Trip to Bilbao and Zumaia

Trip to Bilbao and Zumaia

Next Saturday 8th of February, Happy Erasmus San Sebastian is organizing a trip to Bilbao and Zumaia. Are you joining us in this new adventure? 
 

ZUMAIA

 

 

 

 

The history of Zumaia dates all the way back to 1292, the date that all the historians agree that was the period when the villa emerged surrounding the Monastery of Santa Maria. At the beginning the people of Zumaia where living in the nearby valley next to the water but they were sick of getting attacked over and over again by the pirates so they decided to raise a villa walled and strengthened from where they could defend in group against the enemy.

 

 

Hermitage of San Telmo

 

Located next to the beach of Itzurun and on the cliff formed by the Flysch this small hermitage became really famous after its appearance in the movie "8 Apellidos Vascos".The  hermitage is dedicated to the patron saint of sailors since its location that is overlooking the sea is ideal. From there you can reach the rock formations and the cliffs that have more than 60 million years of history.

 

Beach of Itzurun

 

For "Game of Thrones" lovers this is the most interesting place because that is the place where some of the most famous scenes were filmed. It is also said that the sand and water of this beach have beneficial properties for health.

 

 

Cliff of Itzurun and Flysch

 

The famous Flysch of Zumaia can be seen at low tide. This peculiar phenomenon changes the face of the whole beach as it reveals a surface of abrasion originated as a result of the erosion of the sea, formed by different sheets of limestone and sandstone rocks. People patiently wait during the afternoon and until the water is low enough to make the stones visible.

 

Zumaia Historical Center

 

St. Peter's Church

 

The impressive tower of the Church of San Pedro is the most outstanding element of the urban area of ​​Zumaia. We can still see that the church is shaped as a watchtower and that was because it actually used to be a watchtower, because from the top you can see both sides of the sea. The church was and remains the center of the city and is the only place where we can still see some remains of the walls of Zumaia

BILBAO

From being an industrial city during the 19th century, to suffering an important crisis that especially affected the shipcraft industry during the last part of the 20th century. Bilbao, which is the capital city of Vizcaya, is one of the Spanish cities that has lived through the most changes in the last years. During decades, the administrations have worked to reinvent the city until converting it into a modern city of the 21st century, more focused on services and tourism. Proof of this is the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao, one of the most known symbols of the city.


Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Once you arrive to Bilbao, in the centre of the city, you´ll find the unique Guggenheim Museum, which has become a symbol of the city since 1997. This Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, is one of the most impressive museums in the world. It is said that you are never seeing the same Guggenheim Museum, because the impact of the sun rays and the reflection of the clouds on the titanium structure change its tonality almost everyday; transforming the museum according to the weather. In addition to the artistic expositions of the museum and welcoming the visitors, you can find the Puppy, an art work made of flowers and designed by Jeff Koons. You can also find more artworks around the museum, such as the Mum, a huge Spider designed by Louise Bourgeois and the Fire Fountain by Yves Klein.



Casco Viejo

El Casco Viejo (the Old Town), also known as Las Siete Calles is the heart of the city, the origin of Bilbao. In Casco Viejo there are different atmospheres, from the most traditional to the most alternative of the city. It´s a place where the diversity of the inhabitants of Bilbao is present in every corner. There is always people in the bars and shops, so you can start the day visiting the Old Town and its shops and finish the day eating some tasteful pintxos.



Mercado de La Ribera

Located in Casco Viejo, Mercado de la Ribera is a prestigious market due to the quality of the products they sell. Apart from that, is the biggest covered market in Europe with more than 10.000m2 of suface. Recently, this enigmatic building has been remodeled, maintaining its original structure, but adding some modifications to adapt it´s appearance to the present.
You have to know that since the remodelation there is also a bar-restaurant: La Ribera. It has become a nice place to enjoy live music, especially alternative and indi music.



Teatro Arriaga

Built at the end of the 19th century, the Arriaga Theatre is one of the most emblematic buildings of the city. The Theatre is called Arriaga in honor of the local music composer Crisóstomo de Arriaga, also known as the Basque Mozart due to his musical talent since his childhood. through the whole the year, the Arriaga Theatre hosts the best plays, concerts, monologues, concerts and coplas.



The Theatre is also known for being the place where the Aste Nagusia starts every year with the traditional txupinazo. Aste Nagusia is the name for the local festival, which normally lasts 10 days. 

THE PRICE INCLUDES

Private Bus from San Sebastián to Zumaia
Private Bus from Zumaia to Bilbao
Private Bus from Bilbao to San Sebastián
Guided tours during the trip