[GUEST POST] A Weekend In Getaria

Editor's note: This article is a guest post written by Aimey Lewis.

Getaria is a great location in Spain ideal for a weekend getaway, located in the Basque country on the coast of Gipuzkoa or Guipuzcoa. There are many ways to have a great weekend in Getaria, a small town commonly known for fishing. Getaria is also home for some well-known people such as Cristobal Balenciaga Eizaguirre and Juan Sebastian Elcano, although relatively less known to tourists.

Getaria was well known for whale hunting in the middle ages. The coat of arms of this town depicts the usage of harpoons which were the primary weapons used for whale hunting.

Juan Sebastian Elcano was a 15th century Basque explorer and is known to have accompanied Magellan in his explorations. He is the most famous personality from Getaria. There are many monuments pertaining to Elcano located in Getaria; a weekend getaway at Getaria is not complete without visiting these monuments.

The monument located in Carretera is a famous one dedicated to Elcano. This is meant to commemorate the trip around the earth by Elcano. This monument was constructed to mark the fourth centenary of the famous exploration. There are some exquisite structures and statue of Elcano in this monument. There are guided tours available here.

There is also a statue of Juan Sebastian Elcano located in Plaza Elcano. This statue was in San Sebastian for many years and was returned to the town of Getaria in 1978. San Sebastian is located at a distance of about 30 kilometers from Getaria. It is a well-known tourist town located in the Basque country.

A walk through the town is an ideal way to spend an evening. There are a lot of medieval houses located in the town. The port is also a good place to visit. A boulevard leads to the San Anton hermitage. The walk around the town of Getaria is a blissful experience and tourists are advised to try this out. Beach lovers can also have a great time here.

Getaria is home to Malkorbe and Gaztetape beaches. Malkorbe beach has a variety of services and the waves are moderate here, and is home to a fishing marina. The Gaztetape beach has relatively stronger waves and has lifeguard services. Surfing is permitted on the Gaztetape beach.

There is a museum dedicated to Cristobal Balenciaga Eizaguirre who was famous Spanish Designer. It is here that the designer began his career. Many reputed designers such as Christian Dior, Coco Chanel have admired this museum. Visiting this museum is a good way to learn more about Cristobal Balenciaga and the fashion industry in the late 19th century.

The church at San Salvador is another place of cultural interest in Getaria. This is a gothic style church built in fifteenth century. A general assembly in the place declared Gipuzkoa as a province. Wine lovers can explore the Basque wine Txakoli in Getaria. Getariako Txakolina is a variant of the Txakoli wine. This is one of the first varieties of wine in the region to get certification. Overall, Getaria is an exciting place for a weekend filled with fun and activity.