5 excursions in the Basque Country to get to know the authentic Basque culture.

Discover the excursions in the Basque Country that best show the culture and history of the Basque people.

 

The excursions in the Basque Country that we propose today, have a great load of culture and history. A series of experiences, which, designed with love and passion, invite us to know the best kept secrets of the Basque people. The 3 axes that articulate tourism in Euskadi (culture, history and gastronomy) are very present in each of the excursions that we recommend. Moreover, all of them are built around the apple culture, around the great Basque cider. Undoubtedly, one of the most unique, deeply rooted and demanded wines of our land. A historical drink of Euskal Herria that combines wonderfully with the traditional cider house menu. This gastronomic experience is included in all the excursions that we recommend today. A nice way to check the strengths of the Basque gastronomy while enjoying breathtaking spaces. Remember that Basque cider houses offer the possibility of tasting their own wines through the famous Txotx! ritual, a unique experience that allows diners to enjoy the cider directly from the kupela (barrel in Basque). The secret of the success of these excursions in the Basque Country lies in the fusion of authentic, unique and very Basque spaces. Experiences of quality, that bet for the added value that grants the fact of being able to know one of the few pre-Indo-European cultures existing today. The places where these experiences take place are old acquaintances, such as Albaola or Geoparkea. Spaces that, if in themselves already create an incredible expectation, together they end up falling in love with all those who visit them. In other words, culture, history and Basque gastronomy in a single excursion. Unique experiences.

The 5 excursions of the Basque Country that we have selected, are responsible for showing the customs that keeps the interior and the coast of Euskadi in a close and attractive way. The experiences that we show you below are part of the catalog of guaranteed experiences of Sagardoa Route. A company that, taking the roots of the Basque people as a road map, offers tourist services throughout the Basque Country. Sagardoa Route promotes the enhancement of Basque culture through regular excursions and 100% personalized experiences. In our case, we wanted to focus on those services that guarantee the experience regardless of the number of people we are or the time of year in which we are. That is to say, in the guaranteed experiences. Here are the 5 experiences that have caught our attention the most.

 

Cider houses are one of the places that people who visit us tend to like the most. It is not surprising. Although many of the people who visit Basque cider houses are attracted by that great steak, all of them end up totally in love with the landscape, the culture and the history that is hidden behind every sip of cider. This gastronomic experience is perfectly complemented with a guided visit to the cider cellar facilities. A unique opportunity to learn about the path that the apple takes from the moment it leaves the tree until it reaches our palate. The rural environment that surrounds the Basque cider makers is another of the many points in favor of this experience, a beautiful landscape to enjoy the great palette of green tones that we have in Euskadi.

Basque cider houses are mostly old farmhouses that have been renovated. Farms and livestock farms, which, managed by Basque families, invite us to know the daily life of our producers. Gastronomy has a special place in this activity thanks to the traditional cider house menu that we have the opportunity to taste. An authentic experience that, as we show you in the following lines, can be complemented with many others.

 

One of the most important cultural projects of Euskadi could not be missing in our list of excursions in the Basque Country. Albaola is the name given to the project that includes the construction of the replica of the historic 16th century whaler Nao San Juan. A ship that ploughed the waters of half the world before reaching its destination, the Bay of Red Bay, Canada. It was here, at a depth of 10 meters, immersed in freezing waters, that the wreck of this Basque whaler was found. After studying these marine remains for more than 10 years, an alliance has been formed between Canada and Albaola to meticulously build, in a handcrafted manner, what is undoubtedly the best replica in history.

The most interesting thing about this project is that the construction of this ship is being done with the same raw materials and tools that were used in the sixteenth century, a real adventure. A living, dynamic and interesting museum, which complemented with a good cider house menu, is presented to us as one of those plans that can not be missed. At that time, the 16th century, most of the cider produced in our farmhouses was destined for the Basque fleet. Did you know that the official drink of the sailors at that time was cider? According to experts, each sailor drank an average of 3 liters of cider a day. Almost nothing. A drink rich in vitamin C that turned out to be the best ally against diseases such as scurvy. The fusion of Albaola and the traditional ritual of the Txotx, once again provide this experience with that beautiful portion of history, culture and history that we have been anticipating. The Nao San Juan returns home, back to Pasaia. This time, to set sail as one of the most exemplary and international cultural projects of the moment. Are you going to miss it?

