Guipuscoa - The hinterland and inland

Let's continue exploring Gipuzkoa by going inland. The coasts are beautiful, but the mid-mountains and the countryside compete in interest for the traveler in search of authenticity and beautiful discoveries!

Map of Guipuzcoa

Mendaro is south of Deba and the river of the same name crosses it. In the Kilimon Valley, it is a pleasant and gourmet place, since it is famous for its chocolate (the Saint-Gerons artisanal chocolate factory)…

Azkoitia and Bergara

Azkoitia is a beautiful, well-preserved village, crossed by the Urola River. Take a stroll to appreciate the beautiful, typically Basque houses and the civil and religious heritage. The town has been inhabited for almost 5,000 years, as evidenced by the dolmens found in the surrounding countryside.

Founded in 1324 on a hill, it was an important city well developed economically thanks to the iron industry and its trade. After the economic crises, the city found a new lease of life thanks to textiles. It is said that the village is the cradle of pelota (Basque), there are pretty pediments with a modern look.

Stroll through Balda Square to see 3 medieval towers. Go to Plaza Nueva, which dates back to the ^19th century, where you can see beautiful houses such as the town hall. You will also see the Basque Gothic parish church and a beautiful portal. Towards the Plaza del País, there is one of the oldest pedestrian areas in the country: Goiko Losa. The city has other beautiful buildings to visit during a walk, such as the Insausti Palace, the Basilica of Saint Joseph... You will also see many contemporary works of art in the city, made by different sculptors.

Not far from Azkoitia there is the town of Azpeitia, where there are 3 museums:

• The Basque Railway Museum, one of the largest museums in Europe on the subject, with nearly 60 vehicles, for the child in you.
• The Ingurugiro Etxea Museum.
• The Holy House and the Tower House of the Loiola/

Dolmen near Azkoitia

The Basque Railway Museum

Bergara (Vergara) is a town of about 15,000 inhabitants, which also prospered with the iron and textile trade. It is the second largest municipality in the province, which apart from its industrial past, was the scene of the end of the 1st Carlist War.

What to do in Bergara? Hiking, because its location is an exceptional spot ! In the middle of the green mountains, you will find several routes, including one that follows the route of an old railway line. In Bergara, we also like to party, so check the festival calendar before you go!

Eibar, Zumarraga and the Aizkorri Natural Park

Eibar is called the gunsmith city, that is to say that it found fame in the manufacture of weapons. Visit the Museum of Industry and Weapons. With the minerals in its subsoil and its forges, it became a commercial city and this is still reflected today in the multitude of shops that can be found there (it is perfect for shopping!). It is a pleasant place for holidays, because it is well located, at the crossroads of a multitude of nature spots and the city itself is pleasant and interesting.

The heritage consists of, among other things:

• The church of San Andres ;
• The Markeskua Palace and other beautiful palaces (Unzueta, Aldatze…);
• Buildings like the town hall;
• The Sanctuary of the Virgen de Arrate, a very beautiful Gothic temple with an adjacent leisure area (hiking, children's area, picnic, etc.).

In Eibar, they like football. The team has a good reputation and there is a stadium where many matches are held.

Eibar

Zumarraga is located at the gateway to the Aizkorri Natural Park. First, take a stroll through the town to see the Euskadi Square and its magnificent arcades. All around are beautiful architectural complexes such as the Town Hall and the Legazpi Tower House, colonizer of the Philippine Islands - listed as a historic monument.

Then, head towards the countryside, a few kilometers away, stop at the cathedral of the hermitages, also classified and which alternates between Romanesque and Gothic styles. Here, it is the starting point for several hikes!

A few kilometres away is Urretxu which has a lovely Bee Museum, as well as another, the Minerals and Fossils Museum. Take a stroll to see the church of San Martín de Tours and its old medieval quarter.

The Legazpi Tower House

The Cathedral of the Hermitages

Tolosa

Tolosa is the old capital of Gipuzkoa. It is only 20 minutes from San Sebastian. In the past, it was a place of passage and trade of great renown. From this past, we remember magnificent buildings, an architectural and historical wealth, which is worth the detour.

