The Basque Route
Just like France with its Loire Valley, Switzerland with the Grand Tour, and the United States with its iconic Route 66, the Basque County also has its own great road route: the Basque Route, which can be done by car or by motorcycle. Divided into eight stages that run through some of the most beautiful highways and landscapes of the Basque Country, this route is designed for cities, nature, culture, and gastronomy to be enjoyed.
Harley Davidson of Bilbao and Gipuzkoa are the route’s official partners, offering not just maintenance and repairs for motorcycles but also the opportunity to rent a motorbike for traveling the route.
What is your ideal plan? To spend the day on the beach and at fishing villages? Or do you prefer going to modern cities? Do you like the plan that features forests covered in early-morning mist? Or the one with vineyards tucked inside spectacular landscapes? Or perhaps all of them combined?
Bilbao-lekeitio
This stage takes visitors along the Cantabrian Sea, passing by impressive cliffs, surf beaches, traditional fishing villages, and restaurants where one can sample the delights of the sea. this part of the journey will take travelers to a place that seems like it has been taken right out of the movies (San Juan de Gaztelugatxe) and a historical place (Guernica, symbol of peace).
Lekeitio-zarautz
It’s time to set off towards the green Basque Country, which features rivers and mountains as well as solitary rural houses that are tucked inside the folds of the valleys. Here, a visit to the baroque San Ignacio Sanctuary of Loyola is a must, as well as the Balenciaga Museum in Getaria, which reflects the legacy of the great master of haute couture.
Zarautz-san Sebastián
We are now in Gipuzkoa, the land of grilled fish, Roman mines, mountains next to the sea, and the birthplace of New Basque Cuisine. San Sebastián, with its bars that serve pintxos and restaurants with Michelin stars, has established itself as the gastronomic capital of the world.
San Sebastián-vitoria/gasteiz
From the gastronomic capital to the capital of the Basque Country; travelers will be in an area of meadows, beech forests, and cider houses. At times, visitors will be driving under the watchful gaze of the Txindoki Mountain and, at other times, visitors will find themselves in the shadow of medieval villages with centuries-old markets. along the way, Idiazabal cheese can be enjoyed, produced with milk from the Latxa sheep – the specialty of the Goierri (‘Basque Highlands’) region.
Vitoria/gasteiz-laguardia
In Vitoria/gasteiz, travelers take up a route that will lead them through a sea of vineyards that is full of walled villages. It is worth staying in the Rioja Alavesa region for a few days to visit the large wineries that have made the area so famous, as well as some of the smaller family-owned wine establishments (especially interesting are the underground wineries in Laguardia).
Laguardia-orduña
After visiting the Rioja Alavesa region, some of the most special places in the Basque Country can be enjoyed, including a church carved into the rock, two stunning waterfalls, and the Añana Salt Valley. These salt mines go back 6,000 years in time and have been in non-stop operation since then.
Orduña-bilbao
Beyond the Orduña Port, a lesser-known region awaits that is full of history: the Enkarterri region. This is where the La Encartada beret factory was once located, currently converted into a manufacturing museum.the finishing touches come with the Loizaga Tower of Galdames, which has been turned into a Rolls Royce museum, the Aguinaga Museum of Barakaldo, which features an enviable collection of Mercedes Benz cars, and Guggenheim Bilbao, the Basque Country’s most famous art gallery.
Lekeitio-vitoria/gasteiz
This eighth stage brings visitors deeper into the magical Basque Country.the rugged shores of Biscay are left behind in favor of the interior, where a land of contrasts awaits. Legend has it that one of the caves in the Anboto Mountain is inhabited by Mari, the female deity of Basque mythology.