Category Archives: Basque Country / País Vasco

Zarautz, Guipuzkoa (Basque Country)

Basque Country / País Vasco, Beach, mountain and nature, San Sebastián, Spain / España, Tours and Guides

zarautz beach and sea

Located on the breathtaking Cantabrian Sea Coast, in the province of Guipuzkoa in the north of Spain, Zarautz is a popular resort town only 20 km away from the beautiful Donostia – San Sebastian city. With a population of about of 23,000 inhabitants, Zarautz is really a famous tourist destination of high quality in Spain for people who like enjoying its traditional cuisine and its excellent beach, as well as leisure activities and sports among others.

mapa san sebastian spainThe old fishing village of Zarautz became a favorite destination for aristocracy and upper class people who chose Zarautz to enjoy the quiet beach during their holidays in the late 19th century. Nowadays, one of the most important economic sectors in Zarautz is really tourism. Therefore, Zarautz has focused on the preservation of its heritage cultural, its healthy lifestyle, its traditions and its natural surroundings so that Zarautz goes on being a tourist destination of the highest quality.

Gastronomy

playa y paseo maritimoZarautz is known over all world for its delicious cuisine and its magnificent chefs who are used to cooking with the best and freshest ingredients. Moreover, the excellent food attracts not only local people, but also other visitors from other cities and countries. In fact, here tourists can find some of the most renowned restaurants and bars of Basque Country full of friendly people tasting the flavorful pintxos (a tiny haute cuisine) with the traditional txakoli (light white wine). If tourists visit the popular local market of Zarautz, they will certainly soak up the atmosphere of this town and understand its traditional gastronomy.

Beach and Sports

zarautzThe Beach of Zarautz, which is one of the longest beaches in the Cantabrian Sea coast with more than 2,500 m long of fine golden sand and clear blue water, is other attraction for lovers of the outdoor activities, such as surfers who can enjoy the spectacular waves; golfers that can play golf in the Real Club of Golf of Zarautz which borders a part of the beach on the eastern area. Moreover the beach is also bordered by the lively promenade, the main meeting point of the town, where visitors can find a lot of excellent restaurants, bars, terraces, cafés, shops and have a lot of fun.

Visitors can also enjoy the outstanding natural landscape of Zarautz walking along its picturesque streets, taking a stroll about its peaceful surroundings as well as climbing its hills and mountains because there are facilities for most cultural and athletic activities. Besides, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking scenery if they decide to go to Getaria on foot bordering the Cantabrian sea coast. As for Getaria (Guetaria), it is a beautiful fishing village only 3 km away from Zarautz with medieval houses and the remarkable San Salvador’s church in Gothic style dating from 14th century. Both Zarautz and Getaria are connected by a spectacular promenade between the mountain and sea.

basque country beachZarautz can also offer tourists interesting buildings such as Santa María la Real’s Church built between the 15th and 16th centuries in Gothic style; the Zarautz Tower, which is the oldest building in Zarautz from the 15th century, is used for the Museum of Art and History and for the bell tower. Inside the church visitors can find several impressive Baroque altarpieces and the tomb of Lopez Martinez de Zarautz from 15th century; the four storey-Luzea Tower was built in the 15th century in Gothic style; the Narros Palace built in the mid 16th century in renaissance style with lovely gardens; the Portu House is a remarkable three-storey building from 16th century ( Town Hall headquarters); Franciscans’ Convent Church from early 17th century; Makatxa House among others.

If visitors wander through the streets and squares, they will come across impressive sculptures, other magnificent buildings and beautiful gardens and parks that are worth visiting.

 

Other places to visit in The Basque Country (País Vasco)

– San Sebastian (Donostia):  Situated in the north of Spain on the Bay of Biscay coast, washed by the Cantabrian Sea, San Sebastian (or Donostia)  also known as Perla del Cantábrico (the Cantabrian Sea Pearl) is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty.

– Bilbao: Bilbao is one of the main cities of the Basque Country, in the north of Spain. It has more than 700.000 inhabitants, counting the city and the metropolitan area. In this article we are going to tell you about what are the best places to visit in the city, and how to visit them on foot in a two-days weekend.

More places to see in The Basque Country.