 

Cheese and cider, 2 of the most international gastronomic products of Euskadi, merge in this tour of the Basque Country in an attractive and educational way. 2 delicatessen, that we will have the option to taste during the approximately 6 hours that this tourist service lasts. But it is not the only attraction of this experience, and is that the guided tours that we will enjoy will take us to discover everything that surrounds the day to day of the cheese and cider factories of Euskadi. The herd and the apple trees, the vat and the press, the milk and the juice or the cheese and the cider, are some of the elements that will guide us during this activity.

The green of our mountains is once again the protagonist. The experiences that make up this excursion take us to a rural environment of great natural wealth. Forests, meadows and mountains await us. It is time to get to know the ancestral Basque traditions, those that have given so much joy to the Basque gastronomy. The shepherds and the cider makers open the doors of their houses for us to know all the ins and outs of their trades. If you love Basque gastronomy and culture, this is the excursion you have been waiting for.

 

The setting for this experience, the geopark of the Basque coast, Geoparkea, is one of the most beautiful areas of the Cantabrian coast. Its cliffs, shaped by the sea and the wind, keep inside the history of the earth. A small natural encyclopedia, which, written in the different layers of stone that are presented before us, call the attention of all the people who visit it. This place delimited by the Cantabrian Sea and the mountains of the interior, is an object of desire. A small earthly paradise, that Sagardoa Route wants to show to all the people who visit us.

Geology and cider merge in this space that many of you will identify as one of the scenarios where successful productions such as 8 Basque surnames or Game of Thrones were filmed. The latter, one of the most successful series of the last decades, has unleashed a real landing of travelers from half the world in Euskadi. A fact that has turned places like Zumaia into a symbol for fans of this series. A place of pilgrimage along with the other scenes of Game of Thrones(San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Barrika). If you are attracted by cliffs, beaches and the sea, this is the excursion in the Basque Country you were looking for. You are sure to love it.

 

The squares and markets of Euskadi represent an emblematic place in each of our towns and cities. In this case, we are invited to visit the Ordizia market, one of the most important in the Basque Country. High quality products, produced and sold by the local producers themselves. It’s time to taste the delicacies offered while we dive into the incredible atmosphere that usually surrounds the Basque markets. If your idea is to take a souvenir back home, it might be time to buy a delicious gastronomic souvenir. A cheese or a bottle of cider might be a good option, don’t you think?

It’s time to mingle among the people and exchange views with producers and buyers while we get to know the historic center of Ordizia. As usual in these excursions in the Basque Country, the visit to the Ordizia market is paired with cider. During this excursion we will have the opportunity to taste the delicious Basque cider while we enjoy a good traditional cider house menu and take a guided tour of the winery.

 

In addition to all the experiences described above, Sagardoa Route offers us the possibility to customize our own adventure in the Basque Country. Of course, this service is on demand. We loved the possibility of paddling in the Orio estuary, one of the most traditional paddling towns on the Cantabrian coast. Can you imagine the whole family or group paddling in unison? During this day we will also visit Arraunetxea, the rowing and canoeing technical center of Orio. In addition, if you are looking for accommodation in Euskadi, it is possible to hire packages that include accommodation, transport and excursions. That is to say, a complete tourist package that will help us to make our stay in Basque lands as easy and comfortable as possible. We recommend that you consult options and rates with those responsible for Sagardoa Route.

 

Sagardoa Route proposed us to know in first person their experiences to be able to value the quality and variety of them. These excursions, guided by great hosts, made us feel proud of everything that surrounds tourism in Euskadi. Quality tourism to make known the history and culture of Euskadi. In addition, the beauty of places like Geoparkea, Albaola or the valleys of the interior, contribute to make these excursions in Euskadi fall in love with all those who enjoy them. We wanted to create a video that summarizes the experiences we have shown you. A small audiovisual, which, in our humble opinion, shows the essence of these excursions through the Basque Country. We hope you like it. We encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube channel, we are sure that one of our videos will show you your next destination.

We must confess that we have fallen in love with the excursions in the Basque Country managed by Sagardoa Route. Undoubtedly one of the best options to get to know the culture and history of the Basque people. Personally, we believe that those of you who enjoy this series of experiences will end up with a smile from ear to ear. Now, you just need to make your choice, what do you like more, the coast or the interior? If you have any questions or suggestions about these experiences in the Basque Country, we recommend that you use the comments of this article to let us know, we will try to respond as soon as possible. Ondo pasa!