Orio Holidays: Basque Coast Town Guide for UK Travellers
Gipuzkoa · Basque Country · Spain · 4,586 residents · on the coast
Orio is a small coastal town in Gipuzkoa, in Spain's Basque Country, home to around 4,600 people and sitting just 43 metres above sea level. It makes a quiet base on this stretch of coast, with the Iturriaga palace a short stroll from the centre, the Cave of Altxerri under a mile away and the Agorregi ironworks museum in neighbouring Aia. Larger neighbours are close at hand: Zarautz is 2.5 miles along the coast and San Sebastián about 8 miles away. Bilbao airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is under an hour's drive. Summers are mild rather than scorching, with highs of around 24°C.
Why go
- Bilbao airport has direct UK flights and is roughly a 56-minute drive from Orio.
- The Agorregi ironworks museum, 2.6 miles away in Aia, suits a family outing.
- Mild summers peaking around 24°C in July and August, without the heat of southern Spain.
Top sights in Orio
Sights In and Around Orio
The best-known point of interest near Orio is the Cave of Altxerri, a cave about 0.9 miles from town and the most widely documented site in the area. Closer still, the Iturriaga jauregia, a palace, stands roughly 0.1 miles from the centre, so it fits easily into a wander around town.
For something hands-on with children, the Agorregi ironworks is a museum in neighbouring Aia, around 2.6 miles away, dedicated to the area's ironworking past. Tours and tickets for activities in the area can be booked directly on this page.
Tours & tickets in Orio
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Orio can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Orio
Choosing a Base in Orio
Orio is a small coastal town of around 4,600 residents, so expect a quiet, low-key stay rather than a lively resort scene. Staying in town keeps the Iturriaga palace and the seafront within walking distance.
If you prefer more choice of places to eat and a busier evening atmosphere, Zarautz is just 2.5 miles away and San Sebastián about 8 miles away, so Orio works well as a calmer base for exploring both. Live hotel prices for Orio are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Orio and the villages around it is a hire car from Bilbao (BIO), about 56 min away.
Best time to visit Orio
When to Visit Orio
- 13°CJan175 mm
- 14°CFeb132 mm
- 17°CMar108 mm
- 17°CApr112 mm
- 19°CMay153 mm
- 22°CJun91 mm
- 24°CJul55 mm
- 24°CAug165 mm
- 23°CSept148 mm
- 22°COct170 mm
- 18°CNov181 mm
- 14°CDec184 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
This is a green, rainy corner of Spain, and there is no truly dry season. July is the most settled month, with highs of around 24°C, lows of 17°C and the lowest rainfall of the year at about 55mm over 10 rain days. August is just as warm but noticeably wetter, and June brings highs of around 22°C.
September and October stay pleasantly mild, at 23°C and 22°C respectively, though rain picks up. The wettest stretch runs from November to January, with December the wettest month at around 184mm and winter highs of 13 to 14°C. For the warmest, driest weather, aim for July.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 6°C | 175 mm | 5 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 6°C | 132 mm | 6 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 8°C | 108 mm | 8 h |
| Apr | 17°C | 9°C | 112 mm | 9 h |
| May | 19°C | 11°C | 153 mm | 10 h |
| Jun | 22°C | 16°C | 91 mm | 10 h |
| Jul | 24°C | 17°C | 55 mm | 10 h |
| Aug | 24°C | 17°C | 165 mm | 10 h |
| Sept | 23°C | 15°C | 148 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 14°C | 170 mm | 7 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 10°C | 181 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 7°C | 184 mm | 5 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Orio from the UK
Bilbao airport (BIO) is the nearest, around 40 miles away and roughly a 56-minute drive, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Santander (SDR), about 86 miles away and just over two hours by car, also has direct UK flights, as does Zaragoza (ZAZ), around 124 miles and about three hours' drive away.
If you would rather bring your own car, Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao in roughly 28 to 32 hours, with the port about 46 miles from Orio. Santander, around 86 miles away, is served from Portsmouth (about 24 to 32 hours) and Plymouth (about 20 hours).
Driving all the way from Calais takes roughly 13 hours, best split over two days.
By air
- Bilbao (BIO)40 miles, about 56 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Santander (SDR)86 miles, about 2 h 2 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Zaragoza (ZAZ)124 miles, about 2 h 57 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 13 h 4 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Bilbao (46 miles), Santander (86 miles).
Orio is good for
Around Orio
Day Trips Along the Basque Coast
Zarautz, a town of around 22,600 people, is only 2.5 miles away, with tiny Getaria about 4.3 miles along the coast and Zumaia roughly 6.8 miles away. San Sebastián, the region's big draw and a city of around 185,000, is about 8 miles from Orio.
Inland, Hernani lies about 7.5 miles away and Astigarraga about 9.3 miles, while Azpeitia and Tolosa are both around 10 miles away, so several towns are easily reached in a morning.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Orio
Pack a waterproof whatever the month: even July averages 10 rain days, and most of the year sees 13 to 19. Layers help too, as summer evenings cool to around 17°C.
With a population of around 4,600, Orio is small, so for a wider range of shops and restaurants plan on popping over to Zarautz, 2.5 miles away, or San Sebastián, about 8 miles away. Car hire from Bilbao airport makes the most sense for reaching the ironworks, nearby towns and the airport itself.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Orio?
Bilbao airport (BIO) is the closest, about 40 miles away and roughly a 56-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Santander and Zaragoza airports also have direct UK flights but are around two and three hours' drive away respectively.
How far is Orio from San Sebastián?
Orio is about 8 miles from San Sebastián, making it an easy day out or a quieter base for exploring the city. Zarautz is even closer, at around 2.5 miles along the coast.
Can I get a ferry from the UK to near Orio?
Yes. Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao in roughly 28 to 32 hours, and the port is about 46 miles from Orio. Santander, around 86 miles away, is served from Portsmouth and from Plymouth, with the Plymouth crossing taking about 20 hours.
What is the weather like in Orio in summer?
Summers are mild. July and August reach highs of around 24°C with lows of 17°C. July is the driest month of the year, with about 55mm of rain over 10 days, while August is warmer-feeling but considerably wetter.
Is Orio good for a family holiday?
It suits families looking for somewhere small and quiet. The Agorregi ironworks museum is about 2.6 miles away in Aia, the Cave of Altxerri lies under a mile from town, and Zarautz and San Sebastián are both close for bigger days out.
How long does it take to drive from Calais to Orio?
The drive from Calais takes roughly 13 hours, so most travellers split it over two days. Alternatively, a ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao lands you about 46 miles from Orio.