Elantxobe, municipality of Spain
Elantxobe is a small fishing village built on a steep hillside along the Basque coast, with houses packed tightly together and perched above the sea. Narrow stone streets run downward to the harbor, where fishing boats still dock and locals work with their nets and equipment.
The village started hundreds of years ago as a small fishing port and grew outward from the harbor as new houses were built facing the water. Its name comes from the higher neighborhood Elantxo and means 'Elantxo downward,' reflecting how the original settlement expanded down the slope toward the sea.
Elantxobe's identity is rooted in fishing and the sea, visible in how locals work and how the town celebrates together. The July festival Madalen Eguna fills the streets with traditional music and dance, drawing people from nearby towns to honor the village's connection to the ocean.
Visiting is easy by car or bus, though roads are narrow and steep, so parking near the top or harbor is best before walking the ancient streets. Buses from Bilbao and nearby towns connect to the village regularly, making it convenient for those without personal transport.
The church San Nicolás de Bari, built in the early 1800s, overlooks the village with its white walls and distinctive steeple. Inside, a wooden altar holds a notable baroque-style sculpture that reflects the maritime roots of the community.
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