Blog
12/05/2026
Are you planning your getaways and holidays? Spend a few days in one of our associated rural accommodations and do not miss the opportunity to discover the charming inland villages of the Basque Country. History surrounded by nature, tradition, culture and gastronomy that will leave you wanting to come back.
Álava, the southernmost province of the Basque Country, is divided into 7 regions (cuadrillas): Añana, Ayala, Gorbeialdea, Llanada Alavesa, Montaña Alavesa, Rioja Alavesa and Vitoria-Gasteiz. The latter is its capital city, as well as the capital of the Basque Country itself.
Stay in an agrotourism accommodation, a country house or a rural apartment in Álava associated with Nekatur. Enjoy and discover all the charming inland villages of the Basque Country that we recommend.
In Iruña de Oca, the archaeological site of Iruña-Veleia will transport you from the Bronze Age to the 1st century, when it was occupied by the Romans. An essential visit to understand the historical importance of the Añana region.
Also in Iruña de Oca, the Santa Catalina Botanical Garden, in addition to its natural and scenic value, has been awarded the distinction of “Starlight Park”, with perfect conditions for astronomical observation.
Salinas de Añana is the municipality whose salt flats are recognised as World Agricultural Heritage. Their artisanal salt production has continued uninterrupted since the Middle Ages. You can take a guided tour and feel like a true medieval salt worker.
Did you know that the word “salary” originates from salt? Just imagine how important this product once was!
Lose yourself in the streets of Artziniega, a medieval town declared Historic Heritage. If you visit in September, when they celebrate their medieval market, you may feel as if you have travelled centuries back in time — the whole town takes part!
If you are a lover of hearty dishes, stop in Amurrio to taste its famous beans. You can accompany them with a good local txakoli wine and finish with a patxaran liqueur.
Did you know that the Liquor Museum is located here? A journey through the history of Destilerías Acha, the oldest company in the Basque Country. And do not forget to see the carillon with the largest number of bells in the Basque Country!
Laguardia is a walled jewel overlooking a landscape of vineyards. But let us tell you a secret: part of its magic lies beneath its streets, where there is a network of caves and underground wineries in which wine is still produced in the traditional way.
Nearby, in Labastida, you can admire its historic quarter declared a Monumental Complex, a true journey through Basque Baroque architecture. Do not miss a visit to its arcaded main square. Its wine-making tradition dates back to the 12th century, when the wine produced there was already being exported.
Another essential stop in Rioja Alavesa is Labraza, the smallest walled medieval village in the Basque Country, with barely 100 inhabitants. You cannot miss it — you will spot it from the road, as it stands more than 670 metres above sea level!
Bizkaia is the most populated province of the Basque Country and most of its population is concentrated in the metropolitan area of Bilbao. It is divided into 7 regions: Arratia-Nervión, Busturialdea, Durangaldea, Enkarterri, Greater Bilbao, Lea-Artibai and Uribe.
Stay in an agrotourism accommodation, a country house or a rural apartment in Bizkaia associated with Nekatur. Enjoy and discover all the charming inland villages of the Basque Country that we recommend.
Balmaseda is the oldest town in Bizkaia (it was founded in 1199). It has a 12th-century Romanesque bridge that is undoubtedly the most photographed landmark in the municipality. With that background, your Instagram posts are bound to go viral! ;-)
Its beautiful medieval quarter is one of the best preserved, and among its gastronomy, the red beans stand out. Delicious! The medieval market and the Living Passion performance during Easter Week are two key dates in its calendar.
Durango and Elorrio are open-air museums and two charming inland villages of the Basque Country. Wander through their streets admiring their historic quarters, manor houses and palaces.
In Durango, of the 6 arches that once formed part of the medieval wall, only 1 remains: the Santa Ana Arch, now a true symbol of this inland town of Bizkaia.
The porch of the Church of Santa María is the largest wooden porch built in the Basque Country. It had to be rebuilt after the bombing suffered during the Civil War, and it is spectacular.
Just 13 kilometres away is Elorrio, a town that owes much of its wealth to trade with the Americas. That is why there are so many grand houses in its historic quarter. You will lose count of the heraldic coats of arms decorating their façades!
You cannot leave without visiting the Argiñeta Necropolis, the most important medieval funerary complex in Euskal Herria, located only 2 kilometres from the centre of Elorrio.
Orduña, meanwhile, is the only municipality in Bizkaia that officially holds the title of city. Did you know that? And no, Bilbao is not officially a city — it is a villa (town). Curious, isn’t it?
