Bilbao San Sebastian Vitoria-Gasteiz TOP There are 150 experiences to choose. EXPE They are subjet to change and may be updated. RIEN Therefore, before you choose an experience and CE to find out about prices, schedules and places available, we advise you check the website: www.basquecountrytourism.eus Edition: 4th, may 2017 • Reprint: 2nd, december 2018 • Print run: 8,000 copies • © Government of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Consumer Affairs • Edited by: Eusko Jaurlaritzaren Argitalpen Zerbitzu Nagusia / Servicio Central de Publicaciones del Gobierno Vasco • Translation: On Global • Production: Bell Comunicación • Text and photography: Various authors • Printed by: Mccgraphics, S. Coop. • D.L.: VI-360-2017 Full and/or partial reproduction of the texts, maps and images contained in this catalogue is strictly prohibited without the prior permission of the publisher and the authors. 24 16 32 3840 8 8 Bilbao 16 San Sebastian 24 Vitoria-Gasteiz 32 The Rioja Alavesa 38 Basque Coast 46 Basque Hills and Valleys 46 56 50 Green and Natural 54 Active Nature 56 Cuisine 64 Wine tourism 68 Culture 68 74 Practical info SAN JUAN DE 6 GAZTELUGATXE Gorliz Bakio BIZKAIA BRIDGE Barrika Bermeo URDAIBAI Plentzia 7 5 Mundaka Elantxobe Laredo Sopela Ea Castro Urdiales Zierbena Ibarrangelu Lekeitio Getxo Muskiz Mungia Santurtzi Portugalete Ondarroa MUSEUM BALENCIAGA Mutriku Sestao Sondika Mendata Markina- Larrabetzu Xemein 1 BILBAO 4 GERNIKA-LUMO Elgoibar Eibar AP-8 Mallabia Balmaseda Durango AP-68 Ermua Laudio-Llodio Areatza Abadiño Orozko Atxondo Bergara Artziniega Arrasate/Mondragón Amurrio Oñati Otxandio AP-1 Orduña Arantzazu Murgia Ullibarri AP-68 Mendixur Lalastra Estibaliz Villanañe 3 VITORIA-GASTEIZ A-1 Armentia Alegría-Dulantzi Lapuebla Valle Salado de Arganzón Maestu Antoñana Miranda de Ebro Urturi Salinillas de Buradón Lagrán Bernedo Labastida Elvillar Haro LAGUARDIA Labraza 10 AP-68 Elciego Oion LOGROÑO Biarritz There are many reasons why San Juan de Luz Basque Country is an essential Hondarribia Hendaya destination. That's why we want 2 San Sebastian Irún to show you a small selection Ondarroa MUSEUM Pasaia Lezo BALENCIAGA Renteria of things you can't miss. Apart Mutriku Zarautz Zumaia Getaria Oiartzun Valley from these, there are myriad Deba Orio 8 Astigarraga attractions that will enchant Lasarte Hernani you. Time will tell. Elgoibar Andoain Eibar LOIOLA 9 Azpeitia Villabona Ermua Azkoitia Tolosa The essentials Bergara 10 Zumarraga things you can’t miss Arrasate/Mondragón Ordizia from the Legazpi Oñati Beasain Basque Country Arantzazu 1 6 San Juan de Bilbao Gaztelugatxe to Pamplona A-1 Salvatierra/Agurain 2 7 Alegría-Dulantzi San Sebastian Urdaibai Maestu 3 8 Vitoria- Balenciaga Antoñana Gasteiz Museum Santa Cruz de Campezo Urturi 4 9 Assembly Sanctuary House of Loiola of Gernika Labraza 5 10 Oion Bizkaia Laguardia Bridge LOGROÑO THE BASQUE COUNTRY industrial and agricultural character, always diverse and enterprising, has ideal to enjoy been bred. And if you find the coastal and inland in short stages villages interesting, you will be no less fascinated by the three capitals. Bilbao will surprise you with its transformation from an industrial city to an avant-garde here's no room for more. deeply rooted customs, a rich culture, metropolis bringing together the great Because it's hard to find so traditional sports... contemporary international architects. many stunning places so close San Sebastian, exquisite and unique, will To better understand the nature of these to one another. The Basque seduce you with its beautiful and stately people it is important that you immerse Country is the ideal place to enjoy setting. Vitoria-Gasteiz will show you its yourself in its traditions, exploring numerous attractions in a short space of rich heritage and why it sets a worldwide t the fishing ports and the life of the time: varied landscapes, pleasant climate, benchmark in urban planning. countryside... ancient culture, world cuisine... Eating and drinking well is an affordable On the coast you will see how the Two colours will accompany you on luxury in the Basque Country: local Cantabrian Sea has marked the your journey through the Basque seasonal products in 'pintxo' form with personality of the neighbouring villages. Country: the green of the incomparable a good wine from the Rioja Alavesa, You will also notice the difference setting of its mountains and valleys, and txakoli or cider. You will be in gourmet between their inhabitants and the inland the blue of the sea. paradise! people. You will see that the Basque people Enjoy! Experiment, observe, then give If you explore the history of the have strong links with these natural way to the passion of taste. environments: land and sea. Both outstanding figures who have marked have been determining factors in a the personality of these communities www.basquecountrytourism.eus