Three small-group culinary adventures we love — from Rioja wineries to Basque coastal villages and French markets.
At Topa, we focus on sharing San Sebastian’s food culture through intimate walking tours. But many guests ask us the same question: “What should we do next?”
For those who want to keep exploring, here are three small-group day trips run by trusted local partners — experiences that offer a deeper look at the flavors, landscapes, and stories of the Basque region.
1. Curated Small Group Rioja Wine and Olive Oil Day Tour with Lunch
Just you, up to six other lucky travelers, and a day of unforgettable landscapes, bold reds, surprising whites, and shared laughs. This full-day escape whisks you away from San Sebastián into La Rioja – Spain’s most celebrated wine region and its oldest Denomination of Origin (that’s right, before it was cool).
The Road to Rioja
The journey begins with a scenic two-hour drive through the ever-changing landscapes of the Basque Country—mountains, valleys, small villages tucked into the hills—until we reach the vine-draped horizons of Rioja. Along the way, time flies as we dive into stories of Basque culture, wine history, and a few unexpected anecdotes that make the region unforgettable.
Time-Travel in Laguardia
First stop: Laguardia. One of the best-preserved medieval villages in all of Rioja. Perched on a hill and wrapped in ancient walls, it’s a stone-and-storybook maze of narrow streets, quiet corners, and sweeping views. We’ll take a stroll through its timeless charm—no wine, no rush, just you and nine centuries of history under your feet.
Family Ties & Earthy Vibes
Next, it’s back to the roots—literally. A small, family-run sustainable winery where tradition meets eco-conscious innovation. It’s all heart, all heritage, and the kind of place where your glass is never empty, and your welcome is always warm.
Old Souls, Cool Cellars
In the iconic Barrio de la Estación, we dive into a winery that proudly calls itself the most traditional among the modern. Then we head underground—literally. In a candle-cool cellar lined with stone and sleeping barrels, we taste Rioja where it feels most at home: below the surface, unhurried, expressive, and full of quiet drama in every glass.
Legends of Haro
Our final tasting? Founded in the late 19th century, this historic house is one of the pillars of Haro’s Barrio de la Estación. You’ll taste a Gran Reserva and other acclaimed wines right among rows of French and American oak barrels. Here, time slows down, barrels breathe, and the wines speak fluent legacy. You’ll taste what makes Rioja… well, Rioja.
Fork Meets Glass
And because no day of wine is complete without food, we’ll sit down to a leisurely three-course lunch that fuses Riojan tradition with a modern twist. Think local dishes, beautifully plated, and perfectly paired with wines that don’t just complement the meal—they elevate it. Expect bold flavors, flowing conversation, and maybe a few new friends by dessert.
Cheers to new places. New faces. And really, really good wine!
Price: 279€
Characteristics:
- Small Group Tour up to 7 people
- Available on: Mon, Wed, Sat
- Time: 09:00
- Duration: 9 hours
- Language: English
- Meeting point information: República Argentina Kalea, 20002 Donostia / San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa *The guide will stop the car by Plaza Okendo on República Argentina street by River Urumea.
Included:
- Guided tastings in 3 wineries and 10+ premium wine tastes
- Traditional 3-course meal with wine
- Local olive oil tasting
- Laguardia guided walk
- Passionate local guide
- Transport in airconditioned van
2. Small Group French Basque Markets & Local Specialties Food Tour
It’s a day built entirely around what and where locals actually eat. This experience takes you deep into the French Basque Country where markets still set the rhythm of the week and quality isn’t a trend, it’s a standard. Small group, generous tastings, and a guide who knows exactly where the good stuff hides. Come curious. Leave connected.
Saint Jean de Luz: Market Day Magic
We arrive in Saint Jean de Luz – a fishing village that feels like it was pulled from a postcard. Elegant facades, colorful shutters, narrow streets, and a quiet harbor. We visit on market day when the town is at its most authentic, and even Michelin-starred chefs shop for produce. Among lively stalls, we taste three local cheeses from the region’s top affineur with a fresh baguette and Bayonne ham.
