What to do and see in Basque Country, Spain: The Best Free Things to do

June 4, 2021 Flossie Demartino

Discover the best top things to do in Basque Country, Spain including San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Urkiola Natural Park, Casco Viejo, Parque de la Florida, Monte Urgull, La Concha Beach, Parte Vieja, Azkuna Zentroa, Sopelana Beach, Plaza Nueva.
Restaurants in Basque Country

1. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

Bermeo Spain http://web.bizkaia.eus/es/gaztelugatxe
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,994 reviews

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

Reviewed By O4063DJbenjaminh - Southport, United Kingdom

To get to Gaztelugatxe we drove up a steep winding road away from the town of Bakio where surfers were testing their grit and showing off their skills on towering formidable waves which crash on to the golden sand. At the top of the inclined road there is a large car park where you start you walk back through time. After reaching the starting arch you meander and descend down twisting pathways were you fight the urge to run as your feet carry you away. There are stunning views of the hermitage as your path winds down the hill. At the bottom you come across a bridge and cobbled steps that sweep up towards the mount that makes you feel like you are travelling back through time. The waves crash and smash against the ancient stones and bring a serene feel after a cautious descent. After taking in the beautiful views, start your ascent of the 241 steps to the summit where a real treat greets you. There you will find stunning panoramic views over the bay of Biscay and make sure to ring the bell three times on the restored chapel and make a wish. Make sure you take a rest to soak in the atmosphere as the walk back is arduous and will take your breath away.

2. Urkiola Natural Park

Lugar Barrio Urkiola, 9F, 48211 Spain http://www.alavaturismo.eus/parques-naturales/parque-natural-urkiola/
Excellent
75%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 44 reviews

Urkiola Natural Park

A scenic park on rugged, mountainous terrain: great for hiking.

3. Casco Viejo

Plaza Nueva, 10. 2 Izda., 48005 Bilbao Spain +34 944 15 16 33 [email protected] http://www.cascoviejobilbao.eus
Excellent
52%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,236 reviews

Casco Viejo

An old, pleasant neighborhood best known for its open-air food markets, where shoppers can buy some of the freshest and best-tasting fruit and vegetables in Europe.

Reviewed By sladar

What a treat it was to explore the old part of Bilbao. In particular, Las Siete Calles was a maze of fun.

4. Parque de la Florida

Vitoria-Gasteiz Spain https://www.vitoria-gasteiz.org/wb021/was/contenidoAction.do?idioma=es&uid=entuo_6_1_18
Excellent
52%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 637 reviews

Parque de la Florida

Reviewed By Carolinaaugust1973 - Vigo, Spain

We went to the park to enjoy the park, nature and the Belen. Three wise kings to take pictures with and share the spirit of Christmas. Really nice park to walk, shame it was so cold!

5. Monte Urgull

Gaztelubide kalea, San Sebastian - Donostia Spain
Excellent
61%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,414 reviews

Monte Urgull

Reviewed By SwanseaFoody - Swansea, United Kingdom

Highly recommend this if visiting the San Sebastian area. It's a nice walk to the top with superb views across both sides of San Sebastian. Overall walk takes maybe an hour from top to bottom at a leisurely pace. Take some water if the weather is warm as it can be tough is some parts

6. La Concha Beach

De la Concha Ibilbidea, San Sebastian - Donostia Spain
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9,077 reviews

La Concha Beach

Reviewed By turistico - Yonkers, United States

La Concha Beach in San Sebastian, Spain is the best urban beach in Europe. Elegant, urban, cosmopolitan, white sand, crystal clear waters and lush hillsides makes La Concha the best urban beach in Europe and one of the most beautiful in the world. By the way San Sebastian is considered the most beautiful city in the world alongside Seville.

7. Parte Vieja

San Sebastian - Donostia Spain +34 943 42 94 43 http://www.sansebastianturismoa.eus/es/hacer/que-ver-san-sebastian/parte-vieja-donostiarra
Excellent
62%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,490 reviews

Parte Vieja

Reviewed By johnhp702 - Derby, United Kingdom

Wander the old town and lose yourself amongst the narrow streets, with so many restaurants/bars to stop at for refreshment and so many sites to see and explore.

8. Azkuna Zentroa

Plaza Arriquibar, 4, 48008 Bilbao Spain +34 944 01 40 14 [email protected] http://www.azkunazentroa.eus
Excellent
54%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,443 reviews

Azkuna Zentroa

Azkuna Zentroa is the centre for art and culture located right in the heart of Bilbao and is housed in one of the most emblematic buildings of the city, the former municipal wine exchange market. Refurbished and restored by Philippe Starck, Azkuna Zentroa has a diverse cultural programme where art, knowledge, design, science, new technologies and literature converge, as well as a varied physical activity offering. A multipurpose and contemporary centre where disciplines, contents and the general public are interrelated, which increases the cultural level of the general public and contributes to the enrichment of Bilbao and its internationalisation.

Reviewed By radub - Cluj-Napoca, Romania

It's a modern structure inside a monumental old front walls, with a large public area with modern art, coffee bar, cinema, a municipality cultural center, and an amazing terrace restaurant on top east floor.

9. Sopelana Beach

Gvvnv, Sopelana Spain
Excellent
53%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 220 reviews

Sopelana Beach

Reviewed By sugerglider - London, United Kingdom

Easily reached by the Metro from the centre of Bilbao. Get off at Larrabasterra and walk 15 minutes (bus available in summer). There are interesting rock formations at the north end of the beach. The sand is very fine.

10. Plaza Nueva

Plaza Nueva, S/N, 48005 Bilbao Spain +34 944 79 57 60 [email protected] http://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/es/edificios-emblematicos/plaza-nueva
Excellent
44%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,704 reviews

Plaza Nueva

Reviewed By mjwe

Really lovely vibrant square in the old town of Bilbao, great choice of bars and restaurants with a good variety of pinxtos, really reasonably priced, would recommend the local wine, which is lovely and so cheap. A nice mix of locals, families and tourists all relaxing and enjoying the food and drink. They had a little market on Sunday, selling books, records and other bits. Great place to go day and night, to eat, drink and people watch.

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