Amurrio combines festivals celebrating Txakoli and sheep farming with museums, historic buildings and two trails with different layouts. When planning your trip, you can choose between seasonal events, culture and outdoor activities without having to fit everything into a single itinerary.

Festivals, Txakoli and Local Traditions

Txakolin Eguna takes place on the Sunday after San Isidro. Its program includes exhibitions and the sale of artisan products, a garrafa competition, tastings and a communal meal. Since the exact date and program need to be checked each year, it is worth checking that year’s edition before your trip.

Artzain Eguna also adds a seasonal highlight: the shepherds’ festival is held annually on the third Sunday in September. The 2024 program included an interprovincial competition for Latxa sheep. Its connection with sheep farming adds another theme to local festivals alongside the Txakoli tradition, although the two events do not have the same focus.

In Amurrio, you can visit two wineries that produce Txakoli with the Arabako Txakolina designation of origin: Bodegas Artomaña Txakoliña and Arbazo Txakoliña. Check the arrangements for visits before you arrive. The Amurrio Tourist Office also organizes guided visits related to a local cheese dairy and can plan a day visit that includes a Txakoli winery, the Bicycle Museum and the Liquor Museum. Confirm the availability of this offer in advance.

Two Trails, Two Different Routes

The Zirkular Aspaltza circular trail is 15.6 kilometers long and starts and ends at Amurrio’s sports center. Along the way, it passes through the former districts of Pardio, Mariaka, Aldama, San Roque and Abiaga, through the landscapes of Goikomendi-Kuskumendi and Izarza, and up to the summit of Aspaltza, also known as Peña Negra. Check trail conditions before setting out.

The Parque Lineal, by contrast, is a 10-kilometer trail connecting Amurrio and Llodio. The route distances provide a straightforward comparison of length: the Aspaltza circular trail is longer and leads to the summit of the same name, while the Parque Lineal connects the two towns. They do not indicate how long either walk takes or how difficult it is, so when planning your day, also consider how much time you want to allow for each route.

Building History and Bells

The Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción brings together several layers of history. The parish church was already in existence in 1095; surviving structural remains date from the 12th to 13th centuries. A severe storm destroyed the previous tower in 1703. Extensive work on the roofs, vaults, tower and chapels was completed in 1774. The church also has a carillon of 25 bells: it was the first in the Basque Country and is also the sixth in Spain.

The Ermita de San Antón dates from the 16th century. The Junta de Armuru, an assembly of the five local councils of Amurrio, Larrinbe, Derendano – today’s Saratxo –, Etxegoien and Olabezar, met in front of the chapel. The Casa-torre Ugarte, in turn, was built in the early 18th century by Manuel de Ugarte y Orúe. Its façade features the Ugarte family coat of arms, with an ornate carved wooden overhang running beneath it.

Another historic building is Palacio Urrutia, also known as Palacio de Cejudo: a Renaissance tower dating from the late 16th century. Today’s Casa de Cultura was formerly the Baroque Ugarte-Mariaca palace and, before that, a courthouse and prison. Together, these buildings illustrate different forms and uses from Amurrio’s architectural history.

Museums: Liquor and Cycling

The Museo del Licor de Amurrio is the first museum of its kind in the Basque Country. It features various liquor-making methods and company records spanning more than a century of history. Museum visits are arranged through the Amurrio Tourist Office; check the current visiting arrangements in advance.

The Museo de la Bicicleta is housed in a factory building and is also the first museum of its kind in the Basque Country. Its collection spans the late 19th century to the present day; it also features links to the Karpy cycling team. Together with the historic buildings and guided visits related to cheese and Txakoli, Amurrio thus offers several distinct cultural themes to consider when planning your trip.

Landscape in the Wider Area

The Sierra Salvada, known in Basque as Gorobel, is part of the region’s broader landscape. On its northern side, it has a 600-meter-high escarpment, while its southern slope is gentler. This contrast adds a landscape perspective on the wider area to the specific trails around Amurrio.

Discover more destinations: Elburgo/Burgelu, Hueto Arriba, Legutio, Murga, Ibarguren, Agurain, Laguardia, Lagran.

For the main travel overview: Alava.