last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in the Spanish Basque Country
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Featuring Bilbao, Hondarribia, Getaria, Guernica, and San Sebastián.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Spanish Basque Country has one site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
Biscay Bridge (2006)
This transporter bridge, built between 1888 and 1893, connects Portugalete to Getxo. It is the largest operational transporter bridge in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This transporter bridge, built between 1888 and 1893, connects Portugalete to Getxo. It is the largest operational transporter bridge in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Bermeo
A large fishing port northeast of Bilbao, known for its rugged coastline and historic buildings. A great surf spot nearby in Mundaka.
A large fishing port northeast of Bilbao, known for its rugged coastline and historic buildings. A great surf spot nearby in Mundaka.
Bilbao
The largest Basque city and in some ways its economic capital. It offers a charming old town and several museums, including the famous Guggenheim modern art museum.
The largest Basque city and in some ways its economic capital. It offers a charming old town and several museums, including the famous Guggenheim modern art museum.
Hondarribia
Opposite Hendaye (France), this seaside resort is also an ancient town with a very pretty historic centre.
Opposite Hendaye (France), this seaside resort is also an ancient town with a very pretty historic centre.
Getxo
Opposite Portugalete, to which it is connected by the Biscay Bridge (UNESCO World Heritage), Getxo is a residential suburb of Bilbao with a rather pretty seafront, several beaches, and some fine buildings.
Opposite Portugalete, to which it is connected by the Biscay Bridge (UNESCO World Heritage), Getxo is a residential suburb of Bilbao with a rather pretty seafront, several beaches, and some fine buildings.
Guernica
The small town east of Bilbao is known for being destroyed in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War and inspiring one of Picasso’s most famous paintings. It is home to several museums.
The small town east of Bilbao is known for being destroyed in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War and inspiring one of Picasso’s most famous paintings. It is home to several museums.
Irun
A border town with France whose main activity, besides serving as a railway hub, is the cheaper sale of alcohol and tobacco to French visitors.
A border town with France whose main activity, besides serving as a railway hub, is the cheaper sale of alcohol and tobacco to French visitors.
Labraza
A charming ancient hamlet in the Rioja Alavesa region of the Basque Country. It is part of the municipality of Oyón-Oion.
A charming ancient hamlet in the Rioja Alavesa region of the Basque Country. It is part of the municipality of Oyón-Oion.
Portugalete
This town in the suburbs of Bilbao is best known for the Vizcaya Bridge, a UNESCO-listed site that connects it to its neighbor Getxo across the Nervión River. Beyond this landmark, the town also has an old center.
This town in the suburbs of Bilbao is best known for the Vizcaya Bridge, a UNESCO-listed site that connects it to its neighbor Getxo across the Nervión River. Beyond this landmark, the town also has an old center.
San Sebastián
Nestled in its bay, this is a major seaside resort on the Atlantic coast. The city also boasts a very pretty old town, pleasant and charming, making it one of the most visited destinations on the Basque coast.
Nestled in its bay, this is a major seaside resort on the Atlantic coast. The city also boasts a very pretty old town, pleasant and charming, making it one of the most visited destinations on the Basque coast.
Loyola Sanctuary
This is a vast monumental and religious complex dedicated to Ignatius of Loyola in his hometown of Azpeitia.
This is a vast monumental and religious complex dedicated to Ignatius of Loyola in his hometown of Azpeitia.
Valmaseda
The oldest of the Basque towns is surrounded by mountains and can serve as a base for exploring the surrounding area. It has a medieval old quarter.
The oldest of the Basque towns is surrounded by mountains and can serve as a base for exploring the surrounding area. It has a medieval old quarter.
Vitoria-Gasteiz
The capital of Spanish Basque Country. It has a charming partly medieval centre and several museums.
The capital of Spanish Basque Country. It has a charming partly medieval centre and several museums.
Zarautz
West of San Sebastian, this is a major seaside resort known for its vast beach and surfing. It also boasts a charming urban center and several parks.
West of San Sebastian, this is a major seaside resort known for its vast beach and surfing. It also boasts a charming urban center and several parks.
Natural Heritage
Basque Mountains
This is a medium-altitude range, not exceeding 1,600 m, wedged between the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains. The area is quite scenic and ideal for walks, with occasional heavy snowfall in winter.
This is a medium-altitude range, not exceeding 1,600 m, wedged between the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains. The area is quite scenic and ideal for walks, with occasional heavy snowfall in winter.
Álava Rioja
This small part of the Basque Country is renowned for its vineyards (and, secondarily, its megaliths). You can visit numerous wineries and estates along the "Wine Route," which covers this part of the Basque Country and part of La Rioja.
This small part of the Basque Country is renowned for its vineyards (and, secondarily, its megaliths). You can visit numerous wineries and estates along the "Wine Route," which covers this part of the Basque Country and part of La Rioja.
Worth a look / Other
Bilbao
★★ The largest Basque city and in some ways its economic capital. It offers a charming old town and several museums, including the famous…
Hondarribia
★★ Opposite Hendaye (France), this seaside resort is also an ancient town with a very pretty historic centre.
Basque Mountains
★★ This is a medium-altitude range, not exceeding 1,600 m, wedged between the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains. The area is quite scenic…
San Sebastián
★★ Nestled in its bay, this is a major seaside resort on the Atlantic coast. The city also boasts a very pretty old town, pleasant and…
Vitoria-Gasteiz
★★ The capital of Spanish Basque Country. It has a charming partly medieval centre and several museums.
Zarautz
★★ West of San Sebastian, this is a major seaside resort known for its vast beach and surfing. It also boasts a charming urban center and…
Bermeo
★ A large fishing port northeast of Bilbao, known for its rugged coastline and historic buildings. A great surf spot nearby in Mundaka.
Getaria
★ A charming fishing village near Zarautz, also known for its seafood restaurants.
Getxo
★ Opposite Portugalete, to which it is connected by the Biscay Bridge (UNESCO World Heritage), Getxo is a residential suburb of Bilbao with a…
Guernica
★ The small town east of Bilbao is known for being destroyed in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War and inspiring one of Picasso’s most…
Irun
★ A border town with France whose main activity, besides serving as a railway hub, is the cheaper sale of alcohol and tobacco to French…
Labraza
★ A charming ancient hamlet in the Rioja Alavesa region of the Basque Country. It is part of the municipality of Oyón-Oion.
Lekeitio
★ A small seaside and fishing town on the Basque coast, also home to a beautiful basilica.
Biscay Bridge
★ This transporter bridge, built between 1888 and 1893, connects Portugalete to Getxo. It is the largest operational transporter bridge in…
Portugalete
★ This town in the suburbs of Bilbao is best known for the Vizcaya Bridge, a UNESCO-listed site that connects it to its neighbor Getxo across…
Álava Rioja
★ This small part of the Basque Country is renowned for its vineyards (and, secondarily, its megaliths). You can visit numerous wineries and…
Loyola Sanctuary
★ This is a vast monumental and religious complex dedicated to Ignatius of Loyola in his hometown of Azpeitia.
Valmaseda
★ The oldest of the Basque towns is surrounded by mountains and can serve as a base for exploring the surrounding area. It has a medieval old…
Zumaia
★ Another seaside resort on the Basque coast with beautiful cliffs in the surrounding area.