Sailing to Basque Country

A map of the best ports and anchorages

A brief maritime history of the Basque Country

From the earliest days, Basque mariners were known for their skill in navigating treacherous waters. In fact, the Basques were among the first Europeans to regularly fish the rich waters off the coast of Newfoundland long before the voyages of Columbus and Cabot.

The Basques played a key role in the development of the medieval European economy, shipping iron, wool, and salt from their ports. Ports like Bilbao and San Sebastián became gateways to northern Europe, where Basque traders connected Spain to England, Flanders, and beyond.

As the Middle Ages progressed, during the Hundred Years’ War, the Basques were critical allies of the French crown, their ships defending against English raids. Their warships, known for their speed and maneuverability, played a key role in protecting trade routes and securing France’s access to the sea. They were also some of the earliest experts in whale hunting, traveling farther and farther out into the Atlantic to find their quarry. By the 16th century, Basque whalers had established themselves as pioneers, developing techniques that were unrivaled in Europe.

The advent of Spain’s Age of Exploration brought even more recognition to the Basque seafaring tradition. Many of the most celebrated Spanish explorers relied heavily on Basque crews to guide them on their voyages across the Atlantic. Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first man to circumnavigate the globe after Magellan’s death, was a Basque native.

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