The 63 most beautiful villages in Euskadi.

The most beautiful villages of Euskadi, planning and information.

Laguardia: In a high, lonely, protected by a great wall, located over hundreds of subway cellars, surrounded by thousands of vineyards, we find one of the most beautiful villages of Euskadi, Laguardia. A visit to this Basque village is simply a must on any trip to Euskadi. We recommend a formula that never fails: winery visit + winery visit + local gastronomy = supernatural experience.

LabastidaAlso known by its Basque name, Bastida, this village in Alava follows the same line of Laguardia, stately houses, rural environment and centenary wineries, a fusion that never fails. We recommend you to enjoy the Ronda, a historical tradition that the people of Alava enjoy among bonfires, zurrakapote and chestnuts.

Elciego: Known worldwide for housing the Marqués de Riscal winery, designed by Fran Gerhy (architect of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao), this village has traveled around the world in the form of thousands of photos and postcards. Of course, Elciego is much more than just a winery. In the upper part, in front of the striking building that houses the Marqués de Riscal hotel, we find again a small labyrinth of historic streets and squares that remind us of those we visit in towns like Labastida or Laguardia, stone, silent, quiet.

Salinas de Añana: The salt mines of Añana, together with those of Leintz Gatzaga, are one of the most important salt mines in the Basque Country. The village, located in front of the salt mines, gives us a beautiful labyrinth of streets, which, formed on the town hall, invite us to walk. In this same village, a family of salt workers offers us the possibility of getting to know their village and salt pans by Segway, Saltway, an attractive and modern experience that takes us through all kinds of surfaces.

LanciegoTaking the olive press as a reference and the oil produced by its inhabitants, Arrolan, as a magic potion, we enter a small village where the culture of wine and oil is much more than a way of life.

Murgia: Although this urban center does not have as many architectural jewels as the previous ones, its environment, located in the Gorbeia Natural Park, gives us a strategic location for all people who want to enjoy the beauty that nature offers us. It is here, in Gorbeia, where we enjoy great experiences such as the Berrea, the rutting season of the deer or active tourism.

Iruña de Oca: Represented by jewels such as the Botanical Garden of Santa Catalina or the trespuentes bridge, this small town in Alava invites us to visit it at any time of the year. You will not be disappointed.

Berganzo: The water route of Berganzo is one of those unknown spaces, an unpolished diamond, not shown to the public. And is that, the protagonist of this small town, is none other than a path that leads us to know some really authentic places. A recommended plan for the whole family.

Moreda: Small and rural, this Basque village keeps another of the few trujales that we have in Euskadi. Visits to the trujal are FREE. A small attraction with which its inhabitants try to make known this way of life that was expelled by the profitability of grapes and wine.

The essence and way of life of the villages of Alava differ greatly from what we find in the rest of the provinces of the Basque Country. Among all its characteristics we highlight the silence that can be heard in its streets in low season, an anti-stress method, which gives the most beautiful villages of Euskadi an extra attraction.

OtxandioOtxandio: This town located in the muga (border in Basque) between Araba and Bizkaia, invites us to know its history through the Andikona square, where the fatal bombing that the fascist troops carried out on the municipality is remembered. In the historic center, the church, the fronton and the town hall gain prominence, which, surrounded by stone houses, create a beautiful urban mosaic. In its surroundings, we find the Urkiola Natural Park, a whole world of options for people who love nature and active tourism.

Lekeitio: Lekeitio is one of the most beautiful fishing villages of the Basque coast, one of those urban centers where the magic of the environment accompanies the charm of its buildings. The beaches, the cliffs and the island of San Nicolás, enchant the sight of all the people who look at the horizon from any place of this magnificent Basque municipality.

MundakaIts left wave and the peninsula of Santa Katalina are a beautiful representation of this town located in the heart of the Urdaibai reserve. Mundaka is famous for surfing, but the environment in which it is located and its curious and charming port are the elements that really make the visitor fall in love.

BermeoThis Basque village, former home of whale fishermen, is nowadays shelter of some of the most important canneries of Bizkaia. The colorful houses surrounding the port, the views from the watchtower or its many small beaches are some of the attractions of this urban center that lives facing the sea.

