The Basque Country does away with all typical clichés about Spain, and it is no lie that a different wind is blowing here, both literally and figuratively. Locals can be a little rough by the time you get to know them, and on average, it rains every three days in the area year round. But as long as you are prepared for these quirks, you will find any visit to the Basque Country very worthwhile. These are five highlights of the region:
1. San Sebastian
When Spain’s Queen Isabella II was advised by her doctors to change the climate because of herpes, San Sebastian was her chosen travel destination. Soon the nobility flocked here and the former fishing village quickly became the most elegant coastal town in Spain.
Getaria’s most famous son was Juan Sebastian Elcano, who became the first person to circumnavigate the earth. Here, pay attention to the monument dedicated to him. (DPA photo)
The view from the hills of Igueldo and Urgull is just as fantastic as the promenade along the mussel bay. Surfers plunge into the waves on Zurriola beach and friends share small plates of the city’s famous cuisine either in one of the 200 taverns in the old town – or in one of the many Michelin star restaurants.
2. Getaria
El Raton, the “mouse rock”, is the colossus with a lighthouse that towers over the wild coast and takes its name from its rodent-like shape.
The town’s sea and fishing industry have always shaped Getaria. His most famous son was Juan Sebastian Elcano, who was the first person to circumnavigate the earth. Here, pay attention to the monument dedicated to him.
Getarias El Raton, or “Mouse Rock”, is the colossus with a lighthouse that towers over the wild coast and takes its name from its rodent-like shape. (DPA photo)
3. Bilbao
Lying like a ship on dry land over the banks of the Nervion, the world-famous Guggenheim Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art opened in Bilbao in 1997. With the titanium-clad building, the architect Frank Gehry presented his vision of the future and one of them still looks modern through and through today.
Of course, Bilbao has more to offer than this architectural icon: the old town, the river promenade, the market hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Begona Basilica and even the football stadium are worth a visit.
4. Laguardia
Step into one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, and you will feel transported to the Middle Ages. Deep in the hinterland of the Basque Country, the past lurks behind the massive walls of Laguardia, but once inside you can hear the story in the old stone houses, narrow streets and the church from Santa Maria de los Reyes, which looks quite ordinary on the outside but boasts the stunning colorful stone portal for which it is famous on the inside. The portal is a truly breathtaking composition of colors, reliefs and larger-than-life sculptures and has remained untouched since it was last repainted in the 17th century.
The church of Santa Maria de los Reyes in Laguardia looks quite ordinary from the outside, but inside boasts the impressive multicolored stone portal for which it is famous. (DPA photo)
5. Wine palaces
With its titanium and stainless steel roof, the Marques de Riscal winery in Elciego looks like a fantasy building from a science fiction film. It is often referred to as the mini Guggenheim as it was also a creation by Frank Gehry. One story goes that the star architect only agreed to the order after extensive tasting of the winery’s products.
The Ysios winery in the Basque town of Laguardia was designed by star architect Santiago Calatrava. (DPA photo)
However, this is far from the only spectacular building in the region. In Laguardia, for example, Santiago Calatrava helped the Ysios winery with a now famous wave-shaped aluminum roof.
