Piccolina

I'm currently in San Sebastian for the next 6 nights and we would like to do one or two half or full day trip to the surrounding area. However, we don't have a car and do not plan to rent one. We want to rely on the public transportation system.

We are already going to Bilbao as a day trip. So in addition, we want to see Hondarribia or other picturesque fishing villages but not sure how this can be achieved by relying on public transport.

Is Biarritz worthwhile as a day trip? The Pesa bus has a morning departure from SS to Biarritz. Thoughts on Biarritz??

I would greatly appreciate your advice on some day trip ideas and the transportation logistics on how to get to the place.

Thanks in advance!!

Robert2533

Yes, Biarritz is always worth a day-trip. Have you read (downloaded) Maribel's Guide to the Pays Basque and País Vasco? They may help in planning your stay. Otherwise, I would simply enjoy Donostia since you are already there.

GeoffHamer

I think there is a bus from San Sebastian to Hondarribia. If not, take a train to Irun from where there are frequent buses to Hondarribia.

kimhe

Excellent public transport in the area, buses to Hondarribia, and almost any small village from San Sebastián, all the time.

I can also recommend to go to close by and pictoresque Donibane/San Juan. Donibane has got several excellent waterfront restaurants, some of them with great value lunch menus. The bus leaves from Plaza de Guipúzcoa in Central San Sebastián about once an hour and takes some 30 mins.
http://www.euroresidentes.com/eurore...s/san-juan.htm

You can also walk over the hill along the coastline to get to Donibane. You'll have to take a 50 meters boatride from San Pedro across to San Juan/Donibane to get there.

Another excellent option would be the nearby fishing village Getaria, 30 mins away by bus. I had the meal of my life in one of the excellent restaurants in the harbour here in 1996. Something like this:
http://www.thepauperedchef.com/2007/...-in-getar.html

kimhe

The bus to Hondarribia leaves from Plaza de Guipúzcoa, the Bus to Getaria leaves from Avda de la Libertad (at least it used to) and the bus to Bilbao leaves from the Bus station south of the city center (PESA bus company, leaves every 30 mins most of the day, in Bilbao in 70 mins).

Small inland towns such as Tolosa or Hernani would also be nice to see, a stark contrast to the coastal villages. Very close to san Sebastián. Tolosa is famous for fantastic steaks and the typical Tolosa beans (alubias). Buses from Plaza de Guipúzcoa or in front of the tourist information in Alameda de Boulevard, close to the river.

If you look for the best grilled meat in the world, go to Casa Julián in Tolosa. They are extremely serious about meat in this city, and there are more excellent restaurants.

http://www.casajuliandetolosa.com/PAGINAS/eentrada.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...e_Country.html

http://11870.com/pro/casa-julian-tolosa

chapla

The tourist office in San Sebastian is wonderful-very helpful.They have all the timetables for the bus and train.
The airport bus goes to Hondarribia-there's an express and local bus-about 10 minutes difference.I like the local one because it takes you through little towns.
Hondarribia is lovely-especially the old part up on the hill.There's also a tourist office - just look for the signs in town.

Piccolina

Thank you all, especially Kimhe, for the recommendations. I'm loving San Sebastian at the moment. Just had a 5.5 hour lunch at Mugaritz. It was too good to describe. It's definitely something I'll remember for the rest of my life. Tomorrow is Arzak - hope it'll be just as good as Mugaritz!

Re: the restaurant in Getaria - are the restaurants reachable by foot once I get off the bus?? Looks like it'll be an amazing meal.

yorkshire

chapla beat me to it--head down to the tourist office for all of the schedules. In addition to Hondarribia, you can go to Getaria, Zarautz, other coastal towns. If you are a hiker, the walk between Zumaia and Deba is amazing--but would take all day. There are frequent trains back to SS from both towns.
When I was doing research, I learned the Renfe train to Tolosa is faster than the bus.
The walk to Pasai San Juan (/Donibane) is stunning.
You can even take a much longer bus ride to Leikitio.

kimhe

Yes, the restaurants in small Getaria are two minutes walking from the bus stop. Never had a meal at Mugaritz, but the two times at Arzak (1996 and 2005) I'll never forget. A fantastic restaurant, considered to be among the top ten in the world for some twenty years, that says it all.

Even though, all taken into consideration (expectations, atmosphere, etc) the Getaria lunch stands out. Quite expensive, but well worth it. Some 4-5 restaurants down in the harbour. Perhaps walk around a bit before you decide where to go (outdoor seating as well), or book in advance at one of the two most famous restaurants in town, Elkano or Kaia Kaipe: http://www.restauranteelkano.com/
http://www.kaia-kaipe.com/

And when in wonderful San Sebastián, be sure to have the famous prawn skewers at Goiz-Argi in Fermín Kalbeton and a plate of the best Jamón in the world (jamón de Jabugo) at traditional La Cepa in C/ 31 de Agosto.
Goiz-Argi: http://www.todopintxos.com/pintxos/p...verficha&id=39
La Cepa: http://www.barlacepa.com/

weber6560

Pamplona is only about an hour via intercity bus from the main station. Easy over and back in same day.