Northern Spain
 

We are going to Spain in late September. We are flying into Madrid (4days) and then
renting a car to drive to the Basque Country with a stop in Burgos. We wanted to see the Guggenheim in Bilboa but we won't get there until the late afternoon on Sunday and they are closed Monday. We wanted to spend 2 nites in Bilboa/SanSebastian and then drive to Logrono for 2 nites before going to Barcelona.
Should we stay in Bilboa or San Sebastian? Any recommendations for 4 star hotels?
What should we do on Monday if the museum and caves are closed?

(once again, Bilbao is misspelled...so funny!)

Sorry, no pun intended, it´s just that it happens all the time with native English speakers.

let me recommend you my blog (from a local), http://mugalari.wordpress.com and www.maribelsguides.com for helpful info on this area.

I´m from Bilbao, but I´d rather stay in San Sebastián, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe (the beach is now covered in snow...lovely). As a four star hotel, Niza, Londres are the best options.

Instead of Logroño, I´d recommend Laguardia, in the heart of the Basque Rioja wine region.

I agree with mikelg. Bilbao is a nice city, but San Sebastian is much more interesting and beautiful.

Logrono is a a small city (about 160,000?). It has an interesting old town center, but is overall a commercial city. LaGuardia is a small walled town in a very scenic location. I too would recommend LaGuardia.

The article "A different kind of Spain" gives you an idea of wonderful San Sebastián: http://marshlands.blogstream.com/

If you're going to be in Logrono around the week of Sept 21st I'd recommend staying in Logrono - this is during the wine harvest festival (San Mateo) and Logrono is brimming with festivities. Otherwise, I'd agree with staying outside of Logrono (Laguardia, Briones, Elciego, etc....).

I would definitely have spent some more time in San Sebastián, the culinary capital of Spain (rivalling Barcelona) if not of all of Europe. According to Ferran Adriá (El Bulli) San Sebastián is the best place to eat in the world "in terms of the average quality of the food, in terms of what you can get at any place you happen to walk into".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...rink.shopping2

If not possible, you might find some inspiration from the NYT article "36 Hours in San Sebastián":
http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/11/18...l/18hours.html

You should just be aware that the 58th edition of San Sebastián International Film festival will run from 17-25 September.
http://www.sansebastianfestival.com/in/index.php

You should book your hotel as soon as possible.

There is no place in the world like San Sebastian. I would stay there and skip Barcelona.

Egbert, I´ve been there today. Beautifully snowed, even the beaches were covered in white...

Wow - is it normal for San Sebastian to have snow!

Not really, this year it´s unusually cold and snowy...we do get some snow but just a couple of times in winter, and not much...unlike this winter

google for nieve en san sebastián, there are some nice pics.

I stayed in San Sebastian for a consulting job and it is truly beautiful. I would stay there over Bilbao, I have stayed at the Londres Hotel and reccommend it highly.

There is abundant seafood available at some of Europes best restaurants right here, and of course the Tapas bars here are second to none. I never had a bad meal here, as compared to southern parts of Spain where I think food tends to greasy for the most part,...It is a hidden treasure in my opinion.

Anthony Bourdain also says SS and the basque country has the best chefs in the world right now. Don't miss Bilbao for a night or a long daytrip. You can taste some of the modern Basque cuisine cheaply at the restaurant at the Guggenheim which is "directed" by the famous chef Martin Berasetegui (not sure if it still is). It's nice to eat a great meal before viewing the museum and it's a good deal if you're not going to do the $185 dollar tasting menu at Arzak.

I would spend the $$ at Arzak before even thinking of shelling out at the Guggenheim! The museum restaurant does not have great reviews and is certainly not on par with Arzak. I ate the best meal of my life at Arzak.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?pa...d&id=736640648

All about going for pintxos (Basque tapas) in San Sebastián:
http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

Thanks for all the info. If we stay in San Sebastion is Santillana del Mar worth the trip? Should we spend time In Vitoria and skip Logrono?

There´s a very interesting visit at www.catedralvitoria.com in Vitoria...how a XIII century cathedral built with many defects is being reconstructed step by step. A memorable experience.

Santillana del Mar is a beautiful town...but it´s become very touristy nowadays. I´d visit Lekeitio and the coast instead.

About Lekeitio, the favourite of the 19th century Queen Isabel II:
http://www.spain.info/ven/otros-destinos/lekeitio.html

The fabolous Basque coast with great villages and beaches:
http://www.nextstop.com/guide/aVpG-t...-basque-coast/

Of course Arzak is better but not everyone can afford it and I know locals that can but say they would never spend $150 per person. I had great food at the museum restaurant for $18, nothing mindblowing but it allows us tourists to sample modern Basque food which is totally different from Pintxos and traditional Basque recipes. Now if I could afford it I would love to try Akelarre or Extebarri.

If we stay in San Sebastion is Santillana del Mar... "

Santillana del Mar is very small and rather touristy.
The most memorable from the visit there was Museum of
Torture - excellent and chilling.

A visit to Santander would be my suggestion.

You want a 4* hotel in Bilbao? I suggest the Conde Duque on rio Nervion at thr Pedestrian crosswalk. Mention the Encargado's (Cesar Ballesteros) name and you get top=tier treatment. It's walking distance to Bilbao's Casco viejo and (opposite direction) to the Guggenheim.
Don't miss Bilbao's mercado Central! Also, take a BusVision tour of Bilbao!