Guide to the Basque Country: how to get there, what to see, shopping, best hotels and food in the region. Basque country on the map of Spain Where do the Basques live in Spain map
The Basque Country, also known as Baskonia or Euskadi, is a region in the north-east of Spain, which is divided into three provinces: Vizcaya, Alava, Gipuzkoa. Most of population lives in Vizcaya, its center is fashionable and cultural Bilbao, main city in Guipuzcoa there is youth and surfer San Sebastian, and almost the entire territory of Alava is nature reserves and villages. Lovers of antiquities will appreciate the ancient architecture of the cities, gourmets will appreciate the original Basque cuisine (no, it’s not just seafood and pintxos) and local cider, surfers will appreciate the steepest waves in Spain, and partygoers will appreciate the discos and festivals.
Residents of the Basque Country speak the Basque language, which is very different from the Castilian norm of Spanish. Its roots go back to the pre-Roman era, and it is unlike any other European language.
How to get to the Basque Country
The biggest international Airport in the Basque Country is located in Bilbao, there are no direct flights from Russia. From Moscow Sheremetyevo, Air France flies there via Paris and Brussels Airlines via Brussels. The journey takes from 6.5 hours one way, ticket prices start from 170 EUR round trip. Prices on the page are as of August 2019.
Bizkaibus bus number 3247 runs from Bilbao Airport to the city every 15 minutes. The stop is located at the exit from the terminal; tickets are sold at the ticket office next to it. The bus goes to Central bus station Termibus also stops at Moya Square. The journey to the final destination is 20 minutes, fare: 3 EUR, by taxi to the center: 15-25 EUR. There is a direct bus from Bilbao Airport to San Sebastian. Pesa buses (office website in English) run every half hour from 7:45 to 23:45, the journey takes 1 hour 15 minutes, the fare is 17 EUR.
There is also an airport in San Sebastian, but flying there takes longer and is more expensive. The fastest and a budget option- via Barcelona on joint flights of Aeroflot, Vueling and Es Seven. Departure from Domodedovo, arrival at Sheremetyevo. The journey takes from 7.5 hours, tickets will cost from 350 EUR in both directions. There are several buses from the airport to the city center, all of them go to Plaza Gipuzkoa. The journey takes 15 minutes, the fare is 1.65-2.35 EUR, by taxi - 8-10 EUR.
Search for flights to Bilbao (the closest airport to the Basque Country)
Transport
You can travel around the Basque Country by train and intercity buses. The railways here are represented by the company Euskotren (office site in English), trains run between major cities. The journey from Bilbao to San Sebastian will take from 4 to 6.5 hours and will cost from 30 EUR one way. In the morning the train departs at 6:30, 9:20 and 9:40, in the afternoon at 15:20, in the evening at 17:00.
You can take Alsa buses (office site in English) to Madrid and Barcelona, Pesa runs throughout the region. The bus from Bilbao to San Sebastian leaves every 30 minutes, takes 1 hour 20 minutes and costs from 12.60 EUR one way. You can buy tickets (online) only between the cities of Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz; to other cities - only at the ticket office at the station.
Basque Country Hotels
Most hotels in the Basque Country are located in major cities: Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz. Prices for “three rubles” in Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz start from 50 EUR per night for a double room, “four” will cost from 85 EUR. Staying in San Sebastian is approximately twice as expensive: three rubles - from 100 EUR, a bed in a hostel - from 30 EUR, regardless of the season.
The buildings in the cities are mostly old, so be prepared for the lack of elevators and heating.
Beaches
The beaches please mainly surfers and less often amateurs beach holiday. The best of them are located in the province of Guipuzcoa, in the vicinity of San Sebastian: there are excellent waves all year round and warm water thanks to the Gulf Stream. One of the most beautiful and popular beaches among tourists is La Concha in San Sebastian, it is quite shallow, the coast is sandy, there is all the infrastructure - from renting sunbeds and umbrellas to excellent restaurants, children's slides and trampolines.
Most big beach province - Zarouts (2.5 km in length). It is divided into three zones, the central one is “given” to surfers, the western one is for families with children, and the eastern one has beautiful promenades.
In Bilbao, all beaches are located outside the city, but many can be reached by metro. The most popular and closest to the city is the sandy Las Arenas, surfers hang out there, but when there are no waves, you can swim (Areeta metro station, then walk). 3 km from the Plencia station there is a nudist beach called Barrika, located in the village of the same name.
All beaches are free, you only have to pay for renting an umbrella and sunbed: 5-20 EUR depending on the amenities.
Shopping
The most popular souvenirs from the Basque Country are the black chapella beret, still worn by some local men, and the rich, smoked sheep's milk cheese Idiazabal. All this is sold in souvenir shops and markets.
In large cities there are shopping centers, where you can buy clothes and shoes from Spanish brands. The Fashion Barakaldo outlet in Bilbao offers discounts from 30 to 70% all year round, and can be reached by metro to Bagatza station and then on foot.
For everyday groceries, it is cheaper to go to the Eroski and Carrefour chain supermarkets, and for delicacies - to the markets.
Bilbao is home to the largest covered market in Europe, the Ribera, which has been on this site since the 14th century. Here they sell Spanish products at non-tourist prices. In Bilbao's Plaza Nueva there is a flea market on Sundays, and in the city of Balmaceda every March there is a reconstruction of the original medieval market with costume shows and a fair.
In the Basque Country
Cuisine and restaurants of the Basque Country
Tapas bars and traditional restaurants- cideries, where they serve 2-3 types of cider (at a minimum, there is dry and sweet) and various snacks. Behind haute cuisine worth going to San Sebastian: 15 Michelin stars for 8 restaurants. Among them, it is worth noting the restaurant of innovative Basque cuisine Arzak (Avda. Alcalde Elosegui, 273).
A popular traditional dish is “marmitaco” (tuna stew with potatoes), and they also serve dried cod and “chuleton de vaca” - beef steak on the bone. For desserts, try the Basque tart with custard and cherries, and the best local wine is the slightly sparkling fruit txakoli.
The city of Astigarraga produces excellent apple cider, the season lasts from January to April.
A glass of beer and 5-6 pintxos in a tapas bar will cost 15-20 EUR, dinner in a restaurant - from 60 EUR for two without drinks, from 12:00 to 16:00 many of them serve a “menu-daily” for 13-20 EUR per person. The average bill for two in a restaurant with a Michelin star is 200-250 EUR without drinks.
Guides in the Basque Country
Entertainment and attractions
The Basque Country is famous for its national parks. Near Bilbao is the most famous biosphere reserve in the region - Urdaibai (Biscay): forests, hills, the Atlantic coast, as well as small towns with historical monuments. The park has hiking and cycling routes, Game of Thrones was filmed here, and you can meet a herd of Basque ponies.
Urkiola Park (Lugar Barrio Urkiola, 9F) is located on the slopes mountain range Durangesado, and not far from the town of Dela in the province of Guipuzcoa lies the Flysch hiking route (Ruta del Flysch) - one of the most picturesque in Spain.
Gipuzkoa is considered the center of Basque culture; in almost any city you can take dance lessons from local residents and watch song rituals.
San Sebastian
Not only are there surfing beaches, but also the largest church in the Basque region - Cathedral Good Shepherd (Urdaneta Kalea, 12) and Miramar Palace (48 Paseo Miraconcha, 20007) - the former summer residence of the royal family, where furniture and decor from the 19th century have been preserved. Today, these luxurious interiors house the headquarters of the musicology center and host summer courses at the local university.
Victoria-Gasteiz
People go to the capital of the Basque Country to see the architecture. In the city center rises Gothic Cathedral Santa Maria 14th century ( Santa Maria Plaza, s/n), which houses paintings by Rubens. The Church of San Pedro the Apostle (Fundadora de las Siervas de Jesus Kalea, 2) is the burial place of local famous figures, and 9 km from Vitoria-Gasteiz is the 11th-century Romanesque temple of Nuestra Señora de Estibaliz. There are also many museums and galleries in the city, the Artium Museum of Contemporary Art (Francia Kalea, 24) is especially interesting.
Bilbao
One of the symbols of Bilbao is the Guggenheim Museum. Its building simultaneously looks like a giant flower and a spaceship, and leads to the entrance glass bridge over the Nervion River. The Way of St. James passes through Bilbao, so there are many cathedrals in the city: the 14th century Gothic Cathedral of St. James, the Church of San Nicolas de Bari, etc.
