Spain
Is This Trip For Me?
The Grand Départ of the 110th edition of the Tour de France will take place in Bilbao. The race for yellow will start with two days in the cycling mecca of the Basque Country in northern Spain.
The first takes place on Saturday 1 July 2023 and will be a hilly loop around Bilbao. Stage 2 starts in Vitoria-Gasteiz and finishes in San Sebastian. Stage 3 starts near Bilbao and will finish in France at a yet-to-be-announced location in the French part of the Basque Country that is rumoured to be Bayonne.
Our tour starts on Thursday so we can enjoy the team presentation. Our hotels are located in great locations for all 3 stages and you will see all of them live. Experience the passion of cycling from the Basque people and the amazing culinary and landscape the region has to offer.
Tour Highlights
Tour Highlights
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Spread your payments: Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking.
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Premium 4* accommodation: In the heart of Bilbao and San Sebastian including breakfast and dinner daily
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Live race viewing: Witness the excitement of the team presentation and 3 stages LIVE!
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Spectator and rider friendly: Explore the incredible bike friendly Basque region and indulge in its amazing cuisine.
| Avg Daily Distance | Avg Daily Elevation | Difficulty |
|---|
What's Included
Accommodation
4* hotels in Bilbao and San Sebastian
Included Meals
Daily breakfast and dinner as listed
Transfer
Return Airport Transfers from Bilbao
Guided Rides
Daily ride options from experienced local guides
Mechanic
Mechanic and vehicle support
Included Meals
1 x Group dinner with special guest speaker
Walking Tour
Local cultural and culinary experiences
Additional Extras
Bike Rental
Various options available
2023 Tour de France Grand Depart Bilbao Cycling Holiday
The Basque Country is Spain’s Cycling Mecca. The riders of the 2023 Tour de France will be surrounded by the fervour of Basque fans who always turn up to support the international peloton.
In 2022, the Vuelta a Espana also visited the Basque Country. Bilbao reasserted its prominent role in this edition by hosting both a stage departure and a finish-line. It was be the third time that the Biscay capital fired the starting gun for a stage with a high-altitude finale, following the one in 1977 that ended in Urkiola and the one in 2019, with a finale at Los Machucos. La Vuelta 22 bids farewell to this Spanish cycling mecca
Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country. The Tour will also visit Vitoria-Gasteiz which is the administrative capital of the Basque Country and Donostia-San Sebastián which is the best-known tourist destination.
Itinerary
Expand All
Day 1: Thursday 29 June: Arrival Day & Team Presentations : Bilbao
Hotel:Â Mercure Bilbao (half board basis)
Meals: Dinner at Hotel
Daily Highlights:
- Transfer from Bilbao Airport to Hotel
- Guided walking tour of Bilbao
- Watch live the Team Presentations in Bilbao
Today’s Ride: Bike fitting at hotel
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Arrive in Bilbao, transfer to the hotel, meet and greet in the afternoon at the hotel, from the hotel, we will depart on foot as a group for a walking tour of Bilbao’s Old Town followed by watching the Team Presentations live.
For the walking tour you will meet with a top local guide who will take you on a two hour tour of the Old Quarter. The narrow streets of Bilbao’s Old Town or Casco Viejo give off an age-old atmosphere. This historical corner, which keeps intact its buildings from the beginning of the century, rebuilt after the 1983 floods, is one of the most alive and dearly loved areas of a city which is full of contrasts.
Day 2: Friday 30 June : Bilbao
Hotel: Mercure Bilbao (half board basis)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner at Hotel
Daily Highlights:
- AM – Ride the final section of stage 1
- Group dinner with special guest speaker Phil Liggett
- PM – Half day tour (Bike tour & Guggenheim Museum) max 4 hours
Today’s Ride: Ride some of Stage 1 race route including the final section. Approximately 30- 40km
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Following breakfast we will depart the hotel by bike to ride sections of Stage 1, this will be a great chance to get familiar with your bike and roll out the legs.
In the afternoon we will enjoy a guided city bike tour and Guggenheim Museum visit.
Today we are lucky enough to enjoy the company of Phil Liggett as our special guest for dinner.
Day 3: Saturday 1 July - Stage 1 : Bilbao
Hotel: Mercure Bilbao (half board basis)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner at Hotel
- Daily Highlights:
Watch Stage 1 live including Start and Finish - Bilbao Pintxos tour – 2 hours (includes 6 Pintxos + 2 drinks in total, in 2 different bars + guide service)
Today’s Ride: There are some beautiful coastal roads to enjoy so why not join us on a morning ride covering 60/70Km and 1000m of climbing. You will be back in time to watch the stage finish in Bilbao.
