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Guipuzcoa Holidays
the smallest province of Spain, in the Basque country |
the smallest province of Spain, in the Basque country
Tourist information about Guipuzcoa in Spain. Travel to Guipuzcoa and let Spain-Holiday.com guide and accommodate you |
Located on the Atlantic coast, Gipuzkoa is the smallest province in Spain. It is a province of great contrasts - sea and mountians, cities and villages, industry and agriculture. There are almost 90 kms of coast consisting of steep cliffs, beautiful beaches and fishing ports. There are modern industrialised areas next to rural areas which still maintain their cultural and folkloric traditions.
San Sebastian, or Donostia as it is called in the Basque language, is the capital of the province. Situated between the mountains and the sea it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. It has a population of approximately 180,000 habitants. Excellent gastronomy, international film and jazz festivals, sandy beaches and annual fiestas make this city a perfect place for tourism. It has very pleasant temperatures in summer with an average of 20 degrees (although in July and August temperatures often reach 30 degrees or more).
Try the typical PINCHOS in the Basque country, the bask tapas..you can try them out in many bars all over the province.
Places to visit in the province:
On the COAST:
Fuenterrabia: A fishing village on the border with France. Touristic - it has an city wall around the old part and a parador. Good restaurants and pincho bars.
Pasaia: A port which is partly industrial and also a fishing port. It consists of 4 districts separated by a bay. Pasai Donibane is the prettiest place to visit. You can walk through this fascinating old, typical Basque fishing village. There is just one narrow street with the village square at the end of it. There are good fish restaurants. You can also visit a house where Victor Hugo stayed temporarliy.
Guetaria: A fishing village. Good restaurants. Juan Sebastian El Cano the first sailor to sail around the world was from here.
Zarautz: A touristic small town. Good beach popular with surfers. It also has a golf course and a famous restauarant run by the Basque tv chef Arguiñano.
INLAND:
Tolosa(Photo 1): The largest urban population in Gipuzkoa after San Sebastian and previously it ws the capital of the province. Famous for its carnivals in February. The beans and black pudding from here are well known. There is a traditional Basque market once a month.
Oiartzun: A pretty mountain village. ideal for hiking. There are some very good restaurants seving mainly meat dishes especially beef.
Ordizia: Famous for its meat and vegetable market.
Idiazabal: A small mountain village famous for its strong cheeses made from sheeps milk.
Arantzazu: A monastery on the side of a mountain (Aitzgorri). La Virgin de Arantzazu (the patron saint of Gipuzkoa) sanctuary is located here. The building is famous for its sculptures by Oteiza and door by Chillida.
BEACHES in Guipuzcoa:
Fuenterrabia: On the border with France, this small coastal village has a very nice beach. See Parador of Fuenterrabia.
Zarautz: Touristic and popular with surfers. (see photo 2)
San Sebastian:
La Zurriola:Popular with surfers. The beach was enlarged in 1995.
La Concha: Right in the city centre - ideal for sunbathing and swimming.
Ondarreta: A quiter beach popular with families.
Other smaller beaches: Orio, Guetaria, Zumaia, Deba and Mutriku
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