Weather
There are several climate zones in the Basque region; the mountains are traditionally a little cooler, while those near the ocean are windier. In general, summers here are not very hot, and winters are quite mild; surfers come here all year round. This is the rainiest region in Spain, with the least rainfall occurring in May and June.
Basque Country - main resorts and areas, excursions and attractions, museums, tourist reviews about the Basque Country.
In northeastern Spain lies the autonomous region of the Basque Country, covering an area of 7,234 square kilometers. km. The distinctive region also has other names - Baskonia, Euskadi (in the Basque language). This part of the kingdom should not be confused with the historical region of the same name, which includes the lands of Spain and France. The “local” Basque Country borders Cantabria, Castile and Leon in the west, Navarre and France are the neighbors of the autonomy in the east, Rioja in the south, and the north is washed by the waters of the Bay of Biscay.
The distinctive region in the north-east of Spain has several names - Basque Country, Basque Country, Euskadi (in the Basque language).
The small region is divided into 251 municipalities and three provinces: Vizcaya, Alava, Guipuzcoa. Most of the population is concentrated in Vizcaya. Residents of the Basque Country speak Basque and Spanish. The colorful Basque language is strikingly different from Castilian, the official dialect of Spanish. Its roots go back to the pre-Roman era, the Basque dialect is unlike any other European language.
The capital is Vitoria-Gasteiz.
The largest cities are Bilbao and San Sebastian.
Entertainment and attractions
The autonomy, which has the reputation of being one of the most industrial areas of the kingdom, has preserved many protected areas. Fabulous landscapes will appear before the eyes of guests of the Basque Country along the banks of the Guernica River, in national parks, which are countless here. The area is ideal for hiking, coastal walks and mountain routes. The picturesque rocky coast near San Sebastian deserves the attention of travelers. Visit Salinas de Añana, where the salt mines are developed using the same technologies as in the Roman era, when they were discovered. Take time to visit the Biscay Flying Bridge between Las Arenas and Portugalete, this unique structure from 1893 functions as a transporter. Gondolas, accommodating several dozen passengers, depart every 8 minutes.
In the area of the Costa Basca beach you can see the remains of ancient cities, and “chaholi” - sparkling wine - was invented here.
The freedom-loving Basques were able to preserve their own traditions, which is why folk festivals are regularly held in the region. In Bilbao this is the August competition for the best shepherd dog. Traditional carnivals are held in the medieval town of Tolosa.
To the west of Saint Sebastian, the capital of Guipuzcoa, lies the Mundaka watershed, nature reserve, serving as a haven for millions of migrating birds.
The province of Guipuzcoa is considered the center of Basque culture. In the smallest Spanish region, stone buildings from the 16th to 19th centuries have been preserved (the village of Bera de Bidasoa); Segura is famous for its ancient mansions. You can take dancing lessons from local residents; song rituals are a special treasure of the Basques.
In the Basque Country
Vitoria-Gasteiz
The capital of the Basque Country is the center of the province of Alava. This unusually clean and cozy city has a double name - Vitoria-Gasteiz, combining both Spanish and Basque names. Its foundation in 1181 on the site of the village of Gasteiz is the merit of King Sancho the Wise; this monarch surrounded the settlement with a fortress wall. In memory of that time, street names have been preserved in Vitoria. And of course, architectural structures- for example, the 14th century Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria, which houses paintings by Rubens. The Church of San Pedro Apostol has become the burial place of many famous personalities. The Romanesque-style Nuestra Senora de Estibaliz, built in the 11th century, is located in the suburbs of Vitoria.
Our Lady of Estibaliz is considered the patroness of the province of Alava.
Vitoria-Gasteiz, surrounded by a "green ring" of parks, has many museums - natural history, weapons of Alava, archeology, sacred art, modern, visual arts and even playing cards. The buildings in which these museums are located are also of interest. By the way, it is no coincidence that an extensive exhibition dedicated to playing cards appeared in the capital of Basque Country. It is in this city that the production of such products is established.
Basque Country
This term has other meanings, see Basque Country (meanings).
| Autonomous community | |
| Basque Country | |
|---|---|
| Basque. Euskal Autonomia Erkidegoa (Euskadi) Spanish Pais Vasco |
|
| Guernica tree | |
| 42°50′ N. w. 2°41′ W d.HGЯOL | |
| A country | Spain, France |
| Includes | 3 provinces |
| Adm. center | Vitoria-Gasteiz |
| The president | Inigo Urculo |
| History and geography | |
| Date of formation | 1130 |
| Square | 7234 km² (14th place) |
| Timezone | UTC+1 |
| Largest cities | Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Donostia-San Sebastian, Baiona, Sant Jean De Luz |
GDP
|
35 300 € |
| Population | |
| Population | 2,189,534 people people (2016) |
| Density | 302.67 people/km² (2nd place) |
| official languages | Basque, Spanish, French |
| Digital IDs | |
| ISO 3166-2 code | ES-PV |
| Telephone code | +34 94 |
| Internet domain | .eus |
| Official site | |
 |
|
| Audio, photo and video on Wikimedia Commons | |
Basque Country (Basque Euskadi or Euskal Herria, Spanish País Vasco), Euskadi, Basque Country is an autonomous community in northern Spain.
The capital is Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Autonomous Community The Basque Country is part of the historical region of the same name, the territory of which also extends to the Autonomous Community of Navarre (identical to the Spanish province of the same name) and North Country Basque in the south of France.
Economy
In the early 1970s, agricultural production in the Basque Country was replaced by developed industry and tourism. Back in the early 70s of the 20th century, the region was in a deep economic crisis, but already at the end of the 1980s the situation began to rapidly change for the better. Today the Basque Country is a rich region with developed agriculture. According to the latest data, there are about 35 thousand small farms in the Basque Country; Animal husbandry has been a traditional Basque activity since time immemorial.
One of the largest centers in Spain for iron ore mining is located in the province of Vizcaya. Rich mineral deposits are located at the mouth of the Nervion River. The metallurgical industry is also developing rapidly in the Basque Country. Bilbao is home to one of the oldest and most famous metallurgical plants in the country - Altos Hornos de Vizcaya.
Main crops local residents count wheat, corn, barley, oats and rye - the fields of these crops are located in the province of Alava. La Rioja Alavesa has large grape plantations.
Along with livestock farming, fishing is a traditional Basque activity. The main fishing ports are Fuenterrabbia, Pasajes, Ondarroa and Bermeo.
Forest land is another wealth of the Basques. total area oak forests destined for felling amount to about 300 thousand hectares.
Transport
Railway transport
EuskoTren trains at the station in San Sebastian
The Basque Country is served by the following railway organizations:
State railway lines RENFE connect Vitoria with San Sebastian and Bilbao with central Spain. There is also a network of suburban railways Cercanías around Bilbao and San Sebastian.
FEVE is the state-owned narrow-gauge railway of Spain. FEVE lines connect Bilbao with Valmaceda and Bilbao with other regions of northern Spain.
EuskoTren is a narrow gauge railway network owned by the government of the Basque Country. The main EuskoTren line connects Bilbao with San Sebastian, while other lines connect these cities with their suburbs. There is one international line, connecting San Sebastian with Hendaye (France).
City transport and buses
The metro operates in Bilbao (see Bilbao metro), trams operate in Bilbao (see Bilbao tram) and Vitoria. Both tram systems are provided by EuskoTran, a subsidiary of EuskoTren.
Main bus operators:
- "Bilbobus" - city buses in Bilbao;
- "BizkaiBus" - intercity buses in the province of Vizcaya;
- "EuskoTren" - in addition to trains, this company also provides intercity buses.
Aviation
There are three airports in the Basque Country - Vitoria Airport, Bilbao Airport and San Sebastian Airport.
Infrastructure
In the Basque Country there is a unique Biscay Bridge - a “flying ferry”, listed World Heritage UNESCO as a monument to the history of technology.
Briefly about the region
The Basque Country is an autonomous region of northern Spain with an area of 7,234 square kilometers. km. It neighbors Cantabria, Castile and Leon in the west, Navarre and France in the east, Rioja in the south, and its northern part is washed by the Bay of Biscay.
The Basque Country or Baskonia is a land of a distinctive culture dating back more than one millennium, which the Basques themselves call Euskadi or Euskal Herria - “Land of the Basque-speaking people.”
The Basque Country is a mountainous and picturesque region. Although the region is the center of Spanish industry and agriculture, there are many attractions and tourist attractions.
