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Basque Fiesta Run.

Wed 18 – Sun 22 August 20275 days8–16 peopleNo driving · hosted
Dates & booking →Day by day
Dates18–22 Aug 2027
Duration5 days
Fly intoBilbao (BIO)
Group8–16 people
StayHostel or hotel twin

The trip

Two of Spain's great summer fiestas back to back: San Sebastián's Semana Grande, with a fireworks contest over La Concha every night, and the opening night of Bilbao's Aste Nagusia. In between, a private minibus along the coast to Getaria for a turbot lunch, and pintxos everywhere.

San Sebastián → Getaria → Bilbao

The festival

Key dates.

Bilbao's dates are fixed by rule. Confirm San Sebastián's when the council publishes them.

~14 – 21 AugSemana Grande, San SebastiánExpected Saturday to Saturday (not yet confirmed). Fireworks contest over La Concha nightly at about 22:45.
Sat 21 AugTxupinazo, BilbaoThe opening rocket of Aste Nagusia and the arrival of Marijaia.
21 – 29 AugAste Nagusia, BilbaoNine days of txosnas, free concerts and fireworks over the river.

Start to finish

Day by day.

Timings are a guide; your host adjusts on the day for the festival, the weather and the group.

01Wednesday 18 August

Arrive San Sebastián

Day 1

  • Afternoon · Land at BIO — Minibus or airport bus to San Sebastián.
  • Evening · Pintxos in the Parte Vieja — Gandarias, La Cuchara de San Telmo, Borda Berri. Split into small groups: bars are tiny.
  • 22:45 · Fireworks over La Concha — From the beach, the promenade or Monte Urgull.
02Thursday 19 August

Beaches & the bay

Day 2

  • Morning · Monte Igueldo — Funicular to the view over La Concha.
  • Midday · La Concha or Zurriola — Zurriola is the surf beach. Group surf lesson optional.
  • Lunch · Bar Nestor — Famous tortilla (two a day) and txuleta steak.
  • Afternoon · Semana Grande events — Basque sports, concerts and street parades.
  • Night · Fireworks again — A different country's display every night.
03Friday 20 August

Hondarribia & Pasaia

Day 3

  • Morning · Bus to Hondarribia — Colourful fishing quarter and walled old town.
  • Lunch · Hondarribia pintxos — Calle San Pedro's bars.
  • Afternoon · Pasai Donibane — The tiny boat across the harbour, Victor Hugo's house.
  • Evening · La Viña — The original burnt cheesecake, then the last San Sebastián fireworks.
04Saturday 21 August

The coast to Bilbao

Day 4

  • Morning · Private minibus west — Along the coast via Zarautz.
  • Lunch · Getaria — Turbot over charcoal: Elkano (book) or Kaia-Kaipe, with txakoli.
  • Afternoon · Bilbao — Check in.
  • 19:00 · Txupinazo — Opening rocket at the Teatro Arriaga, then the txosnas along the river.
05Sunday 22 August

Bilbao: Aste Nagusia

Day 5

  • Morning · Guggenheim — Gehry's museum and Puppy.
  • Lunch · Plaza Nueva pintxos — Café Bar Bilbao, Gure Toki.
  • Afternoon · Fly home — Metro or bus to BIO. Or stay one more night for the fireworks over the river.

Base camp

Where we stay.

Without bikes we stay central and walk everywhere. Two options on every trip, both booked through Fora at cost:

Option 1 · Hostel (best value): San Sebastián and Bilbao both have good central hostels with private group rooms. Book very early for August.

Option 2 · Hotel, twin rooms shared by 2: San Sebastián hotels are extremely expensive in August, so the twin share helps. In Bilbao, stay in the Casco Viejo or Abando.

Airport: fly in and out of Bilbao (BIO). A direct airport bus runs to San Sebastián in about 1 hour 15 minutes, or book a private minibus. For 8–16 people, a private 16-seat minibus from the airport is usually cheaper per head than taxis and keeps the group together.

The details

What's included.

Included

  • Your host with the group 24/7 from start to finish, all their own costs included
  • Your choice of hostel (private group rooms) or hotel twin rooms, booked at cost through Fora
  • Airport transfers and the private minibus legs in the itinerary
  • Festival planning, timings and the best spots to watch
  • Restaurant reservations and the tickets listed in the itinerary, at cost

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals and drinks
  • Optional extras and personal spending
  • Travel insurance

The table

Eat like a Basque.

Eat & drink

  • Pintxos — Parte Vieja / Plaza Nueva: Hot ones made to order, cold ones on the bar.
  • Txuleta — Bar Nestor: Aged rib steak, grilled very rare.
  • Grilled turbot — Elkano, Getaria: Whole fish over charcoal.
  • Tarta de queso — La Viña: The original burnt cheesecake.
  • Bacalao al pil-pil — Bilbao: Salt cod in garlic and olive-oil emulsion.
  • Txakoli — Getaria: Crisp white, poured from a height.
  • Idiazabal — Everywhere: Smoked sheep's cheese.
  • Kalimotxo — Bilbao txosnas: Red wine and cola. The fiesta drink.

Good to know

  • Book accommodation as early as possible: August is peak season.
  • Pintxo bars are small, so move in groups of 4.
  • Some bars close for part of August.
  • Pack a light rain jacket, even in summer.
  • Confirm Semana Grande dates nearer the time.

2027 departure

Save your spot.

One departure, built around the festival. Runs with a minimum of 8 people, maximum 16. Everything booked at cost through Fora; your host fee is shown as its own line on your quote.

Departure18–22 August 20278–16 people · min 8 to runRequest a spot →

From €1,190 per person in a hostel group room, or from €1,470 in a hotel twin room shared by 2. Based on 8 people; bigger groups pay a little less. Flights not included. Asking is free and doesn't commit you to anything.

Your host fee: €85 per person per day

One simple line on your quote (5 days × €85). It covers a dedicated host who's with the group 24/7 from start to finish, all the planning and bookings (beds, tables, tickets and transfers at cost through Fora, no mark-up), and all of the host's own expenses: their room, meals, travel and tickets. You never pay extra for your host.