Zarautz has much to offer, but it’s also worth exploring other nearby towns and villages. Thanks to the excellent local transport network, the journey time is a mere 5-10 minutes.

The small and pretty town of Getaria was the birthplace of the fashion designer Balenciaga and of the sailor Elcano, the first person to circumnavigate the Earth.

In Zumaia, visit the Geopark and the flysch on the Basque coast. The sight of the rocks rising tall above the sea will take your breath away. The cliffs of the flysch contain a geological record of the Earth dating back more than 100 million years. Contemplate them from a boat or from the coastal trail.

Inland, visit the Pagoeta Natural Park in Aia. If forests are your thing, a visit there will also take you to ancient water mills and an 18th-century foundry.

The coastal town of Orio boasts an estuary, charming steep streets and restaurants serving grilled red sea bream. It’s to die for!

ZARAUTZ, GATEWAY TO THE BASQUE COUNTRY
The modern and cosmopolitan city of Bilbao is home to the Guggenheim Museum and the Hanging Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beautiful Donostia-San Sebastián, on the coast, has a vibrant cultural scene and looks onto the gorgeous La Concha Bay. It’s also a gastronomy hub and is among those cities with the most Michelin Stars. Vitoria-Gasteiz, capital of the Basque Country and the European Green Capital, is encircled by the Green Ring of parks. Its spectacular built heritage includes the cathedral of Santa María.

Zarautz is near the border with the French Basque Country. Biarritz, Bayonne and San Juan de Luz are all pretty and unique places where Basque and French culture meet.

FROM ZARAUTZ

• San Sebastián: 20 km_15 min
• Biarritz: 67 km_40 min
• Bayonne: 75 km_45 min
• Bilbao: 85 km_50 min
• Vitoria-Gasteiz: 85 km_50min
• Iruña-Pamplona: 90 km_50 min