Introduction

Overview

The Basque Country is in the north of Spain, between the Pyrenees on one side and the Cantabrian Sea on the other. It has lots on offer for the tourist: mountains and forests which encourage contact with nature; beaches for rest and relaxation or water sports for the more energetic; a good communications network with excellent motorways and main roads (there’s about 70k between Bilbao and Vitoria, and the same between San Sebastián and Bilbao); beautiful cities and delightful villages on the coast or inland; a varied and high quality cuisine; a very ancient cultural heritage; a large artistic output based around the Basque language euskera. Past, present and future all intermingle and are infused with the particular feel of this region; the friendly and welcoming people are a vital ingredient in making your visit to the Basque Country unique and unforgettable.

Fact file

Capital Vitoria-Gasteiz
Provinces (Basque names in brackets) Álava (Araba); Guipúzcoa (Guipúzcoa);
Vizcaya (Bizkaia)
Coast Costa Cantábrica
Coastline The coast stretches for 197k and is cliffs with white sand beaches. The beaches are perfect for windsurfing as the Cantabrian Sea is rough, especially in autumn and winter. The most popular beaches for windsurfing are Mundaka and Sopelana.
Oceans/Seas Cantabrian Sea
Mountains The landscape is basically mountainous in the provinces of Guipúzcoa and Vizcaya and in the north of Álava (infact 87% of the landmass could be described as mountainous). The highest point above sea level is 1,551 metres. Some of the region’s highest mountains are Monte Aizkorri (1,528 metres), Monte Gorbea (1,481 metres) and Anboto (1,328 metres).
Language Castilian and the Basque language - euskera
Population 2,097,754
Size 7,234 km2
Main industries The economy of the Basque Country has always had a strong industrial base. In 2001 2% of the active population were engaged in agriculture, 9% in construction, 31% in industry and the rest (58%) in the service sector. It stands out both in Spain and in Europe for being a net exporter (its exports account for 29% of GDP, whereas in Europe the average is 20%). This fact is largely influenced by local business’ attention to international markets and the government’s support of Basque institutions. The most important sectors are car building, tool making and products related to cider and rubber! In recent years the high technology sector has seen important growth in areas such as aeronautics. There’s a Basque government strategy to promote innovation amongst the region’s businesses.
Famous people Saint Ignacio de Loyola (founder of the Jesuits); Juan Sebastián Elcano (first man to go round the world); the designers Cristóbal Balenciaga and Paco Rabanne; Juanjo Oiarzabal (first Spanish mountaineer to climb the world’s 14 highest mountains - all over 8,000 metres high); the soprano Ainhoa Arteta; the writers Miguel de Unamuno and Pío Baroja; the golfer José María Olazabal (twice winner of the Masters in Augusta); the chefs Juan Mari Arzak and Pedro Subijana; the sculptors Eduardo Chillida and Jorge Oteiza.

Don’t go home without

Visiting
• The following squares: La Plaza de la Virgen Blanca and la Plaza de España in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Álava)
• El Estíbaliz Sanctuary, one of the best examples of Roman arquitecture in Álava
• The Acquarium and the old part of San Sebastián (Guipúzcoa)
• The university of Oñate y the Dome (Basílica) of Aránzazu (Guipúzcoa)
• The Council Chambers (La Casa de Juntas) and the oak tree in Guernica (Vizcaya)
• The pretty houses in the bay at Concha (San Sebastián) and in the Abra area in Neguri (Getxo – Vizcaya)
• The mountains and valleys of Duranguesado (Vizcaya) Arrasate-Mondragón (Guipúzcoa)
• The beaches and fishing villages, specially Bermeo and Lequeitio (Vizcaya) and Zarauz and Fuenterrabía – Hondarribia (Guipúzcoa)
• The Guggenheim Museum (a landmark building of the 20th century) in Bilbao (Vizcaya)

Trying
• The pinchos (like tapas) in the bars of the old parts of the towns
• Crossing the hanging bridge (Puente Colgante) in Portugalete (Vizcaya)
• Going to a football match in San Mamés (Bilbao)
• Attending a recital by Basque choirs

People watching
• La bajada del Zeledón which takes place on the first day of Vitoria’s main week of fiestas, around the 5th August. Look out for the young people, known as blusas due to the blue and white checked shirts they wear, who get the party going with their cries and songs.
• La tamborrada on the 20th January in San Sebastián, where adults and children dressed as cooks, bang on their drums for hours on end in honour of the city’s patron saint, San Sebastián.
• Groups of people – young and old – known as Los txikiteros who, in the old quarter of Bilbao on Sunday mornings, can be seen singing popular songs bilbainadas and serenading the locals with their lyrics about Bilbao and its history and customs.

With thanks to:
Iboff for permission to use his photo of the Chillida sculpture
Ella Towers for permission to use her photo of the Guggenheim Museum
With thanks to Ane Muñoz for writing this guide