Casa Rural Apaiolarre

The views from the enclosed porch at Apaiolarre II were incredible, and the only sound was the cowbells. We loved the lawn too. We stayed there for a week as two families with children, and the house was clean and had everything we needed, including towels and blankets. It has four bedrooms, three upstairs and one downstairs, plus a bathroom on each floor, a kitchen, and a living room. The two houses are attached but separate, and we stayed in the one with the views. Getting there was the main hassle. Be careful with Google Maps. The owner’s route via Azpilkueta is best. If you follow the path from Elizondo that Google Maps suggests, it can be rough, so search for Azpilkueta first and then the house once you’re there. Watch the underside of your car either way. It’s great for kids, but keep an eye on them around the parking area because there’s a small ravine. From the house it’s easy to visit San Sebastián, Bayonne and Biarritz in the south of France, the Xorroxin waterfalls, Elizondo, and the Zugarramurdi and Urdax caves. For groceries, there’s a Simply supermarket, an Alcampo, before Elizondo, and a Venta Peio at the French border. Elizondo has a Día and an Eroski supermarket. I also loved the owner’s bakery and its excellent artisanal bread.

The area is a feast for the senses, and the farmhouse is in an excellent location. It was clean and tidy and generally fine, but a few things kept it from feeling top-notch. We found the kitchenware limited, the bathrooms could use more hooks or storage, and some of the beds in Apiolarre I creaked a lot. The Wi-Fi was quite poor too. Marta, the owner, is a gem. I think a small investment could make this a truly top-notch place.

There’s loads of room for children around the lovely houses, and the setting is beautiful. The dining room is spectacular, with great scenery to enjoy while you eat and keep an eye on the kids. The very kind woman drove us to the house. It can be a bit difficult to find at night.

We rented both houses together for the weekend, and would happily do it again. The houses are lovely, and the enclosed gazebo made it easy for us all to eat together. The owner was incredibly helpful.