Basque & La Rioja Wine Country Loop
Starting and ending in Bilbao, this loop connects Vitoria-Gasteiz, Logroño, Haro wineries, and San Sebastián.
Combine Basque cities and La Rioja wine country into a single loop: start with Bilbao, drive through the Salt Valley to Vitoria-Gasteiz, head south to Laguardia and Calle Laurel in Logroño, spend a night in Haro to tour historic wineries, and finish in San Sebastián and the coast. Perfect for couples or friends who love food and wine, skipping the western coast.
The harvest season in September and October offers the best scenery; wineries and accommodations must be booked well in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Bilbao & Las Siete Calles
Bilbao（Mercado de la Ribera、Plaza Nueva、Casco Viejo, Bilbao）
Take the airport bus to the city center (approx. 20 mins), then walk into the Old Town. Save your car rental for the day of departure.
Stay: Casco Viejo (Siete Calles)
Day 2 · Guggenheim & Mount Artxanda
Bilbao（Guggenheim Museum Bilbao、Bilbao Fine Arts Museum、Artxanda Funicular）
Walk along the river to the Guggenheim Museum (approx. 30 mins), and take the funicular up the mountain in the evening for night views.
The Guggenheim is usually closed on Mondays; booking tickets in advance is recommended.
Stay: Casco Viejo (Siete Calles)
Day 3 · Salt Valley to Vitoria Old Town
Vitoria-Gasteiz（Salt Valley of Añana、Santa María Cathedral、Medieval Quarter (Casco Medieval)、Calle Cuchillería Pintxos Bars）
Pick up your car and drive to the Valle Salado de Añana (approx. 1 hour), then continue to Vitoria-Gasteiz (approx. 40 mins).
The Cathedral of Santa María must be visited with a guided tour; book in advance.
Stay: Medieval Old Town
Day 4 · Laguardia to Calle Laurel
Vitoria-Gasteiz（Laguardia、Bodegas Ysios） → Logroño & La Rioja（Marqués de Riscal (City of Wine), Elciego、Calle del Laurel）
Drive over the mountain pass to Laguardia (approx. 50 mins), then continue via Elciego to Logroño (approx. 30 mins).
Most wineries require reservations and are often closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays.
Stay: Old Town & Calle del Laurel
Day 5 · San Millán Monasteries to Haro
Logroño & La Rioja（San Millán de Yuso and Suso Monasteries、Santo Domingo de la Calzada Cathedral、Vivanco Museum of the Culture of Wine）
Drive from Logroño to San Millán de la Cogolla (approx. 50 mins), then continue via Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Haro (approx. 45 mins).
Yuso and Suso Monasteries are visited in timed sessions; booking in advance is required.
Stay: Haro
Day 6 · Haro Historic Wineries to La Concha Bay
Logroño & La Rioja（Haro Station District） → San Sebastián（La Concha Beach、Parte Vieja, San Sebastián）
Explore the Barrio de la Estación winery district on foot in the morning. After midday, take the AP-1 to San Sebastián (approx. 2 hours).
If driving on the afternoon of wine tasting, the driver must not consume any alcohol.
Stay: Old Town (Parte Vieja)
Day 7 · Full Day in San Sebastián
San Sebastián（San Telmo Museum、Monte Urgull、Peine del Viento (Comb of the Wind)、Monte Igueldo）
Walk around the city, take the funicular up Mount Igueldo, and return to the Old Town in the evening for pintxos.
Stay: Old Town (Parte Vieja)
Day 8 · Coastal Fishing Villages to Bilbao
San Sebastián（Getaria、Zumaia Flysch & Itzurun Beach） → Bilbao（Gernika Assembly House & Tree of Gernika）
Drive along the coast via Getaria and Zumaia to Guernica (approx. 1.5 hours), then continue to the airport (approx. 40 mins).