BEAUTIFUL TOWNS

Coast  |   Inland   |   Cities  |  Santiago Road

The Basque Coast is distinguished by its long string of lime cliffs, at whose foot beautiful fine sand beaches and coves protrude in a wide range of shapes and colours. It is a coast of contrasts, where the blue of the sea merges with the green of the nearby meadows and the grey of the rocks.

The Basque people have always lived facing the sea. In fact, the Cantabrian Sea, stormy and severe, has been the livelihood for its shore’s inhabitants from the beginning of time. Because of this strong seafaring tradition, there are numerous ports and coastal towns, where today as in the past people go out fishing so that we may enjoy those exquisite fish that have such well-deserved fame.

Among the most noteworthy coastal towns are:

BISCAY

Bermeo , with its beautiful fishing port and the precious Hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

Lekeitio, famous for its fiestas and popular folklore

Santurce , seaside town and site of the Port of Bilbao

Elantxobe, a picturesque seafaring town that climbs up a hillside overlooking the sea

Ondarroa

Armintza

GIPUZKOA

Zarauz and its beautiful beach

Getaria , homeland of the explorer Elcano

Hondarribia and its ancient medieval wall

FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY

Saint-Jean-de-Luz, ancient den of pirates and corsairs

Biarritz, the time-honoured meeting place of the European nobility

Hendaya, the last French beach (French Basque Country)