superdipti

I have a 10 day trip planned in August to Northern Spain. I plan to spend about 3 days in Madrid and the last 2 days in San Sebastian.

Any suggestions on what to do in the 5 days remaining would be greatly appreciated.

I have been to Spain before, so I'm not as interested in major tourist attractions. I would love to visit some beautiful, off the beaten track, small towns - either on the coast near San Seb or en route between Madid and San San Seb. I enjoy outdoor activities, great food, etc.

I also won't have a car so will have to rely on trains & buses.

Thank you!

kimhe

Perhaps go to vibrant Bilbao with the Guggenheim museum +++. Lots of nice small seaside villages along the coast between Bilbao and San Sebastián: Lekeitio, Mutriku, Zumaya, Getaria etc. Gernika/Guernica, the historical capital of the Basque country is close to Bilbao and on the way to the coast. Guernica is most known for the horrendous bombings during the Spanish Civil War and Picasso's painting (which is on display in the fabulous Reina Sofia art museum in Madrid).

CathyM

I'd spend at least 3 days and probably even more in San Sebastian, particularly if you don't have a car, as it will be a good base for daytrips. For the Basque Country part of your trip (7 days) I'd probably spend 5 in San Sebastian and 2 in a smaller coastal village. Alternatively 3 in San Sebastian, 2 in Bilbao and 2 in a smaller fishing village. In addition to the places mentioned by kime some other places to visit: using San Sebastian as a "base": Hondarribia, St Jean de Luz, Bayonne, Tolosa, Pamplona, Getaria; using Bilbao as a base: Bermeo, Vittoria, Gernika

superdipti

Thank you for your quick replies! We are planning to leave Madrid on Weds morning, and we will have Weds night, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, in San Seb and somewhere else nearby - perhaps a fishing village. My question is out of all of the places using San Seb as a base, which is the most beautiful/intersting where we could spend 2 nights to reduce the hotel costs of staying in San Seb the whole time?

Thank you!!!

HappyTrvlr

Hondarribia.

kimhe

Small Getaria, some 30 mins by bus from San Sebastián, is beautiful and has got some sensational restaurants. You will not cut down much on hotel costs, but you might consider Saiaz. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/saia...95710796177163

Had the meal of my life in Getaria back in 1996, was something like this: http://thepauperedchef.com/2007/12/elkano-in-getar.html

And, most important of all, all about going for the world famous pintxos in San Sebastián: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

Micheline

My vote is also for Hondarribia. From there you can take a boat to Hendaye, France about 10 minutes away. Although I did not find the accommodation to be much less than San S.

Egbert

I would spend the other 5 nights in San Sebastian. If not I would spend 2 nights in Lekeitio or Hondarribia.

CathyM

If the trip is coming up next month I'd check on hotel availability in Getaria, Lekeitio and Hondarribia ASAP! These are small towns (Hondarribia is larger) with not alot of accomodation choices. I had trouble booking a Sat/Sun night stay in Lekeitio for my trip in mid-September when I started looking in late May. The availability may be what makes your decision.

If you have trouble finding accomodation for these 2 nights in a smaller village I'd consider Bilbao. Accomodation is generally better priced and it's a wonderful city. From Bilbao you can visit Portugulate (and the incredible Puente Vizcaya), Gernika, Bermeo easily as daytrips (not all of course in 2 days).

http://www.puente-colgante.com/en/principal.html

superdipti

Thank you everyone, for all of your recommendations. Accomodation is sparse, but I did find a nice looking place in Lekeitio. I'm now looking for the most efficient way from Mardid to Lekeitio (without a car). Train to San Seb or Bilbao? Is it possible to get a smaller train or taxi?

Thank you,
dipti

Egbert

You will love Lekeitio. The Euskotren will get you to San Sebastian.

CathyM

Great to hear you got a room in Lekeitio! It's probably my favorite of the smaller villages on the coast.

To get from Madrid to Lekeitio (using public transport) you'll need to get to Bilbao or San Sebastian. I think Bilbao is your best bet. Bilbao has more frequent connections to Lekeitio with buses every hour from the Termibus station in Bilbao.

Bilbao: to get to Bilbao from Madrid I'd probably check first to see if you can get a good airfare. It's the fastest way to go. Once you arrive in Bilbao you can take an airport bus to the Termibus station (they're very frequent). Then take the bus to Lekeitio - it's about 1 hr 20 minutes with the last stretch very beautiful but the roads are twisty so if you get quesy don't sit in the back of the bus! There are 2 trains a day direct from Madrid to Bilbao that take a little under 5 hours. Buses run more frequently (almost hourly) then the train and take the same amount of time. There are several "supra" buses which cost more but would be more comfortable for the long trip. You'd arrive at the Termibus station where you could then catch the bus to Lekeitio.

San Sebastian: You could try flying but it may be more difficult to find a bargain fare from Madrid to San Sebastian. Once you arrive at the San Sebastian airport (actually just outside Hondarribia) you'd need to get to the bus station in San Sebastian. You could take a taxi or take an airport bus into town. The airport bus doesn't stop at the bus station so you'd have to walk about 10 minutes once you get into San Sebastian. There are 4 buses daily to Lekeitio and they take about 1.5 hours. Train - 2 trains each day that take about 5.5 hours. Once you arrive you'd have to walk to the bus station (about 10 minutes). Bus - bus is more frequent than the train (about every 2 hours) and takes 5.5 - 6.5 hours (a couple of supra buses each day day 5.15 hours). You'd arrive at the same location as the bus that leaves for Lekeitio. I'm not aware of the Euskotren from Lekeitio to Bilbao or San Sebastian - but would love more information if this is true as I'll be traveling between these 3 places in September.

www.alsa.es
bus Madrid to Bilbao/San Sebastian

www.pesa.net
bus San Sebastian to Lekeitio

http://www.bizkaia.net/home2/Temas/D...=195&idioma=CA
bus Bilbao airport to Bilbao; Bilbao to Lekeitio
Note: not the easiest to navigate but once you figure it out very good information

CathyM

Do you mind sharing where you're staying in Lekeitio? I can help you with walking directions from the bus "station" (more of a large parking lot with a couple of bus docks) to your hotel.