Easter is one of the best times of the year to discover the Basque Country through one of its oldest products: cider. With the arrival of spring, the landscapes of the Basque Country transform into a natural spectacle. Apple trees begin to bloom, coloring the fields in shades of white and pink, creating a beautiful environment around cider houses. It’s the perfect time to walk among the apple trees and enjoy the sights and scents of spring. Moreover, at this time of year, cider is at its best: the barrels in the cider houses are full, fermentation has been completed for months, and the cider is more mature, refined, and ready to be enjoyed directly from the vats to the traditional shout of ¡txotx!
Today, we bring you two of the star experiences to enjoy this Easter in the Basque Country:
Guided visit and meal in a cider house
For those seeking a complete and relaxed experience, this proposal allows you to delve into the heart of Basque cider culture. The experience begins at the family farmhouse, where we will meet the producing family. Then, you will discover the process of making Euskal Sagardoa cider: from the orchard and apple harvesting to pressing and fermentation in the kupelak. In spring, walking through the flowering orchards adds a special charm to the visit.
After discovering the house’s secrets, one of the most awaited moments arrives: the tasting. You will taste different ciders in bottles and directly from the barrels, appreciating the characteristics and nuances of each. The experience ends with the traditional cider house menu — cod omelette, fried cod with peppers, grilled T-bone steak, and the classic cheese, quince, and walnuts— all accompanied by natural Euskal Sagardoa PDO cider.
Excursion to a Basque cider house with transport from Donostia-San Sebastian
If you prefer a comfortable and organized option, this excursion is ideal for enjoying the experience without worrying about logistics. Departing from Donostia-San Sebastian, it includes round-trip transport, a guide accompanying the entire activity, a visit to the cider house, cider tasting both from bottles and at the txotx, and the full traditional cider house menu. It’s a perfect proposal for those visiting the city at Easter who want to experience an authentic rural environment without a car, combining gastronomy, tradition, and spring scenery.
Both experiences can be carried out at the following cider houses:
- Aburuza Ciderhouse (Aduna)
- Altzueta Ciderhouse (Hernani)
- Astarbe Ciderhouse (Astigarraga)
- Begiristain Ciderhouse (Legorreta)
- Bereziartua Ciderhouse (Astigarraga)
- Gaztañaga Ciderhouse (Andoain)
- Iparragirre Ciderhouse (Hernani)
- Lizeaga Ciderhouse (Astigarraga)
- Mizpiradi Ciderhouse (Andoain)
- Oiharte Ciderhouse (Zerain)
- Ola Ciderhouse (Irun)
- Petritegi Ciderhouse (Astigarraga)
- Saizar Ciderhouse (Usurbil)
This Easter, take advantage of cider at its peak and the flowering apple orchards to live a unique experience. Nature, barrels, centuries-old tradition, and a shared table make the cider house one of the most authentic and memorable plans in the Basque Country in spring.
