Durango in 30 seconds
About 30,000 inhabitants (29,887 in 2024, INE) over 10.7 km², 30 km from Bilbao, on the River Ibaizabal. Capital of the Duranguesado, the former Merindad of Durango. To the south rise the peaks of Urkiola Natural Park, including Anboto (1,331 m). An industrial town and an important centre of Basque culture.
What to see
Plaza Ezkurdi and the old quarter
The historic heart of the town. Don’t miss the basilica of Santa María de Uribarri (14th century, Gothic, with a large 18th-century wooden porch), the town hall, with façades entirely painted in 1772 and a seven-arched portico, the Kurutziaga cross, a late 15th-century Gothic cross, and the Lariz tower.
The Museum of Art and History
Housed in the Etxezarreta palace.
Santa Ana church
Built in the 15th century and extensively remodelled in the 1720s (now Baroque), with the Santa Ana arch.
The Basque book fair (Durangoko Azoka)
Every year in early December, since 1965, at Landako Gunea. The big Basque book and record fair: more than 115,000 visits, publishers and Basque music bands. A major cultural event for the whole of Euskal Herria.
San Fausto festivities
The town’s patron saint festivities, in mid-October.
Urkiola sanctuary
At the Urkiola pass, 700 m above sea level, stands the sanctuary of St Anthony the Abbot and St Anthony of Padua. The natural park has its visitor and interpretation centre here. A starting point for hikes.
Urkiola Natural Park
Nearly 6,000 hectares (5,958 ha; declared a park on 29 December 1989) of forests, meadows and limestone peaks, spread over eight municipalities: seven in Biscay and one in Álava (Aramaio). Hikes for all levels. Peaks: Anboto (1,331 m), a symbolic mountain and home of the goddess Mari in Basque mythology, Alluitz (1,040 m) and Mugarra (964 m).
Getting there
- Car: from Bilbao
- Train: Euskotren from Bilbao (the historic Bilbao–Durango line, opened in 1882)
1-day itinerary
- Morning: Casco Antiguo, Plaza Ezkurdi, Santa María de Uribarri and Santa Ana
- Midday: lunch
- Afternoon: Urkiola sanctuary + a short hike
- Evening: back to town
Famous people linked to Durango
- Iñaki Azkuna (1943–2014) — a doctor born in Durango, first director general of Osakidetza (the Basque health service), then mayor of Bilbao from 1999 to 2014 (PNV); winner of the World Mayor 2012 award.
- Eneko Sagardoy (born 1994 in Durango) — actor, Goya Award for Best New Actor 2018 for Handia, the first Goya for a Basque-language role; he also appears in Errementari, Irati and the series Patria.
What’s on
My favourite photo
The Anboto massif at sunset from the heights above Durango — a spectacular limestone silhouette. Or the book fair in December.
Sources
- Turismo Euskadi (Basque Government) — Durango (in Spanish)
- Wikipedia (in Spanish): Durango (Biscay) (INE 2024 population), Urkiola Natural Park
- Wikipedia (in Spanish), people: Iñaki Azkuna, Eneko Sagardoy
Ongi etorri Durangora — Welcome to Durango.