Itinerary
- Day 1
San Sebastián
You'll arrive in San Sebastián at your own pace and have the day to explore the city nestled against La Concha Bay. The place balances old and new pretty well, so you can wander through spots like the San Telmo Museum, catch the architecture of the Victoria Eugenia Theater, and see the modern Kursal building if that interests you. Before heading out on the Camino, don't miss trying pintxos at local bars, which is basically how the city does food culture. It's casual eating and a good way to get a feel for the place.
Included Activities
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in double or single room with private bathroom
- Stage maps provided
- Pilgrim's passport provided
- Pilgrim's shell provided
Optional Activities
- Visit San Telmo Museum
- Visit Victoria Eugenia Theater
- Visit Buen Pastor Cathedral
- Visit Kursal building
- Pintxos tour of the city
- Explore La Concha Bay
Landmarks San Telmo Museum Victoria Eugenia Theater María Cristina Hotel Buen Pastor Cathedral Kursal La Concha Bay 
- Day 2
San Sebastián to Zarautz
Your first day on the Camino del Norte starts with climbing Monte Igueldo, which is steep but worth it for the views back over San Sebastián and the bay. After getting past that initial push, you'll pass through Orio, a fishing village with a historic old town worth walking through. Then it's a descent into Zarautz where you'll finish the day. Total distance is manageable for a first stage, though your legs might feel that climb.
Included Activities
- Camino del Norte walking stage from San Sebastián to Zarautz
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in double or single room with private bathroom
Optional Activities
- Visit Orio old town
- Visit Church of San Nicolás de Bari in Orio
Landmarks Monte Igueldo Orio Church of San Nicolás de Bari Zarautz 
- Day 3
Zarautz to Deba
Today brings more ups and downs along the Cantabrian coast with three separate climbs to work through. Each climb rewards you with views of the sea, and the route's fairly scenic even when you're feeling tired. The final descent from Itziar down to Deba is the last push, but watch your footing on steeper sections, particularly if it's wet out. Rain makes things slippery, so take your time on the downhill.
Included Activities
- Camino del Norte walking stage from Zarautz to Deba
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in double or single room with private bathroom
Landmarks Itziar - Day 4
Deba to inland mountains
This stage shifts from coastal paths to inland mountains, so the landscape changes pretty significantly. You'll be in typical Basque Country terrain with green valleys, scattered farmhouses, and not many towns in between. It's quieter and more remote than the previous days, so bring enough water and snacks since opportunities to grab food are limited. The section's more challenging mentally because of the isolation, not just the terrain.
Included Activities
- Camino del Norte walking stage from Deba through inland mountains
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in double or single room with private bathroom
- Day 5
Inland mountains to Guernika
Expect a tough day with constant elevation changes, and the climb from Bolibar up to Ziortza is the real challenge. Once you reach Ziortza, take a break and check out the Zenarruza Monastery and its cloister if you have energy left. Then finish your push to the day's end point where you can visit the local meeting house and the famous Guernika tree, which carries historical significance for the region.
Included Activities
- Camino del Norte walking stage
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in double or single room with private bathroom
Optional Activities
- Visit Zenarruza Monastery and cloister in Ziortza
- Visit meeting house
- Visit Guernika tree
Landmarks Zenarruza Monastery Guernika tree - Day 6
Guernika to Larrabe area
You'll start with about 300 meters of elevation gain right off the bat, which is significant but doable. You're heading into the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, so pace yourself and take time to notice the natural surroundings rather than rushing through. Later on you'll pass through Larrabe, where chef Eneko Atxa runs Azurmendi (three Michelin stars) and Eneko (one Michelin star) if you're interested in fine dining. The area's beautiful, so it's worth slowing down to really see it.
Included Activities
- Camino del Norte walking stage through Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in double or single room with private bathroom
Optional Activities
- Dining at Azurmendi restaurant (3 Michelin stars)
- Dining at Eneko restaurant (1 Michelin star)
Landmarks Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve Larrabe - Day 7
Larrabe area to Bilbao
After several longer stretches, this stage is shorter and a bit easier. Mount Avril has a gradual 300-meter climb that won't drain you like earlier days. From there you descend into Bilbao's center, passing the Basilica of Our Lady of Begonia. Once you're in the old town, explore the traditional pintxo bars and grab some food. Before wrapping up, head to the Guggenheim Museum to see the building itself, which is pretty striking.
Included Activities
- Camino del Norte walking stage to Bilbao
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in double or single room with private bathroom
Optional Activities
- Visit Basilica of Our Lady of Begonia
- Visit Bilbao Cathedral (Santiago Apóstol)
- Pintxo tour of old town taverns
- Visit Guggenheim Museum
Landmarks Mount Avril Basilica of Our Lady of Begonia Bilbao Cathedral Guggenheim Museum Bilbao 
- Day 8
Bilbao departure
Check out from your accommodation and tour services end here. This gives you flexibility to either continue independently or head home depending on your plans.
