Elgorriaga Spa, the saltiest waters in Europe.

Relax in the Elgorriaga Spa and enjoy a magnificent spa circuit in the saltiest waters of Europe.

The Balneario Elgorriaga is one of the most striking relaxing complexes in the northwest of Navarre, a hotel and spa, to which the Pyrenean landscapes that surround it give it a special value, a natural charm. We went to this establishment called by its waters and thermal treatments, a service that we have had the luck to enjoy in first person next to its restaurant and hotel.

The Elgorriaga Spa is located in a strategic enclave, at the confluence of the Bidasoa corridor and the Baztan Valley, an area where nature acquires a remarkable importance. The plot of land on which the spa is located contains the saltiest mineral water spring in Europe, a spring in which the water flows between 14 and 16 degrees and which we enjoy in the center of the Elgorriaga complex, in the thermal area. This water is not the only one that crosses Elgorriada and is that the Ezkurra river, a channel that runs through the garden of the spa, we are happy with the whisper of water while serving as a natural connection with the other villages surrounding the town.

The Elgorriaga Spa merges with nature in search of a strategic alliance, a fact, which helps it to attract those people who come to the Navarre Pyrenees in search of a perfect combination, nature and relaxation. Thus, in this establishment we find the possibility of enjoying hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking or other activities between mountains and forests to later relax in its spa circuit, a plan of film.

The thermal waters of the Elgorriaga Spa run through several spaces among which we find massage cabins, saunas, Turkish baths, cold water showers, rain showers, buoyancy pool, solarium, rest gallery and some other relaxing rooms. A very complete spa circuit with little more to ask for. However, we do not think the same of the restaurant and the hotel, two areas where there is still room for improvement and where we hope they will work hard to live up to their stars and price.

The region where Elgorriaga Spa is located, Malerreka, is located next to the Bidasoa and the Baztan Valley, two charming places that provide us with a long list of tourist attractions to visit. Relaxation and enjoying the charms of Euskal Herria, doesn’t sound bad at all, does it?

Having the saltiest waters in Europe and far exceeding the salinity of the Dead Sea, attracts locals and strangers to its thermal circuit, a peculiar and unique feature that we wanted to enjoy firsthand. Surely many of you know the Hotel and Spa Elgorriaga only for this feature.

Location: The village that hosts it and to which it owes its name, Elgorriaga, is the smallest village in the Santesteban Valley. An urban center surrounded by mountains (Askin and Mendaur) and river (Ezkurra) that is just a few minutes drive from the towns of Doneztebe and Ituren, a perfect location to relax in the middle of nature.

The walk through the streets of Elgorriaga is practically obligatory, and, although it can be seen perfectly in just 20 minutes, it is really worth it. The church of San Pedro and its portico, located next to the road that leads to the spa, attracts the attention of everyone who passes by it, some attractions, which together with the medieval bridge with a single eye that we find over the Ezkurra form the most important elements of the heritage of Elgorriaga. The portals, facades and roofs of the houses in this area, perfectly follow the typical architecture of the north of Navarre, where the stone houses, large and stately, join the forests and pastures that we find next to them to give them unique prints, photo.

In the surroundings of Elgorriaga, there are villages such as Elizondo, Ituren, Zubieta or Leitza, villages where the stone and nature mark the steps to follow. We must remember that this point of the geography of Navarre is only 54 kilometers from the capital, Iruña – Pamplona, and 38 kilometers from Hondarribi, a strategic location, which allows us to trace a route through Navarre to reach the Gipuzkoan coast without having to travel long distances along the way. The Elgorriaga Spa is located about 500 meters from the town center, at the exit of the municipality towards Ituren, Leitza, there is no loss or parking problems.

History: Although we are sure that the salt water spring of Elgorriaga has existed since ancient times, the first historical record dates the spring of mineral-medicinal waters of the Spa of Elgorriaga in the mid-nineteenth century. Although it was not until the beginning of the 20th century, when with the boom of the thermal establishments, Elgorriaga joined the prestigious list of medicinal establishments that welcomed the most select Basque families. Unfortunately, in 1955 it had to cease its activity, closing its doors until 2009, when after a long rehabilitation carried out with the help of the Ministry of Public Works, the Government of Navarre and the Town Council of Elgorriaga, it rose again from its ashes. Currently, Elgorriaga is once again keeping its thermal tradition alive thanks to the Sanvirila hotel chain.

