Discover Aoiz: Culture, Nature and Trails

Aoiz is surrounded by mountains and crossed by rivers and gorges; the landscape is suitable for outdoor activities. In the historic centre, the town preserves Gothic and modern civil architecture: houses built of quality stone, pointed or round-arched portals, wooden eaves and, in some cases, coats of arms lend the townscape its characteristic details.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Aoiz, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies side by side on the offer pages. This information helps make offers for the planned stay comparable and align the booking decision with your own travel dates.

The same broader area also includes Lónguida.

Culture and History

The medieval Puente de Auzola, also known as Bidelepu, spans the Irati River with four arches. The Church of San Miguel was built from the 15th century onwards over an earlier Romanesque church and preserves its robust tower. Inside is a main altarpiece created by Juan de Anchieta in 1580.

Aoiz also has a Renaissance building of civil architecture dating from the end of the 15th century. A fountain from 1801 is designed in the Neoclassical style. Such individual buildings add different periods and forms of civil and religious architecture to the view of the historic centre.

Audio Trails, Water and Festivals

“Cuéntame Aoiz” is an audio tour focusing on the history, culture, customs and curiosities of Aoiz. The audio walk “Caminar Aoiz – Agoitz ibilian” leads through the Irati river landscape along the ruins of the El Irati S.A. sawmill. It lasts 90 minutes and is divided into five audio tracks.

Rafting trips are offered on the Irati River; the activity is suitable for families and groups of friends. The different audio and activity formats can be categorised by duration and type of experience, without requiring a fixed daily schedule.

The Aoiz Carnival takes place on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It includes dressing up, collecting eggs and chistorra from houses, and a communal feast. The major patron-saint festivities in honour of Saint Michael take place on the second Sunday in August. On a festival day, a performance of the “Jota del chocolate” follows a chocolate celebration.

Nature and Hiking Routes

The Aoiz tourism portal provides six route sheets for the local trail network. The Peña Zarikieta route leads from the Church of San Miguel via the Senda de los Carboneros and the Sierra de Zarikieta to Peña Zarikieta. The route to Rala also starts at the Church of San Miguel and passes through the Barranco de las 3 Fuentes to Rala.

The Muga Erdozain route begins at the Church of San Miguel, crosses the Canal de Navarra and climbs via Mirabuenos to Ollaran. The Axarimendia route starts at the same church, climbs to Axarimendia and returns along a path parallel to the Irati River. The names, routes and starting points clearly distinguish the different trails from one another.

The Sendero del Irati is a six-kilometre circular route that begins and ends in Aoiz. It runs parallel to the river and provides an experience of the natural richness of its islands and riverside vegetation. The area around the Irati River in the Aoiz hiking area belongs to the Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

The Ermita de San Román–Río Irati hiking route is a 6.6 km linear trail with a low level of difficulty and an elevation difference of 177 m. It runs along the banks of the Irati through a pine forest to an ice house and a viewpoint over the Irati.

To the broader travel overview: Aoiz.