Jung & Lidia's Wedding
Things To Do
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe aka Dragonstone
Can’t wait for Game of Thrones season 8? Want to visit the birthplace of Danearys Targarean? This beauifiul 10th century church at the top of the hill on the island is the setting for Dragonstone in game of thrones. It is accessed from the car park which is around a 30 minute walk away - the walk is fairly strenuous and involves a descent of 15 minutes, a short stone bridge crossing and then a climb of around 230 stairs. At the top people typically ring the bell 3 times and make a wish.
Haro
2 hours from Bilbao is Spain’s famous wine country - La Rioja. Some of our favourite bodegas nearby include: La Rioja Alta (definitely try some Vina Ardanza) and Lopez de Heredia (which produces amazing wines like the famous Vina Tondonia). You can visit the vineyards or go to the bodegas (wine rooms). Other famous local bodegas include Bodegas Muga, Marques de Riscal, and Abel Mendoza.
San Sebastián
The infamous San Sebastian is just an hour and a half bus ride or an hour and 10 minute drive from Bilbao. Walk through the cobbled streets of the old town and sample a few pintxos (Basque style tapas, pronounced “pin-chowes”) and cider from each of them. You could easily spend a few days in this beautiful city exploring. If you're lucky you might find your way into one of these: https://www.saveur.com/inside-san-sebastians-members-only-eating-clubs
Asador Etxebarri
For a special treat - this is our favourite restaurant in the region. Voted 6th best restaurant in the world in 2015, you have to reserve your spot (by buying a ‘ticket’) a few months in advance. You’ll need to drive there (its about 30-40 minutes outside Bilbao) or hire a driver to take you, but well worth the effort and money for a super special occassion in our opinion! If the price is prohibitive or you're not able to get a reservation don't worry, there are other excellent (and economically priced) food options throughout the basque country - see some recommendations below.
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Lidia’s hometown and the capital of the basque country. The town has two beautiful cathedrals, including one (Santa Maria) which inspired Ken Follett to write World Without End. There is also a grand monument to the Battle of Vitoria in the central square of the city, commemorating the battle at which the Spanish, British and Portugese army broke the French army under Joseph Bonaparte (the brother of Napolean) leading to victory in the Peninsular War (1807-1814).
Hondarribia
Hondarribia is an old basque fishing village, with a well preserved old town and amazing pintxo bars and basque restaurants. Thursdays are pintxo pote (like in most places in the basque country) where you can get a drink and pintxo for 2 euro at most bars!
Zumaia aka the beach of Dragonstone
Zumaia is the start of the Flysch Route, a beautiful walking trial in the basque country where you can see the flysch (rock formation created over a period of 100 million years). Zumaia is also the beach landing in Game of Thrones when Daenerys goes to Dragonstone (not to be confused with San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the island which is the setting for the famous stairs and castle at Dragonstone).
Bodega El Capricho
Cant get enough of Steak Revolution on Netflix? Want to try the infamous worlds best steak from a 15 year old ox? Better rent a car and be prepared for a long drive. For those not willing to take the drive, there are also excellent steak options in the basque country. Look out for the "Chulleton"/"Txulleton" on the menu - it is done in the same way (huge T bone steaks, typically from oxen, served very rare and cooked over coals).
Places to eat in Vizcaya
A few recommendations of places to eat around: Bilbao - Asador Arraiz (traditional food on the side of a mountain overlooking Bilbao - be warned the dining room gets extremely smokey at peak eating hours!) - Restaurant Asador Iturgitxi (traditional food in Bilbao - amazing steak/chuleton/txuleton!) - Baserri Maitea (modern food outside Bilbao in a quint old basque house - slightly more expensive than the others and smaller portion sizes but excellent modern food) Vitoria - Restaurante La Bodeguilla Lanciego (amazing fish done in the traditional style (garlic, oil and vinegar based sauce)) Getaria - Elkano (amazing barbequed turbot - an institution of a seafood restaurant in the basque country. Number 30 of worlds 50 best restaurants) - Kaia Kaipe (sister restaurants of Elkano - go here if you can't get a reservation to Elkano)
Pamplona
Pamplona is famous for the running of the bulls. It is also the place that inspired Hemingway to write his novel The Sun Also Rises.
Granada
For those with a bit more time and flexibility, we would highly recommend visiting the southern Spanish city of Granada (and Seville, if you’re in the area). Granada is the site of the historic Alhambra (the palaces here were built for the last muslim emirs of Spain), a UNESCO world heritage site. You’ll need to book tickets for the Alhambra before you arrive. Granada also has flamenco and is much hotter than the north of Spain.