Getaria: walk through a picturesque medieval village

While you plan to spend a few days in the province of Guipuzcoa, plan a stop in Getaria. Located about thirty kilometers west of San Sebastian, the village of Getaria is worth stopping by. If your journey runs along the Cantabrian Sea, you will notice that this does not entail a detour! Between the historic heart and its narrow streets, the port and Mount San Anton, you will discover a pleasant link, where it is good to stroll and why not, stay a few days?

Superb ocean view

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Getaria, a pretty picturesque village  

From whaling at the marina

Located on the coast, Getaria is a traditional fishing village, once specializing in whaling. Today, it has been fitted out to directly process fish (in canning factories) and accommodate boaters.

The ports of Getaria (fishing and yachting)

Gourmet detour

On the side of the city center, stroll through the small alleys and discover the restaurants (asadors) which will offer you to eat fresh fish grill. There are also more traditional pintxo bars. The tapas bar (its other name) is an institution, a real moment of relaxation, sharing and conviviality, dear to the heart of the Basques.

Pintxo bars are ready to welcome customers

Restaurant terraces, at the foot of the church

Outside the city, on the hills that surround it, you will see hillsides of vines, as far as the eye can see. The local wine is called Txakoli. To taste it, several possibilities are available to you: in the restaurants of the city center, or directly at the producers. Some even offer guided tours to learn more about their vineyard.

View of the raton (the peninsula) of Getaria, from the vineyards

Heritage and historical wealth

Apart from the gourmet aspect of the city, take the time to stroll and discover pretty squares, but also beautiful monuments.

Get lost in the alleys to better feel the soul of the village

Two of them are dedicated to Juan Sebastian Elcano. The latter was named illustrious son of the city. He was a great navigator, he was the first to tour the world, commanded by Magellan, at the request of Emperor Charles V!

Two monuments erected in memory of Juan Sebastian Elcano

The church, on the other hand, was erected between the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century, and is dedicated to San Salvador. It is Gothic in style and we can clearly say that the village has spread around it.

View of Getaria at nightfall

Getaria also saw the birth of another “celebrity”: Cristobal Balenciaga, a big name in haute couture. A museum does him honor.

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Mount San Anton

Originally, Mount San Anton was an island. Today, it is attached to the city and commonly nicknamed "El raton de Getaria", or "the mouse of Getaria". You will quickly understand why! Fear not, this is not due to a proliferation of rodents, but to the shape of this peninsula.

It is a remarkable place, which it is important to protect, with an exceptional flora and fauna. Many species of seabirds, in particular, come to take refuge there and the rock becomes the preferred nesting place for certain bird colonies.

A pair of gulls with the brooding female

Follow the path that will take you to the top of the mouse and enjoy panoramas of the village, the ocean or the port. During your walk, you will admire rocks carved in bas-relief.

 

 

Follow the path and look around you

On the heights, you will discover a white building that previously served as a relay for those who watched for whales, then, a little further, a lighthouse, well anchored on its rocky promontory. At the foot of it a huge bas-relief.

The watchers relay

You have arrived at the lighthouse!

An astonishing discovery near the lighthouse

We hope you have a good time during your visit to Getaria! The Cantabrian coast is rich in villages such as this one, with medieval alleys, fishing ports, beaches and a built heritage that is worth a look, like Orio or Bermeo.

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Article and photos prepared by Charline Prod'homme, La Plume Digitale

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