katherineg

My husband and I will have six days/five nights to spend in and around Bilbao, beginning August 1. (We are in Lisbon now and are flying to Bilbao.) We have a hotel reservation for Bilbao but also want to spend time in some smaller villages/places with access to good hiking (and good wine), and avoid crowds and overtouristy places.

Can anyone suggest itineraries/towns/areas to visit, either mountain villages outside of Bilbao or towns along the coast? We can rent a car if we need to.

We’ve been in Lisbon and Porto so far and haven’t gotten out in the country much. I’d really like to find some quieter places.

Thank you for any and all insights!

Aleta

Do a search for Mirabell's guides. She has been a wonderful source of information on Spain for Fodorites and now has her own web page. She has suggestions for each part of Spain.
In Bilbao please visit the old museum, a treasure of Spanish art works. The Guggenheim is lovely to see, but not much art and is all contemporary.
The old town is wonderful on Saturday, when it seems every adult stops for a quick snack and drink before heading home for a family lunch.

ribeirasacra

Forget Mirabell the chap to read is Mike. He is locla and does a really good blog which is up to date.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...reas-spain.cfm

jubilada

Read Mike's blog fro many great ideas.

CathyM

I would spend a couple of nights in Lekeitio or Getaria. They are between Bilbao and San Sebastian - very typical fishing villages. I'd definately spend some time in San Sebastian too.

A beautiful mountain village to visit is Onati.

Maribel's guides are great for lodging and dining recommendations in this area.

kimhe

The coast between Bilbao and San Sebastián should be spot on. Many charming villages such as Lekeitio, Zumaia, Getaria etc. Fabolous food. You could also visit Gernika, just outside Bilbao, the traditional basque political centre, bombed during the Civil War (1937) and today perhaps best known from Picasso's painting "Guernica".

Great pictures from beautiful Lekeitio (pop. 7000): http://www.google.no/images?rlz=1T4A...w=1379&bih=805

And some info: http://www.lekeitio.com/

From one of the fantastic seafood restaurants in Getaria: http://thepauperedchef.com/2007/12/elkano-in-getar.html

CathyM

Gernika is a great suggestion. Nearby are the Santimamine caves, which are open to visit. Just across the street from the caves is the entrance to the painted forest of Oma. This is a great spot go get away from it all!


http://www.bizkaia.net/home2/Temas/D...2326&Idioma=IN

yestravel

Good ideas suggested, but I doubt that will get u away from it all. With the exception of Gernika, all the spots mentioned were pretty crowded in May. The parking lot for access to the Painted forest was packed and it was an overcast, drizzly day. The villages were all very crowded so much so that we drove into and out of Lekeito without ever stopping. U might look to drive into the hills instead of the coastline for less crowds. We used Mike's blog and Maribel's guides and both were very helpful for our trip. Enjoy your trip!

Egbert

I agree with the other posters, Lekeitio, Getaria, Onati but don't miss a night or two in San Sebastian.

mikelg

Places I wouldn´t miss: Lekeitio, San Sebastián, Getaria, Bilbao and the funicular train to Artxanda, also the Old Town, Laguardia for wine and the Rolls Royce museum for something unique and off the beaten track in a beautiful area.

flanjam

Thanks, all! (This is Katherine, using my husband's computer.) We were delayed in Portugal due to an unfortunate stomach bug and arrived in Bilbao today. Tomorrow is for the city/Guggenheim, then I think Weds. we will rent a car and head out to some of the smaller towns. I'm thinking Guernica for sure, maybe Leikeitos (people here also seem to think it's likely to be very crowded as it's high season . . . Cascais in Portugal was crazy-packed and overwhelming, so I'm hoping not to repeat that) or Bermeo.

That blog is great, thanks for the tip!


Good food today already, much more variety and many more vegetarian options than in Portugal!

weber6560

Another vote for Lekeitio. Try Hotel Zubieta.

katherineg

Aleta, thanks for the suggestion re the Bellas Artes museum - went today and it was fantastic. Exhibition of gorgeous old photos by a local photographer specializing in "photographic impressionism." It was also a good alternative for the morning, when there was a huge line waiting to get into the Guggenheim.