Welcome to Tolosaldea, a special corner in the heart of Gipuzkoa, the Basque Country, an essential summer holiday destination.
With its rich history, spectacular natural landscapes and vibrant cultural offerings, this region offers a unique experience to all visitors
Cultural Heritage and Guided Tours
Tolosaldea is a treasure trove of historical heritage, and it’s worth exploring. From the quaint streets of Tolosa to the nearby churches and villages, every corner tells a fascinating story and charming places. Guided tours with local guides through the old quarter of the village offer an in-depth immersion in the history and culture of Tolosa.
Guided visit to the Old Quarter of Tolosa
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 11:00 and Saturdays 10:00 and 17:30.
Duration: 1 h 15 min
Discover the oldest streets, squares and buildings of Tolosa and their curious stories.
ReservationsGuided visit to the Church of Santa Maria and the vaults
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 12:30 and Saturdays 13:00 and 16:00.
Duration: 1 hour
Climb the 110 steps and discover the second largest church in Gipuzkoa, which took 200 years to build.
ReservationsGuided visit to the Tolosa Market
Saturdays, at 11:30.
Duration: 1 hour
It has a history of more than 760 years, and knows the evolution and importance of the weekly market in Tolosa.
It is a great plan for those who like local gastronomy and products. Here, farmers and artisans offer the best of the region: sheep’s cheeses and artisanal honey, vegetables and sausages.
ReservationsPuppet Museum
The International Puppet Center of Tolosa: It opened its doors for the first time in November 2009, and since then it has been a unique, attractive and interesting project committed to imagination, innovation and originality. It is also the only comprehensive center for puppetry in Europe.
Visit by yourself.
Dramatic visit: Once a month
The shows: Scheduled on the website.
ReservationsChocolate Museum
And of course, visit Rafa Gorrotxategi’s Chocolate Museum, a really wonderful place in Tolosa (Gipuzkoa). This unique museum invites you to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of chocolate, where every corner tells a sweet and fascinating story.
An exceptional collection that highlights everything from the historical origins of cocoa to the most innovative chocolate making techniques. Discover how this delight has evolved over the centuries, from its ceremonial use in ancient civilizations to its global culinary and cultural art form.
Interactive visit: During the opening hours of the museum.
Guided visit: By appointment.
Chocolate making courses: By appointment.
Chocolate tastings: By appointment.
ReservationsPello Zabala site. Amezketa
In this interpretation site located in a mill, several plans are proposed for visitors:
Guided tour around the “argizaiola” of Amezketa.
Visit to the mill.
Workshop to learn how to cook talos.
The offerEcomuseum of Larraul
It is a small museum about the life of the last decades in the rural environment. Two different visits can be made there:
Guided visit to the museum.
Visit to the grisaille of the San Esteban church.
Visiting opportunitiesTxotx in the summer!
Fresh cider in summer
You will find the txotx open at the Aburuza cider house in Aduna.
There, you can take a short walk through the apple orchards and also take guided tours to get to know the winery up close.
Book a visitIf you want to know the origin of the gastronomy that is so famous, visiting the producers will be one of the plans you should include in your trip.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
For nature lovers, Tolosaldea offers several options. From gentle footpath walks to challenging hiking trails in the Aralar Natural Park or the Hernio mountain range, there is something for all levels, as well as an accessible promenade for everyone. The mountain landscapes offer panoramic views that capture the essence of the Basque Country, with valleys, rivers and villages.
Various companies offer the possibility of trekking on horseback or with the help of animals in the areas of Aralar, Hernio and Leitzaran on horseback or donkey.
Fagus. Hernio Gazume Interpretation Center
It allows you to discover the species of animals and plants that can be found in the Special Conservation Area and their habitats.
It organizes thematic guided tours as well as pre-arranged custom tours.
More informationAgenda
Summer brings popular festivals, traditional music, pilgrimages, folklore and local sports, and these are some of the things you will find at festivals in almost every town in Tolosa. You can find the full agenda of events in the agenda on this website.