This ‘Freak of Nature’ Cliff Town is one of Spain’s best hidden gems

The Zumaia cliffs and beaches are hidden gems on Spain’s Bay of Biscay coast. The cliffs form unusual vertical layered rock layers that attract visitors interested in this geological phenomenon. This unique landform, called a Fly, is a UNESCO geopark. Zumaia is a fishing port on the coast of Gipuzcoa, where the Urola and Narrondo rivers meet.

The cliffs are the result of the wind and sea that have carved these mountains on the Basque coast in northern Spain for 60 million years. The alternating hard and soft rock layers are the result of marine sediments that have been lifted and compressed over millennia. The layers provide a chronicle of past geological events. This includes the Cretaceous-Paleogene period and even mass extinction events! The Algorri Interpretation Center offers more information about the unusual site.

View the Flych

Playa Itzurun is the best place to see the rock formations. This beach is a short walk from the center of Zumaia. Visitors are advised to wait until the tide comes in to see the rock formations that extend into the sea. This beach area was featured in Game of Thrones.

Playa Santiago is a warm sandy beach that also offers beautiful views of the cliffs. The smaller Playa Aitzgorri is rocky, although it is below the cliff.

A Flych boat trip is also available from the harbour, allowing visitors to see the cliffs from the sea. Visitors can also walk to the 19th century lighthouse to guide sailors to the harbor entrance.

Visit the Basque Country

Walk through the center of Zumaia, a medieval town, and visit the 13th-century Gothic church of San Pedro. Enjoy Basque cuisine in many of the good restaurants in this fishing port.

Visitors can fly to the airports in neighboring Bilbao or Donostia-San Sebastian. Bus lines lead to Zumaia and other towns on the Basque coast. Rental cars are available at the airports.

The north coast of Spain is unique with its Basque heritage. The Flych of Zumaia is a must see if you visit this region.