Basque Industrial tourism

The culture of work

From the exploitation of mineral resources by the Romans to the rise of the steel industry in the last century, including the exploitation of water and fishery resources, productive activities have formed the landscape and population of the Basque Country - in short, the land and its people.

Farmsteads, manufacturers of berets and playing cards that now form part of a network of museums and centres, some of them still working, to enable us to discover a region's realities, its history and its economic activities, its working memory, to understand its urban development and its surroundings.

The European Route of Industrial Heritage, known by the acronym ERIH, is a network that links up and brings together the main tourist resources related to Europe’s industrial past. The Basque Country has been part of the ERIH as a Regional Route. The 34 industrial resources existing are included in this network.

Come and discover them. They'll surprise you!

Anchor point

Salinas de Añana Salt Valley

The Salt Valley in Añana is currently one of the most spectacular and best preserved cultural landscapes in Europe. The Añana salt flats, are one of the oldest salt factories in the world.

Anchor point

La Encartada Fabrika Museoa

This is a 19th century textile factory, located in a beautiful spot, less than 2 km from the historic centre of Balmaseda. Its main activity was the production of knitted woollen garments, among which our famous txapela stands out.

Anchor point

Basque Railway Museum

The Basque Railway Museum of Azpeitia offers an insight into the Basque Country's railway history, by means of an exhibition of more than sixty trains which have been completely restored and are now in working order. It is one of the most important museums of its type in Europe.