The Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian to Bilbao are the first stages on the Camino del Norte. It is an ideal route for all those people who are looking for a route with some difficulty and who want to discover the Basque Country on foot.
The tour starts from the beautiful city of San Sebastian (Donostia, in Basque). Famous for its International Film Festival, and where you will find both a beautiful urban beach and a multitude of attractions.
On this route you can enjoy pleasant walks by the Cantabrian Sea and the beautiful green landscape of this area of Spain. On the tour you will find picturesque seaside villas and places of great interest such as Gernika, internationally known for the painting by Picasso that bears the same name.
Another wonder of this stretch of the Camino del Norte is the exquisite gastronomy that you will find in all its stages. The Basque Country is characterized by a wide range of Michelin-starred restaurants and a strong culture of “pinchos” (small snacks) and Txakoli wine.
The journey ends in Bilbao, the most populous city in the Basque Country. On its streets you will find a lively atmosphere and a variety of places to visit. Among them the well-known Guggenheim Museum.
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Another option is to visit its old town, where you will find buildings in both classic and modern style. Some of the most recommended visits are the Castle of Santa Cruz de la Mota, Cubos de Kursaal and the Cathedral del Buen Pastor.
You can also take a boat trip to Santa Clara Island or take the funicular to the Mount Igueldo Amusement Park. However, for this type of activity you will need to spend two days in the city, which it deserves. If you have time and want to add an extra night to your trip, please contact us for more information.
Accommodation: Overnight in San Sebastian.
For much of the tour you will find yourself enveloped by the fragrance of txakoli, whose cultivation is widespread in this area of the Basque Country. At the end of the stage you will reach Zarautz and its huge beach, to conclude the tour in Getaria and its beautiful fishing port.
Distance: 27 kilometres.
Accommodation: Overnight in Getaria.
Along the way you will pass through various locations, including Elorriaga, where we recommend visiting the Church of Santa Maria. The day ends in Deba, a quiet village where you can spend a pleasant afternoon visiting one of its sights or enjoying its two beaches.
Distance: 22 kilometres.
Accommodation: Overnight in Deba.
The stage ends in Markina, a quiet town where you can recover from the continuous ups and downs that you will have faced. If you are encouraged to go for a walk through the streets of the village, we recommend visiting the monumental site at the Convent Church of Carmen del Markina.
Distance: 20 kilometres.
Accommodation: Overnight in Markina.
The day ends in Gernika, a town known around the world for the painting by Pablo Picasso, in which it depicts the bombing that the village suffered in 1937. We recommend you to visit the tree in front of the Casa de Juntas, which symbolizes the freedom of the people of the Basque Country and is one of the few things that remained standing in the town after the attack.
Distance: 28 kilometres.
Accommodation: Overnight in Gernika.
During the day you will have the opportunity to visit small villages such as Goikoletxea and Larrabetzu and various chapels that will come across your path. The day ends in Lezama, where you can visit the Humilladero de Cristo, the Church of Santa Maria or the Lezama Tower, among other places.
Distance: 21 kilometres.
Accommodation: Overnight in Lezama.
On the descent, you will pass next to the Basilica de la Virgen de Begoña, patron saint of the province of Biscay. The stage ends in Bilbao, also known as Bilbo, in Basque.
Distance: 15 kilometres.
Accommodation: Overnight in Bilbao.
The city is mainly known for the Guggenheim Museum, but it also has many other attractions. We recommend the Cathedral of Santiago, Casa Americanas, the Deusto Bridge and the Kiosko Arenal.
In addition, Bilbao has some metro stations that are worth visiting, such as Concordia or Atxuri. It is also worth mentioning that in its estuary, there are numerous water sports and on the riverbank several charming neighbourhoods are located.
If you want to have an additional day to discover all that Bilbao has to offer, let us know and we will add an extra night’s stay in the city. Likewise, if you want to extend your trip with some stage on the stretch that joins Bilbao with Santander, do not hesitate to contact us.
Selection of hotels and cottages
Our partner travel agencies only works with accommodation that have private bathrooms and that guarantee maximum comfort and convenience to those pilgrims who book with us.
Since reservations are subject to availability, the name of the hotels and cottages you will stay in will be provided to you 1 month before you start your pilgrimage.
Booking single rooms
You can book your stay on the Camino de Santiago by staying in single rooms, which also include a private bathroom. Single rooms are subject to an additional charge for the selected route.
Accommodation in single rooms is subject to availability in hotels and cottages as it is a highly sought-after service. Reservations must be made in advance.
Commitment to quality
To ensure the quality standards of the accommodation with which we collaborate, our partner travel agencies teams travels to each of them to check that their facilities and services, as well as the quality of their attention, are excellent. Only in this way, can we guarantee you the best rest and an unforgettable stay while you are on the Camino de Santiago.
In addition, if due to the low capacity of some of the hotels or cottages with which we collaborate, there is no availability, we guarantee that they will offer you other accommodation of the same range or even of superior quality.
Accommodation partners
All hotels and cottages have been selected with the utmost care, to guarantee your rest and comfort on all stages of the Camino de Santiago
- Staying in hotels and cottages.
- Accommodation with a private bathroom in your room.
- Detailed itinerary of the reserved route.
- Selected meal plan.
- Baggage transfer between stages.
- Personal assistance 24/7, by phone, throughout the trip.
- Emergency assistance car available
- Information dossier for the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian.
- Taxes included.
- Booking of single rooms at an additional cost.
- Picnics to go (includes sandwich, drink and dessert).
- Additional nights (breakfast included).
- Transfers according to your needs.
- Assistance insurance during the tour.
- Travel cancellation insurance.