ENVIRONMENT
The accommodation is located in Guipúzcoa, in the municipality of Azpeitia. It is a place full of mountains, although the rural house is next to town. The house has a very good location to get to know the Basque Country since it is located in the center of it.
Near our house are the coastal towns of Zumaia, Getaria, and Zarautz. The capitals San Sebastián, Bilbao, Vitoria, and Pamplona. They are 42, 53, and 55 minutes away, and Hendaye is an hour’s drive distance.
The accommodation is located in Guipúzcoa, in the municipality of Azpeitia. It is a place full of mountains, although the rural house is next to town. The house has a very good location to get to know the Basque Country since it is located in the center of it.
Near our house are the coastal towns of Zumaia, Getaria, and Zarautz. The capitals San Sebastián, Bilbao, Vitoria, and Pamplona. They are 42, 53, and 55 minutes away, and Hendaye is an hour’s drive distance.
What to visit in Azpeitia?
Loiola Shrine
It is located in an idyllic setting in the center of the Urola Valley, Loiola is one of the most important monumental spaces in Gipuzkoa. The birthplace of San Ignacio, known as the Holy House, is preserved as a relic by the Sanctuary that houses the impressive basilica built in the Roman style.
Hermitage of Our Lady of Olatz
It dates from the end of the 13th century, to the beginning of the 14th. In the past, it was closely related to the Loyolas, since they were co-patrons of the hermitage together with the mayor of the town of Azpeitia. It houses a valuable polychrome Gothic carving of Our Lady of Olatz.
Casa consistorial
In 1842, the State transferred the building to the City Council with the condition of allocating a portion of it to an educational center. Its interior hides what was once the convent's church, now deconsecrated and converted into a cultural center.
San Sebastián de Soreasu Church
The parish of San Sebastián de Soreasu is a work from the 16th century as a whole, although its origins date back to before the founding of the town in 1310.
Former Municipal Laundry
It is located in the place where the part of the wall attached to the church used to be. It was built in 1842 to provide a dignified place for doing laundry. It is open to the public free of charge.
Enparan Tower House
Today, it is a public library and the interior can be visited for free. It was built by one of the most powerful families of "Parientes Mayores" in the Basque Country. The upper part of the tower was destroyed in 1456 but was repaired a century later. In 1750, two additional bodies were added to the sides of the original tower, along with numerous Baroque elements.
Railway Museum
It is located in the former Urola railway station, which used to connect the towns of Zumaia and Zumarraga. The museum boasts one of the best railway collections in Europe, featuring vehicles of all kinds. It is particularly recommended for families with children.
Basazabal Palace
Today, it is open to the public as the palace houses the tourist office and the training area of the municipality. It is considered the oldest civil building in Azpeitia, as its construction dates back to the 14th-15th centuries.
What to visit in Azkoitia?
Casa consistorial
The Azkoitia town hall was built in 1730 following a design by José de Lizardi. Under its arcades is the popular “Kontzejupe”, where the Basque ball is elevated to the status of symbol of Azkoitia.
Palace of Floreaga or Zuazola
It was built in 1514 in the Mudejar style by Don Pedro de Zuazola on an old building belonging to his family. It presents a surprising architecture of the Mudejar Gothic style.
Santa Maria la Real Parish
Built from the transfer of the old Parish of Santa Maria de Balda in 1510, it is an exponent of Basque Gothic style architecture. Special mention must be made of its great romantic-symphonic organ, the last work to come out of the masterful Parisian organ factory of Aristides Cavaillé-Coll in 1898.
Idiaquez Tower (Black House)
Emerged under the protection of the old medieval wall and blackened in the vicissitudes of its history. The building is also known as the Black House because of its appearance since it was burned down during the Second Carlist War.
Frontons Jorge Oteiza
The Azkoitia pediments, one of the great works of Jorge Oteiza. The sculptor honors the “pelotazale” tradition that is lived in this Basque municipality, for that, he represents each of the types of frontons that we can find in the seven provinces of Euskal Herria.
Balda Tower House
The tower was rebuilt in the second half of the 15th century. At that time, demolished as a fortified tower, it was transformed into a residential house, as we see it now.
Hermitage of S.Martin de Iraurgi
In its tower, the old clock that the Zugasti house and Sons of Bilbao installed in 1859 still marks time. Inside, in what was once a hospital, there is a recovered space, where visitors can learn about the history of Azkoitia.
Intsausti Palace
The Intsausti Palace is the birthplace of the Basque Royal Society of Friends of the Country in 1764. It was founded to promote unity among Basques and foster societal regeneration through education. The building, renovated by its founder Xabier María de Munibe, now serves as the headquarters for the society and the Antonio Oteiza Foundation.
Charming villages
Zumaia
Zumaia is located in a privileged spot on the Guipuzcoa coast. Geology is the true protagonist of the landscape, as it holds a spectacular formation of rock layers called Flysch. Visitors can walk along these cliffs or take a boat excursion. One of the most popular routes with breathtaking views is between the towns of Deba and Zumaia.
Getaria
Getaria is a coastal town in the Basque Country. It is known for being the birthplace of the navigator J.S. Elcano and for the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum. The town is famous for its restaurants that serve grilled fish and the Getaria Txakoli wine.
Hondarribi
A visit to the Historic Center of Hondarribia is a must. In recent years, Hondarribia has experienced an incredible boom in its culinary scene.
San Sebastián / Donostia
San Sebastián has it all. Three beaches, bars full of pintxos, and a charming old town.
Zarautz
Zarautz is a perfect summer destination. It has the longest beach in the Basque Country and its waves attract surfers from all over the world. The beach is surrounded by a paseo marítimo that even goes as far as Getaria.
Oñati
Oñati is the most monumental villa in Gipuzkoa and one of the most beautiful towns in Euskadi. Nine kilometers from the old town is the Basilica of Arantzazu, raised in the 1950s on a precipice, an impressive ensemble of avant-garde art.
Baiolei nature spots
Hiking
Izarraitz mountain range
The Izarraitz mountain range is an environment of undeniable beauty for mountain and nature lovers. Baiolei is located just below the Izarraitz mountain range. You can reach Xoxote, Kakute, and Erlo from our house.
Ernio
Ernio summit is one of the most mythical and emblematic places in Gipuzkoa, known as the "Guipuzcoan balcony". Ernio is located in Errezil, a village 11km away from our house.
The Apple of Ibarbi tour (Errezil) (Recommended for children)
A tour surrounded by pure nature to know the well-known and well-known apple of Errezil. This is a route recommended to do it with children.
Nature parks
Today in Gipuzkoa there are four natural parks with true cultural landscapes, Aizkorri-Aratz, Aralar, Pagoeta, and Aiako harria, which represent more than 15% of the Gipuzkoan territory.
Bicycle
Urola greenway by bike (Recommended to do with children)
It is an attractive route suitable for both pedestrians and cyclists. Along the way, there are alternating bike paths and greenways, making for a scenic journey with numerous tunnels and bridges following the course of the Urola River.
Bird watching
Urdaibai
f you are a nature lover you have a mandatory stop in Urdaibai. This treasure of Bizkaia gathers beaches of fine sand, marshes full of vegetation, and an infinity of birds that will fascinate you.