Way of St. James from San Sebastian to Bilbao

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.