 

San Sebastián / Donostia: What to visit in San Sebastian city

Beach, mountain and nature, Gastronomy, San Sebastián, Tours and Guides

san sebastian

Situated in the north of Spain on the Bay of Biscay coast, washed by the Cantabrian Sea, San Sebastian (or Donostia)  also known as Perla del Cantábrico (the Cantabrian Sea Pearl) is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty. Being one of the most elegant cities of Spain with about 200,000 inhabitants, Donostia – San Sebatian and the Polish city of Wroclaw will have the honor of being the Cultural Capitals of Europe in 2016.

mapa san sebastian spainBeing one of the main tourist destination of quality in Spain, Donostia (in Basque or Euskera language), or San Sebastian (in Spanish Language) is the capital of Gipuzkoa province (in The Basque Country region) and both the capital and the region really have a lot of to offer citizens and visitors in the way of the gastronomy, culture, architecture, water sports, comfortable lifestyle, entertainment, beaches, leisure activities, festivals, among other things.

 

The Concha, Ondarreta and Zurriola beaches

playaTaking a stroll along its coastal promenade, the starting point might be at the Peine del Viento (the Wind Comb) the famous sculpture by the architect Luis Peña and the world renowned sculptor Eduardo Chillida. At Igeldo Mountain by the sea, visitors can feast their eyes on the beautiful Bahía de la Concha (the Shell Bay) (so called because the Bahía de la Concha is shaped like a shell) where are the Ondarreta Beach and La Concha Beach, which are some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. In front of both beaches in the heart of the bay is Santa Clara island the symbol of the city with a small beach.

Following the enjoyable stroll walkers will find a large garden, the impressive Miramar Palace and its park and interesting buildings on the right, and the Ondarreta Beach and the Concha Beach on the left. After 30 minutes on foot they will arrive at the Hall City an imposing building on the right and at the end the Concha Beach on the left. By the way, both beaches have the best facilities people can go windsurfing, kayaking, canoing and others. Visitors must not leave the city without walking along this romantic and elegant area.

If visitors go on walking they will arrive at the Zurriola Beach the largest Beach of San Sebastian where people go surfing, swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, so on. It takes about 20 minutes on foot from Hall City to the Zurriola Beach, walking through the pedestrian Zumardia Boulevard, crossing the Kursaal Bridge over the Urumea River, in the Gros Neighborhood. It is a pleasant and unbelievable stroll.

 

Tasting the gastronomy of Donostia San Sebastián

tapas mercado de san miguelIt is said that one of the main tourist attractions in Donostia- San Sebastian is its gourmet food because Gipuzkoa is known all over the world for its excellent restaurants, a famous chefs and traditional cuisine. Local people, who are easy going and friendly, are used to enjoying good food and fine wine at home and out with friends and visitors.

Wandering through the lively Old Neighborhood (La Parte Vieja) from Zurmardia Boulevard to Urgull mountain, tourists can find traditional bars, cafés, restaurants full of people eating pintxos (tapas) and drinking txakoli (a special white wine) or sidra (cider) creating a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere while enjoying the delicious and tasty pintxos.

There are plenty of bars, restaurants and cafés in the Gros and the Center neighborhood which also serve great variety of excellent pintxos and traditional wine. Moreover, visitors will come across stylish restaurants, bars and cafés which offer a rich variety of local specialty.

The three neighborhoods come alive at night when people are attracted by music, dance, food and drink. Donostia – San Sebastian is probability the best city to enjoy a pleasurable lifestyle and a lively nightlife. In fact, most tourists come back again in order to have a lot of fun at its parties.

 

Monuments, buildings and other interesting places

Probablyyou should visit The Mota Castle on the hill of Urgull mountain dates from 12th century, with a breathtaking view of the Concha Bay. It takes about 10 minutes on foot from Hall City. It is worth a visit.

The Gothic San Vicente Church dates from 16th century, the Baroque Santa Maria Basilica from 18 th century, and the historic Constitución Square, which is the main meeting point of the city, are located in the Old Neighborhood.

Nearby the luxury Maria Cristina Hotel, the outstanding Victoria Eugenia Theater by the Urumea River, and other interesting buildings can be seen walking around the center neighborhood. Moreover, walkers will come across amazing sculptures and buildings as they stroll along the streets such as the neogothic Buen Pastor Cathedral which was built in 19th century, one of the most emblematic buildings of the city it is located in the center neighborhood where visitors can stare other magnificent buildings. Do not miss out on this spellbinding church.

 

Parks, gardens and fun

San Sebastian has many large parks and lovely gardens where people can do sport, play football or tennis, spend the free time. Moreover, the city has plenty of green areas, and a theme park for children and multiples activities for all family. Besides, the Palacio del Mar (the Sea Palace) is one of the most modern aquarium in Europe with more than 5,000 living species.

