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This typical fishing village on the coast of Gipuzkoa, which gets very crowded in the summertime, has many attractions that are sure to captivate visitors.
Located where the sea, mountains and Oria river mouth merge together, this small fishing village has witnessed the comings and goings of pilgrims throughout the centuries.
Nowadays, Orio remains closely linked to St. James Way, which passes through this town and is home to some treasures like the chapel of St. Martin de Tours or San Nicolas de Bari parish church, built in Baroque style and situated right at the top of the old town.
The historic quarter, known locally as Goiko Kale, dates back to the 12th century and is made up of a maze of steep, cobbled streets that hark back to the Middle Ages. Nearby, we will be taken aback by the aromas of fish and meat cooked on grills set up right in the middle of the street in the area around the port. Sea bream is the signature dish of this coastal town, followed closely by another typical dish, eels. On cold winter nights, the eel fishermen go out onto the river in their small boats to catch this prized delicacy.
Beach and mountain
Orio is a popular holiday destination. There are two beaches: Antilla and Oribarzar. The first sandy beach is located near to the estuary in Oria, and covers and area of about 3,500 m². Orio campsite is located in the surrounding area and there's a beautiful playground with swings so the children can enjoy themselves. Oribarzar, on the other side of the river, is not as popular as Antilla beach making it ideal for pleasant strolls in peace and quiet. Not far away, in neighbouring Aia, we'll come across one of the most spectacular natural environments in Gipuzkoa: Pagoeta Natural Park.
But if Orio has become well-know for one thing, it's for the locals love of boat racing. The town has been closely linked to rowing and, in fact, the distinctive yellow rowing boats from Orio have achieved many successes over the years.
Furthermore, there are two main festivals in the town: San Pedro, in June, and St. Nicholas, in December. An other important event in the local festival calendar is the Seabream Day, which is held on the third week of July.