How to get there: The only option to get to Elgorriaga is by road, there is no other way. Of course, there are several airports and train stations in the surroundings that we can use as a transfer before using any other means of transport. If we are staying in the Basque Country, the easiest and most comfortable route is usually the one that starts from Irun towards the interior of Navarre, roads N-121 and NA-170, but it is better to check it because in many cases it is not the case.

Spa Circuit: Undoubtedly, the thermal circuit represents the strong point of the Elgorriaga Spa. Thanks to the spring of mineral-medicinal waters and its degree of salinity, this hotel complex has managed to stand out from the rest of establishments of this type that we find in Navarre. And no wonder, according to data that the management company itself publishes on its website as a result of the analyses carried out, the Elgorriaga spring was classified as the spring with the strongest mineralization in the world, with a concentration in water that exceeds 312 grams of salt and 304 grams of chloride per liter, making these waters to be classified as cold chloride-sodium and bromine-iodide waters with strong mineralization. All this is due to the sedimentary soils through which they flow.

The thermal circuit, which lasts approximately 1 hour, provides all kinds of sensations and experiences to our body and mind. In the first section we find a large circular saltwater pool in which we find massage jets, swan necks, swimming against the current, relaxing bubble beds or cold water contrast pool among others, a very complete start, which shows the quality of the rest of the circuit. In addition to the mandatory accessories such as flip-flops, bathrobe (there are 2 in each room) and cap, we also recommend wearing diving goggles (very important), and is that, although there are several faucets and showers where we can clean our eyes, itching is a common nuisance in this type of spas.

The circuit is complemented by contrast showers, Finnish dry sauna, relaxation area, eucalyptus Turkish bath, flotarium (a delight) and other elements that we hope you will discover on your own when enjoying this experience that we recommend.

Gastronomy: One of the weak points of the Hotel Balneario Elgorriaga. Breakfast and lunch, those were our 2 culinary experiences in this establishment, the first passable, acceptable, the second deficient, improvable. The breakfast, buffet style, included in most cases in the accommodation rate, is not far from the rest of the accommodations of its category, but even so, the margin for improvement is clearly visible. As for the food, we found a buffet of little variety and poor quality, better a menu of the day in any other establishment in the area.

Some friends from Ituren had recommended us the restaurants Hilarion (Elgorriaga) or Tresanea (Ituren), but unfortunately our stay coincided with the festivities of Doneztebe and they were both full, without room. In the bar of the Elgorriaga Spa they have a menu of sandwiches, hamburgers and portions that although we did not have the opportunity to try (we arrived at 22:30 and the kitchen was already closed) they looked very good.

Hotel: The different rooms of the hotel, as well as the rooms, modern, innovative and minimalist, are linked together with a great accessibility that allows people with reduced mobility to enjoy each and every corner of the Hotel Balneario Elgorriaga.

The three buildings in which the 60 double rooms and 15 single rooms are located are connected to the rest of the spaces through a curious distribution, although at first it may be a little disconcerting, thanks to the numerous signs scattered throughout the common areas and the indications of the workers, they are very easily internalized.

Although it is the most comfortable option for those who want to enjoy the spa, it is not the best option in terms of quality/price ratio, a ratio that is deteriorated due to its price. As for the attention, nothing to reproach and much to thank, a first class attention.

Attractions of the environment: Elizondo, Leitza, Zubieta or Doneztebe are some of the charming villages surrounding Elgorriaga, urban centers that accompanied by the feeling of nature that we find in this area of the Navarrese Pyrenees form a must visit place. The proximity to the French Basque Country and the Señorío de Bertiz Natural Park are two other great reasons to visit the area.

Price: If we review the prices of the different services offered by the Hotel Balneario Elgorriaga we find some surprises. The thermal circuit as well as the buffet restaurant maintain competitive prices if we compare them with establishments of the surroundings, but the lodging rises considerably.

As you have been able to verify, we recommend to all our readers to enjoy the thermal circuit of the Elgorriaga Spa, but we cannot do the same with its restaurant and hotel, because the low variety and quality of its buffet together with the high price of its lodging, make it a bad option in any trip to the Baztan Valley and surroundings.