In conclusion, San Sebastian can offer people luxury hotels, fine restaurants; a good theater; clean and sandy beaches with clear and blue water; unique festivals, Cinema, Gastronomy, Fashion, Music, Regattas, Surfing, fascinating museums, high class shops and so on. In fact, San Sebastian is a very glamorous holiday destination.

San Sebastian is situated to 30 km. from France, 80 Km. from Pamplona; 100 km. from Bilbao, and 450 km. from Madrid.

 

 

Other cities and regions to visit near San Sebastián / Donostia

– Bilbao: In Bilbao you can visit The Guggenheim Art Center, Gexto town and beaches and many more interesting places.

– The Basque Country: Check here all our posts about the Basque Country.

– Asturias: Asturias region is placed close to the Basque country. In there you will discover Gijón and Oviedo cities and a lot nature.

Two-days tour in Bilbao: What to visit in Bilbao, a city full of activities, culture and gastronomy

Bilbao, Tours and Guides

Guggenheim museum and bridge

mapa bilbao spainBilbao is one of the main cities of the Basque Country, in the north of Spain. It has more than 700.000 inhabitants, counting the city and the metropolitan area.

In this article we are going to tell you about what are the best places to visit in the city, and how to visit them on foot in a two-days weekend. Bilbao is very popular among the tourists because its gastronomy, the Guggenheim Museum and the benches of the estuary of the Nervion River.

 

Day 1: The Old Town, The estuary of the Nervion River and its bridges, The City Hall , Guggenheim Museum, University of Deusto, Casilda Park, Gran Via

– The Old Town (Casco Viejo): This is a zone of ancient buildings, narrow streets and squares in the centre of the city. To arrive at the Old Town you can go by metro Line 1 and 2 (Casco Viejo metro station) or go from the Train Station, which is placed in front of Arenal bridge, the most frequent entrance for people who want to walk.

In there, you will be able to visit San Nicolás Curch, Plaza Nueva, Santiago Cathedral, Santos Juanes Church and some museums.

plaza nueva bilbao san nicolas church bilbao

 

– The estuary of the Nervion River: The Old Town is located bordering the estuary of the Nervion River. Once viewed it, our recommendation is to bordering the river on foot in the water flood direction.

river bilbao bilbao historic center

Walking from Arenal Bridge (Puente del Arenal), you will reach the City Hall firstly, and then the Guggenheim Museum and the University of Deusto. During the ride, you will pass some famous bridges as Puente del Ayuntamiento, Zubizuri and Puente de los principes – La Salve.

city hall

 

– The Guggenheim Museum (Museo Guggenheim): This is a contemporary art center. The museum was inaugurated in 1997 and since then, it has become one of the most popular museums of Spain and Europe because its original and transgressive design.

Moreover, there are other relevant buildings of Bilbao near the museum: The University of Deusto, Doña Casilda Park, Iberdrola Skyscraper and more.

Guggenheim bilbao deusto university

 

– Casilda Park: This is the biggest park in the center of Bilbao. The ideal place to rest and enjoy of its fountains.

Also, close to the park is located Conference Arts Centre (Palacio de Congresos Euskalduna).

casilda park bilbao congress palace

 

– Gran Via Avenue (Don Diego Lopez de Haro): This Street is in the geometric centre of Bilbao, measures more than 1.5 km in length and it is the financial and institutional center of the city. This wide avenue is always full of people and reflects the life of the modern city.

Gran Via is a the perfect place to go shopping, take a coffee or eat something at the end of the afternoon.

gran via bilbao bizkaia governement headcuarters gran via bilbao

 

Gastronomy: It is said that the food in The Basque Country is the best food of Spain… and probably it is true. In Bilbao you can find a lot of premium restaurants. But you also can eat high quality food in many cheaper places: By trying the tapas you will be able to try a lot of different dishes in many bars of the zone.

The best sites to eat in Bilbao are located in the Old Town (Plaza Nueva and its surroundings) and in some other streets that are indicated in the touristic map (in the end of this article).

 

Day 2: Getxo (sea, beach and port), Portugalete and Santurtzi

– Getxo Town: Getxo is a town located 30 minutes away from Bilbao city. The location of the town in the Nervion river mouth, its beaches, its maritime port and its landscape, have turned Getxo in one of the most touristic places of the region.

To arrive at Getxo from Bilbao, get on the metro Line 1 to Algorta or Bidezabal metro stations. The sea and the beaches are the main attractive of Getxo. Also, it has a port and commercial zones.

getxo guecho port

 

– Portugalete and Santurtzi: At the other bench of the estuary of the Nervion River, there are placed the towns Portugalete and Santurtzi.