Elantxobe: Once upon a time there was a village on a cliff, an urban center, which literally falls into the sea. A marvel. The vertiginous streets, the mechanism for the buses to turn around, the port and Ogoño, are some of the elements that most attract the attention of those who come to this village of Euskadi.

Balmaseda: Famous for its putxeras, its bridge and architecture, Balmaseda is one of the most visited Basque towns during Holy Week, and its living passion brings together thousands of people, who, called by the interpretation that takes place in its streets and squares, crowd this Biscayan town.

Getxo: One of the towns with more tourist attractions per square meter of all Euskadi. The mill of Aixerrota, the cruise port of Bilbao, the old port of Algorta, the Bizkaia Bridge, the promenade of the great villas, the Aquarium, its numerous beaches or the cliffs of Punta Galea are sufficient arguments to classify it as one of the most beautiful towns in Euskadi.

Gernika: No representation is needed for Gernika. The bombing suffered at the hands of German, Italian and Franco’s troops marked for life the history of this urban center. Gernika, transmits through its peace museum the right to renounce to forget, to renounce to revenge. A slogan, with which it tries to make known everything that happened in that event without inciting violence. In addition to the peace museum, Gernika has several historic buildings such as the Casa de Juntas, where we find the famous tree of Gernika, a symbol of the freedoms of Euskadi.

Orduña: Inland, located between Araba and Castilla y León, we find one of the most charismatic villages in Bizkaia. The Sierra Salvada, Gorobel Mendilerroa in Basque, is a huge mountain range located between Araba, Bizkaia and Burgos that offers amazing views over Bizkaia and Araba. It is here, where we find the famous Salto del Nervión, the source of the Nervión, one of the rivers that form the Bilbao estuary.

KarrantzaKarrantza: Located on the border with Cantabria, in the interior, we discover a majestic valley in which the nature takes great prominence. To this claim, we must add the fact of finding such attractive spaces as the caves of Pozalagua or karpin, two visits that we recommend you to make.

Bakio: The land of the Txakoli. Bakio has always been the emblem of Biscayan txakoli. Its txakoli gorri, its red txakoli, is known throughout the Basque Country, a curious and unusual wine that attracts hundreds of lovers of good wine. In addition to the wineries, its huge beach, the txakolingunea (the txakoli museum) and its proximity to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe make it a town to take into account in any trip to Bizkaia.

Gorliz: Gorliz beach, wide and quiet, is the prelude to all that awaits us in this coastal town. Behind it, the lighthouse, the canyons and the farm of the deputation surprise us with a nice walking route, bordering the cliffs.

Plentzia: Located on the coast of Bizkaia, next to the neighboring town of Gorliz, Plentzia offers a beautiful old town and a wide beach from which to enjoy any getaway to Euskadi. It is here, where we find one of the few underwater wineries in the world, Crusoe Treasure. Its bottles are located in an artificial reef in the middle of the bay of the same name, which makes its wines spatial, different.

ArmintzaArmintza: Although it is not a village but a neighborhood of the municipality of Lemoiz, this small urban nucleus is very attractive for the travelers who visit us. Its small port accompanied by a great gastronomy, invite us to pass through its surroundings to know each of its txokos.

Sopelana: The Iron Belt and the coast of Sopela, make this enclave in Bizkaia a perfect place from which to enjoy the history and culture of the Basque people while enjoying its cliffs and beaches. An antidote to stress.

Santurtzi: At the mouth of the Bilbao estuary, next to the Abra Bay, we find an old fishing village, Santurtzi. Nowadays, fishing has passed to a second place, but it is still very well represented by the Agurtza interpretation center and the few fishing boats that it keeps inside its port.

Ea: Located in the region of Busturialdea, this small coastal town enchants us with its houses and stone bridges. An urban nucleus that together with its beaches and cliffs makes this small stretch of coast indispensable to visit in the eyes of every tourist.

As you can see, the towns of Bizkaia bring a good number of attractions to this list of the most beautiful towns in Euskadi, which of them do you prefer? Which one has surprised you the most?

