Drive through the Spanish Basque Country, and you’ll fall in love with its wind-swept Cantabrian coastline, enchanting countryside villages, and colorful fishing towns. Also known as Pais Vasco in Spanish, or Euskal Herria in euskera (Basque language), Basque Country is not only known for its awe-inspiring destinations but also for its cultural hidden gems. Basque Country treasures like its award-winning gastronomy, its distinctive alcoholic drinks, and unusual euskadi sports make this region unique. Once you visit, you’ll crave more of that northern Spanish spirit. Read on to learn about Spain’s beautiful Basque Country.
Discover Northern Spain’s Cultural Hidden Gems: Basque Country
Before we begin, it’s important to know that the Basque region is divided into two main parts: the Northern Basque Country, located entirely within France, and the Southern Basque Country, which is in Spain’s autonomous communities of Basque Country and Navarra. Today, we’re talking about the Spanish autonomous community of the beautiful Basque Country. Read on!
The Basque language sounds strange but has a fascinating history.
The Basque Country is in the western Pyrenees, bordering France and the Cantabrian Sea. Its sheltered location has insulated its people for centuries, preserving their Basque culture.
It’s why their Basque language, Euskera, is not related to any European language and bears no resemblance to any other language. It even has its own alphabet and typeface. Euskera is a symbol of Basque heritage and fosters a sense of Basque nationalism and pride. Luckily, when you visit, you’ll see signs in Spanish as well!
The Basques know how to throw a festival.
The Tamborrada is a loud and massive drum festival of over 15,000 Donostiarras (the people of San Sebastian) who dress in costume and beat their drums. It dates to Napoleon’s army, when the Basque women mocked the French troops who had drummed around the city.
In August, San Sebastian celebrates the 7-day Aste Nagusia Festival (“Big Week”), kicking off the anticipated festivities with a dramatic cannon shot from the city hall. The week continues with a spectacular international fireworks contest, Basque sports competitions, parades of big-heads and giants, and lively concerts.
In Vitoria-Gasteiz, locals celebrate the peculiar Festival of La Blanca, which starts when Celedón, a character based on a real man named Juan Celedonio de Anzola, descends on the Virgin Blanca Square. Like the Aste Nagusia Festival, locals celebrate with fireworks, concerts, and sports competitions, as well as the cuadrillas de blusas, groups of men who wear traditional Basque clothes and compete in games and parades.
Modern Basques hold unusual physical competitions.
The Basques have a strong farming and fishing heritage, and early daily chores have led to small contests, that have grown into larger competitions. Today, some villages hold 18 rural sports competitions like wood chopping, bale lifting, or stone throwing.
Its most unique sport is pelota, a high-energy court sport in which players use their hands, a racquet, or a wooden bat to hit a ball against a fronton, or a wall. Its origins date back to ancient Greece. Today, there is a quadrennial world championship for pelota, which is one of the fastest sports in the world.
The Basques have rich food customs and traditions.
Food is an integral part of the Basque lifestyle. To start, Basque cuisine is characterized by using the freshest local ingredients, from succulent seafood sourced from the Cantabrian Sea to flavorful vegetables and tender meats from the lush countryside.
A huge part of Basque eating rituals includes pintxos. These are small, bite-sized appetizers served on toothpicks, and having them is a fun food custom designed for gathering people together. When visiting the Basque Country, try txikiteo (a pintxo crawl), which means visiting one pintxos bar after another. Traditional pintxos include gilda (anchovy, olive, and pickled pepper) or boquerones, marinated anchovies from the Bay of Biscay, some of the most delectable in the world.
While Basque cuisine firmly grasps on to its traditions, it also embraces culinary creativity. Foodies flock to the many Michelin-starred restaurants like Arzak, Asador Etxebarri, and Martin Berasategui, which have earned international acclaim for their culinary innovation and excellence. In fact, Basque Country is home to the second-most Michelin-starred restaurants per capita.
Basque alcoholic drinks also have unique flavors and rituals.
When in Basque Country, txikitear (having a few small drinks and pintxos) is a must. Where to start?
Try txakoli, a dry and slightly acidic Basque wine made from indigenous grape varieties such as Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza. Crisp and slightly effervescent, txakoli is served by pouring the wine from a height into the glass, creating an interesting and fun wine-drinking experience!
Or, taste some exquisite wine from Rioja Alavesa, the Álava wine region nestled within the Basque Country and home to about 200 vineyards and wineries. Rioja Alavesa’s unique terroir, with its high-altitude vineyards, distinct soil, and cooler climate, produces unique wines with character, balanced acidity, and vibrant colors unlike any other part of the world. Known for its red and white wines, Álava’s most dominant grape variety is the Tempranillo, considered the best red wine quality grapes in the world.
