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

If you’re heading to Bilbao, you’re in for a treat. This city isn’t just about the Guggenheim Museum or its stunning riverside views. Nope, Bilbao is a food lover’s paradise. From pintxos bars tucked away in narrow alleys to Michelin-starred restaurants that push culinary boundaries, the dining scene here is vibrant and diverse. I’ve spent quite some time exploring the best dining in Bilbao, and I’m excited to share my discoveries with you. Ready to eat your way through this

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

RESTAURANTE VICTOR MONTES After a long day and with many places closed on Sunday, we decided to stay close to the hotel and have dinner at Víctor Montes in Plaza Nueva. This famous local landmark is nicely rowdy downstairs at peak times. Locals and a few tourists prop up the bar, chat loudly, and snack on pintxos like the txangurro (spider crab in puff pastry) while downing a glass of wine or a caña. The vaulted wine cellar holds Rioja vintages dating back over a century, al

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 heaves with locals from early evening on. Try to observe the alcoholic convention of pacing yourself with a txikito (small glass of wine or beer). In Pintxos bars, people always throw paper napkins on the floor, and only shy tourists leave them on plates or surfaces. At weekends, it gets busy around 11.30 am. Our favourite places

CASINO DE MUNDAKA Mundaka is a town and municipality in the Basque Country, located in the province of Biscay. Mundaka is a working port on the coast and is internationally renowned for its surfing scene. The port is at the town’s centre; from there, the old part of the town grew. All the houses are medieval, with fishermen’s cottages, always looking out to sea. The port has many small boats. Mundaka is well-renowned worldwide for its surf quality. Huge swells roll in from t

ANTONIO BAR If you sometimes need a change of pintxo bars from the Parte Vieja (old town) or the Gros area across the bridge, head to the central location and Antonio Bar. It’s an unassuming, tiny place that’s always busy, with primarily local customers. You will find a few seats inside by the bar and more outside, where the jovial waiter will serve you. Finding a space may take a minute, but the turnover is pretty quick. It is a great spot to enjoy, Txistorra (spicy sausage

BAR SPORT We returned to Bar Sport, which remains somewhat of an insider tip. True to its name, it is particularly popular during sports events, but it offers some beautifully assembled pintxos throughout the week. This authentic bar serves traditional pintxos in a vibrant atmosphere and impresses further with its more than reasonable prices. Popular with locals, it offers a rustic interior and represents a conventional Basque dining experience, perfected by its good selectio

GANDARIAS JATETXEA We returned to Casa Gandarias for our regular fill of pintxo de solomillo and red wine! We had a bottle of El Lagar de Isilla Paraje Peñalobos Tinta del Pais 2018 DOC Ribera del Duero . This was a good match with the solomillo. The famous Basque Gildas. Guindilla pepper, green olive and fresh anchovy - named after Rita Haywood (hot, tall and spicy). During this visit, we also had a sit-down lunch with a group at the restaurant. Something not done before a

For this visit to San Sebastian in June 2025, 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 pm. Several pintxo bars a