Location > Oñate

The ancient County of Oñate, surrounded by the Basque provinces of Alava, Vizcaya and Guipúzcoa, is located at the top of the River Deba basin.

The municipality of Oñate covers 108.2 km2 and lies 231 metres above sea level. Of the approximate 10,000 hectares encompassed within the boundaries of the municipality, almost half are still used for farming purposes. 60% of the population, circa 10,800 inhabitants, work in the industrial sector.

In the history of Guipuzcoa, Oñati is one of the few towns that has enjoyed full rights and privileges since the middle of the 19th Century, and one of the few villas de señorío to exist in the Basque Country. Located in the heart of the Spanish Basque Country, it is nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded on all sides by verdant mountains, except to the south, where it is flanked by the Aloña limestone massif (1,324 m). In the Basque language, Oñati means: 'place with many hills’.

Perhaps the most memorable aspect of Oñati is its beautiful natural setting. In this unspoiled area, which boasts a wide range of wildlife, outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities to engage in activities such as walking, climbing, bridge bungee jumping, potholing and paragliding, among others.

The area also has a rich cultural and historical heritage, as well as excellent local cuisine and a deep-rooted religious tourism tradition - Aranzazu monastery. Local folklore, festivals and customs are very important from both a cultural and aesthetic point of view.

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