The small town in the Basque Country where 'the Spanish Stonehenge' is located: it has 2,800-year-old megaliths

The Basque Country is a land of mysteries, legends, and stories steeped in mysticism. This, combined with the stunning natural landscapes found throughout the region, makes this part of northern Spain one of the most incredible and unique in all of Europe. Hundreds of towns and villages are perfect for a weekend getaway across the autonomous community, but few can compare to the distinctive character of Opakua, in the province of Álava.

This small village belongs administratively to the Álava municipality of Salvatierra and has fewer than fifty inhabitants, yet it is one of the greatest rural paradises to be explored on the entire Iberian Peninsula. It may not possess the architectural magnificence of other Basque villages, but the surrounding area boasts spectacular wonders such as a 'regional version of Stonehenge' and one of the most unique natural enclaves in the world.

Opakua and its 'Stonehenge': the Mendiluze cromlech

The village of Opakua is nestled in the Llanada Alavesa region. Although its peaceful and tiny town center consists of only a handful of houses and the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, a short distance away lies one of Spain's great prehistoric wonders : the Mendiluze cromlech. This treasure is 28 centuries old and is considered the 'Spanish Stonehenge.' While it cannot be compared to its English counterpart in size, its beauty certainly rivals it.

Discovered in the 1980s, It is the main attraction of the Legaire Megalithic Park, and consists of a large stone circle in which four imposing menhirs stand, making it a truly remarkable prehistoric site. Human ashes were found inside a cist there, indicating the funerary importance of this place tens of thousands of years ago, making a visit to this jewel of the Entzia mountain range a must.

A unique natural treasure in Spain: the Zalamportillo arch

In this same mountainous enclave, not only are prehistoric treasures hidden, but it's also possible to delve into a magical world along the Arno Labyrinth Route and the Zalamportillo Arch, a fairytale trail that traverses dreamlike karst landscapes sculpted over thousands of years. Among the curious geological formations that hikers will encounter, the natural arch that gives the route its name stands out and amazes all who behold it.

The village of Opakua is located less than half an hour by road from the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, and to get there from the capital of the Basque Country, you just have to take the N-104 until you turn onto the A-1, from which you need to take the A-2128, which leads directly to the town center of this beautiful Basque village.