2026 Loiu Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in July)

San Sebastián, Spain | 2-day 1-night concise must-see guide San Sebastián is located in the Basque region of northern Spain on the Bay of Biscay. It is a historic royal resort town in Europe. It developed through maritime trade in the Middle Ages, and in the 19th century, the Spanish royal family came here to escape the summer heat, gradually creating exquisite seaside palaces, gardens, and coastal promenades. The iconic La Concha shell-shaped bay is embraced by two mountains. The crescent-shaped bay has clear water and soft sand, making it the city’s visual centerpiece. It is also a well-known European food city, famous for Basque pintxos and Michelin-starred cuisine. The mountain and sea scenery combined with the old town’s lively atmosphere create a perfect vibe. Getting there · High-speed train: direct from Madrid and Barcelona · Plane: fly to Bilbao Airport, then take a 1-hour shuttle bus to the city center · Self-drive: stunning coastal views along the northern highway Getting around · Red vintage funicular: ride up the mountain for panoramic views of the shell bay, a must for photos · Bus: covers the beach, old town, and gardens, offering great value · Core attractions are close by and walkable throughout Day 1: healing shell bay sea view day tour (suitable for all seaside photo scenes) Morning: Miramar royal gardens The royal family’s exclusive summer palace gardens feature European-style lawns, flower fields, and pure white cliff railings facing the entire shell bay. The stone steps along the cliffside walkway are a popular photo spot, fresh and soothing, with soft light perfect for portraits. Noon: lunch on a beachfront terrace with direct sea views A seaside terrace restaurant with pure white sun umbrellas and unobstructed views. ✅Must-try local specialties: Basque charcoal-grilled cod, seafood paella, apple cider. Afternoon: seaside promenade + cliff walkway stroll Walk along the golden sandy beach, passing rocky shores, flower-covered steps, and European-style seaside buildings—every shot looks like a fresh island scene. Evening: vintage funicular for bay sunset Take the century-old red funicular up the mountain for a bird’s-eye view of the crescent-shaped shell bay. There’s a vintage carousel at the top. The golden light on the sea at sunset is stunning. Day 1 accommodation recommendations · Luxury: shell bay hotel with direct sea views and floor-to-ceiling windows · Mid-range: sea view apartment near the gardens, quiet and comfortable · Budget-friendly: small city inns with convenient transport and affordable prices Dinner Old town’s classic Basque tavern, a spot to try authentic pintxos paired with local white wine, full of local charm. Day 2: medieval old town cultural stroll Morning: old town alley exploration A thousand-year-old medieval old town with cobblestone streets, Baroque churches, and golden sculpted arches, full of European vintage atmosphere. The alleys are filled with snack bars and artisan shops, perfect for discovering hidden gems. Noon: authentic Basque pintxos lunch Experience local specialties with a variety of exquisite small plates. Cod omelets and wild mushroom snacks are classics, tasty and affordable. Afternoon: city’s highest viewpoint for panoramic views The viewing platform behind the old town offers a full view of the shell bay, sea islands, and the entire city. It’s the most popular photo spot online. After sightseeing, shop for souvenirs in the old town: Basque cheesecake, handmade chocolates, apple cider, and hand-painted marine ceramics. Must-try local specialties · Basque pintxos (city signature) · Charcoal-grilled cod, seafood paella · Authentic molten Basque cheesecake · Apple cider, local white wine Travel tips 1. Best time: May–June, September–October, comfortable weather, blooming flower fields, fewer tourists 2. What to wear: light colors, flat shoes; bring a light jacket as it can be windy by the sea 3. Avoid: souvenirs on the mountaintop are pricey; buy gifts in the old town first; street-side tourist restaurants offer average value Key photo spots Royal garden cliff railings, seaside white terrace, yellow flower cliff walkway, red funicular, old town arches, mountaintop panoramic platform

#September2025 This Bilbao Holiday Inn Express is a truly amazing value for money airport accommodation! ✓ Must-see reason: The location, shuttle service, and breakfast are incredible! Looking for a place to stay overnight or warm up for your trip? This is the place to stay! It's super close to the airport, just a 5-minute drive away. The price is affordable and convenient, making it an incredible value. Even better: their airport shuttle is convenient and frequent, carrying up to 7 people per trip. And here's the kicker: The breakfast is incredibly filling and delicious, and the buffet starts at 5 a.m. on weekends! Even with an early morning flight, you'll have plenty of time to eat before leaving. It's the ultimate in convenience. ✓ Room and Service: Clean and Comfortable, but a few caveats The hotel has all the amenities and the staff is friendly. The room itself was clean, comfortable, and quiet. If you have the choice, a double bed is more comfortable than a single bed! The room had a bed and a sofa bed, so it was actually much more spacious than I expected. However, there are a few minor points to note: Bathroom: It's spacious, but could use some renovations. Be careful when showering, as the toilet bowl can easily get soaked. AC/Window: The window opens from the top, so make sure to close it completely, or the AC won't turn on! By the way, don't worry if you're driving; parking is conveniently available both within the hotel and next door.

#September2025 My first experience with the Bilbao Airport VIP lounge—Sala VIP Urdaibai. Completely renovated this year, everything looks brand new and, paired with the airport's streamlined, stylish decor, is quite eye-catching. The lounge isn't large, but it packs a punch. Comfortable sofas, tables and chairs with outlets, and a simple menu of food and drinks—while not particularly sumptuous, it's more than enough for a quick break. The staff were also very helpful, making the overall experience quite pleasant. Bilbao Airport is also quite pleasant to visit. The duty-free shops have everything, including local Spanish souvenirs like olive oil, chocolate, ham, souvenirs, cigarettes, alcohol, and cosmetics—making it a great place to spend some time.

Trip.com was incredibly useful for planning my journey to the 2025 Europa League Final between Spurs and Manchester United in Bilbao. Flying through Rome from London Gatwick, the platform made it easy to compare multi-city flight options, saving both time and money. I quickly found affordable connecting flights with convenient layover times, and the booking process was smooth and user-friendly. Trip.com also provided real-time updates on flight changes and gate information, which helped reduce travel stress. With additional features like hotel booking, itinerary tracking, and customer support, it was a one-stop shop for managing my entire football trip.#travel

#summertripevent #spaintravel #spain #airportbeer #Bilbao #bilbao #airport #sanmiguel After completing the immigration process, it's fun to choose a refreshing San Miguel beer. You can choose the flavor you want to drink among Bilbao, Tokyo, Berlin, Prague, etc.

From San Sebastian to Bilbao, we took a bus again and moved to another city! From Bilbao Airport to Santiago de Compostela We headed to the airport for our flight. It took about 30 minutes from Bilbao city, and the airport was compact and easy to access👏 Flights to Spain and Europe also depart from this airport. There were not many shops to kill time, but it is recommended for short transits! 📍Location: Bo. Gaztañaga, 48180 Loiu, Biscay, Spain #Me and Travel #Basque Country #Bilbao #European Travel #Spain #Spanish Tourism #Spanish Travel #Airplane #Airport