Zestoa brings together archaeological traces and historic buildings with three routes that vary in length and focus. This gives you options for your trip, from cultural history to an easy walk and—even on the Zestoa–Ibañarrieta route—a bike ride. Ekainberri is a few metres from the town centre; the original cave is 600 metres from the replica.

Archaeology and Architectural History

Ekainberri is a replica in the Sastarrain valley. It offers a different kind of cultural experience from Irikaitz: there, the site is an open-air archaeological site whose remains have been preserved in situ. Irikaitz is one of the oldest and most important archaeological sites on the Cantabrian coast. About 150,000 years ago, during the Lower Palaeolithic, it was used as a workshop for making stone tools. The site’s age, use, and present-day character offer three distinct points of reference for understanding Irikaitz.

The historic buildings also tell different parts of Zestoa’s story. The town hall dates from the early 17th century, and benches from that period have been preserved inside. It was also one of the venues for Gipuzkoa’s itinerant General Assemblies. Casa Torrea is connected with the same assemblies, but in a different way: Francisco de Ibero designed the building in 1775. The municipality had it built to accommodate the gentlemen who came to attend the assemblies. From the outset, it was rented out as a residence, tavern, and inn. The comparison makes clear the difference between a venue for the assemblies and a house built for visiting gentlemen.

Easy Routes by Length and Focus

All three routes are rated easy, but differ in length and in what they highlight. At 1.9 kilometres, the Zestoa–Ertxiña route is the shortest and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The 2.4-kilometre Zestoa–Aizarna route connects Aizarna and Zestoa via old paved paths. At 4.3 kilometres, Zestoa–Ibañarrieta is the longest of the three; it is suitable for walking or cycling. So choosing a route is about more than just the distance: Ertxiña offers panoramic views, Aizarna features old paved paths, and Ibañarrieta gives you the option of travelling on foot or by bike. As route conditions can change, check the latest conditions before setting out.

Practical Information for Visiting Palacio Lili

If you plan to visit Palacio Lili, remember to arrange ticket collection: even tickets bought online must be collected from the Ekainberri ticket office in the centre of Zestoa. The address is Portale kalea 1. From there, it is a ten-minute walk to the palace; motor vehicles are prohibited in the surrounding area. Check the latest ticket collection information before your visit, as operational access details may change.

Discover more destinations: Aizarnazabal, San Sebastián, Olaberria, Bidania, Arechavaleta, Getaria, Errenteria, Tolosa.

For the main travel overview: Gipuzkoa.