Our cruise ship will dock in Bilbao from 9am to 4pm in September. Other than the new art museum, I've not read anything that causes me to think Bilbao will be terribly exciting.

Is it practical to go to San Sebastian for a few hours or should we just stay in Bilbao?

You should stick with visiting Bilbao, and possibly spending a few hours in Getxo, where the ship will dock. San Sebastian-Donostia is just too far to visit with only a few hours to spare.

You might want to download Maribel's Guide to the País Vasco to find out what to see and do. You will not be able to take advantage of having a great lunch, but you will be able to sample some outstanding pintxos.

http://maribelsguides.com

try san sebastian...

Robert2533 writes: "... You will not be able to take advantage of having a great lunch, but you will be able to sample some outstanding pintxos."

Last I saw, lunch was served from 1300 to 1500; so there's no reason you shouldn't enjoy a great lunch of Basque cuisine.

In addition to the Guggenheim, you should explore the Casco Viejo and the Mercado Central, just across the river from the Casco Viejo. If you have time, visit Catedral de la Begonia, the Church every Basque considers his/her home Parish.

They do have time for lunch in Getxo, but it would cut into their time to explore the Casco Viejo and visit the Guggenheim.

Doing lunch in Bilbao at 13:00 and getting back to the ship before 16:00 would not be a good option. They would be rushing through their meal, which is very un-Basque. We've never finished lunch in under two hours anywhere in the Basque country and never sit down before 13:30.

The food at the Guggenheim dining room is quite extraordinary for a museum facility.
Have lunch there and save some time.

I think that Robert is right. I don´t think they would have time for a decent lunch, but maybe a few pintxos at one of the bars in the Plaza Nueva ...

Bye, Cova

Cova, great to read you again!

I wouldn´t go to SS, Bilbao and Getxo are lovely places to visit and you have plenty of time to enjoy a good meal. The Casco Viejo (old town) is a must, and Bilbao is a very easy town to visit.

Thanks for your insights. It sounds like Bilbao and Getxo are our best alternatives.

Mikelg is always right when it comes to Bilbao or SS. While SS is my favorite in all of Europe, stay in Bilbao. Long ago, it put aside its rep as "industrial" [tho the melody lingers on.] In my opinion, downtown Bilbao is elegant and sophistocated. Skip lunch on the ship and hit some of the suave restaurants for pintxos. It may be your one shot to participate in what in my mind is the most delightful way to eat in the world. BTW mikelg, I came in for very special treatment in Cafe Lekeitio in Bilbao when I told them I spent the weekend in Lekeitio [thanks to you!]

I love the special tortilla they make at the Lekeitio, a classic, I´m glad you liked both places.