Getaria

 Getaria 

It was a beautiful morning, with the sun shining and just a few scattered clouds for effect. The sandy beach was empty. It was early, but on a nice day, it would soon fill up but being so wide and long, and the town is small, there would be plenty of space for everyone. 

A view along the coast road that hugs the base of the cliffs that El Camino follows. There were two routes that the Camino follows, one that starts at sea level along the coast, and the other one has a steep ascent into the hills. They both join up further along the coast at elevation, so which ever route you take, there will be a climb into the hills.  I would be returning to Zarautz for another night so I planned to go out on the northern coastal path, and return along the southern mountain route. 

A view of the harbour, sheltered from the westerly Atlantic swells and storms, but still some way out of town. Despite the sea walls, there is also an inner harbour sea wall to protect the moored boats. 

Space along the base of the cliffs is at a premium so when traffic levels increased, roads were widened and sometimes, one lane had to take a short cut through a tunnel, of which there are several along this stretch of road. 

A view of Getaria harbour from the coast road, with a mountain of rock, nearly an island but connected to the mainland by a finger of rock, which is heavily protected on its western Atlantic facing side by a massive seawall. 

In the bay of the lee of the harbour and the sea protections, there is an expansive, beautiful and clean, sandy beach. 

The castle and a monument on the cliff top in the centre of town.

The east facade of the church and belltower.

I walked around the marina, the harbour and along the massive sea wall that protects the neck of land between the town and the hill in the distance. It was a steep climc up the hill through vineyards to join the southern Camino walk and back to Zarautz.

Not only are there lots of yellow arros, there are plenty of other signs for both the Camino and for other long distance paths so you are never lost.