ZUMAIA, A CHARMING TOWN
The best route to visit Zumaia
We want you to visit all the special corners of our town and for that, have prepared this route to make it easier for you. The route we propose is very simple and will help you to visit all the spots of Zumaia in the most optimal way.
STOP 1 – SAN TELMO CHAPEL
We recommend you to start the route in the small chapel of San Telmo, guardian of all sailors. The architecture of the chapel is from the 16th century. Apparently the chapel it is not impressive, but we assure you that the privileged position on the edge of the cliff makes it unique and very special. It is the point where the most important scene of the well known film ‘Eight Basque Surnames’ was filmed. Near the chapel there is a balcony with a amazing viewpoint where you can take very cool photos of Itzurun beach.
STOP 2 – ITZURUN BEACH
From the top of the cliff, and just below San Telmo chapel, you will find the magical beach of fine golden sand, called Itzurun. It is a tiny beach, and is part of one of the most spectacular stretches of our coast. You will be impressed by the huge vertical cliffs, limestone walls that reach up to 150 meters in drop. It is the famous geological phenomenon called Flysch, formed over thousands of years by the erosion of the sea. We are sure that this beach sounds familiar to you, since they have filmed the scenes from the last season of Game of Thrones.
STOP 3 – THE FLYSCH
Without thinking twice, from the capel take the path that rungs along the entire Flysch cornice, a place ceclared a Unesco Word Heritage Site in the 2015. It is a spectacular walk of 5-10 minutes (each way) until you reach the end of the walk. You will walk above the Flysch cliff, enjoying the surroundings and espectacular views (this is another place you will be able to take AMAZING photos). At the end of the walk, you can go down to the Algorri viewpoint, and from there, you will see the secret hidden beach of Algorri. If you want to find out about the history of the Flysch, first we recommend you stop by the Algorri Interpretation Center, where the story about the formation of the Flysch is told.
STOP 4 – ALGORRI VIEW POINT
Definitely, one of the essentials and the most popular site in the Geopark and in Zumaia. From here, you will enjoy impressive views of the basque coast. The views are amazing especially at low tide where you can appreciate the impressive tidal level. It is one of the most important geological places in the world, where this special rock formation allows us to know about the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. We recommend that you take some time to enjoy this magical environment! If you are adventurous, and you want to walk along the coast, later we will talk about the hiking trails, and one of them starts from here.
STOP 5 – THE CHURCH OF SAN PEDRO
From Algorri, you can return to the town following the path. Back in town and next to the Atari bar, if you look straight ahead, you will find the church of San Pedro. It is a Gothic church from the 13th century, a solidly built building with the appearance of a fortress. It is eye catching for its solid construction, similar to that of a fortress. You can go up to the church through the narrow streets and stairs of the old town. Normally, the church is usually open, and there are also often tours guided by volunteers.
STOP 6 – THE OLD TOWN
From the church, you can discover the old and narrow streets of the old town of Zumaia. The old town is very small and easy to visit. A few meters from the church, you can find the famous fountain from the movie ‘Eight Basque Surnames’, called ‘San Juan Iturri ‘(Fountain of San Juan). Walking through the old streets, you will find other interesting buildings, such as Ubillos palace or the Olazabal and Goikotorre buildings. After visiting them, we think it is time to have a drink or eat a ‘pintxo’.
STOP 7 – A WALK AROUND THE LIGHTHOUSE
After a good tasting of pintxos, we recommend you a walk. Go to the Lighthouse on Julio Beobide avenue. You will enjoy wonderful views, appreciating the green mountains and the Urola River in the landscape. Along the walk (at the back side) you will can visit a small rocky beach called Inpernupe or you can see Santiago Beach on the other side of the river. This last beach is protected, as it has a special ecosystem with more thatn 50 different species of plants. In the same walk to the lighthouse, you will find ‘Kresala House’, which was the worksouse of the famous scupltor of Zumaia, Julio Beobide.
STOP 8 – SANTIAGO BEACH AND DUNES
If this walk is not enough for you and you still want to walk a little bit more around Zumaia, we recommend you to go to the other side of the river and to visit the port or Santiago Beach & Dunes. In the port you will find three walk paths to enjoy the views of the town. There is also a nice walk in Santiago Beach, where dunes also grow, froming a special ecosystem with more than 50 different species of plants.
