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Basque Country & Rioja Alavesa loop: Route Guide

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La Concha bay curving through San Sebastián
Photo: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

From Bilbao's riverfront, follow the Basque coast to San Sebastián's bay and Getaria's harbour, then turn inland through Vitoria-Gasteiz to walled Laguardia and the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa. The six-day drive pairs coastal walks with old-town streets and wine-country views. Museum visits, winery tours and tastings are optional extras to arrange.

Basque Country & Rioja Alavesa loop is a 420 km loop (self-drive). It works best as a 6-day trip; the plan below is the 6-day version for September, built from 235 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

6
days
420km
distance
5
Stops
235
curated stops

View ready-made plans 6-day plan · best time to go

The route

Bilbao→ 100 kmSan Sebastián→ 30 kmGetaria→ 110 kmVitoria-Gasteiz→ 55 kmLaguardia & Rioja Alavesa
Fishing boats moored in Getaria harbour below the green slopes of Mount San Antón

Getaria · Day 4

Getaria public harbour-and-old-town circuit

Follow seasonal parking controls and walk a bounded public circuit through Getaria’s harbour, old town and exterior viewpoints. Museum entry, boat trips, tastings, events and guided products remain optional.

6-day plan →

Photo: Cosal · CC BY-SA 4.0

What you'll see

Bilbao public old-town-and-river circuit
Use lawful parking and walk a bounded circuit through Bilbao’s old town, market exterior and public riverfront. Museums, paid interiors, events and guided products remain optional.
Bilbao
San Sebastián public bay-and-old-town circuit
Park outside the low-emission centre or confirm vehicle registration, then walk a bounded circuit around La Concha, the old town and public riverfront. Paid interiors, funiculars, amusement rides, events and guided products remain optional.
San Sebastián
Vitoria-Gasteiz public medieval-quarter circuit
Use lawful parking and walk a bounded public circuit through the medieval quarter, public squares and mural route. Cathedral and museum entry, events and guided products remain optional.
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Laguardia public walled-town-and-vineyard-view circuit
Use lawful parking outside Laguardia’s walled core and walk a bounded public circuit through the town and public vineyard viewpoints. Wineries, tastings, paid interiors, events and guided products remain optional.
Laguardia & Rioja Alavesa
Bilbao public Abando-and-river circuit
Use lawful parking and public streets for a separate bounded circuit through Abando and the modern riverfront. Museum entry, funiculars, events and guided products remain optional.
Bilbao

Choose your length

6-day plan11 stops · 10.2 h transit1.8 stops/day · 1.7 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October

Milder conditions and useful daylight generally suit the public circuits. Check current roads, parking, weather, traffic and local access.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

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View ready-made plans