| Basque Country |
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| Charming and romantic Basque Country hotels, rural retreats, boutique hotels, luxury hotels, romantic getaways, small hotels, bed & breakfasts |
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| Choose from our romantic and charming Basque Country hotels and accommodation by clicking on the map or list on the right. These will highlight a wide selection of Basque Country hotels, including romantic Bilbao hotels, fincas, cortijos, bed & breakfasts, San Sebastian hotels amongst others. Whatever your taste, we’ll help you find that perfect getaway. |
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| Click on hotel icons on map or see all Basque Country hotels |
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| All hotels have been personally visited by member of our management. ask our advice |
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| Though sometimes in the news for negative reasons, Euskadi (to give it its Basque name) is in fact a land of outstanding natural beauty and charm. The rugged coastline, mountainous relief and unspoilt countryside come together with its towns, picturesque villages and way of life to make for a unique region. The Basques are noted for their proud independence, singular language, traditions and culture. Even their sports seem different, including jasotzea (stone-lifting) and segalaritza (grass-cutting), not to mention the more famous pelota (or jai lai). Bilbao is also home to the fabulous Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, which has already been called by many as the greatest building of our time. Add to this a cuisine that is generally recognised as being the finest in Spain and you have many compelling reasons to visit this truly unique region of Spain. |
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| The history of the Basque country is shrouded in mystery. The people are of a different stock to any in Europe. The language is also unrelated to other idioms. In this regard, the impenetrable mountains that encompass it lend credence to the theory that the Basques developed continuously in isolation for thousands of years - hence its unique language and culture. By the 12th century, however, it had been brought within the orbit of the Crown of Castile. It retained its own legal system, though, and the Ancient Charter of Biscay (the Fuero Viejo) dating back to the 15th century compiled all the old laws, customs, traditions and privileges that had been enjoyed by the Basques over the centuries. Whatever period of history, however, the Basques have always jealously guarded and fought for their independence. The Spanish civil war was a case in point. The Nationalist wrath was unleashed in the Bombing of Guernika (immortalised by Picasso’s great painting) and during Franco’s time thousands of people died in his efforts to domesticate the region. It was forbidden to speak Basque in public and centralised control was only achieved through an iron fist. These and other actions led to the creation of ETA (Freedom for the Basques). Since the advent of democracy in 1975, the Basque country has achieved greater autonomy, including the ability to set its own taxes, etc. |
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Guipuzcoa
Fiestas
Guipúzcoa is a region that abounds and delights in popular festivities, both religious and secular - particularly during the summer months. Just a few to wet the taste buds include the Musical Fortnight, an International Film Festival, an International Jazz Festival, the Great Basque Week, as well as the typical 'tamborradas' (drum festival) as well as a long list of Folklore festivals throughout the province with San Sebastián, naturally enough, at the centre of it all. They are generally well advertised in advance throughout the local press.
Monuments
San Sebastián is a very beautiful town with large avenues and elegant tree-lined boulevards. The old quarter and its delightful fishing port, where incidentally you will find excellent restaurants, accommodates its two oldest churches - the Gothic Church of San Vicente and the Baroque Church of Santa María as well as the 16th century Convent of San Telmo (which has been converted into a museum). Modern buildings of note include the Cathedral del Buen Pastor, the Municipal Casino, Auditorium and the Congress Palace.
Alava
Fiestas
The traditional celebrations are mainly held during spring and summer. The 'Day of San Prudencio' (Patron Saint of Alava) is celebrated on the 28th of April, in Armentia, where the saint's church is located. These festivities are preceded by the traditional ‘tattoo’, which takes place in Vitoria.The main festivities of Vitoria are held around the 5th of August - the 'Day of La Virgen Blanca'. They tend to begin the previous night with a firework display and the appearance of Celedón, a typical representation of the villager from Alava, which is carried at the head of several groups of men. Music lovers will be glad to know that Vitoria also holds an International Jazz Festival in July, and a 'Week of Music' in Autumn. Of the festivities that take place in winter the traditional midnight mass (Misa del Gallo), which takes place in Vitoria Christmas Eve, has been declared Festival of Tourist Interest.
