Spain’s top travel destination for 2026 — idealista/news

National Geographic’s Spanish pick for the best travel destination for 2026 is not a single city, but an entire northern region. Here, you get a proper mix of serious food, bold architecture, deep-rooted identity and very green landscapes, without the full chaos of Spain’s big hitters.

The Spanish region is a ‘Best of the World’ destination for 2026

The Basque Country getting a Best of the World nod is really about how it blends old and new in quite a compact package. To start off with, you have a strong, distinct culture with its own language (Euskara), food and traditions.

There is also constant investment in architecture, design and public space, especially in and around Bilbao and San Sebastián. On a practical level, it suits travellers and expats who want somewhere walkable, well-connected and full of life, but not as overstretched as Barcelona or Madrid. 

Why the Basque Country is a National Geographic’s Best of the World 2026 pick

Spain’s Basque Country sits in the far north of the peninsula, edging the Bay of Biscay and brushing up against the French border. It is an Atlantic region rather than a Mediterranean one, so you get green hills, cliffs, surfable beaches and more cloud and drizzle than southern Spain. National Geographic’s Best of the World recognition taps into exactly that mix of rugged coastline, historic cities and serious gastronomy. 

Choosing a region like this instead of a generic beach strip also reflects a wider shift towards destinations with depth and contrast. You can move between belle-époque seafronts and industrial-port-turned-art-city streets, all while eating ridiculously well and still feeling like you are in a living, everyday part of Spain.

What to do in the Basque Country in 2026

The nice thing about the Basque Country is how quickly you can switch between city, coast and mountains without huge travel days. Public transport links are decent between the main hubs, and roads are straightforward if you fancy hiring a car and hopping between villages. 

Urban highlights in the Basque Country

The three main cities in the Basque Country each have a distinct personality and are worth seeing in their own right.

• Bilbao has shifted from an industrial port to a cultural hub. 

  The striking riverside architecture, top Spanish museums and a dense network of lively pintxo bars are highlights.

• Donostia/San Sebastián feels elegant and seaside-focused, and is becoming a destination for luxury living.

  Its curving bay means great viewpoints, belle-époque buildings and an old town packed with some of the best pintxos in Spain. The city has lots of things to do and see, including a retro amusement park and theTabakalera cultural space. 

• Vitoria is greener and calmer, with a medieval core, extensive parks and bike lanes, and a strong “liveable city” atmosphere.

Basque food and drink

Food is one of the biggest reasons people fall for the Basque Country, and it genuinely lives up to the hype.

• Pintxos are the star: small, creative bar snacks you eat standing up or perched at the counter, hopping between spots rather than settling in for one long meal.
• Traditional cider houses (sagardotegiak) inland serve set menus heavy on cod, tortilla and steak.
• The region is dotted with world-class restaurants, but also plenty of neighbourhood places doing excellent, good-value daily menus.
• Local staples include txuleton, a mature rib steak, seafood, and txakoli, a Spanish sparkling wine that is fresh, dry and not too strong.

Nature and outdoor life in the region

If you like mixing city time with proper fresh air, the Basque Country makes it very easy.

• The coastline swings between top surf beaches, like Zarautz and Sopela, picturesque fishing towns such as Getaria and Bermeo, and dramatic cliffs on stretches of the Flysch Route.
• Around San Sebastián and Bilbao, you get plenty of green belts and hill walks, so you can be out of the city and on a wooded path or viewpoint in under an hour.
• Even in the cities, big parks such as Parque de Doña Casilda in Bilbao and the green ring around Vitoria-Gasteiz weave nature into daily life.

Arts, culture and festivals in the Basque Country

Culture in the Basque Country goes way beyond one famous museum and runs pretty much all year.

• In Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum and the Museo de Bellas Artes anchor a strong contemporary and classic art scene.
• San Sebastián is a proper festival city, with the International Film Festival bringing red carpets and global cinema each September.
• Across the region, local fiestas in towns and villages sit alongside those big dates, with street parties, traditional music and Basque dance giving you an easy way to plug into everyday culture.

Highlights in the Basque Country in 2026

2026 is a bit of a blockbuster year for the Basque Country, with a rare mix of sky‑watching drama, big‑hitting culture and serious food drawing attention to this corner of northern Spain. 

• On 12th August, a total solar eclipse will pass over the region, putting Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz centre stage as some of the few spots on land in the path.
• From 18–26 September 2026, the 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival turns the city into a global cinema hub.

Living in the Basque Country

Living in the Basque Country feels quite different to southern Spain. You get a greener landscape, a milder climate and cities that consistently rank among Spain’s top regions for quality of life. 

Housing can be pricey in hotspots like San Sebastián, but there are more affordable options once you look at smaller towns and inland areas, including the cheapest town in the Basque Country to buy a house. 

Socially, there is a strong bar and café culture, and if you are around in January, the all‑night drumming of Tamborrada is one of Spain’s quirkiest celebrations. The mix of Euskara and Spanish, solid transport links and a generally relaxed but hardworking rhythm make it a very liveable region.