The Basque Country combines the cultural and slightly pretentious city of Bilbao, the youthful and sporty San Sebastian, where surfers from all over the world hang out all year round, and the Costa Basca with countless small port towns and amazing natural landscapes. Each guest will be able to discover his own Basque Country, because it is a very diverse region.
You can see the city of San Sebastian right now in this author’s video:
All of Spain loves holidays, but in the Basque Country this is especially noticeable. Throughout the year, one carnival is replaced by the next festival or honoring of a particularly revered saint.
On January 20, all those who love rhythm gather in San Sebastian, as Tamborrada begins - a procession of drummers along the central streets. Hundreds of groups of musicians, dressed in the brightest clothes, pass one after another, beating out fiery rhythms.
At the end of June, rock lovers flock to the capital of the region - one of the largest rock festivals in Spain is held here. Literally two weeks later, the genre changes dramatically in Vitoria and a jazz festival begins. And at the end of August, it is advisable to be on the Big Week of Bilbao, when citizens celebrate the city day for nine days.
What to see
The Basque Country attracts a lot of attention from tourists from all over the world, providing a huge variety of recreational activities: from sightseeing and architectural monuments to active species sports and walks in natural parks.
We have collected the top 10 very, very places that you definitely need to see with your own eyes:
The Cathedral of St. James in Bilbao is one of the central buildings in the city. As is often the case, the current structure stands on the site of previous churches that were destroyed or dismantled. Bilbao is included in the pilgrimage route of St. James, so there are always many believers here.
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is one of the most... unusual buildings not only in the city, but throughout Spain. The flow of tourists increased significantly after the grand opening of this building for everyone to visit.
Photo: View of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
The new Cathedral of the Immaculate Virgin in Vitoria is a decoration of the historical part of the city. This neo-Gothic building is one of the largest cathedrals in Spain. It was called new to distinguish it from the already existing “old”.
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in San Sebastian - in addition to the beautiful decorative elements, visitors are attracted by the huge organ, which for a long time bore the honorary title of the largest organ in the country.
Photo: Facade of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in San Sebastian
Miramar Palace in San Sebastian is a luxurious English-style mansion located just a few meters from the amazing beach. This is a true example of luxury. It was built as a summer residence for the royal family, and many of the rooms retain the original design and furnishings. The remaining premises were regularly rebuilt to meet the new requirements of the time.
The Gulf of La Concha in San Sebastian has endless beaches along a shell-shaped sea bay. Next to the beach, long embankments have been built here, turning into one another.
Photo: Beautiful Bay de la Concha in San Sebastian
Chavarri Palace in Bilbao – not far from the famous Guggenheim Museum there is another original building. This eclectic style building amazes with its variety of shapes. Initially, this palace was built for the personal needs of the financial tycoon Salazar, but since the mid-20th century the Government of the Basque Country has been meeting here.
Basque Museum of Contemporary Art in Vitoria - since the beginning of the 21st century, this museum has been delighting its visitors with beautiful masterpieces of both Spanish contemporary authors and foreign ones. In addition to exhibition halls, there is a large library, an archive and a separate educational center for those studying art.
Photo: Basque Museum of Contemporary Art in Vitoria
Casa del Cordón in Vitoria – unique building in the Gothic style, built by a wealthy merchant in the 15th century. Many people lived in it famous people Spain. Now it contains information Center, dedicated to the culture and original forms of creativity of the Basque people.
Maria Cristina Bridge in San Sebastian - this iron bridge was opened at the beginning of the 20th century, connecting the two banks. It is richly decorated with huge obelisks and gilded sculptures, many of which resemble the famous Pont Alexandre III in Paris.
What to do in the Basque Country
In the Basque Country it is difficult to get bored even for experienced tourists, who are difficult to surprise. There are sports, art, and unusual buildings and monuments. It's hard to resist such variety.
We have collected the top 20 things that you need to do while traveling around this region:
- Enter the Bilbao Cathedral and become part of the great pilgrimage route of many believers.
- Walk through the halls of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Vitoria - at first your eyes run wide from such a variety of shapes, combinations of lights and colors.
- Take a look at the Casa del Cordón in Vitoria, built over 500 years ago - a strict Gothic building with amazing interiors. This is an incomparable feeling of involvement in the great events of the past that happened to the people who lived in this house.
- Take a selfie on the Maria Cristina Bridge in San Sebastian - there are gorgeous views of the river and banks all around.
- Swim on the beach of Bay de la Concha in San Sebastian - there is almost always calm, clear water without waves.
- Take a boat ride to Santa Clara Island in San Sebastian - if you catch it during high tide, you can even swim there.
- Visit the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao – amazing building in a modern style that attracts the attention of all tourists in the Basque Country.
- Feel like a representative of royal blood as you walk through the huge halls of the Miramar Palace, which served as the summer royal residence of the Spanish dynasty.
- Losing yourself among the huge New Cathedral of the Virgin Immaculate in Vitoria makes you feel like a grain of sand in a vast universe.
- Take a walk to Mount Urgull in San Sebastian, which offers views of the entire surrounding area. For the most persistent ones, a visit to the castle at the top will be given as a reward for their efforts.
- Be inspired by the paintings of Rubens on the walls of the Temple of Santa Maria in the capital Vitoria-Gasteiz.
- Visit one of the best and oldest pastry shops in Spain, opened in 1886 by Manuel Goya (in the capital of Vitoria-Gasteiz).
- Lie on the luxurious beaches of charming San Sebastian.
- Taste the best pintxos and Basque tapas in the region at the coastal pintxos bars of San Sebastian.
- Taste Chaholi wines in the Costa Basque, which are not found anywhere else - neither in Spain nor in Europe.
- Walk through mysterious labyrinths and feel like an ant in front of a huge spider at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
- Climb Mount Gorbea or visit the amazing stalactite caves of Posalagua.
- Take a ride on the gondola of the extraordinary Biscay Flying Bridge.
- Go to the province of Guipuzcoa and learn crazy Basque dancing.
- Check out the colorful town of Hondarribia, right next to the French border.
Where to live
Photo: One of the best hotels in Bilbao Sercotel Hotel Gran Bilbao
The Basque Country welcomes guests and tourists from all over the world with great hospitality, as you can personally see by staying in any of the hotels in the region.
We have chosen the top 5 hotels based on reviews from experienced travelers:
1. NH Bilbao Deusto (Francisco Macia, 9 | Deusto, 48014 Bilbao) – convenient location, within walking distance of most attractions in the historical part of the city. Polite staff and high level of services provided.
2. Sercotel Hotel Gran Bilbao (Avenida Indalecio Prieto, 1, 48004 Bilbao) is an excellent hotel with large rooms equipped with everything necessary for a quality holiday.
3. Sercotel Coliseo (Alameda De Urquijo 13, 48008 Bilbao) – spacious rooms, excellent soundproofing, close to the city center.
4. NH Canciller Ayala Vitoria (Ramon y Cajal, 5 | City Center, 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz) – five minutes walk from the main tourist places, there is a park nearby. Friendly staff and comfortable rooms.
5. Sercotel Boulevard Vitoria (Calle Zaramaga, 3, 01013 Vitoria-Gasteiz) – the rooms are always clean and tidy, the bathroom has all bath accessories. There is a large supermarket nearby.
Travel plan, tours for 1-3-7 days
Photo: Nature and landscapes of the Basque Country
The Basque Country is becoming more and more popular among tourists every year: infrastructure is developing, new restaurants and cafes are opening, hotels are welcoming guests, and the authorities are coming up with a variety of entertainment to attract interest in this region. We tried to embrace the immensity and put together a week-long trip around the Basque Country:
| Day | Morning | Dinner | Evening |
| 1 | Bilbao. Moya Square. Chavarri Palace | Museum of Fine Arts | Park Doña Casilda de Iturrizar. Euskalduna. Maritime Museum. You can dine at Restaurante Guria (Don Diego López Haroko Kale Nagusia, 66), where we recommend trying their cod dishes. |
| 2 | Guggenheim Museum. We recommend setting aside half a day for its visit, since there are many halls, plus a landscaped and original area around the museum. | After the museum at sunset, it’s nice to stroll along the river mouth along the beautiful embankment. You can end your busy day at San Mames Jatetxea (Raimundo P. Lezama s/n (Estadio San Mames. Puerta Nº 14), which is located in the stadium building. | |
| 3 | Bilbao Cathedral | Museum of Basque Art | Walk through the old streets of the city. Among the countless bars and restaurants, we recommend paying attention to Restaurante en Bilbao Bar Baster (Posta Kalea, 22), where there is an excellent cocktail menu and a variety of tapas. |
| 4 | Vitoria. Cathedral | Historical quarter. Museum of lighting torches. |
Catholic Church of St. Michael the Archangel. It is worth refreshing yourself in the excellent Basque restaurant Restaurante Arkupe (Mateo Benigno de Moraza Kalea, 13), where you can try local traditional dishes. |
| 5 | Plaza de España. | Artium Museum of Contemporary Art. | Museum of Archeology. After a scientific day, it’s worth going to the Querida María jatetxea restaurant (Santa Maria Plaza, 2), where it’s delicious and quite inexpensive. |
| 6 | San Sebastian. Miramar Palace | Funicular to the mountain. Lighthouse. | Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. Bridge of Santa Cristina. Restaurante Ibai (Calle de Getaria, 15) offers a wonderful dinner in a great atmosphere. |
| 7 | Shopping on the beach. | Go to Santa Clara Island. | Visit the aquarium. |
What and where to eat
Basque cuisine is very diverse: it has many fish and seafood dishes due to its seaside location, and at the same time, the locals know how and love to cook meat and vegetables.
