DREAM VILLAGES NEAR BILBAO

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DREAM VILLAGES NEAR BILBAO

DREAM VILLAGES NEAR BILBAO

For those new to Spanish geography (or geography in general), we’re heading north, specifically to the Basque Country, where we find one of Spain's top cities: Bilbao. A beautiful city with countless things to do and names that are tricky to pronounce (they love adding k, x, and z where it doesn’t belong).

Something not everyone knows is that just a few kilometers from Bilbao, you can find some of the most beautiful towns in northern Spain. Whether it's for their landscapes, food, or people, these places will make you want to quit your job and move into one of their mountain cottages to take up farming, fishing, or any activity that keeps you out of the office. Let’s be honest; city life is great, but breathing fresh air, eating pintxos every day, and escaping traffic and noise can add years to your life. And to show we’re not just hyping it up, here’s a list of some towns we recommend visiting if you come to Bilbao.

Fair warning, all these towns have three things in common: beautiful scenery and views, delicious cuisine, and, last but not least, plenty of things to do.

1. BERMEO
One of the most important fishing villages in the Basque Country, just half an hour from Bilbao. Don’t worry, we promise that despite all the fishing, it doesn’t smell like fish.

Fuente: @turismo_bermeo

This charming village looks like it’s straight out of a storybook. Colorful houses, a port full of fishing boats, and people on the streets at all hours. One big advantage of being a small town is that everything you need to see is close by, and you can explore it all in a short time. Here are some must-see stops:

Lamera Park
The beautiful Casino
The Town Hall
The Church of Santa Maria
Old Port
Ercilla Tower
Church of Santa Eufemia

And if your visit to Bermeo ends early, just 8.5 km away, you’ll find a must-see spot on any Basque Country list: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. This massive islet hosts a beautiful church, which you can reach by taking a walk (when we say “walk,” we mean a hike with a million steps), so if you’re planning to visit, we recommend comfortable shoes, patience, and a bit of endurance. But if you’re part of the lazy team, you can admire this place from the viewpoint and skip the hike, though you might miss some details. It’s a place that truly impresses with its beauty and invites you to admire the grandeur of nature with its cliffs, islands, and wild beaches.

Fuente: @euskal_world

2. BAKIO
One of the most well-known coastal towns in Bizkaia. It stands out for its natural spaces, cliffs, beaches, and mountains, which lend themselves to all kinds of outdoor activities, from hiking trails to surfing and beyond. But if you’re not a huge fan of adventure and sports, you can still enjoy the more tourist-friendly spots in this beautiful town.

Fuente: @wikiloc

One thing you should know, especially if you’re a wine lover, is that Bakio is a town closely connected to our beloved txakoli (white wine). So, a fantastic plan could be to visit a winery and enjoy a good tasting (but don’t overdo it; we know how it goes, and wine can lead to quite the hangover).

Fuente: @turismobakio

3. GERNIKA
This name may sound familiar because it’s the title of one of Pablo Picasso’s most famous works (if it doesn’t ring a bell, we have a serious problem).

This town is known for enduring a terrible bombing during the Spanish Civil War, which inspired the artist to create his famous piece. Although this event is in the past, there are still symbols that resonate with the town’s inhabitants today, such as the Casa de las Juntas and the Gernika Tree.

And since no bombings are expected anytime soon (unless Putin decides otherwise), if you go to Gernika, we recommend you visit the following places:

The reproduction of Picasso’s Guernica
The Gernika Market (every Monday)
The Peace Museum
Euskal Herria Museum
The Park of the Peoples of Europe
The Church of Santa Maria
Jai Alai Court

Fuente: @lugaresparaelrecuerdo

4. LEKEITIO
Like Bermeo, this is a fishing village located at the mouth of the Lea River, between the beaches of Isuntza and Karraspio, leading to San Nicolas Island (Garraitz). It’s quite a curious island, as you can only reach it via a stone bridge when the tide is low. When the tide rises, the bridge is submerged. So, if you stay on the island a bit too long, be ready to swim back or spend the night on a deserted island—your choice. The beaches and their beautiful scenery are the main attraction of this small village, but don’t miss a stroll through the charming streets of its old town. We recommend:

Santa Catalina Lighthouse
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption
Independence Square
Txatxo Port
Palaces of Uriarte, Oxangoiti, Uribarri, and Abaroa

Fuente: @xavinet

See, we weren’t lying, and there are many more (if you’d like to hear about them, we might write another post…).

Rural life is truly enjoyable and relaxing, but since these towns are small and can be explored quickly, it’s best to head back to Bilbao to continue the fun. You know that our Latroupe La Granja hostel always has its doors open for a good party, so come back and enjoy everything we have to offer.

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1. BERMEOOne of the most important fishing villages in the Basque Country, just half an hour from Bilbao. Don’t worry, we promise that despite all the fishing, it doesn’t smell like fish.

3. GERNIKAThis name may sound familiar because it’s the title of one of Pablo Picasso’s most famous works (if it doesn’t ring a bell, we have a serious problem).

1. BERMEO
One of the most important fishing villages in the Basque Country, just half an hour from Bilbao. Don’t worry, we promise that despite all the fishing, it doesn’t smell like fish.

3. GERNIKA
This name may sound familiar because it’s the title of one of Pablo Picasso’s most famous works (if it doesn’t ring a bell, we have a serious problem).