Logbook · 11 places

What to see and do in Markina-Xemein

What to see and do in Markina-Xemein (Lea-Artibai / Markina-Ondarroa, Bizkaia): 11 places across monuments, nature, activities and curiosities, with a photo and a Google Maps location.

1 Villages · 4 Monuments · 1 Nature · 1 Activities · 3 Curiosities · 1 Historical milestones

When to go to Markina-Xemein: festival calendar

July: Fiestas del Carmen (15 al 18 de julio)

How far each place is from the centre of Markina-Xemein

Towns near Markina-Xemein

What to see in Etxebarria 2.3 km · 4 places
What to see in Berriatua 5.1 km · 8 places
What to see in Ziortza-Bolibar 5.5 km · 7 places
What to see in Aulesti 6.2 km · 7 places
What to see in Amoroto 6.6 km · 8 places
What to see in Gizaburuaga 7.7 km · 6 places
What to see in Munitibar-Arbatzegi Gerrikaitz 8.1 km · 4 places
What to see in Ondarroa 8.6 km · 14 places

Spain › Basque Country › Bizkaia › Lea-Artibai / Markina-Ondarroa › Markina-Xemein

What to see and do in Markina-Xemein

Markina-Xemein
Village
Municipality formed in 1952 by the merger of the town of Marquina —founded as Villaviciosa de Marquina on 6 May 1355 by the infante Don Tello— and the anteiglesia (traditional Basque parish-township) of Xemein. It adopted the official Basque spelling "Markina-Xemein" in 1984. The former anteiglesia of Cenarruza-Bolívar (today Ziortza-Bolibar) was part of the municipality between 1969 and 2005, the year in which it regained its independence. It has 5,089 inhabitants (INE, 2025).
San Miguel de Arretxinaga
Curiosity
Hexagonal hermitage built in 1734 around three large natural stones that support its altar, a unique feature among Basque sanctuaries.
Convento del Carmen (Markina-Xemein)
Monument
Convent founded in 1691, whose church was completed in 1724.
Iglesia de Santa María de Jemein
Monument
16th-century Renaissance church, one of the largest in Biscay, with three naves of ribbed vaults and a Mannerist altarpiece.
Palacio Mugartegui
Monument
1666 Baroque urban palace with wrought-iron balconies and heraldic coats of arms, built over the old medieval walls and now the seat of the town hall.
Torre Antxia
Monument
Medieval urban tower with a defensive exterior appearance, complete with arrow slits, which inside preserves ornamented Renaissance arches, an example of the evolution of Basque tower houses.
Fundación de Villaviciosa de Marquina
Historical milestone
Infante Don Tello founded the town of Villaviciosa de Marquina in 1355, granted the Fuero de Bilbao, as a defensive stronghold against Guipuzcoan incursions. The town later specialised in armour-making during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Mármol negro de Markina
Curiosity
The quarries of the Kalamua and Urko mountains, of limestone origin, produce the so-called black marble of Markina, which has competed internationally with Carrara marble.
Frontón de Markina, la Universidad de la Pelota
Curiosity
The municipal fronton, covered since 1928, earned the nickname "the University of Pelota" for the pool of players it has produced for competitions in the United States and Manila.
Balneario de Urberuaga
Nature
Springs of warm water known since ancient times, developed as a spa from the early 20th century, in the rural surroundings of Markina-Xemein.
Fiestas del Carmen
Activity
Markina-Xemein's patron saint festival, popularly known as "los cármenes", joined by neighbourhood celebrations such as San Juan (24 June), San Pedro (29 June), San Ignacio (31 July) and Santutxu (1 August).