Bilbao and San Sebastian, a tale of two cities.
If you are looking for some of the best food in the world, old towns to explore, museums and art galleries, fantastic beaches and great walking routes, look no further. This part of Northern Spain has a lot to offer.
Bilbao is a melting pot of old and new. The art district is home to the Guggenheim Museum and is filled with sculptures, Jeff Koons “Puppy” is the world’s largest flower sculpture. The museum of fine arts is also in this area. Whereas the Casco Viejo (old town) is a maze of cobbled streets dotted with bars and restaurants. Most of the bars serve the Basque equivalent of tapas, known as Pintxos. Bite size snacks ranging from traditional tortilla to mini gourmet tasters. I highly recommend a Pintxos crawl, as every bar has a different offering, allowing for a mobile feast as you explore this wonderful city.
Top tip – head to the Plaza Nuevo at the weekend – a square in the old town surrounded by many bars and restaurants. There is a variety of Pintxos to try and a lovely atmosphere where local families meet up. Order a Kalimotxo (red wine and coke) and watch the world go by.
San Sebastian surrounded by hills and three beaches and has no less than 11 Michelin starred restaurants. Gastronomy is taken very seriously here and the Pintxos is another level. If you can drag yourself away from all the amazing feasting, this city has a lot to offer. A small compact old town to wander, a choice of beaches to laze on and some fabulous shopping.
There is a network of walking routes to suit all abilities. We walked along the coast from San Sebastian to Pasaia, a small fishing village, stunning vistas, and a beautiful spot for lunch.
Top tips – Try the Txakoli wine, local to the Basque region, it is light and refreshing, a great accompaniment to Pintxos. Head to Atari for Pulpo and Vergara for an amazing selection of Pinxtos, both in the old town.