San Sebastian
San Sebastian is a picturesque city with a beautiful setting, sitting on the calm La Concha bay and backed by low, rolling hills. Best known for its wonderful beaches, the town itself is packed with fascinating sights, particularly in the Parte Vieja (Old Quarter) where the cramped old streets remain lively throughout the day. The baroque 18th century Basilica de Santa-Maria and 16th-century gothic Iglesia de San Vincente are the main must-sees.
Biarritz, Bayonne and St Jean de Luz
The grand and chic Atlantic resort of Biarritz became a popular playground for the rich and famous in the 19th century with villas and hotels dating from that period including the magnificent Hotel du Palais, on of Europe's grandest hotels. Other sights include the Russian church, Art-deco Musee de la Mer and Chapelle Imperiale. Capital of France's Pays Basque, Bayonne is a small city whose charms are best seen with a pleasurable stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, which are lined with half-timbered houses and still surrounded by the original 17th century fortifications. Thanks to its natural harbour Saint Jean de Luz has a strong seafaring history. The wealth this created is well displayed in the magnificent Old Quarter, which houses a number of old, half-timbered mansions, including the turreted Maison Louis XIV, where King Louis himself stayed in the build up to his wedding in 1660.
Pamplona, Valle del Bidasoa
Best known for the annual 'Running of the Bulls', Pamplona has many lovely sights to visit, which are all conveniently located in the Casco Antiguo. Explore the twisting lanes each leading to beautiful parks, churches and eventually, the huge citadel - a fascinating muddle of architecture from different eras - or find the Plaza del Castillo, sit in a cafe and watch the world go by. The gentle, green slopes of the Valle del Bidasoa are scattered with traditional farmhouses and hilltops crowned with woodland. It is these river valleys where the old Basque traditions are at their most pronounced, making for a wonderful area to explore.
Vitoria Gasteiz, Onati
A flourishing medieval wool and iron trade created the fascinating and elegant city of Vitoria Gasteiz, filling it with Renaissance palaces, beautiful churches and grey-gold stone mansions. The medieval core of the city is arranged over a small hill and is a wonderful place to wander and discover plazas, palacios and excellent Basque restaurants! The name Onati perfectly describes the setting of this lovely town, translating as 'place of many hills'. Onati has an abundance of fine medieval architecture, including the beautiful Ancient University buildings, as well as the Santuary of Arantzazu, just above the town.
Bilbao, the Costa Vasca
A modern and prosperous city, Bilbao sits in a narrow valley, the surrounding green mountains visible through the high rise buildings. The centre has plenty to entertain, with the Museo Guggenheim, a must for modern art lovers, and the attractive Casco Viejo has several major sights such as the gothic Cathedral de Santiago, the Teatro Arriaga and the Euskal Museao Bilbao. The Costa Vasca runs from San Sebastian to Bilbao, providing breath-taking views along the wild, rugged Atlantic coastline.