WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN ZUMAIA (ZUMAYA)

In each roadtrip in the Basque Country that boasts, you can not miss a visit, even if fleeting, to Zumaia. In this post we tell you what to see and do in Zumaia. Located in one of the most beautiful areas on the Guipuzcoan coast, this town is famous for its flysch, huge and steep cliffs capricious and very curious.

But it is not his only attraction, Zumaia has a small and charming old town, two great beaches and a couple of cinematic surprises: here scenes of Game of Thrones were shot, although probably its most famous place is the Hermitage of San Telmo, chosen to record the wedding in Eight Basque Surnames.

After parking in one of the two free car parks in Zumaia (below we have more), you can explore the old town on foot. The great protagonist here is the parish of San Pedro Apostol, a 13th century gothic church, which more than a church looks like a fortress. Inside there is an altarpiece by Juan de Antxieta, declared a national monument.

The center of the historic center, to call it somehow, could be the square with the Fountain of San Juan, around which powerful families built their huge stone houses, such as theZumaia Palace and theOlazabal Palace. Other interesting buildings in Zumaia are the Convent of San José, theUbillos Palace or the curious Foronda Palace.

If you continue ascending the narrow and steep streets you will reach the Hermitage of San Telmo, patron of sailors. It dates from the 16th century and, although apparently nothing impressive, the privileged position where it is located, dominating the cliff, makes it very special. So much so that, as we told you, it was the place where the most important scene of the movie Eight Basque Surnames was filmed. Of course, it went through an important editing process and all the surrounding buildings were removed.

Cerquita de la Ermita there is a lookout on top of one of the cliffs, from where you can take some very cool photos. Although what is really cool is to take the path that runs along the entire ledge of flysch, possibly one of the most beautiful walking tours in the entire Basque Country. This section is short, at the end of it you can go down to a viewpoint and return on a path, or simply retrace your steps. It does not take more than 15 minutes to make the round trip.

Although before stop by Algorri Interpretation Center, where the formation of the flysch is counted and lots of ancient fossils are shown.

There is a plan for VERY adventurers that involves making The Flysch Route whole from Zumaia to Deba of about 15 km. The route goes up and down the cliffs, passes through rocky beaches and the scenery is really spectacular. If you are motivated to do so, it is extremely IMPORTANT that you first check the state of the route and the sea, you can only go through the beaches at low tide and when the road is practicable. As we are told, the road can be very slippery and every year there are rescues in the area.

Amaia, a reader who lives in Zumaia (thank you!) Told us that it is better to follow the route of the Camino de Santiago that borders the coast from the top of the cliffs, but safely. Although the best way to see the flysh is to do a boat trip.

Zumaia also has two very cool dark sand beaches: the Itzurun beach and the Santiago beach.Itzurun beach is the one located just below the Hermitage of San Telmo and its cliff, while the beach of Santiago is somewhat further, on the other side of the Urola river, in a beautiful sandy area. Apparently, the waters of these beaches have a high concentration of iodine and are beneficial to health.

So you know, Zumaia can not miss in your itinerary through the Basque Country. You have already seen that there are lots of things to see and do in Zumaia. Enjoy it!

Video: ZUMAIA Zumaya, Guipúzcoa (May 2024).