Blog
16/07/2025
Summer in Euskadi offers much more than just sun, sea, and museum queues. Here, summer is experienced in a peaceful and authentic way, with a milder climate that often calls for a light blanket or sheet at night. Can you picture it?
Our summer is spent enjoying stunning beaches nestled between hills and cliffs, walking through valleys and mountains, discovering villages rich in history and traditions, and, of course, taking part in local festivities—because summer in Euskadi wouldn’t be the same without its popular celebrations.
Come and discover a different kind of summer in Euskadi with Nekatur!
Euskadi is a truly rural destination, where respect for the environment, local culture, and sustainability come together to offer an unforgettable experience. In a world that moves ever faster, rural tourism has taken on renewed meaning. Here in Euskadi, we’ve managed to preserve our landscapes and our identity by promoting a model of tourism that places people, the land, and nature at its heart.
Among the many ways to enjoy this type of tourism, we highlight farm stays (agroturismos), rural guesthouses, and countryside holiday apartments associated with Nekatur. Staying in our accommodations isn’t just about sleeping away from home—it’s about embracing a slower, more mindful and human way of life.
Nekatur’s accommodations, located in traditional Basque farmhouses and set in privileged natural surroundings, invite you to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with yourself. Each house tells a story, and our hosts—offering genuine Basque hospitality —share it with all who come to visit.
Here, there’s no rush. There are rural paths to wander and get lost among trees and landscapes; vegetable gardens that smell of tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, and beans; chickens pecking freely; and sheep whose milk gives us a variety of cheeses. And there is silence—real, welcome silence.
Rural tourism in Euskadi is a commitment to real sustainability—not a slogan, but a lifestyle. In the Basque countryside, traditional farming, livestock keeping, and land stewardship have long been examples of living in balance with the natural environment.
Today, rural accommodations also champion renewable energy, responsible water and waste management, and cuisine based on local, seasonal produce. By choosing this kind of tourism, you directly contribute to local development and to the preservation of valuable natural and cultural heritage.
At Nekatur, we support our members in this mission by offering both them and their guests our Guide to Sustainable Best Practices.
Summer in Euskadi is best enjoyed in the great outdoors. With 9 natural parks, 1 biosphere reserve, and 6 protected biotopes, our region is ideal for slow and deep exploration. And near each of these natural spaces, you’ll find a rural accommodation associated with Nekatur to ensure your stay is complete.
If, in addition to exploring nature, you also enjoy other outdoor activities—like visiting interpretation centres, strolling through historic town centres (many of which are officially recognised as Monumental Sites), touring wineries or discovering cultural landmarks—Euskadi offers such a wide range of experiences that you’ll want to return again and again. Take a look at these must-see places we’ve selected for your holidays in Euskadi—you’ll love them!
Alongside its natural charm, one of the great draws of rural tourism in Euskadi is the richness of its culture and traditions. In every village, and in each of our rural lodgings, history can be felt.
Traditional Basque rural architecture, with centuries-old farmhouses made of stone and wood, reflects a lifestyle deeply rooted in the land. It’s a way of life that has evolved over time, yet found the perfect balance between tradition and modernity. One that, without forgetting its origins, offers a warm and welcoming embrace to visitors. In short, it’s a way of life we are proud of, one we want to share and work to preserve.
In Euskadi, we love a good celebration. That’s why local festivals are at the heart of summer life in our towns and cities. From La Blanca in Vitoria-Gasteiz to Semana Grande in Donostia and Bilbao, and throughout the festive calendar of our rural communities, one thing remains constant: a strong sense of belonging.
Many of these festivals are tied to the agricultural or livestock calendar, or to specific dates. Taking part means experiencing Euskadi from the inside—understanding its identity, values, language, culinary traditions, and sports. These are inclusive celebrations where all visitors are welcome, and where we joyfully share a culture that has been passed down for generations.
Visiting Euskadi in summer also means diving into local festivals, markets, and agricultural fairs. It’s seeing traditional Basque dances (euskal dantzak) in village squares, hearing the sounds of the txalaparta or the verses of our bertsolaris, visiting a fronton court to watch pelota, pala or cesta punta, discovering traditional Basque rural sports (herri kirolak), and tasting a talo con txistorra at a local romería.
At Nekatur, we believe another kind of tourism is possible—and that a different kind of summer starts with a simple choice: to be surprised by the rural, to embrace sustainability, and to open yourself to an experience that goes beyond simple rest. There are other ways to travel—more respectful, more genuine—that allow us to rediscover the value of our most rural and natural surroundings.
We await you in Euskadi, with open doors and open hearts, at our rural lodgings. Make yourself at home!
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