Thanks in part to my trusted Fodorites, we *loved* our first trip to Spain 2 years ago - through Andalusia - so we are headed back to see and experience Barcelona and parts northern in early to mid-May... We start with a week in Barcelona (we like to pretend we're locals & hang out/not get bogged down by sprint-checking the boxes on sightseeing), 5 nights in San Sebastian and 2 in Bilbao (we fly out of Bilbao). I thought it would be nice to do a leisurely drive from Barca to SS, stopping for a night on the way, but am torn between doing this through Spain (have thoughts of going through Huesca, Jaca, Pamplona & the Baztan valley) *OR* going through France - perhaps 1) going north from Barca to Girona... or 2) maybe W from Barca and up through Huesca and Jaca to the Tena Valley, then to Cauterets, Pau (and/or Pont d'Espagne).
Would love suggestions on this - we're definitely on the fence as to whether we want to stay on the Spanish side or venture into France (v foreign territory for us - although this seems like a great excuse as I'd like get the hubs more interested in seeing France). And some variety from what we'll see in Barcelona & SS (and what we saw in Andalusia) are welcome.
Would love advice on the route(s) we should consider, and why. The drive will take place the 18/19th of May - is weather a concern in the mountains at this time? FYI, we plan to keep the car for at least a few days while in SS to do some day trips, so I'd anticipate saving Ainsa, Espellette & other Pays Basque destinations while we stay in SS (vs. en route from Barca).
Thank you in advance!
driving route from Barcelona to San Sebastian in May - via France?
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Hi A,
We drove from Barcelona to Roda de Isabena where we overnighted at http://www.hospederia-rdi.com/
Lovely hotel, good food , ancient (newly restored) mountain village with a very old Cathedral.
From there we drove through the Sallent de Gállego and the Pyrenees to Pau. A very scenic drive through the mountains.
We stayed in Pau at www.hotelbristol-pau.com/ - which I can recommend very highly.
If you'd rather not stop, It is 6 hr from Roda to San Sebastian via the route I've given you.
In SS, we stayed at http://www.hotelzaragozaplaza.com/en which I can recommend.
In Bilbao, we stayed at http://en.hotelcoliseobilbao.com/, a very modern, conveniently located new hotel, which was very nice, but not exactly to our tastes.
Enjoy your visit.
I've driven from SS to Barcelona, and stayed in Jaca. We wanted to get near the Pyranees on the way, and took a northern route.
Jaca is a smaller town with lots of folks heading into the mountains.
We liked the town, found a 4* hotel for an inexpensive price (cheap) and spent the night there.
I liked this trip, felt like you were right at the edge of the mountains. The air felt nice and clean. Our route took us within 8 km of the French border.
Why would anyone want to go to Pamplona? The only thing advertised is the running of the BS, and Billy Crystal already did it for us.
I've taken both routes. Both are worthwhile - the Spanish side is cheaper !
St Jean Pied de Port is an old town in the mountains worth a visit. It is near the border and said to be the Basque capital.
Thx, folks! I appreciate your feedback.
@ ira, we're staying at Pension Edorta in SS (a Rick Steves recommendation - looks cheap & cheerful and I thought the location in the old town was up our alley - we stayed in the Santa Cruz barrio in Sevilla a few years ago and loved it, thought this may have some charming similarities); in Bilbao we're staying at the Carlton. In Barca we're in an apt (via AirBnB) in El Borne, across the street from the Santa Maria del Mar cathedral. So my only hole is this route to SS (unless someone says I've erred in any of the aforementioned!).
@ Rastaguy... not interested in Pamplona in particular, it's just where Google Maps routed us to get through the (recommended) Baztan Valley prior to hitting SS. Your comment made me laugh!
@ mpprh, besides price, is there anything particularly different (culturally or scenically) between the sides that makes one more compelling than the other (though $ can be compelling, of course!).
Finally, I'd love some comment on weather/driving conditions in mid-May through the mountains. I understand April can be rough/unpredictable - are we in the clear for our trip?
Muchisimas gracias again for all your help and plz, if there's more options we should be aware of, please do comment!
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We've take a car up the coast into France and over to Carcassone. Loved it.
Sad that some people think Pamplona is only for the running of the bulls. It's a great city, very student oriented, good food and plenty of sights. But perhaps it's better to be a "secret"......
Thank you! So... is it worth taking 2 days/nights to do this trip, vs. the 1 overnight as originally contemplated?