Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

This tour centers on traditional Basque pintxos featuring fish and meat, so it does not cater to vegetarian or vegan diets.

What languages are the tours offered in?

The tours are conducted in English, suitable for international visitors.

Is alcohol included in the price?

Yes, all alcoholic drinks such as Txakoli, Rioja wine, and cider are included alongside food.

How much walking is involved?

Expect light walking between several venues over approximately three hours in central Bilbao.

What is the group size?

Group sizes are capped at 10 to maintain a personalized experience.

Can children join the tour?

Participants must be at least 14 years old due to the alcohol tastings.

Basque Pintxo Delights with Northern Spain Gastronomy | Food Tour

Bilbao, the vibrant urban heart of Euskadi in Northern Spain, pulses with an energy that blends gritty industrial heritage and refined modern culture. At its core, the city celebrates one of the world’s most distinctive culinary traditions—the Basque pintxo. Northern Spain Gastronomy’s Bilbao High End Food Tour - Basque Flavours offers a focused, intimate journey through this dynamic food scene along Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro, 25, Abando. Over three immersive hours, participants dive beyond typical tourist stops into local bars, markets, and specialist shops where Basque culinary culture thrives.

This isn’t your average food crawl. Guests savor 6-8 carefully chosen pintxos—small, vibrant bites often stacked on crusty bread, dominated by fish, seafood, and artisanal meats handcrafted with centuries-old techniques. Each pintxo pairs with Basque liquid treasures from the region: crisp Txakoli, robust Rioja wines, and traditional cider, all served with deliberate attention to complement and heighten flavors.

Guided by culinary experts rooted in the region’s food culture, the tour reveals why pintxos are more than just snacks—they’re social glue, a way of connecting through tradition and taste. Your guides share practical tips on ordering and navigating the city’s bar scene, helping you avoid tourist traps and engage authentically with the Basque way of dining.

The small-group setting (max 10 people) fosters connection among fellow food lovers, making this a rich cultural and sensory experience. While the focus leans heavily on fish and meat, this tour offers a rare opportunity to step inside Bilbo’s living food culture—vibrant, unapologetically traditional, and utterly delicious.

Northern Spain Gastronomy sits at a unique crossroad of the local outdoor lifestyle and culinary excellence, offering visitors a chance to taste the essence of a region defined by its landscape, sea, and fiercely proud culinary identity.

About Northern Spain Gastronomy

Northern Spain Gastronomy is a Bilbo-based tour operator specializing in curated food, wine and cultural experiences across the Basque Country, Rioja and Cantabria. From Bilbao as a launch point, the company organizes guided trips that showcase regional specialties such as Basque pintxos, Txuleta steak, Txakoli wines and traditional dishes like cocido montañes.

Highlights include private and guided visits: exclusive access to the Guggenheim Museum with certified guides; wine tours through Rioja visiting family wineries and landmark architecture; coastal excursions to Getaria and the cliffs of Zumaia; and full-day journeys to San Sebastian with cider-house lunches. Several itineraries combine tastings with scenic walks, medieval villages (Laguardia, Santillana del Mar, Comillas) and cultural landmarks including El Capricho and Castro Urdiales.

Meals and tastings are integrated into most itineraries, ranging from gourmet restaurant lunches to picnic spreads and multi-pintxo meals in Bilbao’s Old Town. Options explicitly listed include private winery visits, gourmet lunches, cheese farm tastings, and specialized Guggenheim tours.

Northern Spain Gastronomy operates from Bilbo, Euskadi, offering experiences that range from 1.5-hour private museum visits to full-day (up to nine-hour) excursions. The operator’s published itineraries emphasize local producers, regional wines and authentic Basque culinary traditions, presenting travelers with focused food-and-wine itineraries that connect culture, landscape and cuisine.

Published itineraries list fifteen distinct trips covering Basque wine regions, coastal landmarks, Rioja wineries, San Sebastian excursions and Cantabrian villages. Typical group sizes and booking details are available per itinerary; specific durations and inclusions vary by trip and are stated with each offering. See listings.