To arrive at them from Getxo, there is only one way to cross the estuary: the Vizcaya Bridge (Puente colgante de Vizcaya).

vizcaya bridge portugalete

 

Day 3 (extra day): San Mamés Stadium, Boat dock and House of the Mercy

If you have some free time on the second day or you have one day more,  don’t leave Bilbao without seeing these other places:

– San Mamés Football Stadium:

san mames 2

 

– Boat dock Ramón de la Sota and Euskalduna Bridge: Both of them can be seen from the Football Stadium.

bilbao old port

 

– House of the Mercy (Casa de la misericordia):

house of mercy

 

Bilbao touristic map

In the map below, there are described the most important monuments and places of Bilbao. Also, you have resalted the old town (in pink), the gastronomy areas (yellow), shopping streets (soft green and orange), nitghlige (dark green) and culture (blue).

bilbao touristic map

Getxo: Sea and beach near Bilbao

Beach, mountain and nature, Bilbao

getxo

Getxo (or Guecho) is a town of 80.000 inhabitants located 30 minutes away from Bilbao city. The location of the town in the Nervion river mouth, its beaches, its maritime port and its landscape, have turned Getxo  in one of the most tourist places of the region in the last century.

To arrive at Getxo from Bilbao, get on the metro Line 1 to Neguri, Aiboa, Algorta or Bidezabal metro stations. The trip from the centre of Bilbao city to Getxo will take almost 30 minutes.

 

The beaches and the sea in Getxo

The sea beach and grassand the beaches are the tourist main attraction of Getxo. Its beaches (Las Arenas, Ereaga, Arrigunaga, Azkorri-Gorrondatxe and Barinatxe) can be classified in two groups: The ones which are closest to the open sea –with rougher sea- and the beaches protected by the port, -with calmer sea-.

To arrive at the beaches, get off at Bidezabal metro station or at Algorta.

beach getxo

 

The maritime port 

The maritimeguecho port port of Getxo has areas for any kind of boats, also cruisers.

Besides, there is a maritime club where people can sail, go canoing, etc..

panoramic port at getxo

 

Commercial zones and gastronomy

The commercial algortazones of Getxo are in Algorta neighborhood and the surroundings of the maritime port.

As we have told in other posts, remember that the Basque Country is one of the regions of Spain with best culinary culture. There are many bars and restaurants everywhere with a lot of variety food, above all “tapas” and fish.

Portugalete, Santurtzi and the estuary of the Nervion River

At the other bank of the estuary of the Nervion River, there are placed the towns Portugalete and Santurtzi. These towns are less tourist than Getxo, with more industrial areas. Anyway, both of them have also their attraction for people who want to discover new places.

There is only one way to cross the estuary from Getxo-Leioa to Portugalete-Santurtzi: the Vizcaya Bridge (Puente colgante de Vizcaya), which was declared World Heritage in 2006 by UNESCO.  This suspension bridge was constructed between 1887 and 1893 and was the first of its class in the world.

 

Metro Map of Bilbao and Getxo

Below you have a metro and train map of Bilbao, Getxo (Guecho), Leioa (Lejona), Portugalete, Santurtzi (Santurce) and its surroundings:

bilbao metro map

More places to visit near Getxo

– The Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao): Museo Guggenheim is a contemporary art center placed in Bilbao, in the Basque Country. The museum was inaugurated in 1997 and since then, it has become one of the most popular museums of Spain and Europe because its original and transgressive design.

– The Old Town of Bilbao:  This is a zone of ancient buildings, narrow streets and squares in the centre of Bilbao. This zone is popular among citizens and tourists because its gastronomy, atmosphere and for its churches and traditional buildings.

Casco Viejo de Bilbao / The Old Town of Bilbao

Bilbao, Gastronomy, Nightlife, Streets and monuments

plaza nueva bilbao

The Old Town of Bilbao  (Casco Viejo) is a zone of ancient buildings, narrow streets and squares in the centre of Bilbao. This zone is popular among citizens and tourists because its gastronomy, atmosphere and for its churches and traditional buildings.

To arrive at the Old Quarter you can go by metro Line 1 and 2 (Casco Viejo metro station) or go from the Train Station, which is placed in front of Arenal bridge, the most frequent entrance for people who want to walk.

 

The train station

Santander Train Stationtran station bilbao (La Concordia) is the main station of the city. The long distance trains stop there and also it has a metro station inside (Abando).

The station was built in 1902 and its structure and decoration still has an industrial flavour that gives it a special attractive for tourists.