The city center, which can be easily explored on foot, is located on the banks of the Oria, the river that crosses the city: this is the old quarter. Pretty little narrow streets, squares, small churches and old buildings... It is a medieval ensemble of great quality. There are also good restaurants there, because Tolosa is a city with a rich culinary tradition, as evidenced by its confectionery museum. Go to the Tolosa market on Saturday morning to feel the heart of the city beating. The market gardeners (look for Tolosa beans, Alubias) and producers (enjoy a rib of beef or Chuleta) in the surrounding area offer their finest products to the locals and onlookers who flock there.

Also take a trip to the Pastelería Eceiza to taste traditional pastries of the region, the Cigarrillos de Tolosa. Children will enjoy going to the Topic Museum, which is an amazing museum where you can see puppets.

Tolosa

The old quarter

Aralar Hiking and Nature Parks

Altzo is known in the Basque Country and beyond thanks to the story of the Giant of Altzo. In the 19th century, Migel Joakin Eleizegi was a resident suffering from gigantism and his body continued to grow until his death. It is said that he measured 2.42m and this peculiarity earned him a life of exhibition throughout Europe. You will see in the town, a statue of this character (who was very real), as well as the farm where he grew up.

Altzo is a double city, there are:

• The lower part which is in the Oria valley. It is a small hamlet. Here there is a mill with a dam in the shape of a boat.
• The upper part which is the most populated, at the top of the hill.

Altzo is a pretty village with breathtaking views and great hiking opportunities.

Statue of the Giant of Alto

Ataun is at the entrance to the Aralar Natural Park and also on the border with Navarre. It is a long village where pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela passed. That is why there are many palaces there, reflecting the economic importance of this crossroads in the past.

Menhir lovers will go and see the one at Saltarri, which is located in a meadow. It has the particularity of being lying down.

The outskirts of the town are full of prehistoric and ancient remains : caves where tools have been found, traces of an ancient Roman road and old sheepfolds.

Ask at the local tourist office, as in season there are interesting tours of the village to understand all this information.

Not far away, Zaldibia is also at the foot of the Aralar Natural Park. The town hall and the old quarter with its beautiful houses of this small town are remarkable. Outside the village is the Larraitz meadow which is the starting point for hikes and transhumance with a picnic area and restaurants. You will taste the " mondejus ", a dish made from local sheep.

Hiking in the natural park

Pottok in the natural park © AdobeStock_Guillaume Louyot

Beasain, Idiazabal and the medieval past

In Beasain there is an interesting place to visit, to understand the feudal life in this region of Goierri and in the whole Basque Country in general.

The monumental complex of Igartza consists of an old palace, a hermitage, forges, the bridge over the small river. The guided tour is very informative.

Beyond this old ensemble, Beasain is a populated, dynamic and interesting city. The food is good. In fact, you can try all kinds of pintxos and black puddings. There are many shopping streets with bars and small shops.

If you need to fill your shopping basket, go to Ordizia, a few kilometers away. Its weekly market on Wednesdays is very qualitative. It dates back to the 11th century and it is this market that sets the prices of raw staple foods throughout the Basque Country.

It is a village with a pretty old quarter and many listed buildings.

Walk up to Oianguren Municipal Park for a beautiful view of the countryside.

A few kilometres further on, you will go to Ormaiztegi to see the viaduct that dates back to 1864. There is also an ethnography museum, the Zumalakarregi Museum, which is very well documented and very educational. We recommend the guided tour.

The monumental ensemble of Igartza

Idiazabal is known for its eponymous cheese that dates back 6,000 years! It is an uncooked pressed paste, made with sheep's milk. Observe its yellow rind, its pale, soft and smooth skin. Its flavor is intense and melting. Its texture is fine and sometimes a little lumpy. But, to learn more and especially to taste it, you must go to the Idiazabal cheese interpretation and tasting center... You will have a guided tour to understand all the manufacturing of this cheese from the region, as well as a tasting moment and a shop. The town of Idiazabal is located in a green setting and surrounded by mountains. There are pretty traditional farms in the surroundings and the central hamlet has beautiful palaces and houses with a noble character.

A few kilometres away is Segura, a town with a medieval character, which has preserved a beautiful listed monumental complex, pleasant to discover. In the Middle Ages, it was one of the most important towns in the entire province of Gipuzkoa, as it was located on a prosperous trade route. Visit the Medieval Interpretation Centre and go to the tourist office, which organises visits to the town.

