Camping in the Basque Country

The autonomous region of the Basque Country in northern Spain is a wonderful destination for a camping holiday by the sea, especially in summer. At the campsites on the Atlantic coast, holidaymakers can plunge into the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic as soon as they get up and surf the waves. Those who want to get a seamless tan while relaxing on the beaches have the chance to do so at naturist campsites.

Excursions into the mountainous hinterland lead to dreamlike landscapes with dense forests, vineyards, rivers and mountains. Pretty cities such as Bilbao and numerous small fishing villages will delight art and culture lovers.

Camping in the Basque Country: all important information at a glance

Most campsites in the Basque Country are located on the coast of the province of Gipuzkoa, which includes the city of San Sebastián. There are also several well-kept campsites for holidays in the Biscay region. Swimmers, surfers and water sports enthusiasts enjoy the beautiful beaches.

The campsites are often open all year round. Most holidaymakers arrive in the high season in summer, although the Basque Country is generally not as busy as other regions. In the low season in winter, the cool and rainy weather should be taken into account.

Depending on which type of camping holiday is preferred, guests can either book a motorhome pitch or reserve rental accommodation such as bungalows or mobile homes. Near some campsites there are naturist beaches and also bathing areas that are easily accessible for people with walking difficulties.

Campsites in the Basque Country

Here is a selection of the most popular campsites in the Basque Country.

Grand Camping Zarautz

Beautiful terraced campsite on a hill near the popular water sports hotspot of Zarautz. The views of the bay of Zarautz are marvellous, with a steep staircase leading down to the beach. The beach is particularly popular with surfers, who plunge into the waves here, but you can also go for a swim. There is a restaurant on the site and a shuttle bus runs between the site and Zarautz in summer.

Camping & Bungalows Itxaspe

In the heart of the Basque Coast Geopark lies this fantastic campsite with fantastic views of the sea and the cliffs of the Costa Vasca. There are pitches in 3 categories, as well as rental accommodation, bungalows and flats. The site is ideal for hiking along the cliffs, and the famous beaches of Deba and Zumaia are around 8 kilometres away.

Camping Bungalows Igueldo San Sebastián

Popular site near the capital San Sebastián and only 5 km from the famous Ondaretta beach. In addition to pitches for motorhomes and caravans, guests can also stay in bungalows and mobile homes. Dogs are allowed on the site, which is open all year round. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the site.

How to get to the Basque Country

Regardless of where holidaymakers are travelling from in Germany, they always take the same route via Biarritz for the last stretch from the French town of Bordeaux to the Spanish Basque Country. The motorway to Bordeaux is often taken either via Metz and Orleans or via Liège, Paris and Orleans. Holidaymakers from southern Germany like to take the route via Freiburg and Clermont-Ferrand.

The distance from Hamburg to Bilbao is around 1,820 km, from Berlin 1,970 km, from Cologne 1,410 km and from Munich around 1,620 km. When travelling long distances by car, caravan or motorhome, campers should make sure they take sufficient breaks. If you are travelling with children, you should take a break after 500 km at the latest. If there are only adults on board, the distance can be increased if necessary.

Holidaymakers planning an overnight stop in France should park in places away from the motorways, as these are generally safer. Anyone driving in Spain should make sure that the drink-drive limit is 0.5 and that there are two warning triangles and a reflective safety waistcoat in the car. Headlights and radios must be switched off when refuelling.

The most beautiful holiday destinations in the Basque Country

With its impressive cities, the Basque Country offers a perfect holiday backdrop for culture lovers and history buffs alike. Nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts will love the beautiful beaches and green mountain landscape.

Bilbao

The metropolis is the economic centre of the region and also a real highlight for art lovers. Highlights include the Guggenheim Museum, the neoclassical town hall Ayuntamiento de Bilbao and the cathedral. Thanks to the metro designed by Norman Foster and the new tram, all destinations can be reached quickly and easily. The former wine warehouse La Alhondiga is not only worth a detour in the evening. The cultural centre with 43 columns is fascinating, especially when you look up. There is a pool with a glass floor where visitors can watch the swimmers.

San Sebastián

The European Capital of Culture 2016 is characterised by enchanting beaches, a long waterfront promenade, luxury boutiques and high-end restaurants. Situated in a beautiful bay and surrounded by the foothills of the Pyrenees, gourmets, nature lovers and beach holidaymakers alike feel at home here.

Playa de Isuntza

The 250 metre long beach on the Bay of Biscay attracts sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts alike. Holidaymakers can leaf through their books on the soft, dark sand while their children splash around in the calm sea. There is even access for people with limited mobility. In addition to canoe trips, guests can also go on diving excursions or play a game of volleyball on the sheltered shore.

