Happy TravellerWelcome to Eibar, a small but vibrant city located in the Basque Country of Spain. With a population of just over 27,000, Eibar may not be the largest city in the region, but it is certainly one of the most interesting. Known for its rich history, stunning natural beauty, and thriving metal manufacturing industry, Eibar is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Basque Country.
One of the most fascinating things about Eibar is its history. The city was chartered by Alfonso XI of Castile in 1346, and has been known for its metal manufacturing industry since the 16th century. In fact, Eibar has been a center for the manufacture of armaments, particularly finely engraved small arms, for centuries. The city has also been home to Serveta scooters, and is now home to the SD Eibar football team.
Eibar is located in a narrow valley in a mountainous area, with the highest mountains reaching between 700 and 800 meters high. The town is traversed by the river Ego, which is a tributary of the Deba. The Church of San Andrés, built during the 16th and 17th centuries, is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in history and architecture. The Sanctuary of the Virgin of Arrate, from the beginning of the 17th century, is another popular attraction, as is the Hermitage of Azitain, which contains an odd 17th-century beardless Christ.
Eibar is also home to a number of other historic buildings, including the Palace of Unzueta, the Palace of Aldatze, the Palace of Markeskua, and the City Hall, which was built in concrete over the river Ego and designed by architect Ramón Cortázar. The Coliseo Theatre, inaugurated in 1947 and refurbished in 2007, is another popular attraction.
Getting around Eibar is easy thanks to its excellent transport links. The city is traversed by the AP-8 motorway connecting Bilbao and the French border, and the N-634 road running parallel to it. The AP-1 motorway connects Eibar and Vitoria-Gasteiz. Regular and frequent bus services under Lurraldebus connect Eibar to neighboring towns, San Sebastián, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Bilbao Airport. BizkaiBus provides regular and frequent bus services to and from Bilbao. ALSA runs a daily service to and from Madrid-Barajas Airport and Madrid. Eibar also has an urban bus service called Udalbus.
Eibar is located on the Bilbao-San Sebastián narrow gauge railway line, and trains operated by Euskotren run frequently and regularly to Bilbao-Matiko station and Donostia-Amara station. The Gipuzkoa Faculty of Engineering of the University of the Basque Country has a section in Eibar, offering an undergraduate program in renewable energy engineering. The Escuela de Armería, founded in 1913, is the oldest vocational training school in Spain.
Eibar is also a great destination for sports enthusiasts. The city is home to SD Eibar, which earned promotion to La Liga in the 2013-14 season. The team plays at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium. The women’s section of SD Eibar was granted promotion to Primera División in the 2019–20 season. The Astelena fronton, nicknamed the Cathedral of Basque Hand-pelota, is a regular venue of the hand-pelota professional circuit competitions the Bare-handed Pelota First League, the Bare-handed Pelota First League Doubles, and the Cuatro y Medio Euskadi Championship. Since 2009, the city has hosted an annual stage finish in the Tour of Basque Country, usually after the riders have climbed the Alto de Arrate.
Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, natural beauty, or sports, Eibar has something for everyone. So why not add this charming city to your travel itinerary and discover all that it has to offer?
