Vizcaya Vacation

Vizcaya is a province of extraordinary natural beauty overflowing with contemporary and traditional culture in the heart of the Basque Country on northern Spain's Cantabrian coast. Home to modern cities, historical treasures and a long and diverse coastline, Vizcaya offers a great cross section of northern Spain’s many attractions. Marvel at stunning architecture, swim in secluded bays and walk part of an ancient pilgrimage route during your stay.

Transportation infrastructure and extensive road connections to the rest of Vizcaya make Bilbao an ideal base for your stay. The capital of the province is a former industrial city that has undergone extensive regeneration in recent years. Today, Bilbao is often held up as a poster city for urban renewal.

Explore the city’s many parks, stroll along the promenade that skirts the river Nervión and walk through the historic old town. Study the collections of modern and contemporary art in the striking looking Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the building that started the city’s renaissance.

Approximately 25.5 miles (41 kilometers) southeast of Bilbao is the mountain town of Elorrio. Visit the town for its stone palaces and homes from the 17th and 18th centuries. You’ll find more historic buildings in Markina-Xemein, a town that is on the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Visit the walled town center, which has maintained its medieval layout. In the heart of the town you’ll find the Church of El Carmen, the 16th-century Church of Santa Maria and the Baroque Mugartegi Tower.

Explore the province’s coast, which features beaches of soft fine sand, secluded bays, cliffs, mountains and fishing villages. Relax on the beautiful Laga Beach in Ibarrangelua or on the beaches of Lekeitio. This coastal fishing town also has a number of historic buildings, such as the Church of St. Mary, a Basque-Gothic church from the 15th century, and the 17th-century Uriarte Palace.

Arrive in Vizcaya by flying into Bilbao before exploring the rest of the province by rail, bus or rental car. The city is a gateway to a province that captivates with its beaches, culture and long history.