What to see in the Basque Country, itinerary including the main places of interest, to discover the region located in the north-eastern part of Spain.
Tourist information
The region, facing north on the Cantabrian Sea, is made up of the three provinces of Alava, with the capital Vitoria-Gasteiz, Biscay, with the capital Bilbao, and Guipuzcoa, with the capital San Sebastian.
Overall, the Basque Country is a pleasant destination for a holiday, thanks to the welcoming, very lively and eventful cities, the magnificent beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and a territory that is not too cemented, where a lot of greenery prevails, ideal for healthy walks in the open air and to practice any sport.
Vitoria-Gasteiz, capital of the Alava province and the Basque Country, has benefited from its geographical position since the past, as it is located on the shortest road that connects Castile to northern Europe, for this reason it also constitutes a stop on the Camino de Santiago of Compostela.
The city is very rich in greenery, there are in fact many gardens and public parks, it also has a very well preserved medieval old town, characterized by the typical houses with protruding balconies, called miradores, dominated from above by the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria , which originally also served as a fortress and was part of the city's defensive system.
At the foot of the hill is Piazza di Spagna, also called Piazza Nuova and built in neoclassical style, which constitutes the center of city life.
As for museums, the Basque Museum of Contemporary Art Artium is very interesting, which houses a beautiful collection of Basque and Spanish art from the early twentieth century until today.
What see
Bilbao, the port and largest city of the Basque Country, is crossed by the Nevrion River.
The city has a beautiful historic center, where the Gothic-style Cathedral of Santiago stands, and, in an elevated position, the Basilica of Nuestra Senora de Begona, reachable by lift from the historic center or cable car, from which you can enjoy a splendid panoramic view over the city.
Do not forget the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
San Sebastián is a famous and elegant tourist resort, located in a beautiful bay, famous for its promenade and beautiful beaches.
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Her fame grew considerably in the nineteenth century, when she was chosen by Queen Isabel II of Spain as a summer residence.
San Sebastián is also known for the International Film Festival, one of the largest European film festivals, which takes place once a year in September.
