, as depicted by Pablo Picasso in his anti-war painting of the same name. Pass the UNESCO Urdaibai Biosphere Natural Park, known for its vast, empty beaches, and also popular with birdwatchers for the range of permanent and migrating species that can be seen there. Your final destination is Mundaka – an international surfing destination which boasts the longest left-hand break wave in Europe.
- Cycling for the day: 50km, total ascent 450m
- Accommodation: Branka Hotel or similar in Mundaka
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Atalaya or similar in Mundaka
Day 6: Mundaka – Plencia | 38km
Today’s stage is the most physically demanding, but the reward will be the view of one of the most magical places on this adventure: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Game of Thrones fans will recognise it as the location of Dragonstone Castle. You will then pass by Bakio beach, another superb surfing beach.The day ends in the elegant seaside town of Plencia.
- Cycling for the day: 38km, total ascent 900m
- Accommodation: Hotel Bahía or similar in Plencia
Day 7: Plencia – Bilbao | 35km
Today’s cycle has one last climb to give you great clifftop views of Sopelana beach. Explore the world famous Guggenheim Museum, or wander around the narrow streets of the Old Town – home to many great pintxos bars.
- Cycling for the day: 35km, total ascent 200m
- Accommodation: Hotel Barceló Bilbao Nervión or similar in Bilbao
Day 8: Departure
Departure, or stay for a few more days in Bilbao (available upon request).
What to expect
Accommodation
On this cycling holiday, you will stay in private en-suite rooms in charming hotels. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel San Nikolas (Hondarribia)
- Hotel Palacete (Hondarribia)
- Eurostars Amara (San Sebastián)
- Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca (San Sebastián)
- Hotel La Galería (San Sebastián)
- Hotel Saiaz Getaria (Getaria)
- Hotel Flysch Zumaia (Getaria)
- Hotel Silken Palacio Uribarren (Lekeitio)
- ECO Hotel Mundaka (Mundaka)
- Hotel Bahía (Plencia)
- Hotel Barceló Bilbao Nervión (Bilbao)
- Hotel Bilbao Plaza (Bilbao)
- Hotel Cosmov (Bilbao)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Hotel Atalaya (Mundaka)
- Hotel Luruna (Mundaka)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all mornings. Along the way, you will pass through plenty of restaurants offering many possibilities for lunch and dinner. Once you book, you will also receive the best food advice from our local experts.
Difficulty and terrain
The average cycling distance per day is between 30-50km, with a daily altitude gain ranging between 200m and 900m (read more about difficulty grades). Terrain types: Secondary road 55%, cycle lane 25%, service road 10%, nature path 10%. We recommend this itinerary to intermediate cyclists, with previous experience. Note that following GPS navigation and knowing how to change a tube to repair a puncture is mandatory for this trip. We also offer the possibility of renting an e-bike.
When to go
This trip is available from April to June, and from September to November.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
No start is possible on Saturdays in June, September, and October. Due to the San Sebastián film festival this trip is not available from 18 to 26 September 2026.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this holiday are Bilbao Airport (BIO) and Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (BIQ).
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Spain without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with a train station in Hendaye. From there, take a taxi to Hondarribia. For more details, see Spain’s national rail operator Renfe, French SNCF, or use the Omio planner above.
- From Bilbao Airport, take a 1h 15mins bus to San Sebastián and then a 40mins transfer bus to Hondarribia. Timetables for the bus from Bilbao Airport to San Sebastián are available here. From San Sebastián to Hondarribia – here. For more information, use the Omio planner above.
- From Biarritz airport, you can take a train or a bus to Hendaye, and then a short taxi to Hondarribia. Train schedules are available at: sncf.com, bus schedules from the airport to Hendaye Gare SCNF: chronoplus.eu. For more details, use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights as indicated in the itinerary
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transport on the cycling days
- Digital tour materials including GPS tracks, route notes, maps and important telephone numbers
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Boat ticket at Pasaia
- Ticket at Monte Igueldo viewpoint
- Train ticket Zumaia-Deba
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
- Entrance fees for attractions and museums
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- We regret that this tour is not open to solo travellers
- Bike rental
- E-bike rental
- Mountain e-bike rental
- Helmet rental
- Extra nights in Bilbao at the end of the holiday
Bike rental
We offer to rent aluminium 29″ hardtail mountain bikes with front suspension and hydraulic brakes. We also offer powerful e-bikes with an efficient crank drive motor and battery that will provide you with a boost when pedalling on hilly terrain. Each bike has a toolkit, puncture repair kit, pump, spare inner tube, lock, water bottle, mobile holder and pannier. In the case of renting two bikes, we provide one set of panniers and one phone holder on one of the bikes. We suggest you bring your own helmet for hygienic and safety reasons. Alternatively, helmets can be rented. The rental price includes civil responsibility insurance. The insurance does not cover damage or theft of the bicycle, so customers are responsible for the bike’s security at all times and for any possible breakage of parts.
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
