Eastern Basque Country
Docked just south of San Pedro's ferry landing, this 33-metre-long former fishing vessel once plied the Cantabrian Sea and it now serves as a museum of…
Must-see attractions in Basque Country
San Sebastián
Designed in 1877 by French landscape artist Pierre Ducasse, who also created the Jardines de Miramar, this little park is one of San Sebastián's loveliest…
Eastern Basque Country
French author Victor Hugo spent the summer of 1843 in Pasaia, lodging at this typical 17th-century waterfront house and working on his travelogue En…
Biscay Province
This stubby four-storey tower was originally part of a defensive complex built by the local Salazar family during a period of baronial fighting in the…
The Central Basque Coast
Once a lookout for spotting whales off the coast, this small leafy park has recently been decorated with massive murals depicting the whale hunt. Artists…
The Central Basque Coast
This small museum displays some of the astonishing geological finds in the area, including fossils dating back 120 million years. It gives an eye-opening…
Bilbao
This 16th-century basilica towers over the Casco Viejo from atop a nearby hill. It's mainly Gothic in look, although Renaissance touches, such as the…
Biscay Province
This massive stone structure was built in 1919 as a continuation of Getxo's defensive wall. It's an impressive sight, complete with columns and a…
Basque Country
Vitoria’s cathedral might look old, but in fact it only dates from the early 1970s. There are some impressive, fairly adventurous stained-glass windows…
Biscay Province
The artist Agustín Ibarrola has created an unusual work of art by painting striking designs on a swath of trees inside the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. A…
The Central Basque Coast
On a clifftop 1.8km north of the centre, the working Santa Catalina lighthouse has an adjacent interpretation centre that gives a lively overview of…
Bilbao
Forming the heart of Bilbao's Casco Viejo are seven streets known as the Siete Calles (Zazpi Kaleak in Basque). These dark, atmospheric lanes – Barrenkale…
Bilbao
Towering above all in the Casco Viejo (although strangely invisible in the narrow streets) is the Catedral de Santiago, which has a vaulted cloister and…
The Central Basque Coast
The Urdaibai estuary snakes north of Gernika to kiss the sea at Mundaka, covering around 220 sq km of constantly evolving water flows, mud banks, marshes…
The Central Basque Coast
A small museum tucked a few blocks from the river, Algorri gives an overview of the geological wonders at Zumaia's back door. Audiovisual displays chart…
The Central Basque Coast
This museum explores the development of photography and moving pictures. Start up on the 4th floor and work your way downstairs, taking in displays on…
Basque Country
The portentous Santuario de Loyola is dedicated to St Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order. Its domed basilica, laden with grey marble and carved…
Ermita de San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
The Central Basque Coast
A few kilometres beyond Bermeo, this historic chapel is perched high atop the islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, which is connected to the mainland by a…
Basque Country
Located 5.5km southwest of Oñati, this cavern system has numerous slow-growing stalagmites and stalactites. Visits are by guided tour and take you through…
Museo de Arte e Historia de Zarautz
The Central Basque Coast
Set in a 15th-century belltower – the oldest building in Zarautz – this small museum highlights a bit of the region's art and archaeology. Human skeletons…
Biscay Province
Housed in the beautiful 18th-century Palacio de Montefuerte, this museum contains a comprehensive overview of Basque history, with old maps, engravings…
Biscay Province
In the El Abra port complex, Getxo's tiny aquarium showcases marine flora and fauna from the Atlantic Ocean and warmer tropical waters. There are 25…
Bilbao
Bilbao's modern football stadium, home of local team Athletic Bilbao, overlooks the river to the west of the city centre. Opened in 2013, it has a…
Basílica de la Asunción de Santa María
The Central Basque Coast
Looming high over the old centre, this grand late-Gothic church, complete with flying buttresses topped with pinnacles, offers a vision of grandeur…
Parque de los Pueblos de Europa
Biscay Province
The Parque de los Pueblos de Europa contains a typically curvaceous sculpture by Henry Moore and a monumental work by renowned Basque sculptor Eduardo…
Biscay Province
Learn about Portugalete's industrial history at this small waterfront museum. Displays, which include paintings, models and machinery parts, chart the…
Parte Vieja
Lording it over the Parte Vieja, this striking church is thought to be the oldest building in San Sebastián. Its origins date to the 12th century, but it…
Hondarribia
It's a hefty hike from Hondarribia – a 4km walk uphill – but the Ermita de Guadalupe is well worth the effort it takes to reach it (you can also drive)…
Bilbao
The most striking of the modern bridges that span the Ría del Nervión, the Zubizuri (Basque for 'White Bridge') has become an iconic feature of Bilbao's…
Parte Vieja
Inside the grounds of the Castillo de la Mota is this small museum focusing on the city’s history. It has audiovisual exhibits that touch on San Sebastián…
Hondarribia
Just across the river from Hondarribia lies the pretty French town of Hendaye, linked by a regular passenger ferry. Apart from nibbling on perfectly flaky…
San Sebastián
Set in a grand neoclassical building dating from the 1890s, this cultural centre has a packed line-up of art exhibitions, book launches, discussions and…
Hondarribia
Monte Jaizkibel is a giant slab of rock sitting at 547m that acts as a defensive wall, protecting the inland towns and fields from the angry, invading…
Parte Vieja
Lying 750m offshore from Playa de la Concha, this little island is accessible by Motoras de la Isla boats that run every half-hour from the fishing port…
Biscay Province
At the foot of Portugalete's medieval centre, this cobbled square makes for a fine photo with its handsome 19th-century buildings and august monument to…
Basque Country
A wonderful covered market that has all the fruits, vegetables, wines, breads, desserts and other ingredients for a memorable feast. If you're not self…
Catedral del Buen Pastor de San Sebastián
San Sebastián
The dominant building of the new town is the city cathedral, overlooking a busy plaza. Built from slate and sandstone quarried from Monte Igueldo, the…
Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción
Hondarribia
Construction of the Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción began in the 15th century, but works weren't completed until the 18th. This has left it with…
Basque Country
Located 2km north of Laguardia, the 2001-opened Bodegas Ysios was designed by Santiago Calatrava as a ‘temple dedicated to wine’. It features an aluminium…
Bilbao
The main square of the old town, Plaza Nueva is lined with pintxos bars tucked inside the arch-lined colonnades. The neoclassical square opened in 1851…
