Route 6: From the sea to Lea-Artibai’s vineyards
Discover a route full of coastal charm where txakoli mixes with culture, gastronomy, and tales of the sea.
From the picturesque port views to its historical sites, not to mention txakoli tastings at a local producer, this route will take you to emblematic spots like Lekeitio and the Zenarruza Monastery while you discover the region’s viticulture tradition.
Route map
Route 6: From the sea to Lea-Artibai’s vineyards
Stages of the route
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Stage 1 Lekeitio- Santa Catalina Lighthouse
Your route starts in Lekeitio. Your route continues at the Santa Catalina Lighthouse, where you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the coast and sea. You can ask if the lighthouse’s Information Centre is open, and if it is, stop in for a visit to better understand the details of its history and importance to sailing since ancient times.
Curiosity: In the past, old municipal ordinances in Lekeitio established a curious ban: the consumption of La Rioja wines was prohibited through the Fish and Wine Route until local txakoli supplies were depleted.
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Stage 2 Lekeitio - port
Don’t forget to explore the lively Port of Lekeitio, a place that was crucial to the txakoli trade in its day, as the wine used to be transported by ships that sailed from this port.
The Port of Lekeitio is a centre for fishing activities, where local fisherman set out for a catch then bring their fresh spoils to market. You can see how fishing boats unload their cargo and witness an authentic fisherman experience.
There is also a wide variety of bars and restaurants around the port where you can sample delicious fresh fish and seafood dishes that pair perfectly with a nice txakoli. -
Stage 3 Lekeitio - Historic Quarter
Explore the stone streets of Lekeitio's Historical District and discover the cultural and architectural riches of this charming fishing village.
If you’re in the mood for a guided tour to better understand the town’s history, you can book one at the Tourism Office.
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Stage 4 Txakoli Axpe - Markina Xemein
Leaving Lekeitio and the coast, head inland to the vineyards of Markina-Xemein and visit Txakoli Axpe, a local txakoli and cider producer.
Take a guided tour through its vineyards and bodega, and learn about the txakoli wine-making process. When you're done, we recommend you stay right there to eat, where you can enjoy a cider house set menu. Don’t forget to order a txakoli lemon sorbet, a speciality of the house.
More information: https://axpesagardotegia.es/
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Stage 5 Chapel of San Miguel de Arretxinaga
At just a 5-minute drive, you will find the San Miguel de Arretxinaga Hermitage quite close to the country house.
The San Miguel de Arretxinaga Hermitage is a unique offering among the Basque Country’s religious sites, and is also a rare find for Western Christianity.
One of the hermitage’s most peculiar aspects are the three enormous stones dating back more than 40 million years that, thanks to a natural rarity, form to make a sort of small chapel protecting the Archangel Saint Michael. -
Stage 6 Monastery of Zenarruza
Your route concludes with a visit to the Zenarruza Monastery located in a spectacular enclave quite close to the town of Bolívar.
The Monastery was declared a Basque National Monument, and was a collegiate church of the utmost importance to the Coastal Route of the Way of St. James during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The monastery complex includes a 15th-century Gothic-Renaissance church with a plaster altarpiece that is noteworthy due to its size, as well as beautiful 16th-century cloisters and many rooms.
The monasteries used to be major drivers of wine production, however the monastery's monks now task themselves with producing baked goods that you can purchase in the store.
Alternatives
One alternative after eating at Txakoli Axpe is to return to the coast and visit Ondarroa. This fishing village has lots of personality with its historical district and fisherman's port.
If you fancy aquatic activities, the area has multiple options from which to choose.
Quite close to the Zenarruza Monastery is the Simón Bolívar Museum in Ziortza-Bolibar, the birthplace of Bolívar's ancestors. The museum will teach you all about local tradition in the Middle Ages and the life of Simón Bolívar, known as the "Liberator" of various nations in the Americas.