Last places
Way of Saint James from Sarria in group with guide
00
Days
00
Hours
NT02
On foot

Way of St. James from San Sebastian to Bilbao

SERVICES
Configurable
TYPE OF TRIP
Half distance
MODE
On your own
6 STAGES
8 DAYS
120 KM
DIF. ●●●○○
Discover one of Europe's oldest cultures
Tour the Basque coast and its spectacular scenery
Enjoy the spectacular seafood gastronomy
Walking the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian is one of the best ways to venture on the Camino del Norte. It crosses the Basque Country along its shores and offers an unparalleled fusion of pilgrim experiences, Cantabrian beaches and cliffs, and a millenary immaterial Basque culture - one of the oldest peoples in Europe. What we propose here is the stretch between Donostia, the Basque name for San Sebastian, and Bilbo - or Bilbao - in a six-stage itinerary. A great way to get to know this land and discover why it is one of the favourite destinations for many walkers who dare to take a step off the beaten track of the French Way.

Services

This programme includes these services.

8-day trip through the Basque Country.
7 nights' accommodation according to the chosen category. Configure it.
Full documentation about the travel.
GPS tracks in your smartphone
Pilgrim's passport
Travel insurance with special coverage for sports activities.
24/7 telephone assistance during your trip.
VAT and other taxes

Not included services

Extras in hotels and restaurants.
Other transfers requested by you, not specified in the contract.
Any other service not specifically defined as included.

Optional Services

A whole range of optional services are at your disposal, so that you can configure your trip to suit your needs.
Luggage transport
Private transfers
Reinforced breakfasts
Half board (dinners)
Cancellation insurance

Breakfasts, half-board
Luggage transportation on route (up to 15 kg / package).
Transfers to and from San Sebastian and Bilbao airports and stations.
Complementary activities
Cancellation insurance

Free cancellation if you book through our website

Is this trip for me?

Type of trip: Half distance
Journeys to savour slowly, with the best of each space and that indescribable sensation of overcoming your own limits.
Type of services: Configurable
You choose your category of accommodation, if you want breakfast or not, if you want us to carry your luggage, etc. You decide and we will make sure everything runs smoothly.
Travel style: On your own
Programmes designed so that you can travel the route on your own, at the pace set by your steps. Full autonomy and the peace of mind of knowing that we are with you if you need us.
Physical demands: Hiking
Routes of small or medium physical demand, of medium distance (20-30 km / day) and surfaces that facilitate walking, and that can be covered autonomously.

Itinerary


Day 1. Arrival in San Sebastian

Welcome to this Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian to Bilbao. On your arrival in San Sebastian (in Basque, Donostia) you will discover a modern and cosmopolitan city, with essential places that you cannot miss. The Wind Comb, the Royal Palace of Miramar, the Convent Museum of San Telmo, the Castle of La Mota, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the Plaza de la Constitución or the María Cristina Bridge are some of the charms offered by this Basque capital and the start of this Pilgrim's Way from San Sebastian.

Hostel: Downtown River Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Amaiur Guesthouse or similar


Day 2. Stage San Sebastián - Zarauz

Distance: 19.7 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○○
Accommodation: Zarauz / Zarautz

We start the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian in a stage in which we will have the sea as a backdrop. We start the ascent to Monte Igueldo, at the top of which stands the Torreón, a 180-metre high lighthouse built in the 18th century. If you think it's a tough start and prefer to enjoy the forceful but beautiful descent to Orio, you can always take the funicular railway, which has more than a hundred years of history.

Once in Orio, be sure to visit the Way of St. James Interpretation Centre. The end of the stage is in Zarauz (in Basque, Zarautz), another town linked to the sea. It is said that the Nao Victoria set sail from here: the first to circumnavigate the world.

Hostel: Zarautz Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Txiki Polit Guesthouse or similar


Day 3. Stage Zarauz - Deba

Distance: 23.3 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○○
Accommodation: Deba

The second stage presents us with two possible options from the start. Either follow the promenade through Getaria, next to the road; or take the path through the mountain, passing by the Santa Bárbara hermitage and enjoy its impressive views after a steep but short climb.

Both options are good and of equal mileage. It depends on the personal tastes of each walker. Both paths lead to Zumaia, a beautiful town with spectacular cliffs. On your arrival in Deba, the end of the stage, be sure to visit the parish church of Santa María with a Gothic façade that still conserves its polychrome.

Hostel: Izarbide Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Zumardi Guesthouse or similar


Day 4. Stage Deba - Marquina

Distance: 23.6 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○○
Accommodation: Marquina / Markina

In the third stage of the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian we will face a mountain route and we will say goodbye to the Cantabrian Sea for the rest of the programme. It is a more solitary stage than the others, since we will only pass through a small village and we will find some scattered farmhouses.

Our recommendation for this stage is that you stock up on everything you need. Finally, as you enter Markina, you will be able to smell (and taste) one of its most typical sweets: kokotes, which are delicious aniseed-flavoured doughnuts.

Hostel: Hostel Casa Rural Intxauspe or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Antsotegi or similar


Day 5. Stage Markina - Guernica

Distance: 24.8 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○
Accommodation: Guernica / Gernika

The fourth stage of the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian is similar to the previous one in terms of gradients but with the presence of more small towns that make the route more bearable. The route will take you through Bolibar and the monastery of Santa María de Zenarruza.

