Zestoa: Archaeology, Culture and Easy Trails

Ekainberri is a replica in the Sastarrain Valley near Zestoa; it is a few metres from the town centre and 600 metres from the original cave.

Culture

Even if the tickets were purchased online, they must be collected for a visit to Palacio Lili at the Ekainberri ticket office in the centre of Zestoa, Portale kalea 1; from there, it is a ten-minute walk to the palace, and motorised vehicles are prohibited in its vicinity.

Irikaitz is one of the oldest and most significant archaeological sites on the Cantabrian coast. About 150,000 years ago, during the Lower Palaeolithic, the site served as a workshop for making stone tools. Irikaitz is also an open-air archaeological site where the remains have been preserved in situ.

The archaeological sites therefore represent different forms of heritage: Ekainberri presents a replica in the Sastarrain Valley, while Irikaitz preserves the remains of a very early open-air workshop. Thus, alongside the reconstructed representation, there are also in situ-preserved finds in the cultural surroundings of Zestoa.

Zestoa Town Hall dates from the early 17th century and preserves benches from that period inside; it was also one of the venues of the travelling General Assemblies of Gipuzkoa.

Casa Torrea was designed by Francisco de Ibero in 1775 and built on behalf of the municipality to accommodate gentlemen who came to the travelling General Assemblies of Gipuzkoa; from the outset, it was rented out as a residence, tavern and inn.

The town hall and Casa Torrea therefore preserve two different historical uses: one building is associated with the General Assemblies of Gipuzkoa, while the other is associated with accommodating their participants. Together, the two details span the period from the early 17th century to the construction year 1775 and make the history of the town visible in specific buildings.

The Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa is a museum in the surroundings of Zestoa. The Museo Fotográfico is also a museum there. Palacio de Narros is a palace in this area.

Cargadero de hierro de Malla Harria is a ruin site in the surroundings of Zestoa.

You can access other local destinations directly via the following links: Beizama, Deba, Lezo, Astigarraga, Andoain, Elgeta, Urretxu and Azpeitia.

Trails

The Zestoa–Aizarna trail connects Aizarna and Zestoa via old paved paths; it is 2.4 kilometres long and classified as easy.

The Zestoa–Ibañarrieta trail is 4.3 kilometres long, classified as easy and suitable for hiking or cycling.

The Zestoa–Ertxiña trail is 1.9 kilometres long, classified as easy and offers beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area.

The three trails described lead to the destinations of Aizarna, Ibañarrieta and Ertxiña. In each case, their details combine a specific length with an easy classification; cycling is additionally mentioned for Ibañarrieta. The trail to Aizarna follows old paved paths, while the route to Ertxiña highlights the panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Surroundings

Erlo is a mountain in the immediate surroundings of Zestoa. Izarraitz is also a mountain in the immediate surroundings of Zestoa.

Playa de Gaztetape is a beach in the surroundings of Zestoa. Playa de Malkorbe Hondartza is another beach in the surroundings of Zestoa.

For the broader travel overview: Gipuzkoa.