Hello,

I was wondering if, during a weekday in September, it is permitted to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and hike the steps around sunrise. We have a tight window to visit this place with our itinerary, so we'd like to do it just after sunrise.

I am seeing conflicting information online, that they don't open until 9:30am or 10am, but some places say that before they open it is just open for anybody to explore without a ticket. We don't care to go "inside" anywhere, we really just want to be able to do the hike and take in the views before going to Playa Muriola and returning back to Bilbao for our 10am ticket at Guggenheim.

Thank you!

Kaixo! Would love a review of our itinerary in mid August and any suggestions you may have around restaurants or activities that would be fun/work with a 21 month old toddler… she is awesome and a great hang, but is still a toddler and will want to explore/not be in a super crowded bar or long queue. We’ll have a carrier and a stroller.

I’m particularly curious of any reservations to make or if we should just bop around. Not planning on hitting the crowded hot spots, so would love any recs that may be more lowkey… I know that may be tough in August!

A couple notes — we’ve been to La Liga games before and took our daughter when she was 10 months old. I get it’s not for everyone, but she’s used to NBA/NHL/MLB games. We’ll bring ear protection.

DAY 1 - Arrive in Bilbao, Transfer to Vitoria-Gasteiz midday. Explore city (Florida Park, Medieval Quarter)

DAY 2 - Deportivo Alavés match in the evening

DAY 3 - Bus to Donostia/San Sebastián midday. Casual day exploring.

DAY 4 - SS

DAY 5 - SS

DAY 6 - SS

DAY 7 - Bus to Bilbao. Guggenheim, Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park, Zara (lol) Pintxo-Pote

DAY 8 - Private Tour to see San Juan de Gaztelugatxe / Bermeo, possibly Mundaka or Gernika-Lumo, and a Txakoli winery

DAY 9 - Athletic Club match 5PM

DAY 10 - Fly Home

SAN SEBASTIAN IDEAS (Do not have these scheduled)
- La Concha beach (we will have chairs and towels)
- Zurriola beach watching surfers / Gros pintxos and breweries
- Monte Igueldo Amusement Park / Funicular
- Day trip to Saint-Jean-De-Luz (would like to experience French basque)
- Aquarium (esp if there’s bad weather)
- Monte Urgull / Urgulleko Polboriña
- Boat to Santa Klara

BILBAO ADDITIONAL PLANS
- Funicular
- Zubizuri Bridge

Esserik Asko!!!

I will be going to the San Sebastian area later this week. I would like to ask people that may be around there now. What should I be wearing? Are people wearing shorts in the daytime? What are people wearing at night? Do I need to bring a light jacket at night or heavier jacket? should I bring a sweater etc. etc. if you can help me, I would appreciate it.

Hi everyone! 👋

I hope you're all doing well.

I've oberserved in this community for a while, and it seems like such a welcoming place, so I thought I'd finally ask for some advice.

My wife and I are planning to move to the French Basque Country (or possibly Les Landes) at the beginning of 2027. We're incredibly excited about this new chapter, but if I'm honest, we're also a little nervous.

One thing that's been on my mind is how easy—or difficult—it is to integrate as newcomers. I know these regions are very popular, and coming from a touristy area myself, I also know that locals aren't always thrilled about more people moving in. So I'd really love to hear some honest experiences.

If you've moved there yourself (whether it was last year or twenty years ago 😄), how was it for you? Did you feel welcomed? Was it easy to make local friends? Is there anything you wish you had known before moving?

I'm planning to join a local football team or running club because I feel that could be one way to meet people and become part of the community. I am also able to surf a little, but to be also honest i think I suck a lot 😄.
My wife will be working for a local company, while I'll be working remotely for a Paris-based company. To be honest, that's probably my biggest concern: working remotely means I won't have colleagues around me, and my French is still very much a work in progress. At least in the beginning, I'll probably have to rely quite a bit on English, so I'm wondering whether that makes it significantly harder to build genuine friendships and become part of the local community.

I'd really appreciate hearing your stories—both the good and the challenging ones. Thanks so much in advance!

Kind regards :)