Wander the pleasant cobbled streets and squares of Elorrio and admire the village’s classic stone architecture, including the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Just outside the city, you won’t want to miss the Argiñeta Necropolis, a 9th-century funerary site, and the Berriozabaleta Fountain, based on an Inca structure. Explore the old town of Elorrio on a guided tour of rural Basque Country and see other popular landmarks like the Sanctuary of Arantzazu and the medieval tower houses in Oñati.
*Elorrio is a medieval village in the middle of rural Basque Country.
*See the Don Tello gate, the only remaining piece of Elorrio’s old town wall.
*Make sure to sample the small plates of Basque cuisine, called pintxos.
*A tour of the elegant basilica is not to be missed.
Elorrio is located 26 miles (42 kilometers) southeast of Bilbao. Buses run regularly to Elorrio from Bilbao and Durango, but the easiest way to go is by car or as part of a guided tour. The closest international airport is in Bilbao, and daily flights are available from Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, and other major European cities.
The best time to visit Basque Country for hiking and other outdoor activities is in June or September, right before or after the busy summer season. If you’re mostly interested in sampling the food and exploring the region’s architecture, visit any time of year. Elorrio’s main village festival, Ferixa Nausikoak, takes place each year in early September, and highlights food and festivities for 10 days.
One of the best ways to explore both the medieval sights and the rural countryside just steps from town is by setting out on one of Elorrio’s many walking trails and hiking paths. The Origins of Elorrio walk takes you by the village’s most historic sites, while the Arrazola Greenway is an easy, scenic walk along the River Arrazola, perfect for the whole family. Pick up a trail map in town or join a guided walking tour.