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Today the 2023 Tour de France will commence with the stage starting and finishing in Bilbao. We’ll enjoy a leisurely morning before we regroup at the hotel and walk to the start area. Once the race has departed we will walk to the finish line area.
After the race, we will join our local guide for a unique walking Bilbao Pintxos tour. Your expert guide will take you to some of Bilbao’s finest establishments and introduce you to the unique art of miniature haute cuisine.
Day 4: Sunday 2 July: Stage 2 : Tolosa to San Sebastian
| Distance | Elevation | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Front Group |
78 | 1343 |
3/5
Rolling terrain with the occasional climb.
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Hotel: Mercure Igueldo San Sebastián (half board basis)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner at Hotel
Daily Highlights:
- Ride the final section of today’s Stage 2
- Watch Stage 2 live, finish area in San Sebastian
Today’s Ride: 80km | 1300m Climbing
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We depart Bilbao early by coach and head to Tolosa, the riding group will quickly prepare and head off by bike to ride the final section of today’s Stage 2 which will take us through Irun and the final climb of the day before we descend into San Sebastian.
Non-riders will have a chance to explore the town of Tolosa before being transferred by coach to San Sebastian
Once we arrive in San Sebastian we will watch the finish of the race live
Day 5: Monday 3 July - Stage 3 : San Sebastian
| Distance | Elevation | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Bunch |
70km | 1100 |
3/5
Rolling terrain with the occasional climb.
|
Hotel: Mercure Igueldo San Sebastián (half board basis)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner at Hotel
Daily Highlights:
- Ride a section of today’s Stage 3
- Watch Stage 3 live
- San Sebastian Pintxos tour – 2 hours (includes 6 Pintxos + 2 drinks in total, in 2 different bars + guide service)
Today’s Ride: 80km | 1300m Climbing
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We depart the hotel by bike to the ride today stage in the reverse direction, along the way we will see local towns set up for the race to come through later in the day. We will stop at the coastal town of Zarautz to watch the race pass through. Once the riders and support vehicles have passed we hop back on the bikes and make our way back to San Sebastian via an inland route.
Once we arrive back at the hotel you’ll have time to refresh before our San Sebastian Pintxos tour. You will enjoy traditional products of Basque cuisine in the Old Quarter followed by a farewell group dinner.
Day 6: Tuesday 4 July - End of Tour : San Sebastian
After breakfast we say goodbye, your transfer will take you to San Sebastian Airport.
Transfers to Bilbao can be arranged on request.
Today’s Ride: No Rides.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Mercure Bilbao Jardines De Albia
Located in Bilbao’s main business district, this contemporary hotel and spa is a short walk from the Guggenheim Museum, Convention Centre and the old town. It also has a permanent modern art exhibition. The hotel has a spa with a wide range of treatments available, for an extra charge. The elegant rooms at the Jardines de Albia feature modern décor with bright tones. Each one has a private bathroom.
Mercure San Sebastián Monte Igueldo
This property is 6 minutes walk from the beach. The Mercure Monte Igueldo has a picturesque setting on Mount Igueldo, offering impressive views of San Sebastian Bay. This hotel features an outdoor pool open during the summer season. The Mercure Monte has attractive, classic décor and its spacious rooms offer views of either the Bay of Biscay, or of San Sebastian city. Each room has satellite TV and a minibar. Some rooms have a private balcony. El Torreón Restaurant serves a selection of gourmet cuisine and traditional Basque dishes. Guests can enjoy a drink or light meal in the bar or coffee shop. The Igueldo is located next to San Sebastian’s old lighthouse and from here you can take a cable car to Playa de la Concha Beach. The city centre is just 1.8 km from the hotel.
Airport Transfers
Bilbao’s airport (BIO) is located 12 km north of the city centre. As the largest airport in the Basque Country, it is the easiest way to arrive not only to Bilbao, but to the whole region. From Bilbao’s airport there are direct flights to 18 destinations within Spain. There are also direct flights to over 20 destinations in the rest of Europe.
Dates & Book Now
Sportive Breaks are part of the Destination Sport Experiences group. When clicking on the booking link below, you will be taken to the Destination Sport Experiences booking engine. If you have any questions, please do contact our team hello@dev.sportivebreaks.com
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