VillageBasque Country756 km to Santiago de Compostela

Markina-Xemein

A historic Basque market town inland from the coast, known for its pelota (jai alai) tradition and the hexagonal Church of San Miguel de Arretxinaga built around three natural boulders.

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About Markina-Xemein

Markina-Xemein is a historic Basque market town set in a green valley inland from the coast. The town is known throughout the Basque Country for its pelota (jai alai) tradition and as the birthplace of many champion players.

The Church of San Miguel de Arretxinaga, built around three enormous natural boulders, is a unique architectural curiosity. The town has albergues, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and full services.

Markina represents the inland Basque Country at its most traditional, with stone farmhouses, pelota courts, and cider houses in the surrounding countryside.

Where to stay

Beds in Markina-Xemein, night by night

Every kind of bed in one place: online booking, direct-contact albergues, walk-ins and donativos. Live prices for your night.

October 15 to October 28Each night shows how many places you can book online and the lowest price. Select a night to see the detail.From

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Thursday, October 15Albergue dorms and private rooms both count. Walk-in and donativo albergues never sell out online: arrive early in the day instead.

Prices come live from our booking partners and change with demand. Walk-in and donativo albergues are not counted here: they are in the full list at the bottom of the page.

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Explore Markina-Xemein

The Camino through town, with prices where the beds are. Amber is the route; each pin is a place to stay.

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Things to do

Things to do in Markina-Xemein

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HistoryVisit San Miguel de ArretxinagaOne of the most unusual churches in the Basque Country. The church is hexagonal in plan, built around three enormous natural boulders that were considered sacred in pre-Christian times. The rocks form a natural altar inside the hexagonal space. The combination of the ancient stones and the Baroque church built around them is strange and powerful. No other church on any Camino route is quite like this. It is a short walk from the town centre and should not be missed.

HistoryDetour to the Monasterio de ZenarruzaA 7 km detour (or extension of the next day's stage) leads to the Monasterio de Zenarruza, a working Cistercian monastery in a beautiful mountain setting. Pilgrims can stay overnight and eat with the monks for a donation. The monastery has a Romanesque church, a peaceful cloister, and an atmosphere of genuine contemplation. Many Camino del Norte pilgrims describe the night at Zenarruza as one of the highlights of the entire route.

FoodEat Basque Home CookingMarkina is not a pintxos town like San Sebastian. The restaurants here serve traditional Basque home cooking: thick bean stews, grilled meats, fresh fish, and cheese. The portions are generous and the cooking is straightforward and satisfying. Try the local cider or a glass of Rioja with your meal. The food here is designed for people who work the land and walk the hills. After the mountain crossing from Deba, it tastes exactly right.

SightWatch a Pelota MatchMarkina is one of the most important pelota towns in the Basque Country, having produced several champion players. The fronton (pelota court) in the town centre hosts regular matches. If you are lucky enough to arrive on a match day, watching the speed, power, and skill of the players is an unforgettable experience. Pelota is the traditional sport of the Basque people and it is played with an intensity that reflects the culture.

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Places to stay in Markina-Xemein

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