Best Farm Stays in the Basque Country

Agroturismo Iabiti-Aurrekoa is a peaceful, eco-friendly farmhouse B&B very near Bilbao airport in Spain’s Basque Country.  It has a range of rooms in its beautifully restored 19th-century farmhouse surrounded by acres of gardens and orchard groves. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a selection of 6 double and twin rooms at the eco-friendly farmhouse, all of which are tastefully decorated in keeping with the traditional feel of the house, with exposed stone walls and wood beamed ceilings. They have modern comforts too; WiFi, flat screen TV, underfloor heating and very nice en-suite bathrooms, and you can expect the best of service from the hospitable owners. They is a common lounge area downstairs too with a fireplace and outside you’ll find plenty of seating in the extensive gardens surrounded by flowers and fruit trees from which you can help yourself to some fresh figs, kiwi fruit, apples and plums. THE LOCATION: The hotel is very near Blbao, it’s just 15 minutes from the city centre in fact, and less than 10 minutes from Bilbao airport. It can be a nice alternative to a usual airport hotel for some travellers and though the location is convenient it still has a very rural, relaxing charm. Nearby Zamudio has plenty of history going back to Roman times and was part of the medieval Camino de Santiago on its way from France to Galicia, though the modern French Way now takes a different route through Biscay and along the Guipuzcoan coast. This ancient stretch, between Bilbao and Guernika can still be walked via a marked path which runs along a stretch of the old road from Bilbao to Guernica and through historic sites such as the 17th-century Arikondo Bridge and the Baroque Palace at Larragoiti, as well as some lovely oak woodland and typically green rural Basque scenery. Golf lovers will be pleased to know there are four decent golf courses within 15 minutes drive of the hotel, the best one being at the Laukariz Country Club, a full 27 hole course in a beautiful natural setting near the town of Munguia. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This is such a lovely agroturismo property. Tucked away off a suburban road, you READ MORE

This child friendly & pet friendly farm stay near San Sebastian in the Basque Country, has a range of comfortable, clean rooms in a classic Basque hillside farmhouse on its working sheep farm which also has a variety of other animals too. The Accommodation: All the rooms in their traditional style Basque farmhouse come with private bathroom, flat screen TV and WiFi throughout. There is also a shared TV lounge and a spacious shared kitchen where you are free to cook for yourselves, and the owners can also cook you a nice breakfast each morning for a few euros extra. It’s very much child friendly too; they have a play area well stocked with toys and plenty of games and other entertainment to keep them occupied. The Farm: The farmstay has a large working sheep farm that has over 400 sheep as well as a variety of other animals, ponies, which children can ride, some cows, horses, geese and even an emu. The Location: The location is super convenient for visitors to the lively, sophisticated, city of San Sebastian, and though it’s just 15 minutes drive from the city centre but is still a quiet rural area of typically Basque green hills, small farms and forests. It is a lovely place for countryside walks and hikes around the hills, especially down towards the coast and Monte Igeldo, which has spectacular views over San Sebastian and the Bay of La Concha (Kontxako Badia). You can organize guided horse riding trips around the area too from the farmstay. San Sebastian city, as mentioned previously is just 15 minutes away and if the countryside gets too much for you you can spend the day there at its beautiful beaches and busy town centre where you can sample some of what is considered the Basque Country’s, and Spain’s, best food. A special mention too of course for its pintxos, the regions own version of tapas, which is served in almost every one of its lively bars. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The place was very cosy and everyone in the staff was great, treating us with a lovely warmth! There were also a lot to do READ MORE