Nature and cities in the Basque Country are amazing. But you don’t know well this place if you haven’t visited some of its towns and villages. If you don’t know where to start, here you have (in my opinion) 6 of the most beautiful villages in the Basque Country.

1. Bermeo

Bermeo is 24 km from Bilbao and 107 from Donostia. As a fishing village it is, the most enchanting part of Bermeo is its old port or Puerto Viejo, a small curve where the colourful houses are reflected in the sea, that is full of ships.

From here, you can go up to its old quarter. In it, don’t forget to visit Sabino Arana square, where the city hall, the Church of Santa María, and a nice gazebo are located. Another entry to the old quarter is San Juan Gate, built in stone and of medieval origin. Here and all over the town you can find some sculptures that reflect the traditional life in Bermeo.

By the way, just 11.7 km from Bermeo is one of the most amazing places in the Basque Country: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.

2. Mundaka

Just 3 km from Bermeo is Mundaka, so you can visit both the same day. This is a small village with huge houses of the called “indianos”, local men that during the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th travelled to America and returned enriched.

Also, Mundaka can boast of having one of the best left hand wave in Europe. This can reach 4 metres high and 400 metres long. That’s why the sea is one of the main attractions of this village so valued by surfers.

3. Zarautz

20 km from Donostia we find Zarautz, one of the villages that compound the Basque Coast. Its beach is enormous, and it is frequented by bathers and surfers, as big waves form here too. Next to the beach is a calm promenade where the restaurant of the famous cooker Karlos Arguiñano is located.

Its old town isn’t very big, but it’s no less beautiful for that. Here you can visit the market, where fresh food is sold. Some of its most outstanding buildings are the Convent of los Padres Franciscanos, Luzea Tower, and Santa María La Real Church.

4. Getaria

From Zarautz we can take the road N-634, that goes alongside the coast, and, for that reason, has amazing views, and we will arrive to Getaria just 7 km after.

In Getaria, Juan Sebastián Elcano was born. He was one of the men who embarked on the first round-the-word trip together with Magallanes. To honour him, there is the Monument to Juan Sebastián Elcano, a big construction shaped like a mausoleum with great views to the sea. There is also a statue of himself in the square named with its own surname.

Even though Getaria is pretty small, its medieval streets are very well conserved, being the major street the one to conducts t o the Church of San Salvador. By the way, from Getaria was also the designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, so, if you are interested in fashion, you can visit his museum.

Attached to Getaria town, there is a mount known as “Getaria’s mouse”, because, from far, it has the shape of one. This is the view of it from the beach of Zarautz.

5. Lekeitio

Another of the most beautiful villages in the Basque Country that you should visit is Lekeitio. It is 58 km from Bilbao and 82 km from Donostia. This village has a relevant fishing tradition, and in the Medieval Ages a part of its population were whale fishermen (that’s why this animal appears in the coat of arms of Lekeitio).

From Karraspio Beach you can see a small island, San Nicolás Island. You can arrive simply walking at low tide, when a narrow way it’s formed. Also, its port and its old town are really beautiful. In this, you can visit the Church of la Asunción de Nuestra Señora, that stands out because of its size.

6. Laguardia

Lastly, we are going to an inland village, Laguardia, located in the region called Rioja Alavesa, being just 18 km from Logroño and 64 km from Vitoria.

When you arrive to the town, your attention is drawn to its great city wall, where there is a curious message: “Peace to the ones that arrive, health for those who live here, happiness to the ones who leave.”

Its old town is very well conserved, so it seems you travel in time to the Medieval Ages. One of its more important buildings is the Church of Santa María de los Reyes. Next to it, in Gaitero Square, you’ll see some curious sculptures of realistic purses and shoes from the artist Koko Rico.

To this town belongs the wine cellar Bodega Ysios, designed by Santiago Calatrava. It is less than 2 km from the village. You can check some activities you can enjoy in Laguardia in Civitatis.

I hope you like this article and that you fell inspired to visit these beautiful villages in the Basque Country. Are you travelling to the Basque Country? You should check this other article: Road trip in Basque Country: 5-day itinerary.

Pictures are from my travel blog in Spanish, Meraviglia, so I own the rights to them.