Discover Mutriku: Old Town and Black Flysch Cliffs

Black flysch is visible on the cliffs of Mutriku. It formed in deep grooves created by tectonic movements during the opening of the Bay of Biscay. The town's geological features include enormous ammonites.

Nature

The limestone-rich Arno Mountains are included in the European Union's Natura 2000 network and were designated a special area of conservation in 2013. Its holm oak stands (Quercus ilex) are among the most significant in the north of the Iberian Peninsula.

A circular route begins and ends in Mutriku and leads over the peaks of Arno at 601 metres, Jangoikomendi at 528 metres and Tontorramendi at 386 metres. Another route begins and ends at the Ermita de San Isidro; along the way, information panels explain the geological and ethnographic features of the surrounding area.

A river disappears at this point, flows underground through the entire Arno Mountains and re-emerges in the district of Astigarrabia before flowing into the Deba.

Culture

Mutriku's old town was declared a monumental ensemble in 1995. It preserves steep, narrow streets as well as manor houses and palaces dating from the 15th to the 18th century.

The Palacio Arrietakua is an inhabited palace from the 18th century that has remained intact to this day. It belonged to the seafarers Antonio de Gaztañeta and Cosme Damián Churruca.

The Torre de Berriatua, also known as Sulengua, survived the devastating fire that ravaged Mutriku in 1543. It is considered the tallest preserved medieval tower house in Gipuzkoa and formerly served as a watchtower for the port of Mutriku.

The church of San Andrés de Astigarribia is one of the oldest churches in Gipuzkoa and one of the few pre-Romanesque examples in the province.

The “Mutriku marinera” guided tour explores Mutriku's maritime history through its houses and palaces and begins at the tourist office on Txurruka Plaza. The tour of Mutriku's wave power plant starts at the port's old swimming pool; the plant was the first facility to generate electrical energy from wave power.

Visitor information

Astigarrabia cannot be reached by bus. Bus groups must leave their vehicle at a designated point on the GI-3230 and walk approximately 220 metres along the old road, accompanied by the guide.

The Nautilus Centre can be visited at any time outside its regular opening hours as part of a booked guided tour. The “Nautilus, fossils of flysch” tour begins there, combines a visit to the Nautilus Museum with a boat trip to the black flysch cliffs, and is dependent on weather and sea conditions during the boat trip.

Coast

Mutriku Beach has two natural swimming pools. Swimming, windsurfing, canoeing, bodyboarding, volleyball, diving and sport fishing are possible there.

The “Siete Playas” boat tour departs from the port of Mutriku and heads to the black flysch cliffs between Mutriku and Saturraran Beach. The cliffs of Siete Playas can be accessed from Saturraran Beach or from the port of Mutriku, but only at low tide; the area is dangerous.

The “Flysch en familia” activity combines a participatory fossil workshop at the Museo Nautilus with a boat trip from Mutriku to Saturraran Beach.

Local life

The “Azoka Txikia” market takes place from March to December on the second Saturday of each month at Beheko Plaza.

The annual Día del Verdel is an event associated with accommodation in Mutriku, at which local chefs serve mackerel as pintxos, grilled and as marmitako.

Mutriku's marina for recreational boats was established in the historic port in 2014. It preserves the port's structure as a traditional fishing harbour and has 301 berths for boats with a maximum length of 14 metres.

Other destinations include Azkoitia, Errezil, Elduain, Bidania, San Sebastián, Arechavaleta, Zumaia and Zestoa.

The church of San Andrés de Astigarribia is located in Astigarrabia, where the underground course of the river through the Arno Mountains also re-emerges before the water flows into the Deba.

For the overview of the wider destination: Gipuzkoa.