Basque Country (Spain) - Baskenland (Spanien)

The Basque Country is an autonomous region in Spain (Autonomous Community of the Basque Country). It is shaped by its own national identity, culture, language, architecture and cuisine, which differ fundamentally from the rest of Spain.

Regions

places

• 43.262222222222-2.95333333333331 Bilbao
• 42.846666666667-2.67305555555562 Vitoria-Gasteiz
• 43.32-1.983 San Sebastian - is the capital of the pinchos
• 43.297222222222-2.99166666666674 Barakaldo
• 43.344166666667-3.00638888888895 Getxo
• 43.337806-1.7888066 Irun
• 43.319444-3.0195837 Portugalete
• 43.330277777778-3.03138888888898 Santurtzi
• 43.1842839-2.47327489 Eibar

Other goals

• Santander (Cantabria)
• Logrono (Rioja)
• Pamplona (Navarre)

background

The Basque Country is an autonomous community on the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its unique culture and language, which is fundamentally different from the rest of Spain. Its own national character has led to an armed conflict between the Basques and Spain since the Franco era, which ended in 2012. The Basque Country enjoys cultural, fiscal and political autonomy. Economically, the Basque Country is an engine in the Spanish state. It has developed into a destination for high-quality tourism with a focus on culture, cuisine, art and nature tourism and is enjoying increasing popularity. The Camino de Santiago has important stops in the Basque Country. In the north it is shaped by the Atlantic Ocean, in the center by high mountains (well over 1000 meters above sea level) and in the south by wine landscapes. As a result of the "Bilbao Effect", the entire region has seen a positive image change. San Sebastian became the European Capital of Culture in 2016. In terms of sport, surfing and first-class football are located in the Basque Country, as is the Basque national sport Esku Pilota.

language

In the Basque Country, Basque is spoken in addition to Spanish. Here is a small and hopefully useful selection:

• Egunon = Good afternoon
• Arratsaldeon = (after lunch) Good afternoon
• Gabon = Good night
• Kaixo = Hello
• Agur = Bye
• Geroarte = see you later, can be used as goodbye even if you never see the person again
• Hurrengoarte = see you next time
• Ikusiarte = see you
• On egin = Enjoy your meal
• Topa = for the good
• Eskerrik asko = Thank you
• Bai = Yes
• Ez = No
• Barkatu = Sorry
• Mesedez = Please
• the X is pronounced like Sch, the Z like S and the S like a "softly hissed" Sch, the rest as one is used to from High German.

getting there

The international 43.301111-2.910556Bilbao airport(IATA: BIO)) is located in Loiu, about 12 km outside the city. There are, among other things, some connections from German-speaking countries as well as domestic connections. In Vitoria-Gasteiz there is currently (as of 11/2018) a connection with Ryanair to Cologne-Bonn. With stopovers (Paris or Madrid), the San Sebastian airport can also be reached.

The Lufthansa flies from Frankfurt and Munich. Eurowings offers a few flights per week from Stuttgart.

Domestic connections exist with Madrid and Barcelona as well as seasonally with the Balearic Islands, Valencia, Andalusia and Galicia. The flights are usually operated by Iberia, Air Nostrum, Air Europa, Vueling or Volotea.

mobility

Buses: Both the national lines run between the larger Basque cities (Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, San Sebastian) AS A, as well as regional bus routes (Lurralde Bilbao <--> San Sebastian, La Union Bilbao <--> Vitoria Gasteiz). There are bus networks within the individual Basque provinces. In Bizkaia it is Bizkaibus, in Gipuzkoa it is Lurraldebus, in Alava it is PESA. There are urban bus routes in the individual cities.

Rail: runs throughout the Basque Country Euskotren. The tickets can be purchased before the start of the journey, or by Creditrans barik get paid. In Bilbao there is also a subway that connects the city with the surrounding area and an urban tram.

Car: The infrastructure of the Basque Country is fully developed and allows you to travel comfortably by car. However, the motorways are chargeable.

Tourist Attractions

• Santimamiñe Cave in Cortézubi, Ekain Cave in Deba and Altxerri Cave in Aya with Paleolithic cave paintings, UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Puente de Vizcaya, high bridge with transporter bridge over the mouth of the Nervión river between Portugalete and Getxo (near Bilbao), designed by Alberto Palacio, completed in 1893, World Heritage Site
• Bilbao (art, culture and sports center)
• San Sebastian (European Capital of Culture 2016)
• Gaztelugatxe

activities

• Gaztelugatxe (iconic church in the sea, film location of game of Thrones)
• Bilbao (largest city, cultural metropolis)
• San Sebastian (European Capital of Culture 2016)
• Loyola (basilica and place of origin of the Jesuits)
• Rioja Alavesa (wine-growing region in the immediate vicinity of the Rioja)
• Zarautz (fishing village with culinary specialties)
• Windsurfing on the coast
• Hikes in one of the numerous national parks

kitchen

• The Pintxo, Spanish Pincho is the Basque version of Spanish tapas. Pinchos are mostly offered on the bar counter. In some bars you can take the pintxos straight from the counter. Often there is a toothpick in every bite (pincho comes from the Spanish word skewer), so you show the waiter your skewers when paying or give the number.
• Asadorto find Basque grill restaurants, especially in the countryside, both meat and fish.
• Bakalao, dried cod, in all imaginable varieties (Bakalao Pil-Pil, Bakalao a la Bilbaina, etc.)

nightlife

Bilbao: Thursdays and Saturdays in the city center (Plaza Nueva, Barrenkale, Goienkale, Antzokia)

security

There have been no security concerns since the end of the armed conflict in the Basque Country. The police routinely patrol all cities and towns. For tourists it is especially safe in the smaller towns, in larger cities you should watch out for pickpockets at events (e.g. Aste Nagusia).

climate

Climate in Bilbao, Basque Country	Jan	Feb	March	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mean highest air temperature in ° C	12.9	14.0	15.3	16.4	19.6	22.4	25.0	25.1	24.4	21.0	16.1	13.4	O	18.8
Mean lowest air temperature in ° C	4.8	5.3	5.5	7.1	9.6	12.3	14.4	14.6	13.2	11.0	7.5	5.7	O	9.3
Average water temperature in ° C	12	12	12	12	14	16	19	20	19	17	15	13	O	15.1
Precipitation in mm	130	102	100	129	92	65	51	89	75	111	152	135	Σ	1231
Rainy days in the month	14	13	12	13	12	8	6	7	8	10	12	13	Σ	128
Length of sunshine per day	2.5	3.2	3.8	3.9	5.1	5.7	6.1	5.6	5.0	4.0	3.0	2.3	O	4.2
Source: Wetterkontor

literature

Web links

• Basque cuisine
• EuskoGuide - Guide to the Basque Country