lifestyle revealed by their idiosyncrasies: you will discover how their maritime, San Juan de 6 Gaztelugatxe Urdaibai Elantxobe Getxo Lekeitio Bizkaia Oma Balenciaga Bridge 55’ 7 Museum 25’ Assembly 5 55’ House of 15’ 4 Gernika 1h 10’ 8 Pozalagua 35’ 2 1h 25’ Encartaciones 30’ 1 San Sebastian Bilbao 60’ from Loizaga Tower 9 35’ Durango Sanctuary of Loiola Elorrio 45’ 45’ BILBAO Gorbeia Urkiola 1h 10’ Orduña 1h 45’ 3 Vitoria-Gasteiz Valle Salado 10 45’ Estimated time by car Laguardia San Juan de Gaztelugatxe 6 Urdaibai 1h 50’ Balenciaga Bizkaia Museum Pasaia Hondarribia Bridge 7 1h 40’ 30’ 5 30’ Assembly Geopark 8 House of Zarautz 15’ 4 1h 25’ San Sebastian Gernika 2 1h 25’ Pagoeta 1 50’ 30’ Astigarraga Bilbao Ezkio-Itsaso 9 Tolosa Oñati Legazpi Sanctuary Goierri of Loiola Arantzazu from 1h 35’ Aizkorri- AratzSan Sebastian 3 Aralar 45’ Vitoria-Gasteiz Valle Salado 60’ 45’ Estimated time by car 10 Laguardia San Juan de Gaztelugatxe 6 Urdaibai Balenciaga Bizkaia Museum Bridge 7 5 8 1h 45’ Assembly 15’ 4 House of 2 Gernika Sanctuary 1 of Loiola San Sebastian Bilbao 1h 45’ 9 1h 15’ 45’ 1h 30’ 1h 35’ Gorbeia Quejana 1h 10’ Aizkorri-Aratz Vitoria-Gasteiz 3 from 45’ Valderejo Valle Salado 60’ VITORIA-GASTEIZ Izki 10 Laguardia 45’ Estimated time by car Elciego 7 PENSA IS BL D E N I 1 The leading lights of the new Bilbao are the world-famous architects who have left their mark on its spectacular buildings Bilbao a city of design centred on the GUGGENHEIM BILBAO MUSEUM GUGGENHEIM 8 THE BASQUE COUNTRY BILBAO f any city is a benchmark for tourists it is unquestionably Bilbao. You will be surprised by FOSTERITO its conversion from an industrial centre into a model city designed for living. Everything began with the “Fosteritos” is the name affectionately Guggenheim Bilbao. Neither Frank Gehry's given to the unique street-level subway stunning architecture nor the varied art entrances. Take a trip on it. Philippe gallery with its incomparable display Starck will also take you by surprise with of contemporary art will leave you La Alhóndiga (the Cornhouse), once a indifferent. wine warehouse and now a multicultural centre. PUPPY You can take a break in a lovely green space surrounded by design... the Avenida de Abandoibarra, a lively venue where tourists mix with the local people to share a pleasant moment. Take the chance to visit the Bellas Artes Museum LA ALHONDIGA (Art Gallery) with its collection of El Greco, Sorolla, Gauguin and Zurbarán among many others. On El Ensanche avant-garde buildings Bilbao has opted for coexist with the elegance of those The international projection of Bilbao erected by the new bourgeoisie: the provoked by the "Guggenheim effect" is design as the basis of its modernist La Concordia Station, the unquestionable. You will find its mascot, Palacio de la Diputación (provincial Puppy, the floral dog by Jeff Koons, renovation as a city Council building) in the Gran Vía, the guarding the building. A snapshot with superb Café Iruña next to the Jardines The Torre Iberdrola by César Pelli, the the faithful watchdog is a must. de Albia, and the Teatro Campos Elíseos, highest in the Basque Country, and the among others. But the change goes much deeper than Torres Isozaki also figure among these an iconic building: the result is a city signature works. Don't miss the chance On Abando, Gran Vía, Indautxu and the Old Quarter you can immerse yourself in that has reinvented itself... Starting with to cross the Santiago Calatrava bridge the modern Bilbao shopping experience the metro, where Sir Norman Foster opposite, the Zubizuri. Another of his known for its elegance, quality and combines architecture and engineering masterpieces is the airport terminal, international fashion houses. to masterly effect. known as La Paloma (the Dove), due to its resemblance to a bird about to take www.bilbaoturismo.net flight. 9 a young heart beats in the CASCO VIEJO If the Guggenheim Bilbao surprised you, get ready for the special charm of the Casco Viejo. You will see how much it is loved by the local people. This is the Bilbao that was born around the Ría (estuary) in 1300. Today, the ancient heart SANTIAGO CATHEDRAL of Bilbao is still full of life PLAZA NUEVA 10 THE BASQUE COUNTRY BILBAO he Casco Viejo originated in its famous 7 streets: Somera, Artecalle, Tende- ría, Belosticalle, Carnicería Vieja, Barrencalle and Bar- rencalle Barrena. "Txikitear" (having a few wines) in these streets is a must. You will encounter a universe imbued with a special atmos- phere: that of the "pintxos". t ARRIAGA THEATRE TXIKITEO the customs of the townspeople... Did you Bilbao, the church of San Antón, with the know that it is Europe's largest covered ancient ruins forming its foundations, market? the Neo-baroque Teatro Arriaga, the Arenal gardens or the Archaeological Museum, that will take you back more than 100,000 Bilbao is affectionately years, are only a few of them.