Doneztebe: Holiday apartments between the Vía Verde and Laxoa

Laxoa is played at the Bear-Zana Frontón in Doneztebe-Santesteban. The “Juego de laxoa”, also known as “Guante”, is recognised in Navarre as intangible cultural heritage of special interest.

Cycling routes and landscape

The Vía Verde del Bidasoa begins in Doneztebe-Santesteban at Parque Intzakardi. Remains of the former railway line can still be seen there. The 3.5-kilometre section between Doneztebe-Santesteban and Sunbilla is connected to EuroVelo 1 and passes through two tunnels and dense woodland.

The Ederbidea cycling route, also known as EuroVelo 1, likewise begins in Doneztebe-Santesteban and is connected there to the Vía Verde del Bidasoa. Another route is the 15.76-kilometre Camino del agua/Uraren Bidea, which starts at Merkatu Plaza in Santesteban and follows the course of the Ezkurra River.

The Camino del agua/Uraren Bidea is suitable for mountain bikes, although it is not easy, and is characterised by stone bridges. The route also leads to a seasonal waterfall and past marked remains of barite mines that operated until 1976. The different route lengths and themes—woodland, river course, waterfall and mining history—can be compared separately for your own planning.

Parque Intzakardi is home to notable plane trees and various species of local trees.

Culture and local history

The Bear-Zana Frontón actually consists of two frontóns. Plaza Bear-Zana, built in 1855, is used for Laxoa games, a form of pelota described as the oldest variant.

The Iglesia de San Pedro was built and extended over several periods, particularly in the 16th and 18th centuries. Its tower is believed to have originally been the tower of the former castle of the Lords of Lerín and retains its loopholes and cannon openings. Inside are Baroque altarpieces and a Rococo-style organ by Cavallie Coll dating from 1887.

On Calle Intzakardi stands an 18th-century Casa-Palacio bearing the coats of arms of the Bertiz and Ezpeleta families. The Casa gótica de la calle Mercaderes is a Gothic tower house from the late 15th century and is considered the best preserved in its original condition. It has a pointed-arch portal with eleven voussoirs and, on the first floor, two tracery windows with curving arches.

Festivals and local traditions

The Doneztebe-Santesteban Carnival includes a youth group performing as a Comparsa. On the Thursday and Friday before Ash Wednesday, its members go in costume from one farmstead and neighbourhood to another. A procession takes place on Saturday afternoon.

The Feria de otoño in Doneztebe-Santesteban usually takes place on the second or third Friday in November, around St Martin’s Day. Livestock is presented there, and visitors can view and buy regional handicrafts.

The Santa Luzia festival on 13 December includes handicrafts in front of the church, talos and a fairground atmosphere.

Holiday apartment and date selection

When choosing a holiday apartment in Doneztebe, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the accommodation pages. For your planning, the cycling routes, cultural sites and festival dates mentioned above can be viewed side by side, organised by route, season and theme.

More destinations

Etxarri-Aranatz, Undiano, Biurrun, Pamplona, Cirauqui, San Martín De Unx, Barillas, Aspurz

Practical information

The Doneztebe-Santesteban tourist office is located on Carretera del Mercado in the former bus stop and is open during the summer season and Holy Week.

For the overarching travel overview: Navarre.