Basque in Glory

Travel Talk with Ed Finn

Saturday, 11 July 2026 - 11 minutes

The Basque Country is one of Spain’s most spectacular yet underrated destinations, where dramatic Atlantic cliffs, hidden golden beaches and charming fishing villages sit alongside the vibrant cities of Bilbao and San Sebastián. On this week’s Travel Talk at 1130am Robbie and I uncover some of the region’s best-kept secrets, from breathtaking coastal drives and world-famous pintxos to the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa and the remarkable 7,000-year-old Añana Salt Valley. Whether you fly into Bilbao or arrive by ferry with your own car, this is a part of Spain that rewards curious travellers at every turn.

August 12th - A solar eclipse and shooting stars on the same day!

#BasqueCountry #Bilbao #SanSebastian #Spain -

August 12th @bilbaoturismo has a full solar eclipse - Email ed for more details - ed@traveltalk.ie

Basque Beach recommendations -

The first stop I'd recommend is Bakio, a lovely surfing beach with golden sand and wonderful scenery. Then you've got Bermeo, which is an authentic fishing town full of colourful houses and fantastic seafood restaurants. Nearby is probably one of the most spectacular places in northern Spain—San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. It's a tiny island connected by a winding stone bridge with hundreds of steps leading up to a little chapel. If it looks familiar, that's because it starred as Dragonstone in Game of Thrones. Continue along the coast and you'll discover beautiful places like Lekeitio, Ondarroa, Mutriku, Deba, Zumaia and Getaria. Many people haven't heard of them, but they're full of charm, lovely harbours and some absolutely spectacular beaches.

San Sebastián itself is famous worldwide. For me it's one of Europe's most elegant seaside cities. You've got the famous crescent-shaped La Concha Beach, often described as one of the finest urban beaches anywhere in the world. Then there's Monte Igueldo with its incredible panoramic views, the lively Old Town, beautiful Belle Époque architecture and a wonderful atmosphere. It's a city that's perfect for walking.

San Sebastián has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants anywhere on the planet. But the real joy is doing what the locals do—going on a pintxos crawl. Instead of sitting in one restaurant all evening, you wander from bar to bar enjoying beautifully presented little dishes. One place might specialise in fresh anchovies, another in slow-cooked beef cheeks, another in seafood, another in mushrooms. Every stop is different. Pair it all with a glass of local Txakoli wine and you've got one of Europe's great food experiences.

Rioja Alavesa.
And that's another surprise because within about an hour you're surrounded by vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see. Rioja Alavesa is the Basque section of the famous Rioja wine region and it's absolutely beautiful. The wineries are incredibly welcoming and many combine centuries of tradition with spectacular modern architecture. We visited the wonderful Bodegas Alútiz, where you really get a feel for family winemaking, the history of the region and of course some excellent wine tasting. It's relaxed, authentic and great value too.

The incredible Añana Salt Valley.
People are often amazed to discover that salt has been produced here for around 7,000 years. It's one of the oldest continuously operating salt-producing sites in the world. The landscape is extraordinary—thousands of wooden terraces where naturally flowing saltwater slowly evaporates in the sunshine to leave beautiful white crystals. You can walk through the entire site, learn about the ancient techniques that are still used today and even taste some of the different salts produced there. It's fascinating and unlike anywhere else I've ever visited. www.vallesalado.com/

Getting there
You can travel with Brittany Ferries from Rosslare to Bilbao. It's a very relaxing journey and, best of all, you have your own car to bring home lots of goodies. That means you can explore all those little villages and hidden beaches that coach tours simply don't reach. And if you're tempted by some lovely Spanish wines, local produce or even a bit of shopping, you've got plenty of room in the boot for the journey home! You can also fly direct to Bilbao from Dublin with Aer Lingus with excellent value car hire from €25 per day allowing you to also explore at your leisure.

Follow Ed for all his travel tips on instagram @edfinntravels and on www.edfinntravels.com