Monuments
The carefully planned Vitoria-Gasteiz has a fine number of well preserved renaissance buildings, a legacy of the once flourishing wool and iron ore trade. The old 12th century cathedral houses works by Van Dick, Rubens, Caravaggio, Benvenuto Cellini. The El Portalón - a wooden and brick structure dating back to the 15C is today used as a restaurant. The 16th century Palace of Los Escoriaza-Esquivel has a beautiful Plateresque portal and a courtyard with three galleries and a large Renaissance outer staircase. The Plaza de la Virgen Blanca lies at the very heart of the Gothic area of the city and is the site of the Parish Church of San Miguel. This late-Gothic construction contains the image of the Virgen Blanca (White Virgin), the city's patron saint. The New Cathedral was built in the Neogothic style in two stages (1907-1914 and 1946-1949), which stands next to La Florida park.
Vizcaya
Fiestas
Fiestas are very important to the Basque people, whatever the province and town and village holds its own celebrations. Dances are a very important part of the festivities, some of the best known being La Ezpatadantza, a sword dance; Los Errebondillos, typical of the village of Elorrio, La Kaxarranka, performed on top of a chest carried on the shoulders of eight fishermen. All accompanied by the txistu, drum and kettledrum. Basque sports competitions are often an integral and vigorous part of celebrations as are other competitions such as the greasy pole, bertsolaris (men reciting verses in Euskera, the native language), giants, exhibitions, romerías or festive-religious excursions, dances at night and disguises.
Monuments
Once again the Guggenheim comes at the top of the list of must see monuments. Bilbao itself is highly industrial and not an attractive city per se. It is, however, extremely old with some other interesting monuments, the oldest of which is the Gothic Santiago Cathedral. The San Nicolás de Bari Church, on the way to the city hall, is an example of Vizcaya Baroque. The city hall itself is 19th century neo-classical, with a particularly interesting Arab Hall. The Gothic Begoña Basílica built in 1588 overlooks the city and is the scene of a colourful religious excursion in August. |
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| Basque cuisine is widely recognised as being the finest, most sophisticated in Spain. Its traditional cooking is based on the finest fish and seafood - particularly hake, salt cod and spider crab. Interesting features are the unique men only gastronomic societies. Members get together in their spare time to cook up some fabulous dishes. In many respects, they are act as the guardians of traditional Basque gastronomy. More recently, however, there has been a trend towards the so-called New Basque Cuisine. Without losing sight of the essential values of traditional Basque cooking, the new cuisine has been greatly influenced by French gastronomy. Whether new or old, cooking always revolves on using the best local ingredients and a creativity that makes for some truly succulent dishes. Typical ones include porrusalda, (a dish based on leek and potatoes, alubias, white beans prepared with black pudding and Spanish pork sausage (chorizo) and el revuelto de Perretxicos, scrambled eggs with mushroon from Orduña. Great fish dishes include hake in the form of merluza a la koskera and kokotxas els. Cod is also widely available and cooked in a variety of ways. Meat includes el sukalki, a succulent meat and vegetable stew. Typical desserts, include cuajada, a type of yoghurt. Don’t forget to try the fine cheeses, especially those from El Gorbea. |
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| A visit to the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is a must on anyone’s cultural itinerary. Already considered one of the greatest buildings of modern times, it is almost easy to forget that the museum itself is excellent too. Another great gallery is the Fine Arts Museum. It is considered one of the best Spanish art galleries with an important collection of Dutch, Flemish and Italian paintings as well as the Spanish masters, including El Greco, Velasquez, Zurbarán, Ribera, Goya and Picasso. Those looking to taste the real flavour of the Basque country and its people are advised to visit not only its main cities but also its numerous farmhouses, small towns and villages scattered throughout the region. |
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