Hotels near Basilica de Begona

The Basilica de Begona honours the Virgin of Begona, patron of Bizkaia, known across the province as Amatxu - Basque for mother. Building started in 1519 on the spot where the Virgin was said to have appeared, and the Gothic nave took most of the following century to complete. The bell tower, added in 1907, is visible from a good share of the city below.

Inside, the 16th-century figure of the Virgin stands above the altar under a silver canopy, ringed by votive offerings left by sailors returning from the Atlantic. Entry is free. Reaching it from the Casco Viejo means about 12 minutes up the Calzadas de Mallona steps, or you can skip the climb entirely with the Ascensor de Begona, the public lift on Calle Esperanza, for well under 1 EUR.

Pro Tip: Take the Ascensor de Begona up and the Mallona steps down. The lift saves the steepest section, and the descent passes the old cemetery terraces with a clear line of sight over the Casco Viejo rooftops.