From San Sebastián: Gaztelugatxe, Bilbao and the Guggenheim
4.798 reviews
Photo credits
- Petr SlováÄek, Unsplash License, via Unsplash · source
- Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · source
- Dirk Pothen, Pexels License, via Pexels · source
- Malenaban, CC BY-SA 3.0 es, via Wikimedia Commons · source
- davidvives90, Pixabay License, via Pixabay · source
- Zarateman, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons · source
- PA, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · source
- Basotxerri, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · source
Day trip from San Sebastián with hotel pickup: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a walk through Bilbao's Old Town with pintxos and a Guggenheim visit depending on your option. Rated 4.7/5 from 98 reviews.
It departs from San Sebastián, not Bilbao. There are private, small-group and large bilingual-group options: lunch is only included in the first two, and the bilingual option does not include Guggenheim tickets.
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- English, Spanish
- Mobile ticket
Practical details
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Guide languages
- English · Spanish
- Mobile ticket
- No need to print
- Wheelchair accessible
- No
- Minimum age
- No restriction
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24h before
Highlights
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, ticket included
- Bilbao Old Town and estuary
- Pintxos and a drink at lunch (depending on option)
- Guggenheim Museum with audio guide (depending on option)
- Pickup from your San Sebastián hotel
Our take
Made for people staying in San Sebastián who want to see Bilbao and Gaztelugatxe in one day without driving. It is a full-on day; check the option carefully, because the starting price includes neither lunch nor the Guggenheim.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Local guide
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe ticket
- Guggenheim ticket, except on the bilingual group option
- Lunch, only on the small-group and private options
Not included
- Rain gear and umbrellas
- Food and drinks if your option does not include them
Good to know
What to bring
- Trainers and a spare T-shirt if you plan to climb to the hermitage
- Umbrella or rain gear
- Comfortable clothes
Not suitable for
- People with limited mobility
- People with a low level of fitness
Things to keep in mind
- Minimum of 2 adults (4 on the bilingual option); otherwise another date or a refund is offered
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A vegetarian option is available on the small-group tour if requested when booking
Meeting point
San Sebastián bus station, Paseo Federico García Lorca, 1, Donostia.
Depending on your option, you are picked up at your hotel or meet at the bus station.
The experience
What you will see
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the hermitage on an islet facing the cliffs.
- Bilbao's Old Town and estuary.
- The Guggenheim Museum, inside if your option includes it.
How it works
You are picked up in San Sebastián and drive along the coast to Gaztelugatxe, with time to walk down to the islet and, if you like, climb to the hermitage. Then it is on to Bilbao for a stroll through the Old Town and along the river, with a pintxo lunch stop. The afternoon ends at the Guggenheim with a ticket and audio guide, or free time in the city if your option does not include it, before returning to San Sebastián.
Who I recommend it for
- Anyone staying in San Sebastián with a day for Bizkaia.
- Anyone wanting to combine nature and art without driving.
Who I don't recommend it for
- Anyone already staying in Bilbao.
- People with limited mobility.
Accessibility
Not suitable for people with limited mobility due to the stairs and uneven ground at Gaztelugatxe.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, with a full refund.
Frequently asked questions
Where does it leave from?
Is the Guggenheim ticket included?
Do I have to climb the Gaztelugatxe steps?
Is lunch included?
Related reading on our guides
→ Bilbao in one day: Guggenheim, Old Town and pintxos
What to see in Bilbao in one day: Guggenheim Museum, Old Town, La Ribera Market and Artxanda. An hour-by-hour walking route, where to eat pintxos and Gaztelugatxe nearby.
→ Day trips from Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe, San Sebastián and the Basque coast
The best day trips from Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe, San Sebastián, Urdaibai and Mundaka, Gernika and the Rioja Alavesa. How to get there and what to see.
→ Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: how to visit it (tickets and tips)
How to visit the Bilbao Guggenheim: tickets and hours, what to see inside and out (Puppy, Maman, Serra), how long to spend and the best tips.
If you book through this page, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we genuinely believe is worth it.
Similar activities in Bilbao
Well-reviewed options in case this one doesn't fit your plans.
Guggenheim Bilbao: VIP small-group tour with ticket
2-2.5 hours · 4.5 (763 reviews)
From €95
Bilbao: private Guggenheim Museum guided tour with ticket
1 hour 30 minutes · 4.8 (333 reviews)
From €230
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: guided tour in Spanish with ticket
2 hours · 4.9 (182 reviews)
From €49
Guggenheim Bilbao: art explained by artists
1 hour 30 minutes · 4.9 (129 reviews)
From €90
Swipe to see more →
It departs from San Sebastián, not Bilbao. There are private, small-group and large bilingual-group options: lunch is only included in the first two, and the bilingual option does not include Guggenheim tickets.