San Sebastián to Santander – 7-Night Basque Coast Cycling Tour
Description
This Basque coast cycling tour follows the coastline of the Basque Country and Cantabria from San Sebastián to Santander, through seaside villages and the beautiful cities of San Sebastián, Bilbao and Santander. It is a self-guided, 7-night tour with plenty of pintxos and sea views along the way.
From San Sebastián you ride over Monte Igeldo and past the txakolí vineyards to Zarautz, Getaria and Lekeitio, then along the flysch cliffs to Elantxobe, Guernica and the surfing village of Mundaka. The route passes Bermeo and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe to Getxo and the Puente de Vizcaya, with easy access to Bilbao and the Guggenheim, before entering Cantabria at Castro Urdiales and continuing via Laredo and Santoña to Santander by boat.
Stages range from 35 to 71 km a day. The coastal route as far as Bilbao is hilly, and the train can be used to shorten some stages, such as the first day to Lekeitio.
The price includes 7 nights in country inns and 3 and 4-star hotels with breakfast, all luggage transfers and the routes and tour information in the Ride with GPS app. Travel to San Sebastián and from Santander is not included, but personalised transfers can be arranged. You can bring your own bike or rent a road, trekking or electric bike.
This Basque coast cycling tour runs from 28 March to 29 October 2027, with arrival on Sunday. You can start on any other day for a supplement, which is not charged for groups of four or more. To continue west, discover our Basque Country to Asturias cycling tour.
Itinerary
Arrive in San Sebastián and enjoy pintxos and txakolí wine in the Old Quarter, the promenade and the beaches. It is worth adding an extra night in this marvellous city.
Bikes arrive after breakfast. Over Monte Igeldo with great views of the city, past txakolí vineyards to Zarautz, Getaria and Deba, and on to the harbour and beach of Lekeitio. The ride can be shortened to 48 or 38 km by train to Zarautz or Zumaia.
Along the coast past the flysch rock formations and the village of Elantxobe, then inland along the Urdaibai estuary to Guernica. Night in Guernica or in Mundaka, famous for its surfing wave.
Through the fishing village of Bermeo and up to a viewpoint over San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, then past Bakio and Plentzia to Getxo and the Puente de Vizcaya. Bilbao and the Guggenheim are a short metro ride away.
Cross the River Nervión on the Puente de Vizcaya transporter bridge, follow the estuary and the coast and enter Cantabria to reach Castro Urdiales, with its harbour and Gothic church.
Along the coast to the cliffs of Sonabia, home to griffon vultures, then Laredo and its long beach. A short ferry takes you to Santoña, famous for its anchovies, and the hotel on Berria beach.
West through green countryside, beaches and cliffs to Somo and Pedreña, then a boat across the bay to Santander, the elegant capital of Cantabria.
End of the tour after breakfast.
Options
Double room
Ask about dates, prices and availability for this cycling holiday, for you or your whole group.
Nights
Riding days
Max km per day
Total km
Location
- Address : San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, España
Add Review