The Basque Country offers sporting events, both amateur and professional, so that you can fully enjoy practising sport while discovering our rural surroundings. Sport and tourism in the Basque Country are the perfect combination! Keep reading and do not miss anything we offer to make your sporting getaway the ideal excuse to enjoy our culture, traditions and gastronomy. We are sure we have the rural accommodation that best suits your needs!

Are you into running? The Basque Country offers races both inland and along the coast

In the Basque Country we really enjoy running: asphalt, mountains, inland trails or routes along the coast — every surface is perfect for putting on our trainers and challenging ourselves. This is the ideal place to discover the popular races we recommend in each province.

In Álava, in addition to the Montes de Vitoria trail race, the Vitoria-Gasteiz – Estíbaliz popular race is one of the best known in the Basque Country. It covers a distance of 15 km, most of it following the route of the former Basque-Navarre railway line. It starts in Armentia, next to Vitoria-Gasteiz, and finishes at the Sanctuary of Estíbaliz, a place of great cultural and historical importance.

If you decide to come and enjoy either of these two races, here are the rural accommodations associated with Nekatur in Álava.

In Bizkaia, the Bilbao Night Running Fest gathered 20,000 runners in its 2025 edition. It has 2 routes: a half marathon, with 21 km running, and the pirate race, with 10 km. Both start at the San Mamés esplanade and finish at the Guggenheim Museum esplanade.

Along the Uribe region coastline, another popular and very well-known race is the Kosta Trail in Sopela, starting and finishing in this town.

This event offers 3 routes: a mountain half marathon (running), a mountain walk and a family walk (both walking), making it ideal for anyone who enjoys walking and coastal scenery. The cliffs along part of the route are spectacular!

Relax before and after this mountain event in one of these rural accommodations associated with Nekatur in the Uribe region.

In Gipuzkoa, if road running is your thing, you simply cannot miss either the Behobia-San Sebastián race or the Donostia half marathon. We could not tell you which of the two is more spectacular!

If you prefer the challenge of the mountains, the Zegama-Aizkorri race, celebrating its 25th edition in 2026, is exactly what you are looking for. With nearly 1,000 runners in 2025, this is one of the essential dates in the sporting calendar.

It takes place in the Goierri region and within the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park, and you will reach some of the highest peaks in the Basque Country, such as Aizkorri itself or Aketegi, both over 1,500 metres high. Do not think twice and come to visit the Basque Country while enjoying your passion for the mountains!

Here are the rural accommodations associated with Nekatur where you can stay in the Goierri region.

Is cycling your thing? In the Basque Country you will enjoy both mountain biking and road cycling

The Basque Country has a huge cycling tradition. If you enjoy pedalling, you have many options to enjoy your favourite sport while sightseeing.

In addition to the best-known road cycling races (Blan, starting and finishing in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Bilbao-Bilbao, and the Clásica San Sebastián), races that begin and end in the 3 capitals of the Basque Country, there are many other road cycling and MTB races.

Here are all the races organised by the Basque Cycling Federation. Find the route you like most and come and discover the Basque Country while cycling!

In the rural surroundings of Álava, take your gravel bike and enjoy the Orbea Gravel Rioja Alavesa, an event where you can choose between a 102 km or a 53 km route, both starting and finishing in Laguardia. A perfect combination of sport and wine tourism in Rioja Alavesa!

And, to rest before and after, nothing better than one of the rural accommodations associated with Nekatur in Rioja Alavesa.

In Bizkaia, meanwhile, we recommend a demanding road cycling event: the BIBE Transbizkaia. Starting and finishing in Durango (or at the Sanctuary of Urkiola depending on the route), it gives you the opportunity to discover part of inland Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, as well as the coastline of Bizkaia.

This event is one of the most complete in the cycle touring calendar, so your rest will be very important. For that, here are the rural accommodations associated with Nekatur in the Durangaldea area.

In Gipuzkoa, also for road cycling, you can choose La Olano, which starts and finishes in Tolosa. This race takes you from inland Gipuzkoa to the coast, with 2 route options to choose from. In addition, you will have the chance to climb famous peaks in Tolosaldea and others that will surprise you.

Come and enjoy cycling in Gipuzkoa! Here are the rural accommodations associated with Nekatur in the Tolosaldea region.

About the author of the article “Sport and tourism in the Basque Country, the perfect combination”

Idoia Ezkurdia is the manager of Nekatur, the association of rural accommodations in the Basque Country, an organisation that brings together agrotourism accommodations, country houses and rural apartments in this autonomous community. With extensive experience in the tourism sector, Idoia Ezkurdia knows better than anyone the calendar of sporting events held throughout the year in the Basque Country. At Nekatur, she works to promote and give visibility to rural accommodation, encouraging a sustainable tourism model linked to the local environment.

Frequently asked questions about “Sport and tourism in the Basque Country, the perfect combination”

Are there Nekatur rural accommodations near sporting events in the Basque Country?

Yes! And not only nearby, but also in the very towns that give their names to the sporting events. Visit the Nekatur rural accommodation search engine, search for the town you are interested in, and book one of our associated rural accommodations.

Can I store my bicycle in a country house or agrotourism accommodation in the Basque Country?

Of course there will be accommodations prepared for this! In fact, some of our rural accommodations have a specific space for bicycles. In others, you will be able to store your bicycle inside the rural accommodation without any problem — just ask, and the owner will tell you where.

Can I have breakfast before the usual time in a Nekatur rural accommodation?

If you stay in a rural apartment or in a full-rental rural accommodation, you have independent access to the kitchen, so you can prepare breakfast whenever you need.

If your stay is room-based and you have booked the breakfast option, mention it when making the booking and also during check-in. This way, the rural accommodation owner will explain the available options.

Also, pay attention when booking your room, as many accommodations offer an exclusive kitchen-use service for guests. This means you can book use of the kitchen per room/per day to prepare breakfasts, lunches and dinners, and eat there if that is what you need.

Can I use the accommodation facilities after check-out following a race?

In many cases, yes. It will depend on the accommodation and incoming bookings. Ask about it when making the reservation and also during check-in. This way, the rural accommodation will take it into account.

What should I do if I have doubts when booking a rural accommodation with Nekatur?

Do not worry, Nekatur’s reservations team is here to help you. You can contact them by telephone (943 32 70 90), by email (agroturismo@nekatur.net) or through the Nekatur contact form.