Other Spain Tourism Guide - Basque Country

The Basque Country (Euskadi or Euskal Herria in Basque and Pais Vasco Spanish) sits to the far north of Spain bordered by Cantabria on the coast to the west, Navarre to the east and to the south by La Rioja. Main cities Bilbao, cultural centre and art mecca with the stunning Bilbao Guggenheim as artistic centrepiece, and San Sebastian now hub for the some of the finest restaurants in Spain, are both served by airports. Bilbao Airport sits just 12km west of the city, and direct flights run from both London Heathrow and Stansted in the UK. San Sebastian's airport sits just 22km north east of the city. Regular flights run between Madrid and San Sebastian, alongside Barcelona and Seville. Talk is afoot for San Sebastian Airport expansion, and an increase on only the small numbers of charters from European cities that currently operate. Ferries to Santander further west on the Cantabrian coast are also an option for accessing the region (ferry from Plymouth to Santander and car rental from Santander to either Bilbao or San Sebastian. Alternatively hop on a direct ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao port, and save on the price of car hire by taking your own motorhome or car - see ferry and cheap flight weblinks right or contact the Iknow Holidays booking line direct for advice on the cheapest and most direct route to the Basque Country, Navarre and La Rioja to suit you). The Basque Country has three provinces - Guipuzcoa and Vizcaya to the north and Alava in the south. The third airport in the region - Vitoria is located just 8km west of Vitoria Gasteiz (the capital of the Alava region). Vitoria is currrently quite a small airport, with just direct flights from both Madrid and Barcelona.

South of the Basque Country, La Rioja is world renowned for its best red wines, coming from most of the vineyards situated around the Rio Ebro and Haro quite near the Basque Country's southern border. The region's main airport is Logrono which is a mere 15km east of the city's centre. Again direct flights are mostly internal from Madrid and Barcelona (connect from UK airports). The Navarra region, once a Basque heartland but now independent contains a variety of characters. The Navarran Pyrenees sit to the north of the region, whilst the south is distinctive for its plains and cereal crops. The historic pilgrimage route down from France to Santiago de Compostela runs through the Navarra region. Main city Pamplona lays claim to one of the most riotous festivals in Spain - the Fiesta de San Fermin. Connecting flights from the UK are to either Madrid or Barcelona, then into Pamplona.

Euskadi Basque Country Bilbao San Sebastian Spain

Both flights and ferries into the Basque Country now make it easy to enjoy car tours of the Basque region or city breaks lapping up the art scene in Bilbao or the superb choice of fine cuisine and restaurants in San Sebastion. (see webguides right for tourist information on both Bilbao and San Sebastian, and pick up the Bilbao card offering discounts to many of the cities art galleries and museums).

Bilbao particularly is picking up speed as an international city break, with the architectural stunner - the Bilbao Guggenheim designed by Canadian Frank Gehry, as much a prize for its exterior architecture as for its Miro, Rothko, Picasso and more treasures within. More art gems are held within Bilbao's Museo de Bellas Artes where you'll find most of the Spanish masters including El Greco, Goya and Zurbaran. A funicula cable car ride runs up Artxanda hill for sublime views of Bilbao. Historic Basque centre Guernica, bombed by Franco and causing world outcry during the Spanish Civil War, is an easy daytrip just east of Bilbao (see Guernica's Peace Museum webguide right for historical detail).

Bilbao Tourist Information Centre, Plaza Ensanche, 11 Bilbao. Tel. 944 795 760. Look to the Basque coast, particularly around Mundaka, for some top surfing hotspots. Some of Spain's top surfing events take place around this area. On the East Basque coast stunning quiet fishing villages with pretty beaches await along the sublime coastal drive between Bilbao and San Sebastian.

San Sebastian Tourist Information Office, C/Reina Regente 3 - 20003 Donastia San Sebastian. Tel. 943 48 11 66.

La Rioja Spain

This Spanish region takes its name from the fine wines it produces. Wine festivals, wine tours, wine cellar visits and wine bodegas architecture tours are all here in La Rioja (see La Rioja's tourist webguide right for wine tour route suggestions).

Alongside La Rioja fine wines is an exquisite offering of gastronomy (see La Rioja restaurant listings via the La Rioja tourist guide). Logrono to the north of the La Rioja region near the Basque border is the main city with serving airport.

Logrono Tourist Information Office, C/Portales 39 bajo, 26001 Logrono. Tel. 941 273 353.

Navarra Navarre Spain

To the north Navarra borders France and is most mountainous in its northern Pyrenees region where the highest peak to the east reaches 2434 metres. The south is flatter, with lively main fiesta centre city Pamplona known for its 'running of the bulls'. Pamplona city offers a choice of museums, a tightly packed old centre with cathedral and some delightful city park area. (see Pamplona Tourist webguide right).

Pamplona Tourist Office, c/Hilarion Eslava 1, Planta Baja - 31001 Pamplona. Tel. 848 424630.

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Accommodation in Basque Country