San Sebastian 2018/2019 Guide

SURROUNDINGAREA DISCOVER THE BASQUE COUNTRY 97

96

DONOSTIA / SAN SEBASTIÁN

FROMBIARRITZ TO MUTRIKU, ALONG THE ENTIRE SHORE BASQUECOASTAL ROUTE

UROLA GARAIA INLAND ROUTE

2.

ZUMARRAGA

LEGAZPI

The upper basin of the River Urola is also known as the Iron Valley. The inexhaustible kinetic force of the river led to the emergence of its old ironworks and the subsequent thriving metallurgical industry. As you travel through this province you can observe the relationship between humankind and the earth and how iron transformed society in the Basque Country.

The flysch is a curios formation of successive layers of rocks which, due to the continuous action of the sea, have been exposed and reveal information about biological, geological and even climatic changes that have occurred in the last 50 million years. It’s an open book that reveals the deepest secrets of the earth. A genuine tectonic bible.

LAANTIGUA

San Juan de Luz

Getaria

In Zumárraga you will find an architectural gem: The Antigua Hermitage, considered the Cathedral of Hermitages. Inside, an incredible timber frame supports the roof in such a way that it appears to be floating.

Most of the finest scenery and most famous sandy beaches in the region of Gipuzkoa spread out to the west of San Sebastian. If you leave San Sebastian and head through Orio, you’ll come to Zarautz , the first real gem on the coastline, where they hold a top international surfing event. The next stop-off is Getaria, famous for its mouse-shaped peninsula, for being the birthplace of the explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano and the fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga and for having some of the finest grilled fish restaurants in the Basque Country. The neighbouring Zumaia , standing at the mouth of the River Urola and surrounded by beaches, it has a world-famous geological treasure: the flysch . The road from here to Deba is known for its hills and bends, but it’s worth it, if only to see the summer houses, the charming beach or the marvellous cloister of Santa María Church. Mutriku is the final stronghold of Gipuzkoa before you enter Bizkaia, an exceptional amphitheatre with views of the Cantabrian Sea.

TO THE EAST AND WEST OF SAN SEBASTIAN, THE COASTLINE IS AN EVER-SHIFTING LINE OF STEEP CLIFFS AND BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, AN EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION OF LIGHTHOUSES, VANTAGE POINTS AND LITTLE FISHING VILLAGES. Heading east towards the border with France, Mount Ulia brings us down a signposted path to Pasaia San Pedro , a town with cobbled streets and a fishing tradition, which has a shipyard for traditional Basque boats called Albaola. In the port you can catch a boat to the neighbouring Pasai Donibane , a village crossed by a single narrow street and dotted with passageways. From there it’s easy to get to the historic quarters that have been preserved in the industrial towns of Lezo and Errenteria . If you continue eastwards, Mount Jaizkibel takes you to Hondarribia and Irun, which was a major Roman settlement. Hondarribia is simply spectacular. Founded eight centuries ago, the upper part of the town has a real medieval feel, which is in contrast with the colourful fishing-village style of the lower district, the Marina. Next to the border awaits the quiet Hendaye , famous for its beach, summer houses and Abbadie Castle. A few kilometres to the north stands the charming San Juan de Luz , which has a beautifully preserved historic centre and the splendid church of San Juan Bautista. Continuing along the coast, you come to Biarritz , a tourist destination for lots of high society figures.

# BEGI BISTAN T: 943 86 22 41 / 657 79 46 77 www.begi-bistan.com

# OARSOALDEA T: 943 49 45 21 www.oarsoaldea.eus

MIRANDAOLA

And in Legazpi, the stunning spectacle of the Mirandaola Ironworks starts the journey through the Iron Valley: the Iron Museum, the Workers’ Route and Chillida Lantokia, where the sculptor produced his most famous iron pieces.

BIARRITZ

HENDAYE

SAN JUAN DE LUZ

HONDARRIBIA

LEZO

DONOSTIA / SAN SEBASTIAN

F R A N C I A

MUTRIKU

PASAI DONIBANE ERRENTERIA IRUN

ZUMAIA GETARIA

DEBA

ZARAUTZ ORIO

# UROLA GARAIA TURISMOA T: 943 72 20 42 www.urolagaraia.com

B I Z K A I A

Zarautz - Getaria - Zumaia UK09 UK10 UK11

Deba - Mutriku DB03

HONDARRIBIA: E20 E21 E27 From Plaza Gipuzkoa

PASAI DONIBANE: E01 From Plaza Gipuzkoa

PASAI SAN PEDRO: E09 From Okendo,14 street

G I P U Z KOA

From Bus Station