In the north of Spain bordering to France and bathed by the Bay of Biscay lies the autonomous society, The Basque Country. This region is of particular interest for its exiting culture and a language of its own. Along the coast you will find pleasant beach towns, beautiful beaches and a marvellous landscape. The area is perfect for long walks, hiking or just enjoying nature as it is. In the inland lie old marketplaces, wooded mountains and monasteries just waiting for you to visit.
The landscape of The Basque
Despite being an industrial and densely populated region, the Basque Country boasts extensive areas of natural countryside with a wealth of protected ecosystems. The Basque country is blessed with a beautiful and powerful nature, showing steep cliffs by the coast, lush hills and small sand beaches.
Visit the remarkable Urkiola Park, surrounded by wonderful landscapes, with rugged limestone peaks, meadows and woods. The park has been the destination of pilgrims over the centuries. Urkiola is a favourite among all nature lovers, mountaineers and hill walkers, throughout the year.
Large cities in the Basque country
San Sebastián is a famous aristocratic beach resort of great reputation during last century still conserves its exclusive and cosmopolitan ambience. Its beautiful buildings and excellent beaches still today make it a privileged holiday destination.
Bilbao, the region's largest city, is specially recognized as an important industrial and economic centre but it conserves a beautiful historic quarter with a Gothic cathedral.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital of the Basque country and is worth a visit due to its well-preserved historical centre.
Tourist attractions in the Basque country
Besides the countryside and the cities do not miss the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao whose giant titanium sculpture has become the symbol of the regenerated city and represents a major overview of the art and artists of the 20th-century. The music festivals, such as the Jazz festivals of Vitoria and San Sebastian and the International Cinema Festival of San Sebastian are just a few of the examples of the intense cultural activity there is in the Basque Country all year round.
Sports activities in the Basque country
You can always enjoy practising water sports as sailing, windsurfing or mountain sports as trekking, riding, hiking or climbing in the wonderful inland.
Gastronomic characteristics of the Basque country
The Basque country offers cosy tapas bar’s and Michelin star restaurants. A traditional cooking based on the quality of its products and their simple preparation. In the seventies, after researching and innovating a group of young chefs came up with new ingredients, new ways of preparing food, new aromas and combinations, creating an exquisite and creative cuisine, the so-called New Basque Cuisine. It is a craftsmanship cooking, in which the ocean provides a lot of the main ingredients for the exquisite dishes. The fish is the main product but also the tasty red meat. The cheese and other dairy products are also very typical of the traditional Basque cooking.
The climate of the Basque country
From time to time the unpredictable wind of the Atlantic blows showers and drizzle over the Basque country, but the summers are usually hotter and lasts longer than in Denmark.