We have collected 5 of the most original traditional Basque dishes:
1. “Chuleton de Vaca” - beef steak with a bone. You can choose any level of roasting, but in any case it will be unsurpassed in taste.
2. Oven-baked fish is a special delicacy and a treat for dear guests on a holiday or family celebration.
3. Dried cod – local chefs demonstrate amazing ways of preparing dishes from this special ingredient. The taste is specific, but therefore unforgettable.
4. Idiazabal cheese is a rather fatty sheep cheese. It can be stored for a long time, so you can safely take it with you as a gastronomic souvenir.
5. Marmita de bonito (Marmita de bonito) – a fish dish made from tuna, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and peppers. In the Basque Country they even organize competitions for preparing this treat.
Kitchen
In the Basque Country you will be well fed wherever you go - seafood and meat. According to one of the San Pelegrino ratings, two out of ten best restaurants in the world are located precisely in the Basque Country - these are Mugaritz and Arzak, and San Sebastian is the world leader in Michelin stars (four restaurants).
Basque cuisine is characterized by minimal use of spicy seasonings, and the entire emphasis is on the taste of the products themselves. The most popular dishes are marmitako (tuna chowder) and the amazing creamy dessert goshua.
The Basque region also has its own wines - the slightly sparkling wines of Txakoli.
Best excursions according to reviews
Sometimes, to understand a region, it is not enough to go everywhere on your own with a reference book in your hands. Professional guides know special places hidden from tourists and will tell educational stories and breathtaking legends.
We have collected 5 of the most popular excursions in the Basque Country:
1. Mysteries of the Basque Forest - thicket, medieval castles, rocks, small fishing villages where time seems to have stopped forever. Participants will be able to feel the strength and power of this region, which is not called the Country for nothing.
2. Walk through elegant San Sebastian - a haven for the most sophisticated layers of the Spanish aristocracy. Everything here is done and decorated to the highest standard to please discerning people.
3. The cosmopolitan city of Bilbao is a little eccentric and hectic, this city has an indescribable but unique atmosphere. It cannot be described in words, but can be felt in bars, galleries, museums, and even on the subway.
4. Tour of Vitoria – walking along the old streets, accompanied by a guide and his colorful stories.
5. Boat excursion along San Sebastian - this city has a unique location along a deep bay. From the sea side there is an amazing view of the coast.
You can see the beauty of the city of Bilbao in this video:
Welcome to the Basque Country! Bienvenue au Pays Basque! Ongi etorri Euscal Herrira!
Between Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountains, between France and Spain lies the Basque Country / Pays Basque - bright and hospitable land, whose people are deservedly proud of their history, traditions, and identity. Despite the state border, which, by the will of history, lay between it French part in the north (Iparralde) and south (Hegoalde), which is located in Spain, the Basque Country is a historically and culturally unified territory, unique and diverse, and still speaking its own language.
Even the concept of Basque Country (Euscal Herria) literally means “Basque-speaking country.” Euskara is an ancient beautiful language of fishermen and whalers, corsairs and peasants, shepherds and hunters, sun and wind, powerful waves of the Bay of Biscay, sheep pastures and dense forests to harsh mountain peaks. In the dry language of numbers, about three million Basques live in four Spanish provinces, and only 300 thousand live in France. Their children do not forget the language of their ancestors, while diligently studying Spanish and French on the corresponding side of the border. A worthy example for May Radzima of Belarus...
It is difficult to outline the cultural and ethnic contours of the Basque Country, which do not always coincide with the administrative boundaries, but we will try. The French Euscal Herria spreads between mountain ranges Pyrenees in the south, the stormy Bay of Biscay in the west, endless pine forests flat Landes / Landes de Gascogne in the north and historical region Bearn in the east. It includes three old provinces, which are now part of department No. 64 of the Pyrenees-Atlantiques region of New Aquitaine / Nouvelle Aquitaine. Each of them offers the curious traveler a kaleidoscope of impressions and landscapes as diverse as they are contrasting.
Labourdan / le Labourde – coastline Basque Country, Cote Basque. Huge waves and winds from the Atlantic inexorably attack this rocky coast, and sunny beaches delight holidaymakers and surfers. And the Pyrenees, led by the mythical mountain La Rhune, look down on all this splendor.
Lower Navarre / la Basse-Navarre – hills and mountains, pastures and forests, a world of shepherds, livestock breeders, hunters... and simply lovers of mountain hikes. The turbulent history of the sovereign Kingdom of Navarre until 1620 has left a rich architectural heritage: castles, noble houses, chapels and churches. And you can start with prehistoric caves and megaliths.
“Outback” Soule / la Soule (or Basque Zuberu / Zuberoa) - rocks and mountain gorges, green slopes and canyons covered with vast forests of oak and ash... Less known, less touristic and therefore the most authentic land of traditions and legends.
The Basque Country has a thousand-year-old history and a rich cultural heritage. Not only what is stored in museums (there are plenty of them here too: Fine Arts, Basque culture, Ocean, Chocolate, etc.), but the heritage of times frozen in the stones of the eternal mountains or the local dolmens, menhirs and cromlechs. The story told on the walls of prehistoric caves, say Isturiz (grottes d’Isturiz) or Oxocelhaya, whose prehistoric drawings and artifacts date back from 40 to 10 thousand years BC. e. (it’s scary to think, but you might even see it). The heritage imprinted in the stones of the local castles Bidache / chateau de Bidache, Iholdy / Urtubie / Urtubie / Abbadi / Abbadia (albeit not so ancient, but the work of the master Viollet-Le-Duc himself)…
Who are the Basque Vascones and where did they come from? Theories have been put forward to the strangest: they are the sons of the mythical patriarch Aitor or the descendants of Adam and Eve, or Noah, or even distant relatives of the Georgian highlanders... What has been scientifically proven today: euskara is the only surviving pre-Indo-European language of Western Europe. For most scientists, the ancestors of today's Basques are Cro-Magnons, and since the Iron Age they have inhabited a triangle from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Garonne River in the north and the Atlantic in the west. Throughout their history, the Basques have been able to live on their own. At the same time, like all highlanders, they were both isolated and in constant contact with other civilizations. Of course, there were both peaceful and militant interactions. The Celts have settled here since the 6th century. BC e.; The Romans have been pressing since the 2nd century. before the birth of Christ, and after the first successes of Caesar in -56, the legions of Messala by 27 BC. e. conquer the valleys of Gallia Aquitania. Unruly vascones gain a foothold in the hard-to-reach spurs of the Pyrenees Saltus vasconum.
With the fall of the Roman Empire, the Basques had to face its Germanic conquerors. The Suevi and Visigoths in the south, the Franks (especially at the peak of their glory under Charlemagne) from the north tried to subjugate the Vascons, who also defended their lands from the Arabs, Berbers and other Muslim Moors of the Emirate of Cordoba until the middle of the 10th century. But in general, all these attempts ended in failure. In the 7th century the independent county of Vasconia is founded; Since 864, the country has been given the name Gascony, or Gascony / Gascogne, which to this day is a historical part of Occitanie in France. By the way, the Bay of Biscay is called Gascony / golfe de Gascogne in French.
The County (later Duchy) of Navarre appeared on the Spanish side. At the time when Columbus discovered America, Castile began the “golden period” of expanding its power in the New and Old Worlds. In 1513, Southern Navarre was conquered by the Aragonese and became part of the Kingdom of Spain. Northern Navarre remained independent until 1589, when its sovereign Henry III of Bourbon became king of France under the name Henry IV during a bloody period of massacres between Catholics and Huguenots. The Bourbons sat on the throne of the “damned kings” of Valois, and the kingdom of Navarre was finally annexed to France in 1620.
