Top Things to do in Basque Country
What to do and see in Basque Country, Spain: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Basque Country, Spain including Chillida Leku, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Casco Viejo, Catedral de Santa Maria, Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, La Concha Beach, Plaza Nueva, Castillo de Butron, La Ribera Market.
Restaurants in Basque Country
1. Chillida Leku
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 80 reviews
CHILLIDA-LEKU is an outdoors museum that gathers the work of Eduardo Chillida (San Sebastián 1924-2002) in the properties of “Zabalaga farmhouse”, constructed in 1594 at the town of Hernani (Guipúzcoa-Spain). 10 kilometers far from San Sebastián, 40 sculptures of great format stand out on the ground of 12 hectares and a hundred small format works and drawings, created during 50 years of work, appear inside the restored farmhouse. In the same town in 1951, after his brief Parisian experience, Eduardo Chillida began his works in the forge of a blacksmith.
2. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,994 reviews
Reviewed By O4063DJbenjaminh - Southport, United Kingdom
To get to Gaztelugatxe we drove up a steep winding road away from the town of Bakio where surfers were testing their grit and showing off their skills on towering formidable waves which crash on to the golden sand. At the top of the inclined road there is a large car park where you start you walk back through time. After reaching the starting arch you meander and descend down twisting pathways were you fight the urge to run as your feet carry you away. There are stunning views of the hermitage as your path winds down the hill. At the bottom you come across a bridge and cobbled steps that sweep up towards the mount that makes you feel like you are travelling back through time. The waves crash and smash against the ancient stones and bring a serene feel after a cautious descent. After taking in the beautiful views, start your ascent of the 241 steps to the summit where a real treat greets you. There you will find stunning panoramic views over the bay of Biscay and make sure to ring the bell three times on the restored chapel and make a wish. Make sure you take a rest to soak in the atmosphere as the walk back is arduous and will take your breath away.
3. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,393 reviews
American architect Frank Gehry is responsible for this architectural masterpiece: this fantastic chrome and metal creation houses a large collection of modern and contemporary art, a continuation of the Guggenheim legacy.
Reviewed By RicherTrips - Monterrey, Mexico
Even if you don´t like museums, even if you don´t like modern art, this place is a must. Forget about the art display, the building is the main attraction. If you´re lucky you may actually enjoy the collections and exhibitions (I enjoy immersing in "The matter of Time" by Richard Serra, and watching Kiefer´s "Sunflowers" and Jenny Holzer´s digital poetry). Before or after visiting the museum, take a slow walk around the building, since every spot gives a completely different view. And my favorite works of art are in the outside: "Tall Tree & the eye", by Anish Kapoor (the same that made the Bean for Chicago), Koon´s "Tulips", Buren´s "Red arches" on the bridge, Bourgeois´ spider: If your wander around long enough, you may catch the Fire Fountain and the Fog Sculpture. On the main entrance, Koof´s flowered Puppy isn´t my favorite.
4. Casco Viejo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,236 reviews
An old, pleasant neighborhood best known for its open-air food markets, where shoppers can buy some of the freshest and best-tasting fruit and vegetables in Europe.
Reviewed By sladar
What a treat it was to explore the old part of Bilbao. In particular, Las Siete Calles was a maze of fun.
5. Catedral de Santa Maria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,512 reviews
Reviewed By Dyegourmet
We joined a tour given in Spanish but were handed audio guides in English which worked very well.This was an extremely interesting and well researched tour, taking you down into the crypt and showing the area beneath the vast cathedral pillars, explaining the history of the site, the building itself and the necessary work (currently 20 years - and running) which has taken place to stabilise it for the future. It seems that 1960s renovations weren't too helpful. The tour takes visitors (who must don fetching hair covers and hard hats) into the body of the cathedral, up to the triforium and the parapet and into the bell towers before finishing with a visit to the portico and the beautiful set of arches. Don't scorn the hard hats. Some of the arches you pass beneath are very low and it would be all too easy to graze or thump you head. It's not advisable if you suffer from vertigo - and some of it would be tough-going if you can't climb stairs easily. However, some areas are accessible by lift and I noticed one elderly visitor who had negotiated parts of the tour this way. Don't miss this tour. It's unique, informative and extremely professionally presented.
6. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,492 reviews
The Bilbao Fine Arts Museum is an art museum located in the city of Bilbao, Spain. It is the second largest and most visited museum in the Basque Country and one of the richest Spanish museums outside Madrid. It houses a valuable and quite comprehensive collection of Basque, Spanish and European art from the Middle Ages to contemporary.
Reviewed By 855ninac - Hampshire, United Kingdom
Interesting way to organise art - alphabetically. A wonderful collection of a wide range of art, old and new, side by side. The Zuloaga exhibition was an added bonus. Just a short walk from the Guggenheim & definitely worth including in your itinerary.
7. La Concha Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,077 reviews
Reviewed By turistico - Yonkers, United States
La Concha Beach in San Sebastian, Spain is the best urban beach in Europe. Elegant, urban, cosmopolitan, white sand, crystal clear waters and lush hillsides makes La Concha the best urban beach in Europe and one of the most beautiful in the world. By the way San Sebastian is considered the most beautiful city in the world alongside Seville.
8. Plaza Nueva
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,704 reviews
Reviewed By mjwe
Really lovely vibrant square in the old town of Bilbao, great choice of bars and restaurants with a good variety of pinxtos, really reasonably priced, would recommend the local wine, which is lovely and so cheap. A nice mix of locals, families and tourists all relaxing and enjoying the food and drink. They had a little market on Sunday, selling books, records and other bits. Great place to go day and night, to eat, drink and people watch.
9. Castillo de Butron
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By 736jaumev - Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
it's not a very known place to visit in the basque country, but this castle is amazing. the only problem is that is the inside is not visitable but in any case, is worth to see the outside. Car is required to arrive there, you can do a route. It's close to Bilbao.
10. La Ribera Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,095 reviews
Reviewed By FactotumDellaCitta - London, United Kingdom
This modern and clean indoor market has a nice selection of eating places, many of which offer a variety of pintxos, as well as stalls that sell everything from fresh produce to baked goods. Prices were quite reasonable.
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