Beizama: Located in the heart of Gipuzkoa, this small earthly paradise shows us the charms of the interior from a very special perspective. The baserris (farmhouses in Basque) scattered on the slopes of the mountains adorn the landscape of this Gipuzkoan town where nature is the main protagonist. It is in these landscapes, is where we find the typical palette of green tones of Euskadi, a beautiful picture, in which the txakoli has its small txoko in Urkizahar.

HondarribiaHondarribia: On the border with Iparrade, on the border with the northern Basque Country, separated from Hendaye by the bay of Txingudi, we find one of our favorites, one of the most beautiful villages in the Basque Country. The old fishing district, the marina district, nowadays reconverted into a leisure area, is together with places like the old town, the beach or the higuer lighthouse, one of those places that make this Basque enclave so special.

Getaria: Getaria and its mouse are emblematic of good seafood and good food. The land of Juan Sebastian Elcano awaits us to know its canneries, restaurants and port, all marinated with a good txakoli of the land.

Zumaia: The land of the flysch, of the Geoparkea, of the cliffs. The hermitage of San Telmo, which was the scene of 8 Basque surnames, watches from above a beautiful stretch of the coast of Gipuzkoa, a space where the octopus is the main protagonist. In addition to making known its wonderful natural environment, in Zumaia we also propose to enjoy experiences such as“The great enigma“, an activity through which show visitors the hallmarks of our people, the Basque culture. A very pleasant and nice way to help visitors to get to know us a little better.

Zarautz: The long beach and the txakolis of Zarautz make this Basque town shine with its own light, making more than deserved, its incursion in this list of the most beautiful towns of Euskadi. In addition, the incredible views that surprise us with the natural watchtowers of Talaimendi or Santa Barbara, make the visit to this Basque town win more integers if possible. Surfing, one of the sports that attracts more visitors to our coasts, has in Zarautz a strategic partner, and this town in Gipuzkoa is one of those places where surfing is lived intensely.

Mutriku: This fishing village makes us fall in love again with its natural pools and vertical streets, while its old town traps us in its old medieval layout.

Astigarraga: The cider mecca of the Basque Country. It is impossible not to know Astigarraga, at least by hearsay. And the fact is that this town, where the apple culture takes center stage, has been the protagonist of many of our articles, the best known and most read, Txotx, opening of the cider season in the Basque Country. Recommended reading.

Oñati: This town, known worldwide for housing the impressive Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aranzazu, is one of the points of our geography that receives more visits during the summer season. Its streets and squares are worth visiting.

Pasaia: The jewel in the crown. Pasaia, is in our humble opinion, the most beautiful town of all those we find in this list, or at least the two districts that form the mouth: San Pedro and San Juan (Pasai Donibane in Basque), two privileged spaces. It is here that we find Albaola, one of the most interesting Basque cultural projects of recent years.

Leintz GatzagaThe salt mines of Léniz in Spanish. The village of white gold. A small and cozy village where the gastronomy, the salt museum and its historic center delight all those who visit it. A highly recommended visit.

AzpeitiaInternationally known for the Sanctuary of Loiola, this town of Gipuzkoa traps us between its streets and mountains. And it is not the first time that, attracted by the good work of their shepherds and the beautiful views that give us the slopes of the Urola Valley, we escape to this small Basque sanctuary. But these are not its only attractions, the Basque Railway Museum joins the list with a powerful collection that enamors the youngest of the house (and not so young) with its streetcars and trains.

Azkoitia: The neighboring town of Azkoitia, has a deep-rooted culture of pelota, a fact to which the frontons of Oteiza pay tribute. These structures faithfully represent the feeling of Azkoitia, a town in which the fronton and pelota are part of its history.

TolosaThe old capital of Gipuzkoa is still as beautiful as ever, its historic center, its fronton, its beans and its txuletas await us to complete an incredible experience in Basque lands. In addition, visits to Topic and Gorrotxategi help us to complete the visit to this charming urban center.

The villages of Gipuzkoa that we have just mentioned are just a small representation of the architectural and natural jewels that we can find both inland and on the coast, we recommend you to visit this province full of little surprises for the visitor.