Vascons, Gascons, Basques, Navarrese, Béarnians... Today it is advisable not to confuse their contemporaries, and we do not want to confuse you! It’s just that initially they are one ethnic group, divided by neighbors, but culturally and geographically having much in common. Let us simplify this possible confusion of “who is who” using a specific historical example.
Jean-Armand du Peyret, Comte de Treville (1598-1672). Originally from Gascony. The character is solid. He made a brilliant career to the rank of captain-lieutenant (de facto commander) of the royal musketeers under Louis XIII. He is famous for the novels of Dumas and the brilliant performance of Lev Durov in our “The Three Musketeers”. In the memories of contemporaries (especially Parisians, where everyone else is NOT from Paris - some kind of provincials) he passes as a nobleman, both Basque and Bearnian. De Treville prefers to recruit his Béarn and Gascon countrymen as musketeers (just like people...). And his well-known cousins Henri d’Aramitz and Armand d’Athos, as well as Isaac de Porto, serve the king. Here Dumas is not far from true historical characters, unlike the real d’Artagnan - that’s right, the Gascon! The “gray cardinal” Richelieu gave his soul to God in 1642. D’Artagnan, thanks to the patronage of the same de Treville, only joined the company of the royal musketeers in 1644 (therefore he never besieged La Rochelle and did not fight with Richelieu’s guards everywhere). However, in 1646 the musketeer company was disbanded; de Treville left for his homeland, and d’Artagnan continued his civil service under Cardinal Mazarin. Therefore, for the sake of historical truth, let’s take off our berets (we are in the homeland of the legendary headdress!) and pour some Armagnac into the glasses. For reference: armagnac – 1) local brandy, also known as the oldest “moonshine” in France; 2) the drink of real Gascons, a thousand devils!
But let's return directly to the Basque Country. The final stage of the state division of the Basque people into the French and Spanish parts was the signing of the Pyrenees Peace in August 1659. Louis XIV, having married the Spanish Infanta Maria Theresa in Saint-Jean-de-Luz / Saint-Jean-de-Luz, drew the current border between the Basque Country of North and South. And the town of Saint-Jean (as the locals call it) has preserved the church where the magnificent wedding of the Sun King and the Spanish princess took place in 1660, and the palaces of the newlyweds, overlooking the picturesque fishing port.
In the 19th century this same Saint-Jean, the city of fishermen, sailors and corsairs, became popular as seaside resort. However, he is not alone: Ciboure, Bidart, Biarritz, Anglet... wealthy lovers of glamorous and health-improving holiday on the sea. The arrival of the first train to Bayonne (the capital of the Cote Basque) in 1854 further contributed to the development of local tourism (even if it was still exclusively for the nobility). Before and after World War II, the Basque coast gradually became accessible to “ordinary citizens.” Here, on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, on the beaches from Hendaye to Biarritz, since the 1950s, surfing, imported from America, has begun its stormy march across Europe, a beautiful and daring sport, or a way of life that attracts lovers of all ages to ride "On the crest of a wave". For admirers, more relaxing holiday there are thalassotherapy centers, spa resorts, beach hotels and apartments to suit every taste and budget. They even work in winter ski resorts! “This is not a plain here, the climate here is different...”
The powerful and indomitable Atlantic is the Basque Country again. From its shores, the Basques have long equipped their fleet to hunt whales, whose breath whalers looked out for from the high coastal plateaus. The fleet on which they sailed to Dakar to catch tuna (which is fished in these waters to this day / try it mi-cuit!), to Newfoundland for cod and to Canada in search of better life. For many impoverished mountaineers from Sul and Lower Navarre, the ocean was both work and a “route of exile.” The bravest of them were destined to conquer the unknown and discover their own America, and the lucky ones were even destined to return with a fat wallet or something unprecedented. So one Basque sailor brought the hot chili pepper, which now solemnly decorates the facades and interiors of numerous restaurants and shops, but most of all le piment grows and the village of Espelette flaunts it. By the way, usually a Basque’s house is white, the fahferk (like pepper) is red, and the beret is black.
The colors of traditional clothing in the Basque Country are the same red and black (if you find yourself in Saint-Jean on the feast of St. John - our Ivan Kupala) or red and white in Bayonne at the “Fetes de Bayonne”, from the first Wednesday of August a kind of peaceful invasion for a week with dancing, a fashion show of giants, races with bulls... Be it a village fete, a foire fair (hams, cheeses, table linen), a pelota match (pelota is a national game, the prototype of squash) or a local (bloodless in France!) bullfight - This is a bright hymn to traditions. And we are not talking about demonstrative folklore from the stage, but about a living culture that everyone can join.
Any guest belongs here and is part of the action. Everyone is invited to drink wine-cider-beer in moderation and sing without restrictions (although the opposite is also true). Taste the famous dry-cured Bayonne ham and sheep's cheeses with piperade (vegetable stew of red and green peppers - in the colors of the Basque flag!) or a variety of tapas. In addition to seafood dishes, mountain trout and lamb, white mushrooms (yes, we are talking about boletus mushrooms!) and wild pigeon are traditionally served at the table in restaurants and at home...
Now we move from the carnal to the spiritual. An integral part of Basque culture is the church, although the Basques adopted Christianity relatively late (in the 10th century, when Rus' was also baptized). Since that time, pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela in Spain ran through their lands, and in the town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port -ancient capital Lower Navarre - as many as 4 roads of St. James converged. And today, according to the custom that developed in the early Middle Ages, pilgrims walk through these places with a staff in their hands. Instead of a wooden stick there can be alpenstocks, instead of a heavy long raincoat - high-tech windbreakers, shorts and mountain boots. But even today, pilgrims of the 21st century can be almost unmistakably recognized by the scallop shell, the symbol of St. James, on their backpack or hat. Some houses on the streets of the city are also decorated with the Saint-Jacques shell, which means that the owners of the house are ready to let pilgrims in for the night.
Shouldn't we visit the Basques in neighboring Spain? The border is close and formally absent. The same inscriptions “Ongi etorri!” in Basque language. One people - one language. From Hendaye across the river you can take a boat to the Spanish Hondarribia, say, for a late lunch according to French standards, drink red Navarrese, Rioja, Ribera del Duero or taste the freshest tuna (also red). The famous San Sebastian (Donostia in Basque) is just a stone's throw away for shopping. The landscape of San Seba unfolds against the backdrop of the picturesque shell bay of La Concha; in the old quarter and near the port there is always delicious Basque-Spanish food, noisy and crowded, and in October there is also an international film festival... A good hour's drive on the motorway - and you are in Bilbao / Bilbao, where the Guggenheim Museum will definitely make you think about conceptuality and the line between a pile of garbage and an underground masterpiece of modern art. The same hour's drive to the south - and the architecture, culture and gastronomy of centuries-old Pamplona is at your feet. At the same time, it is not necessary to run from bulls along its narrow streets...
Do you like seaside holidays or mountain routes, surfing or caves, you like learning about any traditions of the Basque people or masterpieces of modern art, you are attracted by a variety of landscapes and architectural styles or bright southern cuisine - all this is possible here and at once. Without exaggerations (you will leave them for stories with friends after returning from your trip to the Basque Country). And now you know our recipe: take from the heart of Basque authenticity, add a little France and Spain, shake everything up with the waves of the Bay of Biscay, add the peaks of the Pyrenees for piquancy and anything else to your taste. Cook with pleasure and stir regularly... For at least a week!
Our proposals for all kinds of excursions and attractions of the region are detailed in the section “Oh yes, the Basque Country”.
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Presentation for a lesson on local history (grade 7)
The first evidence of settlement in this part of France dates back to Neolithic times (5000–2000 BC). Later this place was captured by the Celts, then by the Romans, who in turn were driven out by Germanic tribes who came from the east. In 778, the Franks, led by Emperor Charlemagne, were repulsed, as was an attempt to conquer the territory by Louis IX of France (1226–1270) in 824. After this, the Basque Country became part of the newly created Kingdom of Pamplona.
In 1530, Charles V (1364–1380) made Lower Navarre (Basse-Navarre) part of France, and Labourdanne and Soule, the region's other northern provinces, were added to France in 1589. Spain retained Vizcaya, Guipuzcoa, Alava and Navarre. In 1659, the Peace of the Pyrenees led to a reconciliation between France and Spain, which was sealed by the marriage of the young Louis XIV of France to the Spanish Infanta in 1660.
