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Fodor's Expert Review Casa Rural Arboliz

Name: Casa Rural Arboliz
Address: Arboliz 12, Elantxobe, Basque Country, 48311, Spain
Telephone: 94-627–6283
Price range: $$

Arboliz 12, Elantxobe, Basque Country 48311, Spain See on Map

Daniel Hogan

This traditional Basque country house nestled in the coastil hills of the Urdaibai biosphere reserve is just a few miles outside the charming seaside village of Elantxobe. The family-run lodge provides quiet solitude amidst a rural environment and comes with budget-friendly rooms and private terraces with gorgeous ocean views.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The friendly owners only speak a little bit of English.

room

The six rooms of the rural house are simple and comfortable and come with huge private balconies with outdoor furniture. Three of the rooms look out to the mountains while the other half boast spectacular views of the sea. We definitely recommend the ocean view options.

There is a lodging with two separate bedrooms that is great for families.

bathroom

Bathrooms here are clean but nothing out of the ordinary. We’d suggest bringing your own toiletries if you like anything beyond the basics.

lobby

A roaring fireplace is the centerpiece of the home-style living room area that features exposed timber beams and lots of table space that makes for a welcoming place to hang out. We really love the outdoor patios here where guests can soak in the sun and the wonderful views of the rugged coastline. There’s also a ping-pong table out here to play on.

dining

There is no formal restaurant here but a small and satisfactory breakfast is served every morning in the common space.

LOCATION

Getting Around

The ruggedness of the Basque coastline between Bilbao and San Sebastián takes travelers by surprise, with steep and winding mountains meeting the sea and its secluded inlets and coves and beaches. This terrain means a car is necessary and there aren’t many public transportation options. Luckily the rural house provides free parking once you’ve arrived.

Restaurants

Miren Jesús Cortázar Uriarte (5-minute drive) an unassuming oceanfront restaurant in the nearby town of Elantxobe that catches you by surprise with its phenomenal seafood and its variety of delicious pintxos lining the bar.

Playa de Laga is a popular beach close to the rural lodge and practically on the sand overlooking the waves is Toki Alai (10-minute drive), a very good local restaurant serving traditional Basque cuisine in a casual environment.

Bars

On the outskirts of Elantxobe is Mentrame Taberna (4-minute drive), a roadside tavern with great pintxos and even greater staff and the outdoor seating overlooking the harbor and village below makes a perfect drinking atmosphere on a nice day.

WHY WE LIKE IT

This is an affordable option for travelers who love the authenticity and relaxation that comes with a rustic home-stay while still being within striking distance to the nearby seaside towns and beaches. The rural house is in close proximity to all sorts of activities for nature-lovers including hiking, surfing, and spectacular sightseeing in general.