Gipuzkoa

Dream beaches, monumental towns, country houses surrounded by spectacular mountains and a wide and varied cultural and gastronomic offer. Gipuzkoa is a plural territory in which each region has its own character.

From the blue colour of the Cantabrian sea to the inland natural regions, we will also find industrial cities situated barely a few kilometres from rural areas. All of them in a small space to cover hardly in one hour, as Gipuzkoa is the smallest province of the Basque Country, a land of contrasts that has combined its deep-rooted traditions with vanguard technology, business and arts.

Its capital, San Sebastián, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. La Concha Bay, with the Santa Clara Island in the middle, is undoubtedly, the most popular image of the city that captivates those who visit it.

The sea, the mountains and the river Urumea exist side by side in harmony with the urban and modern architecture such as the Kursaal Centre, which is setting of numerous and important conferences and cultural events.

As in the whole territory, gastronomy is one of the great attractions in San Sebastián. Lovers of good food will find an unbeatable gastronomic offer with all types of tastes, smells and textures adapting to different palates: from Michelin guide restaurants and delicious pintxos that decorate bars to gastronomic societies, fairs, markets and cider houses (which mainly concentrate in Astigarraga, Hernani and Usurbil).

Coast of Gipuzkoa, tourist destination per excellence

Numerous attractions cover the 86 kilometres of the coast of Gipuzkoa. On the western coast the beautiful Zarautz, Getaria and Mutriku constitute desired holiday destinations for many tourists, thanks to its marvellous beaches, monuments and cultural attractions.

Besides, nature offers us one of the most spectacular views of the Basque coast: the strange geological formations in the cliffs located between Deba and Zumaia, known as Flysch.

On the other side of the coast, in the East, we will find the Bidasoa-Txingudi region, whose border nature marked the existence of its main towns: Hondarribia, which keeps its historical old quarter behind walls, and Irun, a city of intense trade activity.

Likewise, Gipuzkoa hides many treasures inland. The interior is characterised by its green valleys and mountains, ideal for trips on foot, by bike and even on horseback. The inland rural areas are the spots that best keep their Basque cultural and folk traditions alive, as well as the Basque (mother tongue of most of the population).

With the silhouette of the Aralar mountain range and Txindoki at the back, Tolosaldea and Goierri regions enable us entering areas that keep the essence of the rural Basque Country.

To the West, the valleys of Urola and Deba contain authentic treasures of monuments. Three Romanesque, Baroque and avant-garde gems: The hermitage of La Antigua in Zumarraga, the basilica of Loiola in Azpeitia and the sanctuary of Arantzazu at the foot of the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park.