At the end of the 18th century, the Basque Country entered a period of economic decline, which only ended with the development of tourism. Today, this region is not only a paradise for lovers aquatic species sport, but also for history buffs and pilgrims, thanks to renewed interest in the ancient pilgrimages that cross it. Attractions along were identified as in 1993.
Over the centuries, despite numerous changes of government, the Basque Country has held fast to its national identity. Today this is expressed in the use of the Basque language Euskara, and in the architecture of the region, its religious and secular holidays and.
Explore the Basque Country
The part of the Basque Country lying on French territory includes three historical provinces:
- Lower Navarre (Basse-Navarre)- a world of shepherds and hunters, with numerous pastures and forests and mystical megaliths. Until 1620 it was the independent Kingdom of Navarre, from which a rich architectural heritage has been preserved.
- Labourd — coastal part Basque country and the most touristic: rocky cliffs give way to sand spits with fine sand and best beaches- a paradise for vacationers and surfers. And the algae-rich waters have turned Labourd into a health resort with numerous thalassotherapy centers.
- Soule- a less touristy, inland part of the Basque Country, which has retained a largely untouched appearance and authenticity.
Lower Navarre
There are several towns in Basse Navarre, notably Saint-Palais and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, which were once major stopovers on the .
- Saint-Palais
- Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Labourdane
Together with the Bay of Biscay (which is called the Bay of Gascony in French), Labourdanne consists of hills and mountains such as Runa, Axuria and Arzamendi, with many picturesque villages such as and Ascain. The capital of the region is, although the most popular city- this is undoubtedly a resort for the upper classes and surfers, a thalassotherapy center. Biarritz has been very popular among tourists for many years.
Labourdant is famous for its 5-day Bayonne Festival - Fêtes de Bayonne- the largest summer festival in France, as well as red pepper.
View in Labourdane:
- Hendaye,
- Ciboure
- Ascain
The Catalan authorities have developed a bill providing for the unilateral declaration of independence. The legality of the document is verified by the Spanish Prosecutor General. Catalonia and the Basque Country have always been the most “explosive” points in the country. At the hands of Basque separatists in the 1970s and 1980s, 850 people died. They were the ones who killed Francisco Franco's successor. The militants dug a tunnel under the street where Carrero Blanco passed and planted explosives there.
About the fate of the Basques during the civil war, nostalgia for the “glorious” Middle Ages, the rapid path to terrorism and the positions of ISIS in the region * - in our material.
Bullet for Franco
The independent past of the Basques dates back seven centuries: in the 9th-16th centuries they were part of the Kingdom of Navarre. Catalonia was the most developed region in the Kingdom of Aragon. Since the 1800s, Catalan literature has been devoted mainly to nostalgia for a self-sufficient past. Poets called life within Spain slavery, historians spoke about the special role of the people in European civilization. Catalan nationalists sought, first of all, to protect their native language and the positions of the Catholic Church. Artists painted sketches from the life of the “glorious” Middle Ages.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the nationalism of the Basques and Catalans experienced an unprecedented rise. Both peoples were overly economical - the joys of the siesta were not for them. Landowners worked tirelessly, and at the beginning of the 20th century, the Basque Country and Catalonia became one of the most prosperous regions of Spain. Today the Basques maintain up to 40 thousand large farms, and Catalonia produces more than 25% of Spain's gross national product. This is one of the reasons that prompted residents of the regions to seek independence with arms in hand. “Previously, the backbone of the movement was leftist youth and relatives of those who suffered from Franco’s repressions. Today, large and medium-sized businesses have joined the independence movement, as well as conservative people who see the economic benefits of independence from Spain,” notes journalist Samara Welte.
In 1919, the Catalans prepared a draft Statute of Autonomy. Madrid, of course, did not support this initiative. Later the region gained partial independence, but was obliged to obey directives from the center.
Spain, 1939
During the civil war of 1936–1939, Catalonia and the Basque Country became strongholds of resistance to Franco. Dictatorship would mean the collapse of hope for autonomy. The main “trump card” of the Basques was air superiority. However, it was still not possible to repel the rebels: at the height of the conflict, foreign allies stopped supplying ammunition and food to the region. In April 1937, the Basques lost their main shrine - Guernica. 40 tons of bombs were dropped on the city. Guernica was engulfed in fire, hundreds of citizens fled their homes. Subsequently, Pablo Picasso captured these events in the painting “Guernica.” Radical Basques used the destruction of the city in their propaganda. In February 1939, Catalonia was occupied.
Guernica after the bombing
During the dictatorship, exemplary reprisals were carried out against separatists. In 1974, 25-year-old anti-fascist Salvador Puig Antique was executed. He organized an underground printing house that produced anarchist literature. In 1975, Francisco Franco signed the death warrant for five imprisoned terrorists. During 36 years of dictatorship, the Basques lost their hard-won rights. They were prohibited from publishing literature and teaching in their native language, using national symbols and giving their children Basque names. At that time, up to 2 million Basques lived in Spain; the total population reached 35 million people. Another 15 million Basques settled in Latin America.
The same fate befell the Catalans. Researcher Gómez Pin wrote: “The Catalan language was limited exclusively to the domestic sphere. Only traditional Catalan dances and music recognized by official propaganda were allowed.” The unification of the country's linguistic space fueled nationalist sentiments.
How the Basques laid down their arms
In 1959, the Basque separatist group “Basque Country and Freedom” (ETA) was born. ETA has taken the path of armed struggle. The group's program document proclaimed a course towards a socialist revolution. She carried out her first terrorist attack in 1968. Then a high-ranking police officer was killed. Throughout Spain, militants blew up government buildings and railway lines. "Basque Country and Freedom" enjoyed widespread popular support. Their actions were regarded as the only way to resist the dictatorship. In 1973, Prime Minister Carrero Blanco was killed in an explosion. Terrorists made a tunnel under one of the central streets in Madrid. The armored car weighing 1.5 tons, which the official was driving, flew up to a height of several floors at the time of the explosion.
Francisco Franco
After Franco's death in 1975, the Basque Country and Catalonia gained autonomy. Issues at the regional level were now the responsibility of local parliaments. “Part of the taxes was sent to Madrid. Since 1975, local authorities have independently made decisions in the fields of education, healthcare, production, and infrastructure,” Samara said.
Despite these measures, “Basque Country and Freedom” did not cease its activities. Detachments of 20-30 people operated in different parts of Spain. According to experts, there were about 500 militants in total in the 1970s and 1980s. To obtain funds for terrorism, ETA kidnapped people and demanded huge ransoms from relatives. In addition, representatives of the organization “protected” Basque entrepreneurs for substantial contributions. A major terrorist attack occurred in 2009 in Burgos, when 46 people were injured in a car explosion. In 2011, the security services eliminated some of the leaders of the Basque separatists, and in April 2017, ETA announced its disarmament.
According to Samara, in last years In the Basque Country there is an increase in separatist sentiments. “The Catalans have been demanding a referendum since 2010. Then more than a million people took part in the march through Barcelona. Protests were held annually, the number of participants reached 2 million. Trade unions, universities and football club"Barcelona". As a result, the referendum on Catalan independence in 2014 was symbolic. The Spanish court found it inconsistent with the country's constitution and it had no legal force. However, in 2016, right-wing nationalists won the parliamentary elections in the Basque Country,” the journalist emphasized.
A number of experts claim that ISIS is “hunting” for radical Basques. According to Samara, this information is not true: “There is no chance that the group will replenish its ranks with the Basques. Firstly, people of the same religion and nationality live here, and it’s unlikely to “play” on their religious feelings. Secondly, the Basques have just ended 50 years of armed struggle. The conflict was not of an ethnic nature - it was about gaining independence and building socialism. But at the same time, we are seeing a disturbing trend in the region: girls and boys who have never participated in armed struggle idealize it.”
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said yesterday that he would “under no circumstances” allow a referendum on Catalan independence to be held.
*The organization is banned in Russia by decision of the Supreme Court
The Basque Country is an autonomous region of northern Spain with an area of 7,234 square kilometers. km. It neighbors Cantabria, Castile and Leon in the west, Navarre and France in the east, Rioja in the south, and its northern part is washed by the Bay of Biscay.
The Basque Country or Baskonia is a land of a distinctive culture dating back more than one millennium, which the Basques themselves call Euskadi or Euskal Herria - “Land of the Basque-speaking people.”