Burgi: This village in the Navarrese Pyrenees represents the entrance to the Roncal Valley. A small group of streets that together with the Roman bridge, the dam and the almadias gives us a space to enjoy in Navarra.

Otsagabia: The Salazar Valley is home to one of the most beautiful villages in Navarre. An urban set that is considered one of the most important nuclei of the Pyrenees. It is obligatory mention that Otsagabia has one of the accesses to the Irati Forest.

Orbaitzeta: The arms factory and its proximity to the Arpea cave, makes us return to this rural village every time we have the opportunity. Undoubtedly, a highly recommended visit.

Auritz / Burguete: The colorful houses, of popular architecture, give life to this village that is part of the road that leads directly to the border with Iparralde (French Basque Country). The mares that roam its mountains and pastures are another attraction of this beautiful corner of the Pyrenees.

Orreaga / RoncesvallesNext to the pass of Ibañeta we find this small village of worldwide fame. The collegiate church of Roncesvalles, a place that is part of the Camino de Santiago offers us a short and intense guided tour that gives us the opportunity to relive history, where, according to historians, the Basques, hidden behind the vegetation, taking advantage of their knowledge of the terrain, assaulted the troops of Charlemagne, causing the death of important commanders of his army. Among them was Roland, Charlemagne’s nephew.

Olite: Olite, that town that every boy and girl is eager to travel to, occupies a special place in this list. This magical place, captained by the castle (royal palace) and complemented by a visit to the Ochoa Winery, the wine museum of Navarra and the subway galleries of Olite, is one of the towns with the most tourist attractions per square meter of all Navarra.

Navarre holds within it all kinds of spaces, from deserts such as the Bardenas to mountain ranges such as the Pyrenees and crystalline waters such as those of the Urederra, an unusual land where we find places for all tastes and colors.

Hendaye: This is the first village we find when passing the muga (border in Basque), an urban center also known as Hendaya or Hendaye, in Spanish and French respectively. This small town has a wide beach where surfing has a special role, a sandy area accompanied by beautiful colorful houses, the twin rocks (Bizkiak) and the castle of Abaddia, elements that can be appreciated to perfection through the route by Domaine d’Abbadia.

Biarritz: This city was chosen for years by European royalty to spend their vacations, a fact that can be contrasted to perfection walking through its streets and enjoying the incredible buildings built by this social class. The sea is another of the indisputable allies of Biarritz when it comes to attracting people from all over the world, and both its beach and port have a unique, special charm. The Aquarium of Biarritz, is another of those mythical spaces of this coastal nucleus.

Sara: Known by many as the picturesque village where the caves of the same name and the Larrun train are located, this small Basque village is one of the most complete of all those that surround it. A small treasure that is a must to visit.

Ainhoa: The environment of this Basque village is, together with the popular architecture of the French Basque Country, one of the qualities that have made it one of the most visited villages in our territory.

San Juan de Luz: Also known as Donibane Lohizune / Saint Jean de Luz, their respective names in Basque and French, this coastal town is another of the points that attracts more people in summer. Its colorful streets, its beach and its port, are undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions of the area. Ziburu, the village that we find adjacent to San Juan de Luz is another of those places that we recommend you to visit, you can access on foot and it is really worth it. In San Juan de Luz we found several companies that make nautical crossings to know this area of Euskal Herria from the sea, another perspective to keep in our memory.

Ezpeleta: This town, known internationally for its production of peppers, “Ezpeletako Biperrak” in Basque, a fact that, together with the aforementioned popular architecture of the French Basque Country, makes this point of our geography part of the itinerary of many travelers. The balconies full of peppers give a peculiar touch to this urban center, but it is not an isolated fact, and that is how peppers are dried throughout the Basque Country,

Donibane GaraziAlso known as San Juan Pie de Puerto, its name in Spanish. Capital of Behe-Nafarroa and important point of the Way of St. James, this urban center still preserves the walls that once protected its architectural ensemble. We must emphasize the citadel Mendiguren, a structure from which fascinating views of all that surrounds us are obtained.

Iparralde is a place to fall in love with, a place where the small villages take center stage, complementing the visits to the cities, beaches and mountains of this special place.