Hotels in Oñati

Oñati historic centre

The centre is the easiest place for seeing the main sights on foot. Within a few steps you have the University of Sancti Spiritus, with its Renaissance façade, the church of San Miguel, the Baroque town hall on the Plaza de los Fueros and the Bidaurreta monastery.

The streets of the old town have bars, cider houses and restaurants for dinner without taking the car. It suits those coming for the heritage who want to head out on day trips. On Sundays and public holidays the centre is quieter, with fewer students and workers about.

Arantzazu

The sanctuary is up in the mountains, reached by a winding road above a ravine. The basilica brings together work by 20th-century Basque artists, such as Oteiza's apostles and Chillida's doors.

Staying up there puts you inside the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park, next to the routes to the Urbia pastures and the summits of the range. It is for mountaineers and those who want complete silence at night. In winter, fog and cold are common.

Best-rated in this area: Iraipe Santuario de Arantzazu Hotel, with a score of 8.3 from 1,669 reviews.

Araotz and Jaturabe

The Araotz valley is a rural district of Oñati with farmhouses, meadows and a very slow pace. On the way is the Jaturabe reservoir, surrounded by woodland and with easy walks. There are rural houses and farm stays here that appeal to families and those seeking nature close to town. You need a car to get around. At night you hear little but the livestock.

On the way to Arrikrutz

On the road to Arantzazu are the Arrikrutz caves, with guided visits through karst galleries. The farmhouses in this area are halfway between the town and the sanctuary. They combine the two visits well and usually have easy parking. For dinner, both the town and the sanctuary are a short drive away.