To continue your discovery of the Basque way of life of yesteryear, why not go to Zerain. This small but interesting village has an educational cultural park. You will be shown a prison, an old sawmill, a mining complex (with demonstrations!!)…

In short, enough to learn a lot of unusual things.

Zegama, Legazpi and Arrasate

When we mention Zegama, mountain trail enthusiasts raise their hands! The Zegama-Aizkorri marathon is 42 km in June since 2000, in the highest mountains of the Basque Country. It is a legendary race with an impressive difference in altitude. Moreover, the wild and magnificent character of the mountain attracts tourism to this small village surrounded by hermitages. At the tourist office, there is the Wood Interpretation Center with tools and more than 170 tree trunks…

Legazpi, returning towards Zumarraga, is a small rural village dating back to the 16th century, which has lived well from its forges. You can visit the Mirandaola foundry which, in the past, was part of a group of 7 forges. If you come on the ^1st Sunday of each month and every Sunday in high season, the bellows of the forge are operated by a mill to show you how the whole thing worked. There is also a museum space to visit Chillida Lantoki, which shows the work of the sculptor Eduardo Chillida.

Mirandaola Foundry © AdobeStock_ txakel

Aretxabaleta is close to the border with Biscay. It is a small rural town, surrounded by mountains.

Nearby is the Urkulu Dam, where a recreational lake is nestled in the hollow of the mountains. You can walk or cycle around the lake. Mountaineers love this area, there is the Kurtzebarri mountain, Mount Muru to climb, among others.

Not far away is the town of Arrasate (or Mondragon), the name of the town comes from a legend of a dragon that intimidated the inhabitants, from Mount Santa Barbara. In any case, today, Mondragon is known for its exemplary business cooperative management. The Mondragon Corporation is the largest business cooperative group in the world.

Stop for half a day in Mondragon to stroll through the old quarters and eat in its great little restaurants !

Why not continue towards Eskoriatza ? There is a small school museum next to the town hall. The town is very small, 2 streets, you won't miss it. There is also a listed pottery kiln, because in Eskoriatza, ceramics were once made.

Urkulu Dam

Oñati, Leintz-Gatzaga

Oñati is a city not to be missed!

Place on your itinerary one of the largest cities in the province, where in the old quarter, all the facades compete to have the favor of your gaze. Palaces, churches ... Architectural jewels like the church of San Miguel, the Plaza de los Fueros, Plaza de Santa Marina, the monastery of Bidaurreta (there are also about fifteen hermitages in the municipal territory)... The University of Sancti Spiritus is a magnificent building in the Renaissance style, it is monumental.

Cave lovers will be happy to visit the large Onati-Arrikrutz Caves which are suitable for the whole family. Children will love wearing a helmet and the guides are passionate about their work.

The city of Oñati

San Miguel Church

San Miguel Church in detail

About ten kilometers away, the curious Sanctuary of Arantzazu and its works of art are high up. It is in the heart of the mountains and the basilica from the 50s contrasts with its modernity with the natural environment. You either like it or not! Enjoy the view on the road leading to the sanctuary.

Leintz-Gatzaga is a town bordered and even surrounded by Alava, completely to the southeast of Gipuzkoa. There are salt pans in this town and this is what justifies its location since the 14th century. You will learn more by visiting the Salt Museum and its copper extraction boilers. These are the real production facilities that you will visit. This economic and industrial activity brought prosperity to the town, since before refrigerators, most foodstuffs were preserved with salt! It is also an essential element for life, a mineral that ensures good health.

Stroll through the city center, take the steep alleys and the Royal Way. There are 3 access doors to see (out of the initial 7) and beautiful buildings to admire. Pass by the fountain of the Source of the Twelve Whites next to the church of San Millán. The Royal Way was built in the 17th century, between the city and the coast. This is how a great trade route was born! Unfortunately, the strategic position of the city and the presence of this communication route marked its decline. Conflicts broke out in the 18th century, then new communication routes competed with it and the railway line finished it off in the 19th century.

Today, the city derives most of its economic activity from tourism.

Leintz-Gatzaga and its fountain