Visit one of the Basque cider houses, known as sagardotegiak, where you can taste tangy, rich Basque cider made from locally grown apples and naturally fermented in oak barrels. When visiting a sagardotegiak, you can witness the cider spraying out of the barrel, resulting in tartness and effervescence. The best time to visit is from January to April. You can gather with other guests, taste some traditional Basque bites, and enjoy the cider-spraying ritual!
The Basque Country has captivating cities.
San Sebastian (Donostia)
A splendid city by the sea, San Sebastián is dotted with Belle Époque-style buildings like the iconic Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the stately City Hall. Get to know Basque history and modern culture at the stunning San Telmo Museum, housed in a former Dominican convent. Relax at La Concha Beach to luxuriate under the sun or stroll along its picturesque promenade. Visit the green historic hill, Mount Urgull, which was a military fortress and is the perfect lookout point for the sea and city. The ubiquitous pintxo is said to have been born in San Sebastian, so explore one of the many pintxos bars in the Old Part of Donostia.
Bilbao
Bilbao, the largest city in Basque Country, is the artistic center of the region, with its centerpiece being the curvy Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry. Enter the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, where you can admire 12th-century to modern paintings by masters like El Greco, Goya, Picasso, Dalí and Bacon. Bilbao’s Casco Viejo (Old Town) boasts the Gothic 14th-century Bilbao Cathedral. Or, shop at the Mercado de la Ribera, the largest covered market in Europe.
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Tucked inland is Vitoria-Gasteiz, the beautiful green city, which received the European Green Capital title in 2012. The capital of the Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz, has an almond-shaped medieval quarter that dates back to the 12th century, where you can admire the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Vitoria, a Gothic masterpiece. You can also visit the Church of San Vicente Mártir, a Romanesque church with paintings and sculptures. Explore the Artium Museum, dedicated to contemporary Basque art, or the Bibat Museum, which combines archaeology and playing cards.
Its seaside towns show off its fisherman culture.
On the northern Spanish coastline, along the Bay of Biscay, are beautiful seaside towns.
Getaria is a small fishing village and the birthplace of Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first man to circumnavigate the globe. Admire the medieval architecture of the town, such as the Church of San Salvador and the Tower of Aldamar. Get incredible views of the sea and the mountains from the Ratón de Getaria, a rocky peninsula that resembles a mouse.
About 45 kilometers from Gateria is Hondarribia, which has a 12th-century walled historic center. Its Old Town delights visitors with its Basque houses with colorful wooden balconies. Recently, it’s gained fame for new chefs on the scene, who’ve studied with chefs Martín Berasategui and Pedro Subijana. Walk around Hondarribia’s Marina Neighborhood, and you’ll find most of the famous restaurants and bars that put this small town on the map. For a quieter experience, head to the beach on the north side of Hondarribia, where calm waters of the Bidasoa River, a natural border between France and Spain, lap on the sand.
Basque countryside villages are quiet and charming.
If you’re yearning for a tranquil town surrounded by open meadows, Pais Vasco has plenty of tiny villages with bucolic charm.
Idiazabal is in the foothills of the Aralar Natural Park. It’s famous for its exquisite farmhouse cheese made from the raw milk of Latxa or Carranza sheep.
Stop by Elorrio, a lovely town in the green valley of the Bizkaia province with the Zumelegi river running through it. Its rich architecture features 250 palaces and the 9th-century Necropolis of Argineta.
Durango, a village with a volatile history of heresy, makes for an afternoon adventure. Marvel at the Gothic Kurutziaga Cross, and the medieval basilica, the Church of Santa Ana of Uríbarri. Strolling down the street of Calle Kurutziaga will give you chills, where more than 100 heretics were burned to death. Nearby, enjoy hiking in Urkiola Natural Park.
FAQs
What is the prettiest town in the Basque Country?
It’s hard to pick just one “prettiest” town because there are so many charming options. You’ve got San Sebastián (Donostia) with its gorgeous beaches and elegant architecture, Bilbao with its mix of modern and historic sights, and Hondarribia with its colorful medieval streets.
What is interesting about the Basque Country?
The Basque Country in Northern Spain is geographically isolated, which has helped preserve its strong Basque heritage and language. The Basque language, or Euskera, is the oldest living language in Europe and has no known relation to any other language. While the Basques consider themselves Spanish, they also take great pride in their Basque identity. This region is a fascinating place to visit for its medieval towns, castles, churches, and museums along the coast and inland. It also has a fertile wine region called Álava.
Who are the Basques descended from?
The Basques are an ethnic group different from the rest of Spain. They are descendants of a mixture of ancient farmers and local hunters who lived in the region of southwest France and northwest Spain known as Euskal Herria. Recent research indicates that the Basques share a common ancestry with the early Iberian farmers who brought agriculture to Europe from the Near East about 7,000 years ago.
Has this blog post piqued your interest in this beautiful region? Do you want to know more about Spain’s other regions? Let us help you create your perfect Basque Country or Spain itinerary for you. Contact us so we can chat!
