Welcome to your tour with Europamundo!
Optional Activities: During your trip, your guide will likely offer optional activities. If these activities are available in the Europamundo app or through your "My Trip" link, we strongly recommend booking them well in advance to ensure availability. Waiting until the last minute often means missing out on the opportunity to participate due to lack of tickets, coach seats, etc.
Joining the tour at the designated meeting point and time is crucial. Please verify these details in advance, as there are multiple joining points available. If you have any questions, contact Europamundo before your trip using the emergency telephone number or the chat feature on your "My Trip" website.
Please be on time as we travel together in a group; everyone´s cooperation is essential for a successful trip.
Enjoy your tour!
Bilbao - Portugalete - Guernica - San Sebastián
Total distance covered: 200 km.
Scenery: Industrial cities gradually giving way to lush, green mountainous landscapes. Traditional houses and charming homesteads are nestled amidst the mountains.
09:30 a.m. – After breakfast, we’ll drive to Portugalete, an iconic town reflecting the industrial heritage of the Bilbao Estuary, where we’ll visit the Vizcaya Bridge (tickets included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s first transporter bridge for pedestrians and vehicles. We’ll then explore Bilbao and its estuary, where the Guggenheim Museum stands out with its striking exterior architecture. We’ll also see the old town, the historic medieval center filled with vibrant streets and the cathedral. You’ll have free time to stroll and enjoy lunch. We recommend visiting La Ribera Market for lunch, where you can savor typical Basque cuisine in a boat-like structure located in front of the river.
02:30 p.m. - Departure from Bilbao. After lunch, we’ll continue our journey.
03:15 p.m. - Guernica. Arrival and time for a walk in this historic town, the birthplace of the Basque people, and sadly known for being the site of one of the worst massacres of the Spanish Civil War, famously depicted in a painting by Pablo Picasso. Here, we’ll see the Tree of Gernika, beneath which the Basque Country was granted its autonomy during the Middle Ages.
04:45 p.m. - Departure from Guernica. We’ll continue our route through the mountains.
06:15 p.m. - Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía). We’ll make a stop in one of the most beautiful towns in the Basque Country, known for its beaches, fortified walls, maritime atmosphere, and historic center. The grid layout of its narrow, cobbled streets is sure to surprise you. You’ll have time for a walk in the historic center.
08:45 p.m. - Departure from Hondarribia.
09:15 p.m. - San Sebastián/Donostia. Arrival in the evening to the elegant capital of Gipuzkoa. Our hotel is usually located at the top of Mount Igueldo, offering one of the most beautiful views of this elegant, illuminated city.
San Sebastián - Burdeaux
Total distance covered: 240 km.
Scenery: Lush, wooded areas in the Basque Country transition to the vast pine forests of France´s Landes region, eventually giving way to vineyards as we approach Bordeaux.
In the morning, after soaking in the stunning views of San Sebastián Bay from Mount Igueldo, we’ll head to the Miramar Palace and its lovely gardens. You’ll then have some free time to relax on the large beach, stroll along the boulevards, and enjoy lunch in the old town, famous for its lively “pintxos” bars and vibrant atmosphere—a hotspot for food lovers. Each bar has its own specialty and unique style, making it a delicious adventure to try different pintxos.
04:15 p.m. – Departure from San Sebastián. We’ll cross into France through the Basque Country, traveling through the Landes region with its pine forests and lakes. As we near Bordeaux, we’ll be welcomed by the region’s renowned vineyards.
07:15 p.m. - Bordeaux. Our guide will give a brief introduction to the city. You’ll then have free time to explore, and we suggest taking a walk through the city center.
Bordeaux - Lourdes
Total distance covered: 270 km.
Scenery: Picturesque vineyard landscapes.
Take time to savor the center of Bordeaux, which has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. You´ll marvel at the "Water Mirror" and stroll through the old town with its pedestrian streets and 11th-century cathedral. Admission to the Cité du Vin is included (with audio tour in English, Spanish or French), offering an immersive experience into the region´s wine history and production, complete with a wine tasting at the viewpoint overlooking Bordeaux. Later, you´ll have free time to stroll and enjoy lunch along the banks of the Garonne River, a charming area filled with small restaurants.
02:30 p.m. Departure from Bordeaux. We will continue our journey towards the Pyrenees.
06:00 p.m. - Arrival in Lourdes. Time to visit the Sanctuary. We recommend attending the candlelight procession, typically held at 9 p.m. from late March to late October. Dinner included.
Lourdes - Roncesvalles - Pamplona - Olite - Madrid
Total distance covered: 570 km.
Scenery: Beautiful mountain landscapes in the morning and picturesque towns along the route.
07:30 a.m. - Departure from Lourdes. We’ll follow the historic Way of St. James, crossing the Pyrenees amidst tall summits and stunning landscapes, entering Spain through the Navarra region.
10:30 a.m. - Roncesvalles. We’ll visit the beautiful Gothic Collegiate Church of Santa María, renowned for its 14th-century sculpture of the Virgin Mary.
11:30 a.m. - Departure from Roncesvalles. We’ll travel through mountains, meadows, valleys, and picturesque towns steeped in Basque traditions as we head to the capital of Navarra.
12:30 p.m. - Pamplona. Known for its bull runs during the San Fermín festival, Pamplona is a key city on the Way of St. James. Enjoy a stroll and lunch at Plaza del Castillo in the city center, famous for its pintxo bars.
02:30 p.m. - Departure from Pamplona.
03:15 p.m. - Olite. This little charming town features a 13th-century Gothic castle, once the residence of the kings of Navarra. It is one of the most impressive city-fortresses in Spain.
04:30 p.m. - Departure from Olite. We’ll journey towards the highlands of Soria, in Castilla. Our route will pass through sparsely inhabited lands.
09:15 p.m. - Madrid.
After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.
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