4 Gastronomic routes along the Basque Coast: Landscapes and flavours in cycling

Gastronomic route along the Basque Coast with flavours and unique landscapes

Have you ever dreamed of touring breathtaking landscapes, feeling the sea breeze and ending the day enjoying a delicious meal? The Basque Country offers you all this and more. This destination is not only known for its spectacular nature and its network of cycling routes, but also for its rich gastronomic tradition. In this article, we propose a unique adventure: a gastronomic cycling route that combines the best of the Basque landscapes with its incomparable cuisine.

Get ready to discover vineyards, fishing villages, and enjoy emblematic dishes such as pil-pil cod, Idiazabal cheese and the most creative pintxos. Join us on this tour full of flavors!

      1. Why the Basque country is a perfect place for a gastronomic route by bike ?

The Basque Country is a paradise for cyclotourists and lovers of good food. Its routes are surrounded by green mountains, picturesque villages and the Cantabrian coast. In addition, its gastronomy is recognized worldwide, with traditional dishes that have been passed down from generation to generation and a culinary avant-garde that has conquered the most demanding palates.

• Diversity of landscapes: From the beaches of San Sebastian to the vineyards of Getaria and the mountains of Gernika.
• Unique gastronomic offer: Pintxo bars, traditional cider houses and Michelin-starred restaurants.
• Network of cycling routes: Perfectly signposted and adapted for both beginners and experienced cyclists.

This combination makes the Basque Country the ideal destination to explore by bike while enjoying its culinary essence.

     2. These are the 4 gastronomic routes we offer you along the Basque Coast

Designed for food-loving cyclists, it takes you through the highlights of the coast from San Sebastian to Bilbao. It can be done in 4 or 5 days, depending on your pace, and covers about 190 kilometers in total. We recommend traveling light and booking in advance at the most popular restaurants.

From San Sebastian to Zarautz

• Start in San Sebastian: Start your route at the beautiful Playa de la Concha, a perfect place for a relaxing stroll through the Parte Vieja (Old Town) before heading out on your bike. You will find gastronomic routes of “pintxos” (miniature food) along the streets that confirm this gastronomic paradise. The excellence of its restaurants, where the excellent raw material and the way of cooking make this city one of the best gastronomies in the world. An excellent gastronomic proposal that endorse its 23 Michelin stars that this small and beautiful city has.
• Road to Zarautz: The route skirts the Cantabrian coast, offering spectacular views of cliffs and small coves.
• Stop in Orio: This small fishing village is ideal for tasting grilled hake or sea bream, a local specialty with large outdoor grills.

 From  Zarautz – Getaria – Zumaia

• Txakolí Vineyards : This stretch rolling along the sea is practically flat, perfect for cycling. Leaving Zarautz, you will pass through the vineyards that produce this fresh, fruity and bubbly wine. Make a stop at a winery to learn about the winemaking process and taste it directly from the producer.
• Getaria, perfect place for a good grilled fish: This charming town is known for its outdoor grills, where fish is cooked to perfection. A grilled turbot or sea bass accompanied by txakoli is an unforgettable experience. You can also relax savoring this white wine with designation of origin, accompanied by some pintxos while enjoying one of the bars that are located in the old part of town.
• Zumaia and the Basque Coast Geopark: End the day exploring the flysch, unique rock formations that tell the geological history of millions of years. Ideal for a relaxing walk at sunset.

From  Zumaia to  Gernika

• Dreamlike landscapes: This section combines the coast and the interior. You will cycle along roads surrounded by forests and rivers as you enter the rural heart of the Basque Country. The beaches of Deba, Lekeitio, Lada and Laida are magnificent places for a sea bath and a good lunch. Don’t miss a visit to EA, a small picturesque village, like its name and we recommend you to explore its secluded and hidden beach with its narrow bay. You will find delicious restaurants to fill your stomach!
• Cider houses and Idiazabal cheese: Make a stop at one of the cider houses that you will find along this stage. Enjoy a typical cider house menu consisting of cod in omelette or with green peppers, a good txuletón with potatoes and for dessert the fabulous cheese with designation of origin of Idiázabal. Taste it with honey and walnuts, a classic pairing.
• Gernika and its history: This emblematic town is known for the Gernika tree and its symbolism in Basque history. Here you can try the bacalao al pil-pil or a la vizcaína, two iconic dishes of the province. Cooked with great care and love. The result is sublime for the palate.

From  Gernika to  Bilbao

• Road to Bilbao: This final stretch takes you between mountain and sea, towards the vibrant capital of Biscay. The last kilometers are a mix of nature and the entrance to the modern city. Don’t miss a visit to the iconic island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a stop in Bakio, a summer resort for Biscayan families. Visit the Txakoli museum and relax with a glass of Txakoli and a pintxo Gilda – anchovies, pickled chilli, olives drizzled with excellent olive oil.
• Bilbao, another pintxo capital: Bilbao’s old town is a gastronomic paradise. Stroll through its taverns tasting innovative pintxos, from foie and apple combinations to vegetarian creations.
• Mercado de la Ribera: You can’t leave without visiting this market, one of the largest in Europe, where you will find fresh and local products.

  3. Tips for maximum enjoyment of your gastronomic route

• Planifica las paradas gastronómicas: Investiga y reserva en los lugares más populares, especialmente en Getaria y Bilbao.
• Equipa bien tu bicicleta: Una bicicleta híbrida o eléctrica es ideal para enfrentarte a la desafiante orografía  de la costa del  País Vasco.
• Viaja ligero pero preparado: Lleva ropa cómoda, un impermeable (el clima puede ser impredecible) y suficiente espacio para llevar algún recuerdo gastronómico, como un queso Idiazabal o una botella de txakolí.

  4. A sustainable and authencic experience 

Cycling is not only a healthy and exciting way to travel, but also a sustainable one. On this route, you will support small local producers and restaurants that value fresh and local ingredients. In addition, cycling through the Basque Country will allow you to enjoy its landscapes without leaving a large environmental footprint.

 5.Conclusión: One adventure to remember

The Basque Country is a destination to be experienced with the senses. Its landscapes captivate the eye, the aroma of grilled fish awakens the sense of smell, and its gastronomy delights the palate. Combine this with the pleasure of pedaling along its quiet and well signposted roads is an experience that any lover of cycling and good food should live.

So, what are you waiting for? Fasten your helmet, prepare your bike and let yourself be carried away by the flavors and landscapes of the Basque Country. We guarantee this will be a trip you will remember forever.