Family visit to Albaola, the Basque Maritime Factory in Pasaia

Albaola Itsas Kultur Faktoria is a shipyard-museum located in Pasaia, at the heart of the estuary, dedicated to Basque maritime heritage. Its central feature is the active construction of the San Juan, a replica of a 16th-century whaling ship, which visitors can watch being built during their visit. The site brings to life a lesser-known chapter of history: that of the Basque sailors and whalers who set out from this port on transatlantic expeditions during the Renaissance. Guided visits are tailored to all audiences. Younger visitors are given an activity booklet with games, exercises and riddles to complete along the route with the help of accompanying adults or the museum guide, making the visit a participatory and educational experience. Albaola stands as a stop in its own right along the Gipuzkoan coast, particularly for those wishing to understand the historical significance of Pasaia as a departure point for major Atlantic expeditions.