Getaria Travel Guide

Getaria is a gorgeous, historic, and picturesque village located on the rugged Costa Vasca in northern Spain, whose tiny population of just over 2500 people swells in the summer when visitors in the know arrive to enjoy its beautiful beaches and vibrant fish restaurants. It is undoubtedly the unspoiled Basque Coast’s most beautiful small destination, a mere 20-minute drive from elegant, upmarket San Sebastian.

Getaria has long been known as a fishing and mariners’ village, although its early history is unclear. However, we know that the original Celtic Basque inhabitants – who may be Europe’s oldest race – settled on Spain’s northeastern coastline and were largely isolated from outside influences until the Romans conquered what was then known as Iberia in the 2nd century AD.

For over 300 years, the Romans controlled Spain until the Western Empire collapsed due to attacks from tribes from northern Europe in the mid-5th century.

However, recent archaeological excavations in Getaria have uncovered evidence that the town was founded during the Roman period, and centuries afterward, it would depend on the sea for its livelihood. But despite being settled during the Roman occupation of Spain, the Basque inhabitants, long isolated by their mountain valleys, were mostly unaffected by Roman rule. As a result, their culture has remained preserved from outside influence until today.

After that, the village disappeared into obscurity for several centuries until Getaria was officially declared a villa or place of preconceived origin by King Alfonso VIII of Castile in 1209. Before the 13th century, Getaria was part of the Kingdom of Navarra until Castile annexed the region in 1200. A thriving fishing and whaling industry developed in the Middle Ages, and the area’s population and prosperity grew during this golden era of seafaring. Indeed, the Basque country was the first region in the world to hunt whales commercially, and for five centuries, they dominated the whale trade. Geteria’s narrow streets were soon filled with elegant mansions and townhouses as the newly wealthy sought to advertise their good fortune.

A crucial event in Getarias’ and the region’s history took place in the late 14th century, which would have a lasting effect on the area for centuries. In 1397, the Hermandad de Guipuzcoa – Gipuzkoa’s Brotherhood – met in the village in a historic session that laid the legal foundation for developing the Gipuzkoa semi-independent province. The 15th century would bring prosperity and fame to this once-ignored Basque provincial settlement. One of Spain’s most revered and famous sailors – Juan Sebastián Elcano – was born in Getaria in 1476. During this period, the village, which had previously existed as a port and group of houses on an island separated from the coast, was connected to the mainland by a pier.

Juan Sebastián Elcano’s fame primarily resulted from his historic voyage with Ferdinand Magellan, who set out to circumnavigate the globe in the 16th century. After that, Elcano completed the voyage and became the first person to circumnavigate the world in history. Unfortunately, only one ship – the Victoria – survived the journey, with 18 men out of several hundred returning home. Nevertheless, Emperor Charles V awarded Elcano a coat of arms, and he became the most revered figure in Spain. Elcano died at sea in 1526 but left his remaining wealth to every church and chapel in Getaria and other regional buildings across the Basque country.

The 17th and 18th centuries would herald more prosperity for the inhabitants of Getaria. Its importance as a center of fishing and whaling grew, which lasted until the mid-19th century when the last whale captured in the Atlantic coastal waters was caught in 1878. However, Getaria and the entire Basque region suffered during the Peninsular War between the allied powers of the UK, Spain, and Portugal and Napoleon’s France. The neighboring Basque city of San-Sebastian was occupied by French forces in 1808, although Allied troops subsequently retook it three days later.

At the end of the 19th century, one of Getaria’s other most notable residents was born – the fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga Eizaguirre. He founded the fashion label Balenciaga, and his designs were the toast of Europe’s elite in the mid-20th century. His most famous creation was the wedding dress for Fabiola de Mora y Aragon for her marriage to King Baudouin I of Belgium. His death in 1972 was a great loss to the fashion world, although the brand is owned by Gucci today.

Despite the wars of the 19th century, during this period, the initial signs of a modern wine industry began developing in Rioja, with the first Bodega (winery) being founded in 1860 in the shape of Marques de Riscal. The Catalyst for this development was Phylloxera, a parasite that destroyed almost all of Bordeaux’s vineyards. This crisis encouraged French winemakers to look further afield. As a result, many experts from Bordeaux came to Rioja Alta and the lands surrounding Briones in the nineteenth century to find wine estates. They discovered favorable conditions for growing what are today the local varieties (Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano) and also brought with them the first Cabernet Sauvignon vines. And so, a vibrant wine industry was born!

The most important event in the 20th century for the residents of Getaria and every person in the Basque country was the Spanish Civil War between the Nationals, who supported General Franco, and the liberal Republicans. The war claimed over 700,000 Spanish nationals; after Franco’s victory in 1936, he remained Spain’s dictator until he died in 1975. However, Getaria and the entire Basque country were firmly on the side of the Republicans; after Franco took control of Spain, he profoundly suppressed the citizens of the Basque country, banning the Basque language and removing all their regional autonomy.

Franco’s death heralded a new lease of life for Getaria and the Basque country. The new democratic government re-introduced the region’s semi-autonomous state. As a result, its proud citizens could once again celebrate their unique language and culture. Moreover, their wine heritage was officially recognized in 1989, as the Txakoli grape variety, long cultivated in the hills surrounding Getaria, was given its own D.O. or appellation. Today it forms one of the three Basque regions entitled to use the Txakoli designation.

Despite having long been the preserve of Basque locals, Getaria is now starting to find favor with an appreciative audience further afield, who stay to enjoy the village’s excellent gastronomy, vibrant cultural scene, beautiful coastline, and warm, inviting atmosphere. Its appeal chiefly lies in the complete lack of development and almost timeless quality of the village – despite population growth and civic improvements, Getaria remains as it was over 100 years ago. So it’s the perfect excuse to stay that extra day in the beautiful Basque country!