The Region
The Basque Country
has something for everyone
Cuisine & Wine
The Basque Country has more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere on earth. From harbour-side pintxos to San Sebastián's world-famous restaurants, food is a way of life here.
Surf & Coast
World-class surf breaks, sandy beaches, natural rock pools, and the dramatic Flysch formations of the UNESCO Geopark — all within a short drive of the villa.
Hiking & Trails
The Camino de Santiago and the GR-121 coastal route both pass through Mutriku. Cliff walks, forest paths, and the Geopark trails start from the villa's own doorstep.
History & Culture
Medieval villages, Basque fishing traditions, Euskal Herria culture — and Bilbao's Guggenheim and San Sebastián's belle-époque promenade all under an hour away.
Walking distance from the villa
Mutriku
One of the most beautifully preserved medieval towns on the Basque coast, Mutriku rewards an afternoon on foot. The fortified old town sits above a working harbour that has been launching fishing boats since the 13th century — the cobblestone streets, Gothic church, and limestone facades are largely unchanged.
Below the town, the coastline is part of the UNESCO Basque Coast Geopark, home to some of the most striking Flysch rock formations in Europe. Walking trails follow the cliffs in both directions from Mutriku, with several routes passing directly alongside Villa Alkolea.
The Mutriku Wave Energy Plant — the first of its kind in the world — sits at the harbour breakwater and is open for visits.
10 minutes by car
Deba
Deba has one of the finest beaches on the Basque coast — a wide, sheltered arc of sand at the mouth of the Deba river, backed by green hills and rarely overcrowded. The surf here is consistent enough for beginners and experienced riders alike, and the town has a laid-back energy that Mutriku's hillside formality doesn't quite match.
The historic main square and the narrow streets behind it are lined with pintxos bars, good seafood restaurants, and independent shops. The Gothic church of Santa María is one of the most impressive on the coast. On summer evenings the square fills with locals and the atmosphere is hard to beat.
Around 45 minutes by car
Bilbao
Bilbao's transformation over the past three decades is one of the great urban stories in Europe. The Guggenheim Museum — Frank Gehry's titanium-clad masterpiece on the riverbank — catalysed a city-wide reinvention and remains one of the most extraordinary buildings you'll ever walk through. The surrounding Abandoibarra district has grown into a world-class cultural quarter.
But Bilbao's soul is in the Casco Viejo, the medieval old town across the river. The Siete Calles (Seven Streets) are dense with pintxos bars, covered market stalls at the Mercado de la Ribera, and the kind of animated street life that only a city with genuine civic pride produces. The Artxanda funicular climbs above the city for panoramic views over the ría.
Around 45 minutes by car
San Sebastián
Few cities in the world can match San Sebastián for beauty, food, and livability. La Concha — the crescent bay at the heart of the city — is widely regarded as the finest urban beach in Europe. The belle-époque promenade that frames it, with the island of Santa Clara in the middle distance, makes for a walk that never gets old.
The Parte Vieja (old quarter) is the undisputed capital of pintxos culture. Bar after bar lines the narrow streets, each with elaborate displays of bite-sized food that bear no resemblance to snacks — this is serious cooking at counter height. The city also holds more Michelin stars than almost anywhere its size, with Arzak, Mugaritz, and Akelarre among the world's best restaurants. Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo offer views over the bay from opposite hills.
Plan your stay
The perfect base for all of this, and more.