Deba

Camino del Norte

To end of camino
765.9
Altitude
5

Itziar

3.80

Deba

3.80

Galbario Ermita

Services
ATM
Yes
Bar
Yes
Bus
Yes
Correos
Yes
Grocery
Yes
Hospital
Yes
Medical Center
Yes
Pharmacy
Yes
Train
Yes

A small and compact town with a large beach, and one of the few towns along the way built on terrain so steep that elevators have been installed to help people get up and down. The Ermita de San Roque, on the hillside, is along the camino as you descend into Deba.

There are a lot of architectural gems here, more than you would expect from a town this size. The Iglesia de parroquial de Santa María and the Santuario de Icíar are the obvious ones, but some municipal buildings and even the bridge out of town are deserving of a second glance.

Notice

Wave goodbye to the sea. It will be exactly 80km before it returns into view in Bilbao. Between here and there are several mountainous stretches.

Fiesta

San Roque is celebrated from the 14th to the 18th of August.

History

Not many ships come to Deba these days, but that has not always been the case. Because of the Ermita de San Roque, it was once a popular starting point for pilgrims arriving at the peninsula by sea.

The Road

The camino and the GR-121 alternate route meet in Deba near the ermita. The camino crosses the river along a footbridge near the train station and on the opposite bank turns right. A short distance later it crosses the road and just beyond that it turns left, going upwards once again along a combination of well marked roads and paths.

Keep to the marked camino at this point, ignoring all other trails until you reach the Galbario Ermita.

Accommodation in Deba

Comments

Camino de Sant…

There is a lovely casa rural outside of Deba on the way that I booked on Airbnb, I believe it’s called casa Pikua. A bit pricey but gorgeous views and relaxed atmosphere.

Camino de Sant…

Foot bridge near train station is closed as of May 16, 2022, 1:45PM. Take a 2km detour via alternate bridge south of Deba. There’s an elevator that takes you to the lower level of town which or knees really appreciated. Just head left on Mogel Kalea street right after you reached the bottom of the cobble road that passes the school instead of going down the stairs. The elevator is about 50 meters on your right.

Camino de Sant…

September 2019: Way too few beds in Deba, even including the Pension, Hotel etc. Many people had to sleep outside. I took a taxi back to a hotel in Zumaia and then returned to Deba by train the next morning.

Camino de Sant…

Most places either closed or full in Debo. I found a very nice place approx. 2.5 past Dani. "Pikua" hotel type rooms very clean not very old, 54 euro's. Right on Camino. Great ocean views.

Camino de Sant…

In late march 2022 the only albergue is closed so you need to book a perfectly lovely but more expensive hotel Zumardi. Don’t chance this town - a fellow caminoer hadnt planned anything then had to sleep on a tennis court because the hotal was full. Currently the footbridge is completely close and so adds a 1.5km detour to go over the next bridge on your way out of Deba. Bustling town centre in a Friday, and great beach.

Camino de Sant…

In late march 2022 the only albergue is closed so you need to book a perfectly lovely but more expensive hotel Zumardi. Don’t chance this town - a fellow caminoer hadnt planned anything then had to sleep on a tennis court because the hotal was full. Currently the footbridge is completely close and so adds a 1.5km detour to go over the next bridge on your way out of Deba. Bustling town centre in a Friday, and great beach.

Camino de Sant…

Foot bridge is open for pedestrians

Camino de Sant…

Book your overnight stay in advance. Not many options here

Camino de Sant…

As others have said there isn't much accommodation in Deba. The albergue is closed until 25 April 2022 (see their website) and the hotel was full. The next albergue (ibiri) was also fully prebooked (number on their website)

Camino de Sant…

As of April 30, 2019, the Deba bridge is open to pedestrians only.