Hi, everyone! We're visiting Spain for three weeks in May, with stops in Madrid, Salamanca, San Sebastian, Cadaques, and Barcelona. I'd like to focus for now on San Sebastian, where we'll stay for five nights.

We won't have a car, but we'd like to make at least two day trips. One will be to Bilbao, and we've also considered hiking to Pasajes de San Juan. What other excursions do you recommend? Any advice about Bilbao or Pasajes de San Juan?

Thanks!

I took the bus RT from SS to Bilbao. Very easy. Buses leave from an outdoor area ( not a bus station, but parking slots in a lot) in San Sebastian. Buy your tix in advance from the office near the departure area..




http://www.pesa.net/pesa/horariosBD/...os.php?lang=en

Other than Bilbao if you had one other daytrip from San Sebastian personally I'd choose Getaria or Hondarribia.

We are also visiting SS in mid-May, I would love more info on the hiking to Pasajes de San Juan that you mention in your op.

Thanks for the advice.

Macdog,I haven't found much info on the hike, but it sounds promising. Fodor's recommends starting in San Sebastian from "the red-and-white-blazed GR trail that begins at the east end of the Zurriola beach" (http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/s...s-de-san-juan/). I believe that the walk follow the coastline all the way to Pasajes de San Juan.

If you follow the town's main street, I've read that you can also enjoy a very nice cliff walk. We've been thinking about doing the walk in the morning, having lunch in Pasajes de San Juan, and then taking a bus or train back to San Sebastian. Could be a memorable day.

Bilbao is a typical daytrip, but the last one I would choose. The hike to Pasajes is a GREAT idea. You walk to the end of Zurriola, turn right on Avda de Navarra by a church, turn left and follow stairs up up up and then follow the red white and green signs that Jackpot mentions. A beautiful, beautiful hike. In the other direction there's the camino, and then there's the mt urgull in the middle of the city.
Other daytrips? Getaria, Hondarribia/Hendaye, Pamplona, and if you have a car at your disposition a million others. Also would depend on your dates, because during the typical tourist season there can be several incredible fiestas to take part in.

Thanks for the tips, especially the new details about the Pasajes hike.

I'd love to learn about any fiestas or special events taking place during our visit. We'll be in town May 19-24.

Thanks!

I've done the walk (including a two mins boat-ride from San Pedro, leaves all the time) to Pasajes San Juan/Donibane at least a dozen times. We've always used to climb directly from the Zurriola beach up Monte Ulía along the coast towards the park/picnic/café area on the top. An exclusive restaurant recently opened up here (http://www.miradordeulia.com/). Great hike, and when in San Juan you can choose among several excellent waterfront restaurants, some of them with great value lunch menus. The bus will take you back to central San Sebastián in 30 mins. http://www.euroresidentes.com/eurore...s/san-juan.htm

The cultural agenda for May in San Sebastián will eventually be updated here. Excellent time of year to go, spring is here in full and the predominantly Spanish holiday "invation" is a couple of months away: http://www.donostiasansebastian.com/marzo2011.html