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RelaxationYouthFamilyAdventure Summer campsites and hostels

Surrounding area

The beach season starts in the Basque Country with the arrival of summer. On its campsites and hostels you can enjoy some pleasant days of sun and beach without having to spend a great deal of money.

The Basque Country, like everything in the north of the peninsular, provides a perfect blend of beach and mountain landscapes. This being the case, the heat of the summer makes it very tempting to leave the city behind and take refuge along the Basque Country coast, enjoying the nature that it has to offer.

It is at this time of year that backpackers and lovers of outdoor tourism head for the coasts of Vizcaya and Guipuzcoa. This type of tourism is preferred by young people as it is an economical way of going on holiday.

Uribe Kosta

Leaving the extreme west of the Basque coast, we find two campsites in the area of Uribe Kosta in the lovely and natural surroundings of the mountains and coast, and well connected to Bilbao by metro. These are the Camping Arrien campsite, in Gorliz and the Camping Sopelana campsite, in the town of the same name, and they are 2nd and 3rd category campsites respectively. They are situated by high-quality beaches: Gorliz with its peaceful waters and therefore preferred by bathers, and Sopelana, where the sea is a bit more choppy but ideal for learning to surf.

Sea Tradition

The area dominating the Vizcaya coast is Busturialdea, and in one of its most beautiful fishing villages, Mundaka, you can find the Camping Portundo campsite which is a 1st category facility. There are three different camping areas available, one for caravans, one for individual tents and one with plots of land. The campsite offers facilities such as the txoko or sheltered eating area, in addition to two restaurants where you can enjoy the fresh, local fish.

Finally, further away from the capital and, for this reason, less affected by tourism, is the town of Mendexa with its two campsites, Endai and Leagi. These stand out for their tranquil and typically rural Basque atmosphere, and their proximity to beautiful fishing villages such as Lekeitio and Ondarroa. The Leagi campsite offers two-bedroom bungalows. Both campsites offer the opportunity to participate in local canoeing, surfing, hiking, fishing and scuba-diving activities on first-class beaches.

From Mutriku to Bajo Deva

An area that stands out in Guipuzcoa is Mutriku. Its four camping areas and position on the border with Vizcaya make this an ideal place for hiking to both ends of the coast. Aritzeta, Santa Elena, Saturraran and Galdona offer extensive forested areas in the countryside, a short distance away from the beaches and the port. Here you can participate in all types of activities that bring you into contact with nature, as well as other different activities such as paintball, quad-biking, bungee jumping, capeas (bullfights with young bulls), kayaking, horse-riding, caving and historic/cultural visits.

In the neighbourhood of Itxaspe in the noble village of Deba you can find a campsite in beautiful surroundings, with magnificent views of the sea and cliffs. Due to its location it is possible to undertake numerous excursions in the surrounding areas, such as the downhill walk to the wild beaches of Aitzuri and Sakoneta, not forgetting the more touristy and frequented beaches of Deva and Zumaya.

Nearby lies another quality tourist fishing village, Zarauz, whose beach is one of the most popular amongst surfers. Here lodgings are provided by the Talai-Mendi and Zarautz campsites, situated very close to each other on the slopes of a hill that offers spectacular panoramic views.

In the surrounding areas of the capital

One of the attractions of the busy Orio campsite is its considerable extension into the Pagoeta Nature Reserve. But without doubt one of the most sought-after campsites is the one located on the famous Monte Igueldo, about 5 kilometres from the centre of San Sebastian via public transport. It is a 1st category campsite situated in an idyllic spot between the mountains and the sea, from which you can become highly acquainted with the beautiful Basque capital, its historic quarter, la Playa de La Concha beach, or the Kursaal Palace.

Another option is Oliden in Oiartzun, at a distance of only 9 kilometres from the beaches of San Sebastián and Fuenterrabía. It is in Fuenterrabía that the last two campsites along the Basque coastline are situated. The Faro campsite is located right on the coast, whereas the Jaizkibel campsite is further back, nestled away in the hills. Visitors are seduced by the surrounding beaches and wild coves, which are in close proximity to tourist resorts with all the desired facilities.

Hostels

Within Vizcaya itself the most obvious option is the Albergue Aterpetxea hostel, located ten minutes away from the centre and offering modern sports facilities, parking facilities for cars and bicycles, and a large garden area. There is public transport, via the metro, to public beaches such as Getxo, Sopelana or Plencia.

However, there are other hostels that are closer to the coast. This is the certainly the case of the Albergue Juvenil La Arboleda youth hostel, in Valle de Trápaga or the Areitz Soroa hostel in the surroundings of an organic farm in Galdames, both close to Muskiz beach. At a similar distance from Bilbao and closer to the beaches of their respective towns, the Plencia and Gorliz youth hostels can be found. Another option is the Trinkete Etxea de Lekeitio hostel for those who prefer the fishing village atmosphere.

In San Sebastian, the largest youth hostel is the Ondarreta "La Sirena", which specialises in single reservations. It is located in the newer part of the town, 200 metres from Ondarreta beach, but still enjoys a peaceful atmosphere. The other two hostels are the Ulia Mendi, in more natural surroundings but closed for refurbishment until further notice, and the Colegio Mayor Olarain hall of residence, which also takes bookings from youth hostellers.

Another option in the urban area is the Martindozenea, a municipal hostel in the nearby town of Irún. The Igerain hostel in Zarauz and the Juan Sebastián Elcano hostel in Hondarribia, found in more rustic surroundings, are two more alternatives for enjoying the clean Guipuzcoa coastline and for going on excursions along its beaches, around its hills and along its cliffs.