For this visit to San Sebastián for a pintxos bar crawl in June 2026, we concentrated on pintxos rather than sit-down meals. We started our pintxo tour in Parte Vieja (the old town). We always prefer hot pintxos, as they are made to order. The pintxos on the bar are not a problem, but you may eat too much bread! We tend to have no more than two pintxos and a glass of wine or beer per bar, so we don’t get too full too early. The best time to visit pintxo bars is 8.30 — 10.30 p

HOTELA M&UGA We stayed for three nights in the Basque Country town of Elorrio at Hotela M&UGA. The town stands out for its unique medieval and modern heritage. In 1964, it was declared a Medieval Heritage Site. It is set in a green valley, with the river Zumelegi running down its centre. Strolling through the streets lined with palaces and ancestral houses, crafted from stone and intricately carved masonry dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, is truly delightful. We ch

RESTAURANTE ASADOR TXAKOLI SIMÓN After a 15- to 20-minute walk from the Funicular de Artxanda, you arrive at Restaurante Asador Txakolli Simón, high above Bilbao. Óscar García, the grill master at this restaurant, has a particular fondness for the Friesian breed of cow, known for its great value for money. On particularly busy days, he can prepare up to eight rib strips in a single service. When the sun is shining in Bilbao, you go to Artxanda, the viewpoint of Bilbao, and ta

RESTAURANTE SACHA This is not the most straightforward restaurant in Madrid to find, even with GPS, as it is at the rear of where it should be and hidden away in a corner on the right side of the building. Everything looks great: small but cosy, busy, and traditional as you enter. The restaurant opened in 1972, founded by a couple; he was from the Basque Country, and she was from Galicia. It is located in a neighbourhood just north of Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

BILBAO - PLAZA NUEVA PINTXO BAR CRAWL On a recent trip to Bilbao, we had a little pintxo bar crawl around the Plaza Nueva. The arcaded Plaza Nueva is bustling with locals from early evening onward. Take note of the local tradition of pacing yourself when enjoying a txikito, a small glass of wine or beer. In pintxos bars, it is common for patrons to throw paper napkins on the floor, while only shy tourists tend to leave them on tables or other surfaces. On weekends, the area

AZURMENDI Three Michelin Stars Chef Eneko Atxa Azurmendi was the youngest Spanish chef to obtain 3 Michelin stars in 2012. You will understand why when you visit this subtropical glasshouse, which overlooks the beautiful Basque countryside and is located 25 minutes from Bilbao. Azurmendi operates as a self-sustaining ecosystem focused on sustainability. It is environmentally friendly, utilises renewable energy sources, recycles all generated waste, collects rainwater, and

CASA JULIAN In 2025, we revisited this remarkable, easily overlooked little restaurant, now famous on TV, located in the Basque countryside town of Tolosa, which is 28 km inland from San Sebastián. Tolosa is a town and municipality in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, northern Spain . It is situated in the valley of the Oria River, with Casa Julian directly across from it. When you arrive at the restaurant and step inside, you might initially feel like you’re in the wrong

If you’re dreaming of a trip that combines stunning coastlines, mouth-watering food, and a culture that’s as unique as it is welcoming, then the Basque Country should be at the top of your list. I’m here to share the essential tips you need to make your journey smooth, fun, and full of those “wow” moments. Whether you’re wandering the charming streets of San Sebastián or exploring the rugged beauty of the countryside, these tips will help you get the most out of your adventu

CHEZ ALBERT Before our summer trip to San Sebastián, we ventured over the border into southwestern France, although still in the Basque Country, to the elegant seaside resort of Biarritz. The town has been a popular resort since European royalty began visiting in the 1800s. It’s also a major surfing destination, with long sandy beaches and surfers. A symbol of Biarritz, the Rocher de la Vierge is a rocky outcrop topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary, accessible via a footbrid

RESTAURANTE ARTEAGA LANDETXEA Michelin Bib Gourmand During our three-night stay in the Basque Country town of Elorrio, the friendly duo of Niko Moreno and Maider Ugarriza of Hotela M&UGA organised a seven-seater taxi to take us to Restaurante Arteaga Landetxea for lunch. The restaurant was a twenty-minute drive away from Elorrio to Arrasate (Gipuzkoa). It is a restored historic farmhouse in the heart of the stunning Basque Countryside. Maider Larrañaga and Igor Ezpeleta