 

The Nervion River and its bridges

Close to the Train Station,bilbao historic center you will find Arenal Bridge. This is the main entrance to the Old Town for the citizens who are coming from the commercial streets of Bilbao (Gran Vía and surroundings).

However, as the estuary of the Nervion River borders the old quarter, there are some other bridges in the zone as La Merced Bridge, La Ribera Bridge and San Antón Bridge.

In the newest part of Bilbao, you also can find the following bridges: City Hall bridge (Puente del Ayuntamiento), Zubizuri bridge and Princes Bridge (Puente de los príncipes).

 

Churches and relevant buildings

From Arenal Bridgesan nicolas church bilbao can be seen San Nicolás Curch, built in 1756. Near it, there is located Plaza Nueva (New Square), a neoclassical square where you will find the Royal Academy of the Basque Language, and a lot of bars and restaurants always full of people.

Then, bilbao cathedralbordering the river to San Antón Bridge, there is San Anton Church and La Rivera Market.

Other important buildings that you will see in the zone are Santiago Cathedral, Santos Juanes Church and some museums.

 

 

The Gastronomy in Bilbao

Don’t leave the Old Quarter without trying the gastronomy!

Although the food is impressive in all the city, in this zone there are a large amount of bars and restaurants. Above all at Plaza Nueva and its surroundings, where there are a lot of places where you can eat “tapas” (small sandwiches or dishes with original and innovative food).

It is said that the food in The Basque Country is the best food of Spain… and probably it is true. In Bilbao you can find a lot of premium restaurants. But you also can eat high quality food in many cheaper places: By trying the tapas you will be able to try a lot of different dishes in many bars of the zone. Don’t miss it!

Once viewedriver center bilbao the historic centre of Bilbao, our recommendation is to bordering the river in the water flood direction. Doing that you will reach the City Hall firstly, and then the Guggenheim Museum.

 

More places to visit in Bilbao

– The Guggenheim Museum: Museo Guggenheim is a contemporary art center placed in Bilbao, in the Basque Country. The museum was inaugurated in 1997 and since then, it has become one of the most popular museums of Spain and Europe because its original and transgressive design.

– Getxo (Guecho): Getxo is a town of 80.000 inhabitants located 30 minutes away from Bilbao city. The situation of the town in the Nervion river mouth, its beaches, its maritime port and its landscape, have become it one of the most touristic places of the region in the last century.

Museo Guggenheim / The Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao)

Bilbao, Emblematic buildings

Guggenheim bilbao

The Guggenheim Museum (Museo Guggenheim) is a contemporary art center placed in Bilbao, in the Basque Country. The museum was inaugurated in 1997 and since then, it has become one of the most popular museums of Spain and Europe because its original and transgressive design.

 

The building

This museum has Guggenheim museum bilbaomany characteristics that makes it unique: Its structure, designed by the architect Frank Gehry has a curved surface covered in titanium. What’s more, its situation, close to the river bank, creates a wonderful game of highlights when the sun reflects its rays in the titanium and then they are reflected in the water.

 

The surroundings of the museum

The Guggenheim Museum is located in the estuary bank of the Nervion River, at Bilbao city center. Around it, you will find some famous sculptures, a tourism center and green zones. Moreover, there are other relevant buildings of Bilbao near the museum: The University of Deusto, Doña Casilda Park, The Princes Bridge, Iberdrola Skyscraper and more.

Guggenheim panoramic

To arrive at Guggenheim, you can go on foot from the train station (10 minutes) or from the bus station (6 minutes). You can also go by tram.

Another option to arrive atGuggenheim museum and bridge the museum is to go from the train station in the historic centre of Bilbao, bordering the river until arrive at the museum. Surely, doing this you will take the nicest photos of Bilbao.

 

More places to visit in Bilbao

– The Old Town of Bilbao:  This is a zone of ancient buildings, narrow streets and squares in the centre of Bilbao. This zone is popular among citizens and tourists because its gastronomy, atmosphere and for its churches and traditional buildings.

– Getxo (Guecho): Getxo is a town of 80.000 inhabitants located 30 minutes away from Bilbao city. The situation of the town in the Nervion river mouth, its beaches, its maritime port and its landscape, have become it one of the most touristic places of the region in the last century.

Other popular museums in Spain

– Reina Sofía Art Center (Madrid): This art gallery forms part of the “Madrid’s triangle”, next to Prado Museum and Museum of Thyseen-Bornemisza. These three art galleries are must-see places in Madrid. Each of them is full of masterpieces of art. This museum is dedicated to the modern art, mostly of the 20th century.

Read also our article about the best destinations to visit in Spain.