Top 5 sights

• Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: The modern works of art are housed in an impressive, avant-garde building.
• Old town of San Sebastián: In addition to shops and cafés, the Basilica of Santa María del Coro and the church of San Vicente are well worth a detour.
• Forest of Oma: With the colourful forest in the Oma district of Kortezubi, the painter Agustín Ibarrola has created a remarkable work of art.
• Argiñeta necropolis in Elorrio: The archaeological site is fascinating with around 20 tombs from the 7th to 9th centuries.
• Historic salt valley near Añana: holidaymakers can learn all about salt extraction and the use of white gold at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Top 2 insider tips

• Kayak tour through Bilbao: A very special way to experience the metropolis of Bilbao is on the water. On a guided kayak tour across the Nervión, the guide explains the highlights and secrets of the city. Alternatively, SUP boards can also be hired.
• Rioja wine region: The popular wine-growing region itself is no longer an insider tip, but there are now Segway tours that take you along the wine-growing areas. Before conquering the impressive mountain landscape, there is a thorough introduction. At the end of the route, you should definitely plan a tasting of the fine wines at one of the renowned winegrowers.

Activities and excursions

The picturesque landscape in which the campsites in the Basque Country are nestled is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling. In addition to the modern sights, historical buildings and idyllic nature reserves also delight holidaymakers.

Surfing on the left wave

Various beaches, for example in Zarautz and Sopela, are ideal for surfers. Mundaka is a stretch of coast that has attracted international attention. Here, impressive waves roll onto the coastal area, which is located in the Urdaibai biosphere reserve. The very high breakers reach a length of up to 400 metres. Sometimes even the extremely rare left-hand waves occur.

Gaztelugatxe

This mysterious island lies off the coast of the Costa Vasca and is connected to the mainland by a stone bridge. Numerous myths surround the island, which is criss-crossed by caves and underground passages. The abandoned monastery of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is enthroned on the highest peak of the rocky island.

Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve

The nature reserve between Cape Matxitxaco and Ogoño is characterised by kilometres of sandy beaches as well as marshland, steep cliffs and mountains and a bird sanctuary. Visitors can encounter around 300 different species of vertebrates in the 23,000-hectare area.

Tour to the flysch cliffs

The Basque Coast Geopark is home to spectacular cliffs that reach far into the Atlantic Ocean. Campers can explore these cliffs, known as flysch, as part of a guided hike along the coast. On the way, you will pass numerous pretty fishing villages.

events

August

• Semana Grande: Semana Grande is held in August in both Bilbao and San Sebastián. Gigantic fireworks are fired into the sky, there is music and dancing. Numerous sporting competitions also provide excitement and thrills.
• Festival of the Virgen Blanca: The festival takes place in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz. It kicks off with a colourful firework display. Afterwards, mysterious figures descend from the sky on a rope. Entertainment is provided by bazaars, beauty contests, sack races, shoe throwing and tricycle races.

September

• Grape harvest festival in Rioja: At the San Mateo wine festival in the town of Logroño, the new wine queen is crowned every year. Grapes are also stomped barefoot and an exciting cattle hunt is organised. The spectacle is accompanied by bands and fireworks.
• Regatta: The traditional Bandera de la Concha regatta is around 130 years old and is organised on the first two Sundays in September off the coast of San Sebastián. The entire city is wrapped in a festive atmosphere.

October

• San Fausto festival: The event is organised for the patron saint of the city of Durango. The pretty, medieval town in the hinterland is the backdrop for a colourful spectacle with processions, giant puppets and political performances.

Gastronomy

If you value first-class food and Michelin-starred cuisine, you should definitely come camping in the Basque Country. The town of San Sebastián in particular has an exceptionally high density of award-winning restaurants. The region's traditional cuisine includes seafood, tuna, monkfish, mullet and conger eel.

Away from the coastal villages, dishes with lamb, beef and various types of mushrooms and field beans are on the menu. The menus are accompanied by delicious wines from Rioja and the typical Txakolí, a very dry, slightly sparkling white wine from the Getaria wine-growing region. It is served in special glasses with a high bow and is a favourite accompaniment to pintxos.

Weather and best time to travel for a camping holiday in the Basque Country

Overall, the weather in the Basque Country is mild, humid and maritime. Although the four seasons can be clearly defined, the thermometer only rarely drops below freezing in winter. Summers are warm, but not extremely hot, with temperatures of around 26 degrees Celsius in August.

On the coast, the weather is more moderate, but at the same time more prone to rain. In the Rioja wine region, it is sunny almost all year round, especially in summer. The Atlantic Ocean, which water sports enthusiasts and beach holidaymakers use for their time out, is a pleasant 20 degrees Celsius in August.

The ideal months for outdoor enthusiasts are between the end of June and the beginning of September. From November to March, the weather can be very rainy and cool.