Zarautz - Getaria walk via Santa Bárbara
Vineyards, sheep and some spectacular views of the sea will accompany you all along the way, and we can assure you that once you get to Getaria you’ll be wanting to take the same route again, which is an ideal walk for any time of the year.
We start off in Zarautz, to be precise at the station, and we do the Donostia - Zarautz section with EUSKOTREN. We head to the Parish Church of Santa María de la Real and from there if we walk for just 5 minutes, we’ll come to a lift that will take us up almost to the entrance to our first stop: Vista Alegre Park.
The Vista Alegre Park offers an unusual mixture of spectacular trees, with a wide-ranging presence of exotic species, in which the cork oak is the king of the park. We really like all the signs for each tree that you can find all over the park. A photo with the statue of the “Indian” by Erik Aranburu that presides over the flora and fauna in the park is essential. (If you click here you can see how he made it).
If we follow the path we come across one of our favourite spots in the park: the Tower. Built by the Count of Villapadierna in 1913, it was one of the first reinforced concrete buildings in Gipuzkoa. Built in a neoclassical style, it is shaped in a semicircle and is made up of ten columns, and the second floor provides an impressive panoramic view of Zarautz.
After the visit to the Tower, we will continue on our way towards Getaria, making a detour to pay our respects at the Santa Bárbara Chapel. Construction on the chapel began in 1703 at the initiative of the fishermen in Zarautz, and in order to pay the cost of its construction they gave alms for each whale that they caught. Each year on the 4th of December, the feast day of Saint Barbara, devotees come here to ring the bell at the chapel, inspired by the belief that this can help to ward off headaches throughout the year. Next to the chapel there is a natural vantage point from where we can enjoy one of the best views of Zarautz.
Before we get to Getaria we have a mid-morning snack at TXAKOLI AMEZTOI,
the winery that looks out to the sea. The Ameztoi family has been preparing and producing txakoli since 1820. At the present time it is the fifth generation that has taken over this marvellous place that also has guided tours around the bodega and a shop where you can buy txakoli.
We carry on and in 10 minutes we have Getaria at our feet. We take a lift and step out at the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, a top attraction in Gipuzkoa, not only for its building but also for its exhibitions.
Once we are in Getaria, we go down to the port and enjoy its cobblestone streets. In the Church of San Salvador, toss a coin when you go through the ”Katrapona” passageway, and make a wish. To finish of the excursion, ask for a txakoli accompanied by some excellent anchovies from Getaria and you’ll be thrilled by the views from the port.
