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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Beautiful Basque Country: San Sebastian & Bilbao

Eight-day escorted rail journey through Spain and France's Basque Country

Illustration of Beautiful Basque Country: San Sebastian & Bilbao

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted tour through Spain and France's Basque Country, centred on Hondarribia, a restored 10th-century castle hotel overlooking the Cantabrian Sea. Beginning in London, you travel by Eurostar Plus to Paris, then First Class rail to Hendaye on the Spanish border, arriving on day 1. The next seven days are based in Hondarribia while guided excursions and included rail journeys take you to San Sebastián for a pintxos lunch and walking tour, across the border to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and aboard the vintage Le Petit Train de la Rhune mountain railway for panoramic Pyrenean views, into Bilbao for the Guggenheim Museum, and through the Rioja wine region to Laguardia for a cellar tasting and paired winery lunch. Days 4 and 7 are free to explore the medieval Old Town, waterside walks, or nearby beaches. On day 8 you return by First Class rail and Eurostar Plus to London. The tour suits food-and-wine travellers, repeat rail passengers, couples seeking a stable base, and history enthusiasts drawn to medieval coastal towns and castle accommodation.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is substantial: GBP 3,749 versus a double from GBP 2,799; solo travellers should budget roughly 1.3 times the per-person price
  • Seven of eight nights are spent in one hotel; this is a base-and-excursion tour rather than a journey stopping in multiple towns
  • The group is capped at 30 travellers; confirm current availability before booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Hondarribia

    From London to Hondarribia on the Basque Coast

    Meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris in Plus class, with a light meal served at seats. Continue by First Class rail to Hendaye on the Spanish border, then transfer by coach to Hondarribia. Check in to the four-star Parador de Hondarribia, a restored 10th-century castle overlooking the Plaza de Armas and the Cantabrian Sea. Evening at leisure in La Marina neighbourhood.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal

  2. Day 2overnight: Hondarribia

    Sampling pintxos & soaking up the culture of San Sebastián

    Drive to San Sebastián, the culinary capital of Spain with one of the highest concentrations of Michelin stars in the world. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the city's sights, then immerse in the local txikiteo tradition by sampling pintxos over lunch. Afternoon free to explore independently – options include the beach, a boat trip to Santa Clara island, or the San Telmo Museum. Return to Hondarribia; evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  3. Day 3railovernight: Hondarribia

    Le Petit Train de la Rhune & dinner at a cider house

    Transfer by coach across the border to the French fishing port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz for free time to explore. In the afternoon, board the Petit Train de La Rhune for a scenic vintage rack railway journey to the summit of La Rhune mountain (905m), with panoramic views across the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean. After descent, visit an artisanal cider house for a tour of traditional cider production followed by an authentic Basque four-course meal including chorizo, tortilla with cod and potatoes, chargrilled prime ribs, sheep's cheese, nuts, Basque cake and apple brandies.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Hondarribia

    A free day in Hondarribia

    A full day at leisure to explore Hondarribia, one of the most beautiful settlements in the Basque Country. Walk through the well-preserved Old Town (Casco Antiguo) from the Santa Maria Gate to the San Nicolas Gate. Discover medieval streets, churches, traditional Basque-style houses and Baroque buildings. Evening free to visit pintxos bars or restaurants in the Old Town or La Marina neighbourhood.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Hondarribia

    Visiting the Guggenheim Museum and Bilbao

    Drive to Bilbao and visit the avant-garde Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry with its iconic titanium-clad exterior. Admire works by Jeff Koons, Louise Bourgeois, Anish Kapoor and Mark Rothko. Afternoon free to explore Bilbao independently – options include the Old Town, Arenal Gardens, Baroque opera house, Bilbao Cathedral, La Ribera market, Mount Artxanda funicular, or a boat ride along the Ría de Bilbao. Return to Hondarribia for an evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Hondarribia

    A day in La Rioja winelands with lunch

    Set out by coach to medieval Laguardia, a hilltop village and gateway to the winelands, with free time to explore its streets and mountain backdrop. Enjoy a guided wine tasting in a cellar beneath the Palace of the Samaniegos. Continue into the surrounding countryside for a paired lunch at a modern glass-fronted winery with views of the Rioja Valley and Cantabrian hills. Return to Hondarribia in the late afternoon; evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  7. Day 7overnight: Hondarribia

    A full day at leisure in Hondarribia

    Another free day to explore as you choose. Options include walking the Butrón Boardwalk along the waterside, the Camino de la Bahia trail (approx. 8 miles), relaxing on Hondarribia's sandy beach, or taking the ferry or bus to Hendaye for direct trains to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz. In the evening, regroup for a farewell dinner at a charming restaurant in Hondarribia.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    Bid farewell to the Basque Country after breakfast and transfer by coach to Hendaye for the First Class rail journey to Paris. Change trains to join the Eurostar in Plus class, with a light meal served at seats, arriving at London St Pancras in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrive at the Parador de Hondarribia, a restored 10th-century castle overlooking the Plaza de Armas and the Cantabrian Sea
  • Day 2Sample pintxos over lunch in San Sebastián, the culinary capital of Spain, on a guided walking tour and txikiteo tradition experience
  • Day 3Board the vintage Le Petit Train de la Rhune for a scenic rack railway journey to the 905-metre summit with panoramic Pyrenean and Atlantic views
  • Day 5Visit Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum to view works by Jeff Koons, Louise Bourgeois, Anish Kapoor and Mark Rothko
  • Day 6Enjoy a guided wine tasting in a cellar beneath the Palace of the Samaniegos in Laguardia, followed by paired lunch at a modern winery overlooking the Rioja Valley

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation at Parador de Hondarribia
  • Eurostar Plus class travel (London St Pancras to Paris and return)
  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
  • Breakfast each day
  • 2 lunches (San Sebastián pintxos lunch; La Rioja winery lunch)
  • 2 dinners (Basque cider house dinner; farewell dinner in Hondarribia)
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Entry to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum
  • Guided wine tasting in Laguardia cellar
  • Le Petit Train de la Rhune mountain railway journey

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus class (London to Paris and return), First Class rail throughout France and Spain, and the vintage Le Petit Train de la Rhune mountain railway.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, and includes guided tours of San Sebastián and Bilbao, a wine tasting, and daily breakfasts and selected dinners.
Where do we stay?
All seven nights are at the four-star Parador de Hondarribia, a restored 10th-century castle overlooking the Cantabrian Sea. A Superior Room upgrade is available as an optional extra.
When does it run?
Great Rail Journeys operates departures in April, May, June, and October 2027.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, light meals on Eurostar (outbound and return), pintxos lunch in San Sebastián, a four-course dinner at a cider house, and a paired lunch at a Rioja winery. Evening meals on days 2, 4, 5 and 6 are not included and are at your own cost.
What activities are included?
Entry to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum, guided walking tours of San Sebastián and Bilbao, the vintage Le Petit Train de la Rhune, a guided wine tasting in Laguardia, and a cider house tour. Days 4 and 7 are entirely free.

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