Photo: Nature of the Basque Country The Basque Country is a mountainous and picturesque region. Although the region is the center of Spanish industry and agriculture, there are many attractions and tourist attractions.
The Basque Country combines the cultural and slightly pretentious city of Bilbao, the youthful and sporty San Sebastian, where surfers from all over the world hang out all year round, and the Costa Basca with countless small port towns and amazing natural landscapes. Each guest will be able to discover his own Basque Country, because it is a very diverse region.
You can see the city of San Sebastian right now in this author’s video:
All of Spain loves holidays, but in the Basque Country this is especially noticeable. Throughout the year, one carnival is replaced by the next festival or honoring of a particularly revered saint.
On January 20, all those who love rhythm gather in San Sebastian, as Tamborrada begins - a procession of drummers along the central streets. Hundreds of groups of musicians, dressed in the brightest clothes, pass one after another, beating out fiery rhythms.
At the end of June, rock lovers flock to the capital of the region - one of the largest rock festivals in Spain is held here. Literally two weeks later, the genre changes dramatically in Vitoria and a jazz festival begins. And at the end of August, it is advisable to be on the Big Week of Bilbao, when citizens celebrate the city day for nine days.
Geographical features
Photo: Posalagua Cave in Armagnón Natural Park The Basque Country is the brightest jewel in the crown of northern Spain. Two realities coexist here: heavy industry is developed and forests reign, colorful bays and bays, amazing villages have been preserved.
The landscapes and landscapes of the Basque Country are as unique as the Basques themselves - emerald evergreen hills, mighty mountains and picturesque rocky bays.
There are 14 natural parks in the Basque region with well-planned trekking routes of varying difficulty. For example:
- The Gorbea Natural Park invites you to climb the mountain of the same name, from where stunning landscapes open up;
- The Armagnón Natural Park attracts tourists with the Posalagua cave with stunning stalactites;
- Urdabay Biosphere Reserve pleases picturesque views and etc.
Climate
The Basque region is characterized by a mild and humid climate, with temperatures averaging 20 degrees Celsius in summer and 7 degrees Celsius in winter. Even in winter, it is possible to meet a surfer here. This is the rainiest region of the Spanish Kingdom, so be prepared for weather surprises.
How to get there and navigate around the place
Photo: Detailed map Basque Country Why go
The Basque Country is a mountainous region that invites tourists to a variety of routes along the mountains and coast. Here you can see a special culture and hear a unique language, visit unusual museums, and also taste the most the best cuisine in the kingdom.
When to go
We advise you to travel to the Basque Country from May to June, when there is excellent warm weather with the least rainfall in this rather rainy region. In July you can go to the international jazz festival in San Sebastian.
Cultural characteristics
The Basque language is considered one of the oldest in Europe, but it has no similarities with any of the European languages. Some even believe that the Basques have a connection with the Georgians, since their language has about 200 similar roots.
Due to its isolation, outlandish folk traditions and legends still exist in the Basque Country, carefully passed on by word of mouth by bards. The main musical instruments are the tambourine and a type of accordion called trikitisha. A special feature of Basque folk dances is the beautiful kicking of the legs. Basque sports are also interesting - lifting heavy boulders or cutting logs.
The center of Basque culture is the province of Gipuzkoa, where Basque stone buildings (the village of Bera de Bidasoa) and folk traditions have been preserved. Locals sing and dance, just like centuries ago, and will be happy to teach tourists this.
What to see
The Basque Country attracts a lot of attention from tourists from all over the world, providing a huge variety of recreational activities: from sightseeing and architectural monuments to active sports and walks in natural parks.
We have collected the top 10 very, very places that you definitely need to see with your own eyes:
Cathedral of St. James in Bilbao- one of the central buildings in the city. As is often the case, the current structure stands on the site of previous churches that were destroyed or dismantled. Bilbao is included in the pilgrimage route of St. James, so there are always many believers here.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao- one of the most unusual buildings not only in the city, but throughout Spain. The flow of tourists increased significantly after the grand opening of this building for everyone to visit.
Photo: View of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao New Cathedral of the Virgin Immaculate in Vitoria– decoration of the historical part of the city. This neo-Gothic building is one of the largest cathedrals in Spain. It was called new to distinguish it from the already existing “old”.
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in San Sebastian– in addition to the beautiful decorative elements, visitors are attracted by the huge organ, which for a long time bore the honorary title of the largest organ in the country.
Photo: Facade of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in San Sebastian Miramar Palace in San Sebastian– a chic English-style mansion located just a few meters from the amazing beach. This is a true example of luxury. It was built as a summer residence for the royal family, and many of the rooms retain the original design and furnishings. The remaining premises were regularly rebuilt to meet the new requirements of the time.
Bay de la Concha in San Sebastian- These are endless beaches along the sea bay in the shape of a shell. Next to the beach, long embankments have been built here, turning into one another.
Photo: Beautiful Bay de la Concha in San Sebastian – not far from the famous Guggenheim Museum there is another original building. This eclectic style building amazes with its variety of shapes. Initially, this palace was built for the personal needs of the financial tycoon Salazar, but since the mid-20th century the Government of the Basque Country has been meeting here.
– since the beginning of the 21st century, this museum has been delighting its visitors with beautiful masterpieces of both Spanish contemporary authors and foreign ones. In addition to exhibition halls, there is a large library, an archive and a separate educational center for those studying art.
Photo: Basque Museum of Contemporary Art in Vitoria Casa del Cordón in Vitoria– a unique building in the Gothic style, built by a wealthy merchant in the 15th century. Many famous people of Spain lived there. Now it houses an information center dedicated to the culture and original forms of creativity of the Basque people.
Maria Cristina Bridge in San Sebastian– at the beginning of the 20th century this iron bridge was opened, uniting the two banks. It is richly decorated with huge obelisks and gilded sculptures, many of which resemble the famous Pont Alexandre III in Paris.
Main places and cities of attractions
Photo: Cathedral of Santa Maria The main attractions of Basque Country:
- In Vitoria-Gasteiz, the 14th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria is interesting, where the impressions are complemented by paintings by Rubens. And in the suburbs you can see the 11th-century Romanesque gem of the Temple of Our Lady of Estibalis;
- Bilbao is famous for the Guggenheim Foundation's cutting-edge art museum and the glass bridge leading to it;
- The city of Costa Basca is famous for its beautiful and sometimes even dramatic landscapes. Here you can also find traces of ancient settlements;
- Between Portugalete and Las Arenas you can experience a special experience on the Biscay Flying Bridge Ferry. Its extraordinary flying gondolas run every 8 minutes;
- Little-known places include the salt mines of Salinas de Añana, where developments are still underway using ancient Roman technologies;
- Not far from San Sebastian in Mundaka there is a bird sanctuary where millions of migratory birds find shelter.
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Photo: Capital of Basque Country - Vitoria-Gasteiz The capital of Basque Country bears the dual Spanish-Basque name of Vitoria-Gasteiz. It was founded in 1181 on the site of the village of Gasteiz through the efforts of the monarch Sancho IV the Wise, who surrounded the village with a fortress wall.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is bordered on all sides natural parks and leads in the number of museums - weapons, maps, archeology, natural history, modern arts, etc. The atmosphere is everywhere here medieval city– fortress wall and majestic Gothic churches.
Bilbao
Photo: Cruise port to Bilbao Bilbao is the largest Basque city and also its industrial centre and a port of national importance. The symbol of the city is the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation Museum of Contemporary Art. About 1.5 million people visit this museum annually. The 55-meter structure is itself a masterpiece of modern art - to some it resembles a huge flower, a miracle bird or a spaceship of the future. Also noteworthy is the glass bridge over the Nervion River, which leads to the Museum.
What to do in the Basque Country
Photo: Chavarri Palace in Bilbao In the Basque Country it is difficult to get bored even for experienced tourists, who are difficult to surprise. There are sports, art, and unusual buildings and monuments. It's hard to resist such variety.
We have collected the top 20 things that you need to do while traveling around this region:
- Enter the Bilbao Cathedral and become part of the great pilgrimage route of many believers.
- Walk through the halls of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Vitoria - at first your eyes run wide from such a variety of shapes, combinations of lights and colors.
- Take a look at the Casa del Cordón in Vitoria, built over 500 years ago - a strict Gothic building with amazing interiors. This is an incomparable feeling of involvement in the great events of the past that happened to the people who lived in this house.
- Take a selfie on the Maria Cristina Bridge in San Sebastian - there are gorgeous views of the river and banks all around.
