Costa Vasca travel information and video

Costa Vasca

The Costa Vasca, or Basque Coast, is sandwiched between the tempestuous Atlantic and the Pyrenees mountain ranges. Pais Vasco, the Basque Country, occupies the north-west corner of the Iberian Peninsula, straddling the French border.

The region is one of the biggest industry producers in Spain. Yet despite this, the region has managed to preserve its ancient rituals, legends and culture. The most important of which is its most valuable jewel, the Euskera language; a pre-Indo European tongue whose mysterious origin has never been established.

Euskadi, which translates to Basque Country in the native language, forms a part of the region of Green Spain. The stunning landscape is characterise by a rugged cliff-lined coast with quaint fishing villages and mountainous hinterland covered by green forests

Towns and places to visit

Bilbao is the industrial, financial and intellectual capital of the Basque Country. One of Spain’s largest cities and is home to one of the country’s major harbours.

Bilbao is also a popular cultural destination, after having undergone a complete architectural revival, which featured Frank Gehry’s stiking Guggenheim Museum, Norman Fosters impressive subway system and Santiago Calatrava’s spectacular new airport terminal.


San Sebastian is the principal city of the province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country, Spain. Its official title is Donostia-San Sebastian, and the locals call themselves ‘Donostiarras’. The city is full of things to do all year round and all day long, offering up some of Spain's most beautiful countryside and sun-kissed beaches.

The pretty island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is situated on the coastline of Biscay. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, the island is a wonderfully natural and peaceful retreat. A hermitage dating from the 10th century can be found on the island.

Mundaka is the surfing capital of Europe; a destination to which surfers from all over the world congregate to enjoy the high quality surf. Situated on the tumultuous Bay of Biscay, Mundaka is a tiny village, where you can enjoy a traditional culture, combined with watching some of the best surfers in the world. 


What to do

Everything is possible on the Costa Vasca, and nothing is ever too far away. Stroll through streets steeped in history, delve into the essence of Basque culture, take part in the ritual of its gastronomy, or explore the stunning coastline and countryside.

The region is an ideal destination for indulging in nature and outdoor pursuits. A broad range of activities are available including sailing, surfing, diving, horse riding, walking and hiking, cycling, golf and much more.



Climate
The province enjoys a temperate climate. Because of the diversity of the landscape, the region has various micro climates. The beaches enjoy comfortable summers averaging 22 ºC, with days in August often reaching 30 ºC and above.