The biggest city in the Basque Country (aka Euskadi) is of course an urban pleasure. But much of the charm of this proud part of green northern Spain also resides in its rural towns and villages in Bizkaia (Biscay) province a short drive from Bilbao. And here are five gems not to miss:
Balmaseda: Where Each Stone Tells a Story
A half hour west of Bilbao, Balmaseda isn´t just Bizkaia´s oldest town (1175), but also one where historic landmarks and traditions abound, from the 13th-century bridge that crosses the Cadagua River to the local market where euskera (the Basque language) is heard in every corner. Highlights include the town hall, the Horcasitas Palace, and the local museum of history. And foodies take note of the local speciality, putxera, a traditional stew of beans, bacon, and chorizo sausage.
Elantxobe: Perched Above the Sea
Heading from Bilbao some 45 minutes up to the Cantabrian Sea coast, this fetching little fishing village with fewer than 400 residents is made up of houses climbing up a hill and affords sea views that will leave you speechless. Here the Bilbao accent mixes with the smell of saltpeter and the lore of sailors and fisherfolk who have been working for generations. Wander the steep cobblestone streets, take a dip in the natural pool near the port, and check out nearby sites like Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve and Santimamiñe Cave with its Paleolithic rock paintings.
Gernika: Charm and Symbolism
About 40 minutes west of Bilbao, this larger, 658-year-old town (pop. nearly 17,000, and rendered in Spanish as Guernica) is the one on this list you may very well have already heard of, as Pablo Picasso immortalised in a searing painting its brutal 1937 bombing during the Spanish Civil War by the fascist German and Italian air force (allies of Francisco Franco´s rebel forces). But apart from that, it´s very meaningful for Basques thanks to being home to the Gernikako Arbola (Tree of Gernika), an oak next to which lies the Casa de Juntas assembly building, where representatives from Basque towns would back in the day meet to discuss affairs, and so the tree came to symbolise traditional Basque freedoms and rights. And we also recommend you come on a Monday, when the the colourful traditional market is in full sweing.
Lekeitio: Tradition and the Beach
Also up on the coast, about an hour and ten minutes from Bilbao and a half hour from Elantxobe, few towns combine seafaring life with the charm of its beaches as well as this one, of some 7,300 residents where the cobbled streets lead you to the historic, 15th-century Gothic Basilica of Santa Maria. Also well worth a visit is San Nicolás Island, reachable only at low tide via a pathway from the towns Isuntza beach; hike around the island, take in the view from its overlook, and check out the remains of its 16th-century hermitage.
Orduña, in a Class by Itself
Called Urduña in Basque, this town with around 4,200 residents lies just over a half hour south of Bilbao. It was founded in 1229, and its historic old town is picturesque indeed, especially the main square, the Plaza de los Fueros. Its Basque identity is strong, and that language coexists naturally with Spanish, with locals speaking with a charming lilt. And if you go up to the Salto del Nervión overlook, you´ll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views out over the province.
So come and explore the towns of Bilbao´s hinterland by booking a flight with Iberia and we guarantee you´ll be totally charmed!