This town was once a corsair stronghold and even hosted a royal wedding in the 17th century, which is when a local pastry shop, Maison Adam, created something quite legendary: the macaron. You’ll be invited to step inside and try one for yourself, in the very place where it all began. Light, sweet, and filled with history—just like Saint Jean de Luz.
Biarritz: Seafood & Sea Air
Next stop: Biarritz, where French elegance meets Atlantic waves. Once the playground of royalty and later the gateway for surfing in Europe, this town has it all—grand seaside villas, sweeping views, and a laid-back vibe with a luxurious twist. We’ll walk the coastal promenade, take in the view from the lighthouse, and then head to Les Halles, the town’s beloved market.
Here we stand at the counter like locals and taste the Atlantic at its freshest: oysters, shrimp, and ‘bulots’, served with a glass of regional wine. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore the seaside town at your own pace: lunch, shopping, or simply a stroll along the promenade.
Bayonne: Chocolate, Cathedrals & Character
We start in Bayonne, the cultural capital of the French Basque Country and the kind of place that surprises you at every corner. Half-timbered houses line the streets, the Gothic cathedral watches over the town, and the scent of fresh chocolate lingers in the air—for good reason. Centuries ago, chocolate-makers brought their craft here, and the tradition never left. We step into one of the city’s artisan chocolate houses to sip rich hot or cold chocolate and sample handcrafted pralines.
Price: 279€
Characteristics:
- Small Group Tour up to 7 people
- Available on: Tue, Fri
- Time: 09:00
- Duration: 8 hours
- Language: English
- Meeting point information: República Argentina Kalea, 20002 Donostia / San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa *The guide will stop the car at Plaza Okendo on República Argentina street by River Urumea.
Included:
- Tastings of local specialties (cheese, ham, macaron, seafood, chocolate, etc.)
- Two glasses of wine and hot/cold chocolate
- Transport in an air-conditioned van
- A passionate local guide leading you through locals’ favorite market stalls, cafes & stores
- Explore the most iconic sights of Saint Jean de Luz, Biarritz, and Bayonne
Not Included:
- Lunch
3. Small Group Cliffs & Txakoli Day Tour with Grilled Fish Lunch in Getaria
What’s a proper Basque “planazo”? A day with dramatic cliffs, salty air, legendary sailors, seaside vineyards, and fish that were swimming this morning. Now imagine all of that in a small group of curious travelers, with a guide who turns stories into laughs and landscapes into memories.
Cliffs from The Game of Thrones
We leave San Sebastián and head west to Zumaia, where the UNESCO Geopark cliffs rise straight out of the sea. Our helpful guide will explain what the heck ‘flysch’ and ‘karst’ are (spoiler: these aren’t Basque words), and will lead you through a unique space: the hermitage of San Telmo overlooking the void, the beach of Itzurun or the path along the cliffs.
Fish and Chips Txakoli
We’ll take you to sea-breezed vineyards up in the hills. Here, small producers work with native grapes called Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza. Thus, you’ll learn the intricacies and power of txakoli. BTW, what is txakoli? A white wine with a slight acidity and a lot of character, grown in vineyards by the sea, and ideal to pair with fish dishes.
And then… the grill. Getaria is famous for its charcoal-grilled fish, cooked outdoors by masters who’ve turned fire into an art form. We sit down overlooking the port for a relaxed lunch with ocean views: fresh fish, seasonal salad, txakoli in your glass, and smoke in the air. It doesn’t get more local than this.
Planet Getaria
After lunch, we will visit the village, birthplace of the first man to sail around the world, and home to one of fashion’s greatest names. We’ll explore its cobbled streets together, hear the stories, and uncover the small details most visitors miss.
Cliffs, charcoal grilled fish, sea views, great wine, and even better company. Small group. Big day.
Price: 279€
Characteristics:
- Small Group Tour up to 7 people
- Available on: Tue, Wed, Fri
- Time: 09:00
- Duration: 7 hours
- Language: English
- Meeting point information: República Argentina Kalea, 20002 Donostia / San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa *The guide will stop the car by Plaza Okendo on República Argentina street by River Urumea.
Included:
- Txakoli tasting and vineyard walk
- Grilled fish lunch with wine in Getaria with an ocean view
- Transport in an air-conditioned van
- A passionate local guide
- Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark visit
