Basque Country Holidays - Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria

The Basque Country is an autonomousIt offers constantly changing exhibits along with a
community in northern Spain with capital citypermanent collection focused on the second half
Vitoria. The region borders France, and the localsof the 20th century. The building was designed by
harbour a proud and defiant nature with strongFrank Gehry and is a masterpiece of modern
support for a separate, united Basque state. Thearchitecture built out of titanium, glass and
origins of their local language Euskadi cannot belimestone. Inside, the huge windows of the central
traced, like that of the Basque race itself.atrium bring natural light into the building and
Basque Country Coastlineoutside stand a surrealistic floral structure of a
The coastal road from Bilbao to San Sebastiangiant puppy.
offers some spectacular scenery with small fishingSan Sebastian holiday attractions
villages and coves overlooked with jagged andSan Sebastian is the capital of Guipuzcoa province
dramatic cliffs. The town of Bakio has a longand has been visited by Spanish aristocracy for
beach, often frequented by the locals, and ahundreds of years due to the quality of its
rocky island that is joined to the mainland by abeaches and beautiful city. Much of the original city
small bridge. The picturesque port of Bermeowas destroyed in 1813 during the Spanish War of
offers a goof selection of bars and restaurants,Independence, so few historical buildings can be
while the fishing villages of Lekeitio andfound within the centre. However, the city does
neighbouring Ondarroa both offer historicaloffer a unique atmosphere and distinguished
architecture in their Gothic churches. The coastalcosmopolitan feeling making it different from
town of Zarautz as well as having a 16th centurymany other Spanish towns. In summer, the resort
Town Hall, Palacio Narros and the church ofis packed with holidaymakers, and even in the
Nuestra Senora de la Real, also hosts the annualwinter the beach and its wonderful promenade of
International Surfing Championship.tamarind trees, Edwardian lampposts and
Bilbao holiday attractionsbeachfront cafes is a popular destination with the
Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Countrylocals.
region and is the capital of Vizcaya province. TheVitoria holiday attractions
city is a major seaport and in the past hasVitoria ranks second in standard of living out of all
offered little in the way of attractions to thethe cities in Spain. It has a huge number of green
visiting holidaymaker. However, major urbanparks around the city including Florida Park that
renewal has helped to move it away from itswas created in 1820 with its huge variety of plant
industrial roots and more towards tourism. Manyspecies, and San Juan de Arriaga Park, which is
developments within the city have helped tothe largest in the city. Vitoria is the capital of
improve its image including new parks, MetroAlava province, which as a whole offers a
system and at the heart of the renaissance, thetremendous diverse amount of protected spaces
Guggenheim Museum.including many Nature Reserves including the Izki
Guggenheim Museum - BilbaoNature Reserve with its melojo-oak forest and
The Guggenheim Museum was opened in 1997Gorbeia Nature Reserve, one of the Basque
and is one of the most visited museums in Spain.Country's biggest natural tourist attractions.