Orio between the old town, the Oria estuary and the coastal landscape

The old town of Orio is designated as a Cultural Heritage Site of Special Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural). Orio’s hiking landscape includes the Igeldo-Mendizorrotz-Kukuarri coastal monocline and the broad, winding estuary of the Oria River. At Kukuarri, the coastal monocline reaches an elevation of 364 metres, drops steeply towards the sea and is characterised by cliffs.

Other places in Gipuzkoa: Zaldivia, Éibar, Errezil, Berastegi, Pasaia, Olaberria, Legazpi and Urretxu.

Culture and history

The Church of San Nicolás de Bari is a Baroque church. It was completed at the beginning of the 17th century on the site of an older, smaller church. The guided tour “La ría, nuestra identidad” presents Orio’s maritime heritage through the shipbuilding tradition developed since the Middle Ages and whaling.

The church and the tour focus on different aspects of history: San Nicolás de Bari represents sacred architecture, while “La ría, nuestra identidad” focuses on shipbuilding and whaling.

The rowing tradition also dates back a long way: it is traced to the 14th and 15th centuries, when a trainera was essential for whaling.

Landscape and trails

The short PR Gi-158 Orio-Itxaspe hiking trail is an easy route with little elevation gain. It passes through the Oria estuary area and Orio’s old town, goes past Antilla Beach and follows the banks of the Oria River.

The Orio-Kukuarri route connects Orio’s town centre with the higher-lying part of the municipality and the summit of Kukuarri.

Before setting out on a hike, current information about trail conditions and the route should be checked. For hiking trails, this check is part of the preparation, even when little elevation gain is described.

Rowing and water

The “Euskadi y el Remo” experience includes a one-hour trip in a trainera that has taken part in the Bandera de la Concha regatta. It begins at Arraunetxe, the centre for the technical promotion of rowing and canoeing in Orio.

The “Remero/a por un día” experience allows visitors to row on the Oria River in a trainera, kayak or raft. In Orio, the company Begi Bistan also offers activities such as kayaking, rowing, rafting and SUP. The provider is located at Arraunetxe, the rowing centre.

The range extends from a one-hour trainera trip to kayaking, rafting and SUP, as well as rowing in various watercraft. For water activities, current opening hours of the rowing centre and the start times of guided activities can be checked before travelling.

Festivals and food

The San Pedro patron saint’s festival is celebrated in Orio on 29 June. The guided tour “al Estilo Orio” presents the preparation of grilled besugo in the Orio style. When travelling for a festival, it is advisable to check the current event date before the trip. For guided culinary activities, start times can be checked in advance.

To the overarching travel overview: Gipuzkoa.