When you arrive in Gernika you can enjoy not only the town's most outstanding gastronomic products, such as peppers and beans, but also a free visit to the Casa de Juntas and the Tree of Gernika, a historic symbol of the Basque people.

Hostel: Hotel Boliña or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Boliña or similar


Day 6. Stage Guernica - Bilbao

Distance: 31.6 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○○
Accommodation: Bilbao

This stage of the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian is undoubtedly the longest. Some pilgrims prefer to start in the town of Lezama, to do two stages: Guernica - Lezama 20.8 km and Lezama - Bilbao 10.8 km. This route was sworn in by the lords of Bizkaia, who took the oath of the fueros and guaranteed the laws and liberties of the people of Bizkaia.

The last eight kilometres run without any intermediate towns until the entrance to Bilbao. As in other large cities, access is through an industrialised area of little scenic value, but a visit to the city is well worthwhile. Walk through the old quarter and discover the Cathedral of Santiago - the only one on the Pilgrim's Way, apart from Compostela, dedicated to the holy pilgrim -, the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Begoña and the Guggenheim Museum.

Hostel: Bilbao Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Miribilla Guesthouse or similar


Day 7. Discover Bilbao

If you have a full day in Bilbao, after a rest, breakfast and the end of our services, we recommend more specialised visits, such as the one we offer around the historic centre and the Cathedral of Santiago, the Guggenheim or the boat trip along the estuary and the Abra Bay. And if you have an extra day, you can spend it visiting Elorrio, Oñati and the Sanctuary of Arantzazu. Here you can enjoy stately homes and palaces carved in stone, the sanctuary considered to be the best example of contemporary Basque art, and many other surprises. As you can see, a wide range of possibilities.


The recipe for great journeys

Natural, historical and ethnographic heritage, spectacular gastronomy, good company, slow pace and time for time. These are the ingredients with which we design trips in Viando. Are you staying at home? 

Book now and get
free cancellation

Choose dates, type of accommodation, what services you want to hire and method of payment. You are in full control

Frequently asked questions

What to expect from this tour?
This Camino is perfect for you if you want to discover some of the spectacular landscapes of the Basque Country and its ancient culture. The changing profile of the stages, with some occasional challenging slopes, is relatively demanding, but every year it is done by hundreds of people of different fitness levels, so it is not necessary to have great physical abilities to be able to complete it.
The Northern Way is open all year round. Although it can be done in the middle of winter, taking into account a series of technical conditions (more information here), the most advisable time is usually the first half of autumn, when the weather is milder. It can also be done in summer, because temperatures are usually mild, but in this case you should expect more people on the Camino and there may be a certain saturation in the last stages.
All the stages of this route can be completed on foot, so there is no need for additional transfers. If you need transport to get to Donostia-San Sebastián from the city's airport or any other airport, or if you want to hire a transfer from Bilbao to the airport for your return home, we can include them as an optional service.
Accommodation in the following categories is available on this route: hostels, standard accommodation and charming accommodation. You can see more information about the categories of accommodation we use in Viando. in this link.

By default and compulsory, all our programmes include travel insurance with specific coverage for the Camino de Santiago. You can see the details in the section Insurance of our website. 

All our programmes include a 24-hour telephone support service, should you need help at any time during your experience. This means that you can also contact us outside office hours (when you are on pilgrimage). 

If you want to book this programme, you have the following options available a form where you can indicate the starting date, the type of accommodation and a series of optional services. The price will be updated according to the options you choose, so you have full control. Once you have configured your trip, click on "Book" to make the payment.

Once we receive your request, you will automatically receive a proof of purchase and within 48 working hours we will contact you to confirm the details of your booking and provide you with the documentation. 

In Viando we also work with tailor-made programmes (short stages, intermediate rest days, itineraries different from those proposed, etc.). If you are looking for a Camino that meets your needs/preferences, you can ask us for a quote. here.

Mode

This label indicates the intended mode of travel, based on two typologies:

In groups

These are group trips, where you are part of a small group of people who have chosen the same destination as you. Perfect for meeting like-minded people. Group trips usually have a guide who is in charge of overseeing the dynamics of the group, revealing the secrets of the destination and, in general, making sure that everything runs smoothly.

On your own

In this type of trip you have full control: you choose the dates and the pace. In addition, they are usually trips with configurable accommodation and services. It is the perfect mode for independent and experienced travellers, as well as for private groups of friends or families.

Type of trip

This label indicates the type of trip we propose to you based on the following options:

Getaways

These are trips that concentrate all their essence in two or three days. The aim is to live a series of experiences in a specific geographical area.

Half distance

These trips offer routes that take only a few days to complete and are perfect for most people who want to enjoy an active holiday without being too physically demanding.

Long distances

This type refers to long routes, which offer a great variety of natural and human spaces to visit and which require several days, usually two weeks or more. They are routes and destinations designed to really disconnect and live the experience to the fullest.

Exploration

These are trips off the beaten track and off the beaten track. They often require certain orientation skills or offer specialised guides at the destination.

Accommodation

This label indicates the type of services (mainly accommodation) we offer on each trip, based on three categories: 

Configurable

The trip offers different types of services and categories of services that you can choose from. For example, standard or premium accommodation. 

Standard

The trips in this group do not offer configurable options. The accommodations correspond to the standard category (not luxurious, but clean and in good condition).

Premium

Trips with this label offer non-configurable options. Accommodation and other services correspond to the premium category.