basque country

The Basque Country nestles in the middle of Spain's north coast - a region of buzzing cities, wide sweeping beaches, and mountainous interiors.

Tourism has always been a great tradition in the Basque Country with Bilbao as its vibrant, modern hub. Innovative architecture and infrastructure projects have revived the city in recent years: the Guggenheim Museum was built by Frank O. Gehry, while Norman Foster designed the city's Metro stations. Along the coast to the east, San Sebastián is famous for its stylish beaches and its colourful tapas bars, while the inland Basque Country is celebrated as 'green Spain'.

The Basque language, whose origins still present a conundrum to linguists, is completely distinct to Castilian Spanish, though the latter is commonly spoken. The region has a darker side, too. It's known for its separatist factions, and most notably for the violence from ETA. Visitors, though, will find a people who are warmly hospitable, delighted by their food, and deeply proud of their unique and beautiful land.