Zumaia: Flysch Coast, Tides and Basque Culture

Along the Flysch Coast between Itzurun in Zumaia and Deba, vertical layers of rock rise above the sea. At low tide, a broad abrasion platform emerges at the foot of the cliffs between Itzurun and Deba. Santiago Beach lies at the mouth of the Urola River and offers wide stretches of sand and calm waters. During the summer season, a boat service connects Zumaia town centre with the beach. At the foot of the San Telmo Chapel, two Golden Spikes mark the Danian/Selandian and Selandian/Thanetian boundaries.

Nature and Coast

The Algorri abrasion platform provides food for seabirds and some waders. The Algorri tidal platform is home to more than 200 animal species. Molluscs, limpets, sea snails, octopuses and colourful nudibranchs can be found on the Algorri tidal platform. At Algorri, a 65-million-year-old layer of rock contains particles from a meteorite that collided with Earth at that time. The Algorri Interpretation Centre presents the mouth of the Urola River, the Bedua archipelago and marshes, the Santiago dunes and the San Miguel holm oak grove.

Visits and Culture

Moilaberri is a visitor information and reference centre where the natural, cultural and industrial heritage of Zumaia and the Geopark can be explored holistically. The Kantauri Ondare Museum displays centuries-old compasses, anchors and oars. The Church of San Pedro in Zumaia contains a Mannerist altarpiece from the late 16th century by Juan de Antxieta. The Z Espacio Cultural was conceived by Ignacio Zuloaga in 1910 and opened in 1921. The Z Espacio Cultural offers exclusive visits for groups of four or more throughout the year by prior reservation.

History

Zumaia’s historic centre can be explored independently; buildings of historical or art-historical value have information panels on their façades. The sanctuary, situated on a hill, contains a 16th-century Andra-Mari image and a 17th-century altarpiece with a 16th-century Hispano-Flemish triptych in its lower section. In Zumaia, panels provide information about various industrial activities that are significant to the history of the town.

Hiking and Gastronomy

A marked GR hiking trail leads from the footbridge over the Narrondo River in Zumaia along the estuary to near the Zuloaga Museum, then climbs towards Askizu. On the coast of the Geopark, visitors can learn about traditional fishing techniques and the culinary tradition of catching octopus in the Flysch; this is followed by a tasting of pintxos and txakoli. During a visit to an authentic Basque farmhouse, visitors can meet its residents; the activity includes a tasting of cider and cheese. Festivals and traditions in Zumaia include children’s and adults’ tamborradas as well as trainerilla regattas.

Other destinations: Beasain, Lezo, Zumarraga, Urretxu, Aizarnazabal, Zaldivia, Zestoa, Aia

To the higher-level travel overview: Gipuzkoa.