The 8 Best Basque Country Hideaways for Nature Lovers
From pristine national parks to fairytale forests to secluded beaches, the Basque Country is a nature lover’s paradise. In fact, the natural surroundings of the Basque Country are so diverse that travelers here could ski and surf in the same day. The culture has a deep connection to this ancient and rugged land, and with a population of just two and a half million, escaping from civilization is practically a national pastime. Here are the best rural houses, inns, and hotels for finding your own little slice of paradise in the Basque Country.
Mendi Goikoa
Why it made the list
The Urkiolako National Park towers over this cluster of traditional Basque rural houses in a beautiful part of the countryside halfway between Durango and Vitoria-Gasteiz. It is green as far as the eye can see here, with charming terraces and outdoor dining areas that overlook the landscape and the pictorial hamlet of Axpe in the valley below.
Casa Rural Arboliz
Why it made the list
The simple family-run homestay is hidden away on the steep and winding coastal mountains that isolate this stretch of ocean from the rest of the country. The rural house is on the outskirts of the unspoiled Urdaibai biosphere reserve, home to some of the best bird watching, hiking, kayaking, and surfing in the region.
Hostería San Millan
Why it made the list
Pilgrims have been trekking up the steep green valley to the magnificent and imposing San Millán de Yuso Monastery for millennia and we can see why. It is hard not to feel close to some higher power surrounded by such striking geography. Lush forest grows between the steep sides of the valley all the way up to the snow-capped peaks of San Lorenzo that towers over the monastery in the distance.
Hotel Iturregi
Why it made the list
Surrounded by rolling vineyards and coastal forests, this gorgeous designer lodge is nestled up on the quiet hillsides above an unspoiled stretch of coast between Lekeitio and San Sebastián with wonderful views of the sea. Behind the hotel are winding trails for hiking and there is a cool swimming pool and floral garden overlooking the lodge. This is a hotel for those who don’t want to have to sacrifice luxury in exchange for proximity to the wild outdoors.
Castillo de Arteaga
Why it made the list
Napolean III picked a pretty damn beautiful place to rebuild a mediaeval castle into its now immaculate neo-Gothic state. Surrounded by the Urdaibai biosphere reserve, now a UNESCO site, the castle is an ultra luxury oasis with green marshes and mountains in every direction. Hiking and kayaking excursions are available and the sheltered beaches of Laida, Bakio, and Bermio are short drives away.
Hotel La Venta de Goyo
Why it made the list
If you really want to get way out there, look no further. Burrowed up a breathtaking mountain valley at the confluence of the Urbión and Najerilla rivers in La Rioja, Hotel La Venta de Goyo specifically caters to the outdoor lover. The mountain lodge is a favorite among anglers, hunters, hikers, and trekkers with sensational trails and fishing streams right at the hotel’s doorstep.
Echaurren Hotel Gastronómico
Why it made the list
The mountain town of Ezcaray is nothing short of a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, and the super-chic Echaurren Hotel Gastronómico has the best location in town, right on the picturesque central square. Mountains loom in every direction, where world-class hiking and mountain biking trails await. The ski resort Valdezcaray is just fifteen minutes up the valley by car. The hotel offers mountain bikes in the summer and ski rentals in the winter.
Hotel & Spa Etxegana
Why it made the list
Hotel & Spa Etxegana is the ultimate natural escape, providing rest and relaxation amidst some of the most enchanting and well-preserved wilderness in all the Basque Country. The hotel is perched atop a mountain in the Gorbeia National Park and provides mesmerizing vistas everywhere you turn, from the rooms to the spa to the wonderful restaurant. Visitors can stroll through thee magical forest of Otzarreta, hike the remarkable granite mountains, or simply lie back and soak it all in from the comfort of the elegant mountain lodge.
Check Rates for Hotels
on the List
BACK TO TOP
