Discover Zelaia: Church, Hiking Trails and Landscape

Those exploring Zelaia will find San Pedro Church in the Zelaia district, on the hilltop, next to the pelota court and opposite the town hall. The church is a Baroque church built between the 16th and 18th centuries. San Pedro houses a Romanesque sculpture of the Virgin Mary dating from the 13th century.

San Pedro thus brings together several historical periods: the Baroque church was built over a period spanning the 16th to the 18th century, while the Romanesque statue of the Virgin Mary dates from the 13th century.

Trails

The LEA09 Mendexa: Zelaia-Iturreta route connects Zelaia with Iturreta. It runs through a natural, rural setting. LEA10 Mendexa-Leagi is a linear route covering 0.96 km. The approximate walking time in one direction is 13 minutes. The time stated for LEA10 therefore refers to a one-way journey and does not automatically include the return trip. Leagi is a medieval tower that was rebuilt in the 18th century. Behind the tower, the route descends along a forest track between eucalyptus trees. It then meets the Sendero del Lea, a variant of the GR 38 “Ruta del Vino y el Pescado”. The long-distance GR-123 trail, known as “Vuelta a Bizkaia”, also passes through Mendexa and includes Zelaia.

The trails also pass through different types of landscape: LEA09 runs through a natural, rural setting, while LEA10 descends behind Leagi along a forest track between eucalyptus trees. The route then continues to the Sendero del Lea, and thus to a variant of the GR 38 “Ruta del Vino y el Pescado”.

In rural Mendexa lies the small, cosy Zelaigane guesthouse. It is located between Lekeitio and Ondarroa. It is approximately 2 kilometres from the beach. The address is Zelaia Auzoa 1, 48289 Zelaia, Mendexa.

Local area

The Berton Bertokoa Azoka was scheduled for Sunday, 30 August 2026, in the Zelaia Auzoa district. The Azoka includes the exhibition and sale of typical agricultural products. These include vegetables, cheese, Txakoli, pork and preserves. Beer, flowers, aromatic products, bread and fine pastries are also available.

For further orientation, you can also open the following places: Sestao, Urduliz, Getxo, Zierbena, Durango, Ortuella, Elorrio and Otxandio.

Landscape

The island of Garraitz, also known as San Nikolas, is located near Zelaia. Mount Santa Cruz is located in the vicinity of Zelaia. Mount Galarregi is also located in the vicinity of Zelaia. Further afield in the region around Zelaia lies Laga Beach.

Museums

Further afield in the region around Zelaia is the Museo De La Paz De Gernika museum. The Euskal Herria Museoa museum is also located further afield in the region around Zelaia. The Parque de los Pueblos de Europa museum is likewise located further afield in the region around Zelaia. The Museo de la Industria Armera museum is located further afield in the region around Zelaia.

To the main travel overview: Bizkaia.