STOP 1 – SAN TELMO CHAPEL
We recommend you start the route in the small chapel of San Telmo, guardian of all sailors. The architecture of the chapel is from the 16th century. Apparently the chapel it is not impressive, but we assure you that the privileged position on the edge of the cliff makes it unique and very special. It is the point where the most important scene of the well known film ‘Eight Basque Surnames’ was filmed. Near the chapel there is a balcony with a amazing viewpoint where you can take very cool photos of Itzurun beach.
stop 2 – itzurun beach
From the top of the cliff, and just below San Telmo chapel, you will find the magical beach of fine golden sand, called Itzurun. It is a tiny beach, and is part of one of the most spectacular stretches of our coast. You will be impressed by the huge vertical cliffs, limestone walls that reach up to 150 meters in drop. It is the famous geological phenomenon called Flysch, formed over thousands of years by the erosion of the sea. We are sure that this beach sounds familiar to you, since they have filmed the scenes from the last season of Game of Thrones.
stop 3 – the FLYSCH
Without thinking twice, from the capel take the path that rungs along the entire Flysch cornice, a place ceclared a Unesco Word Heritage Site in the 2015. It is a spectacular walk of 5-10 minutes (each way) until you reach the end of the walk. You will walk above the Flysch cliff, enjoying the surroundings and espectacular views (this is another place you will be able to take AMAZING photos). At the end of the walk, you can go down to the Algorri viewpoint, and from there, you will see the secret hidden beach of Algorri. If you want to find out about the history of the Flysch, first we recommend you stop by the Algorri Interpretation Center, where the story about the formation of the Flysch is told.
stop 4 – ALGORRI view point
Definitely, one of the essentials and the most popular site in the Geopark and in Zumaia. From here, you will enjoy impressive views of the basque coast. The views are amazing especially at low tide where you can appreciate the impressive tidal level. It is one of the most important geological places in the world, where this special rock formation allows us to know about the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. We recommend that you take some time to enjoy this magical environment! If you are adventurous, and you want to walk along the coast, later we will talk about the hiking trails, and one of them starts from here.
stop 5 – the church of SAN PEDRO
From Algorri, you can return to the town following the path. Back in town and next to the Atari bar, if you look straight ahead, you will find the church of San Pedro. It is a Gothic church from the 13th century, a solidly built building with the appearance of a fortress. It is eye catching for its solid construction, similar to that of a fortress. You can go up to the church through the narrow streets and stairs of the old town. Normally, the church is usually open, and there are also often tours guided by volunteers.
stop 6 – the old town
From the church, you can discover the old and narrow streets of the old town of Zumaia. The old town is very small and easy to visit. A few meters from the church, you can find the famous fountain from the movie ‘Eight Basque Surnames’, called ‘San Juan Iturri ‘(Fountain of San Juan). Walking through the old streets, you will find other interesting buildings, such as Ubillos palace or the Olazabal and Goikotorre buildings. After visiting them, we think it is time to have a drink or eat a ‘pintxo’.
stop 7 –A WALK AROUND THE LIGHTHOUSE
After a good tasting of pintxos, we recommend you a walk. Go to the Lighthouse on Julio Beobide avenue. You will enjoy wonderful views, appreciating the green mountains and the Urola River in the landscape. Along the walk (at the back side) you will can visit a small rocky beach called Inpernupe or you can see Santiago Beach on the other side of the river. This last beach is protected, as it has a special ecosystem with more thatn 50 different species of plants. In the same walk to the lighthouse, you will find ‘Kresala House’, which was the worksouse of the famous scupltor of Zumaia, Julio Beobide.
stop 8 – santiago beach & dunes
If this walk is not enough for you and you still want to walk a little bit more around Zumaia, we recommend you to go to the other side of the river and to visit the port or Santiago Beach & Dunes. In the port you will find three walk paths to enjoy the views of the town. There is also a nice walk in Santiago Beach, where dunes also grow, froming a special ecosystem with more than 50 different species of plants.
THE FLYSCH ROUTE
If you are near Zumaia, you can’t leave the Basque Country without doing the Flysch Route!
There are two ways to do the Flysch Route:
1) The Flysch Route on Paddle Surf from Itzurun beach
2) The Flysch Route walking
The Flysch Route is one of the most famous in the Basque Country and luckily we are surrounded by mountains and walks with spectacular views.
AVISO LEGAL
MAPA DEL SITIO