- Swim on the beach of Bay de la Concha in San Sebastian - there is almost always calm, clear water without waves.
- Take a boat ride to Santa Clara Island in San Sebastian - if you catch it during high tide, you can even swim there.
- Visit the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao - an amazing modern-style building that attracts the attention of all tourists in the Basque Country.
- Feel like a representative of royal blood as you walk through the huge halls of the Miramar Palace, which served as the summer royal residence of the Spanish dynasty.
- Losing yourself among the huge New Cathedral of the Virgin Immaculate in Vitoria makes you feel like a grain of sand in a vast universe.
- Take a walk to Mount Urgull in San Sebastian, which offers views of the entire surrounding area. For the most persistent ones, a visit to the castle at the top will be given as a reward for their efforts.
- Be inspired by the paintings of Rubens on the walls of the Temple of Santa Maria in the capital Vitoria-Gasteiz.
- Visit one of the best and oldest pastry shops in Spain, opened in 1886 by Manuel Goya (in the capital of Vitoria-Gasteiz).
- Lie on the luxurious beaches of charming San Sebastian.
- Taste the best pintxos and Basque tapas in the region at the coastal pintxos bars of San Sebastian.
- Taste Chaholi wines in the Costa Basque, which are not found anywhere else - neither in Spain nor in Europe.
- Walk through mysterious labyrinths and feel like an ant in front of a huge spider at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
- Climb Mount Gorbea or visit the amazing stalactite caves of Posalagua.
- Take a ride on the gondola of the extraordinary Biscay Flying Bridge.
- Go to the province of Guipuzcoa and learn crazy Basque dancing.
- Check out the colorful town of Hondarribia, right next to the French border.
Shopping (What and where to buy)
Photo: Smoked Idiazabal cheese The Basque Country is a colorful and quite distinctive region, where there are souvenirs that are unlike gifts from other Spanish provinces. We have collected the 5 best souvenirs from the Basque Country:
1. Chapela - the original black beret worn by many men.
2. Icurinha - Basque flag. Sold almost everywhere.
3. Lauburu – a cross formed by four commas. This symbol did not originate here, but it is surprising that it became widespread here. With this symbol you can purchase everything: from a plate for the wall to jewelry.
4. Chakoli is a delicious local wine that is served in all cafes and restaurants. It would be a sin not to bring it with you as a souvenir.
5. Idiazabal - fatty smoked sheep's milk cheese.
Where to live
Photo: One of the best hotels in Bilbao Sercotel Hotel Gran Bilbao The Basque Country welcomes guests and tourists from all over the world with great hospitality, as you can personally see by staying in any of the hotels in the region.
We have chosen the top 5 hotels based on reviews from experienced travelers:
1. NH Bilbao Deusto (Francisco Macia, 9 | Deusto, 48014 Bilbao) – convenient location, within walking distance of most attractions in the historical part of the city. Polite staff and high level of services provided.
2. Sercotel Hotel Gran Bilbao (Avenida Indalecio Prieto, 1, 48004 Bilbao) is an excellent hotel with large rooms equipped with everything necessary for a quality holiday.
3. Sercotel Coliseo (Alameda De Urquijo 13, 48008 Bilbao) – spacious rooms, excellent soundproofing, close to the city center.
4. NH Canciller Ayala Vitoria (Ramon y Cajal, 5 | City Center, 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz) – a five-minute walk from the main tourist sites, there is a park nearby. Friendly staff and comfortable rooms.
5. Sercotel Boulevard Vitoria (Calle Zaramaga, 3, 01013 Vitoria-Gasteiz) – the rooms are always clean and tidy, the bathroom has all bath accessories. There is a large supermarket nearby.
Travel plan, tours for 1-3-7 days
Photo: Nature and landscapes of the Basque Country The Basque Country is becoming more and more popular among tourists every year: infrastructure is developing, new restaurants and cafes are opening, hotels are welcoming guests, and the authorities are coming up with a variety of entertainment to attract interest in this region. We tried to embrace the immensity and put together a week-long trip around the Basque Country:
| Day | Morning | Dinner | Evening |
| 1 | Bilbao. Moya Square. Chavarri Palace | Museum of Fine Arts | Park Doña Casilda de Iturrizar. Euskalduna. Maritime Museum. You can dine at Restaurante Guria (Don Diego López Haroko Kale Nagusia, 66), where we recommend trying their cod dishes. |
| 2 | Guggenheim Museum. We recommend setting aside half a day for its visit, since there are many halls, plus a landscaped and original area around the museum. | After the museum at sunset, it’s nice to stroll along the river mouth along the beautiful embankment. You can end your busy day at San Mames Jatetxea (Raimundo P. Lezama s/n (Estadio San Mames. Puerta Nº 14), which is located in the stadium building. | |
| 3 | Bilbao Cathedral | Museum of Basque Art | Walk through the old streets of the city. Among the countless bars and restaurants, we recommend paying attention to Restaurante en Bilbao Bar Baster (Posta Kalea, 22), where there is an excellent cocktail menu and a variety of tapas. |
| 4 | Vitoria. Cathedral | Historical quarter. Museum of lighting torches. |
Catholic Church of St. Michael the Archangel. It is worth refreshing yourself in the excellent Basque restaurant Restaurante Arkupe (Mateo Benigno de Moraza Kalea, 13), where you can try local traditional dishes. |
| 5 | Plaza de España. | Artium Museum of Contemporary Art. | Museum of Archeology. After a scientific day, it’s worth going to the Querida María jatetxea restaurant (Santa Maria Plaza, 2), where it’s delicious and quite inexpensive. |
| 6 | San Sebastian. Miramar Palace | Funicular to the mountain. Lighthouse. | Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. Bridge of Santa Cristina. Restaurante Ibai (Calle de Getaria, 15) offers a wonderful dinner in a great atmosphere. |
| 7 | Shopping on the beach. | Go to Santa Clara Island. | Visit the aquarium. |
What and where to eat
Photo: Beef steak with bone Basque cuisine is very diverse: it has many fish and seafood dishes due to its seaside location, and at the same time, the locals know how and love to cook meat and vegetables.
We have collected 5 of the most original traditional Basque dishes:
1. “Chuleton de Vaca” - beef steak with a bone. You can choose any level of roasting, but in any case it will be unsurpassed in taste.
2. Oven-baked fish is a special delicacy and a treat for dear guests on a holiday or family celebration.
3. Dried cod – local chefs demonstrate amazing ways of preparing dishes from this special ingredient. The taste is specific, but therefore unforgettable.
4. Idiazabal cheese is a rather fatty sheep cheese. It can be stored for a long time, so you can safely take it with you as a gastronomic souvenir.
5. Marmita de bonito (Marmita de bonito) - a fish dish made from tuna, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and peppers. In the Basque Country they even organize competitions for preparing this treat.
Kitchen
Photo: Seafood in Spain In the Basque Country you will be well fed wherever you go - seafood and meat. According to one of the San Pelegrino ratings, two of the ten best restaurants in the world are located in the Basque Country - these are Mugaritz and Arzak, and San Sebastian is the world leader in Michelin stars (four restaurants).
Basque cuisine is characterized by minimal use of spicy seasonings, and the entire emphasis is on the taste of the products themselves. The most popular dishes are marmitako (tuna chowder) and the amazing creamy dessert goshua.
The Basque region also has its own wines - the slightly sparkling wines of Txakoli.
Best excursions according to reviews
Sometimes, to understand a region, it is not enough to go everywhere on your own with a reference book in your hands. Professional guides know special places hidden from tourists and will tell educational stories and breathtaking legends.
We have collected 5 of the most popular excursions in the Basque Country:
1. Mysteries of the Basque Forest - thicket, medieval castles, rocks, small fishing villages, where time seems to have stopped forever. Participants will be able to feel the strength and power of this region, which is not called the Country for nothing.
2. Walk through elegant San Sebastian - a haven for the most sophisticated layers of the Spanish aristocracy. Everything here is done and decorated to the highest standard to please discerning people.
3. The cosmopolitan city of Bilbao is a little eccentric and hectic, this city has an indescribable but unique atmosphere. It cannot be described in words, but can be felt in bars, galleries, museums, and even on the subway.
4. Tour of Vitoria - a walking tour through the old streets, accompanied by a guide and his colorful stories.
5. Boat excursion along San Sebastian - this city has a unique location along a deep bay. From the sea side there is an amazing view of the coast.
You can see the beauty of the city of Bilbao in this video: