Bizcaia tourist routes - Bilbao tourism - Basque Country

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Basque Country Information: BIZKAIA Information - STATELY BOROUGHS

ROUTE 1 Leaving Bilbao towards the east we will make our first stop in DURANGO, the largest town in the area, from where mountain lovers can head for Urkiola Nature Reserve. As well as admiring Durango's splendid Town Hall and Kurutziaga cross, take a look at the Church of San Pedro de Tabira, the oldest in Bizkaia. The road to ABADIÑO takes us to ELORRIO, with its excellent selection of solidly built 17th and 18th century mansions. It's said that as many as 69 coats of arms can be counted on their facades. In the area around Elorrio, on the way to BERRIZ, we mustn't miss the impressive Argineta necropolis.

Towards the north via the BI-633, we will come to MARKINA-XEMEIN, home of one of the three biggest churches in the Basque Cou ntry, the church of Santa Marfa de Xemein. Don't miss the unusual hermitage of San Miguel de Arretxinaga. Heading towards the coast will bri ng us out at ONDARROA, with its flavour of fresh fish and pleasant harbour for taking a stroll. While in the old part, note the bridges spanning the river Artibai: the Romanesque El Viejo; the Puente de Hierro or Perrotxiko, to cross which a toll once had to be paid; and the new bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava. Following the coastal road (81-638) will bring us to LEKEITIO, another pretty fishing village with lovely views, set against San Nicolas island. Look out for the doorway and altarpieces of the Gothic church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion.

From Lekeitio along the river Lea (BI-3447) is MUNTIBAR-ARBATZEGI GERRIKAITZ, from where we will take the BI-2224. A deviation (via the BI-3231) will take us to the viewpoint known as the BALCON DE BIZKAIA on Mount Oiz. Returning to the BI-2224, we will come to a medieval road wending its way through farmhouses to the only collegiate church in Bizkaia, that of Cenarruza (ZIORTZA), a landmark on the pilgrim's road to Santiago. Very near here is the village of BOLIVAR, evocative of Simon Bolivar. Leaving here, we'll make our way back through IURRETA towards Bilbao.

ROUTE 2 Take the A-68 towards OROZKO, with its numerous interesting buildings including the Casa Consistorial and the Palacio de Careaga. Continuing in the direction of the VALLE DE ARRATIA will bring us to the typical Basque village of IBARRA. From here we will make our way over the little mountain pass of Oikotz-Gana, offering lovely views of the surrounding area, into the Valle de Arratia. The first village on our way is ARTEA, home of an unusual hermitage dedicated to the Ap6stol Santiago in which we can visit the Ecomuseo del Caserio Vasco. Back on the road, we'll head for AREATZA-VILLARO, where we can visit the church of San Bartolome and take a stroll through the pretty centre of town.

The Palacio de Gortazar is also interesting. Near here is ZEANURI, from where we'll climb the Puerto de Barazar via the N-240. Once over the pass, we'll take the left-hand road for OTXANDIO, a village dedicated to agriculture and cattle-raising with beautiful traditional architecture and two particularly outstanding stately buildings: the church of Santa Marina and the Baroque Town Hall.

Heading back out of OTXANDIO, towards Durango, we will once again take a left-hand turning down the Puerto de Dima, enjoying lovely mountain scenery on the way. Having arrived in DIMA, we can visit the church of San Pedro and the curious hermitage of La Piedad. The N-240 will take us back to Bilbao.