It owes its historical importance to having been an obligatory commercial route from Castile to the Port of Bilbao.
Part of its medieval wall can still be admired, and as was typical of medieval cities, all its streets converge on the main square, Plaza de los Fueros. From here you can also head to the Salto del Nervión, the highest waterfall on the Iberian Peninsula.
Its patron saint festivities, the otxomaios, will be celebrated in 2026 from 7 to 17 May, and are a perfect combination of culture and tradition. 8 May is the day of Our Lady of Antigua — don't miss it!
Gipuzkoa is the smallest province in Spain, with a total population of fewer than 750,000 inhabitants. It is divided into 7 regions: Alto Deba, Bajo Deba, Urola, Goierri, Tolosaldea, Donostialdea and Bidasoa. Its capital is Donostia-San Sebastián.
Stay in an agrotourism accommodation, a country house or a rural apartment in Gipuzkoa associated with Nekatur. Enjoy and discover all the charming inland villages of the Basque Country that we recommend.
Tolosa owes part of its past to its strategic location as an obligatory route between the commercial roads from Navarre to the Cantabrian ports.
Lose yourself in the narrow streets of its old quarter and admire its balconies, many of them made of wrought iron and in different shapes. We will let you discover the reason for that yourself — it is sure to surprise you!
The former capital of Gipuzkoa has a rich gastronomy, with black beans, piparras (chillies) and chocolate among its star products. The market is held on Saturdays, but it is not confined to a single space; instead, there are 3 main areas: the Tinglado, Plaza de la Verdura and Plaza Euskal Herria.
In Oñati stands the Sancti Spiritus University, the first university in the Basque Country, where Theology and Law were mainly studied. It remained active for more than 350 years and closed as an educational institution at the beginning of the 19th century.
It is a spectacular Renaissance building but, as of April 2026, it is currently undergoing restoration works. Therefore, if you wish to visit it, it is best to contact the Oñati tourist office first to make sure visits are possible.
But Oñati is much more than its university: its historic quarter is declared a Monumental Complex and the large number of palaces and stately homes lining its streets give an idea of the importance it had in past centuries.
In Azpeitia, meanwhile, you will also find palaces, noble houses and tower houses in its streets. And you will surely notice that some of these buildings are examples of Mudéjar architecture. Al-Andalus in Azpeitia?
Just over 1 kilometre away stands the Sanctuary of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order and patron saint of Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia. It is a pilgrimage site for those following the Ignatian Way and another essential stop on your route through the charming inland villages of the Basque Country. Its dome is spectacular!
Ordizia and Idiazabal are essential destinations if you are a foodie traveller. In Ordizia, the weekly Wednesday market is living history. It was Queen Juana “the Mad” who, after the great fire that destroyed Ordizia in 1512, allowed the market to be held weekly without taxes having to be paid.
You can discover this and many other stories if you visit D’Elikatuz, the Food and Gastronomy Interpretation Centre.
Idiazabal, meanwhile, practically introduces itself by name alone. It is the reference municipality for the Idiazabal Cheese Designation of Origin.
Its manor houses, colonial-style homes and botanical garden, together with the Cheese Interpretation Centre, will leave your visit with a very good taste in your mouth.
Idoia Ezkurdia is the manager of Nekatur, the Association of Rural Accommodations of the Basque Country, an organisation that brings together agrotourism accommodations, country houses and rural apartments across this autonomous community. With extensive experience in the tourism sector, Idoia Ezkurdia knows the secrets of the charming inland villages of the Basque Country better than anyone. At Nekatur, she works to promote and give visibility to rural accommodation, encouraging a sustainable tourism model closely linked to the local environment.
Yes! And not only nearby, but also within the very villages we have mentioned. Visit the Nekatur search engine and search by the name of the municipality you are planning to visit.
Of course! Distances in the Basque Country are not very great. For example, there are only 130 kilometres between Tolosa (Gipuzkoa) and Balmaseda (Bizkaia). In addition, you will pass through Durango and can also stop in Elorrio.
You will be able to visit many places of interest! To make it easier for you, we have prepared a selection of places to visit in the Basque Country.
In addition, with our Nekadicounts card, which you will receive at the accommodation itself or when making a booking through the Nekatur website, you will enjoy discounts when visiting certain tourist attractions in the Basque Country.
Do not worry — Nekatur’s reservations team will answer any questions you may have. You can contact them by telephone (943 32 70 90), by email (agroturismo@nekatur.net) or through the Nekatur contact form.
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