San Sebastián Day Trip from Bilbao: Loyola Sanctuary & Getaria
Description
From Bilbao we will head towards the province of Gipuzkoa, passing through towns such as Eibar, Elgoibar and Azkoitia. We will reach the sanctuary of Loyola, where we will visit the birthplace of Ignatius of Loyola, the most famous figure in the area. We will continue our journey along the coast of Zumaia, arriving at the fishing village of Getaria, where we will visit its historic center. We will continue through Zarauz and finally arrive in San Sebastian where you will have free time to have lunch and enjoy one of the best gastronomies in the world. After lunch we will visit Mount Igeldo from where we will be able to se the amazing view of La Concha Bay.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Guided visit to the renowned Loyola Sanctuary, built around the historic tower house of the Loyola family, exploring its stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage.
Guided walking tour through Getaria, a charming coastal village known for its fishing heritage and as the birthplace of renowned fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. Stroll through its picturesque streets, immerse yourself in local culture, enjoy stunning seaside views, and have some free time to explore at your own pace.
Scenic drive through Zarautz, home to the Basque Country’s longest beach and a world-famous surfing destination. Enjoy stunning coastal views as you pass through this vibrant seaside town.
Guided walking tour through the beautiful old town of San Sebastián. Enjoy some free time for lunch in the city center, home to the world’s highest concentration of bars—perfect for tasting traditional pintxos. Conclude with a scenic panoramic drive up Monte Igueldo to admire the stunning views of La Concha Bay.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- May be operated by a bilingual guide
- This tour will take place rain or shine
Reviews(91)
Very pleasant tour with a very personable and helpful guide. Stephane. He was courteous and helpful to an old man with a cane making sure I kept up, advised me, in advance of any difficulties I might encounter with stairs and steep slopes.
Thank you for your kind feedback. We are glad to hear that Stéphane’s professionalism, attentiveness, and guiding skills made the experience comfortable and enjoyable for you.
Excellent tour, outstanding guide, and wonderful driver made this a wonderful day. Stephane’s rich knowledge of the region. from the Loyola castle to San Sebastian’s history, was most impressive. I recommend this tour.
Thank you very much for your kind review. We are glad to hear you enjoyed the tour and had such a wonderful day. We also appreciate your comments about the guide’s knowledge and the driver’s service. Thank you for recommending the experience, and we hope to welcome you again in the Basque Country soon.
An amazing day trip up the coast to San Sebastián. Lots of scenery and history. Our tour guide Stephane made the experience even better and really knew his stuff.
hank you for your kind feedback. We are very pleased to hear that you enjoyed the day trip along the coast to San Sebastián and appreciated both the scenery and the historical context. It is also great to know that the guidance during the tour helped enhance your overall experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future.
Excellent trip to see a variety of interesting places: Loyola, and the sanctuary dedicated to St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits; the fishing village of Getaria, with its view of the sea and its association with Juan Sebastian Elcano, the first man to circumnavigate the world; then a very nice visit to the resort city of San Sebastian with its old town, beach, and great views. Highly recommended day trip from Bilbao!
Thank you very much for your detailed review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the combination of Loyola, Getaria, and San Sebastián, and that the experience met your expectations. It is always a pleasure to know that our guests appreciate the cultural and scenic variety of the tour. We truly value your recommendation and hope to welcome you again in the Basque Country in the future.
It is a good mix of guided and free time. Some inclined walking, so keep in mind. Great picture stops also. We could even see Biarritz across the water!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you had a great experience with Stephanie and your driver. We’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to them — they’ll be very happy to know their professionalism and enthusiasm made your day special. We’re also glad you enjoyed the balance between guided visits and free time, as well as the scenic stops along the way — seeing Biarritz from across the water is always a memorable moment! Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to the Basque Country in the future.
This was our second tour with Stefan. He has a deep and broad knowledge that brings not only the places to life but the journey in between (and a quirky sense of humour to boot!). Loyolla is fascinating, if compact, being the beginnings of the Jesuit order. Getaria is a nice break in the journey to San Sebastian. San Sebastian is incredible and probably deserves at least a whole day to itself, if not a stay in its own right.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour. Stefan will be delighted to know you appreciated his knowledge and hosting. We look forward to welcoming you again soon!
Good experience an very informative private tour we sore a lot on the day and the tour guide was very informative
"Thank you for your kind words! We're glad you enjoyed the tour and found it informative
The tour was excellent and Aitor was an amazing and very knowledgeable tour guide. Also the group is small and it makes the experience better.
Thank you for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour and that Aitor made the experience even bette
Excellent tour. Interesting history, especially for those who studied under the Jesuits. Nice towns on the coast, and good food in San Sebastián. We had a good guide, pleasant and instructive. Beautiful views, and smooth rolling.
Thank you very much for your comment! We are delighted to know that your experience was so positive. We strive every day to provide quality service and ensure that every traveler takes unforgettable memories with them. We look forward to seeing you again very soon!
Awesome. Stephen was nice, entertaining and very Knowledgeable. The bus was comfortable. We appreciate that he waited for us as we were running late to get the bus.
Thank you for your comment! We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to the guide. For us, every detail matters, and feedback like yours motivates us to continue giving our best.
