Martina de Zuricalday Bilbao is one of Bilbao’s most iconic pastry shops and a true institution in the city’s gastronomic heritage. Founded in 1830, it is not only the oldest pastry shop in Bilbao but also one of the oldest artisan pastry businesses in the Basque Country. With almost two centuries of history, it has become a symbol of tradition, quality and craftsmanship, delighting generations of Bilbao residents and visitors alike.
Martina de Zuricalday Bilbao is particularly renowned for its selection of traditional treats from Bilbao, made by hand every morning and using only the finest ingredients, such as the bollo de mantequilla, the colourful Carolina and the pastel de arroz. Visitors can also enjoy the classic pastel vasco or Basque cake, alongside an extensive selection of chocolates, biscuits, cakes, and seasonal specialties such as turrón de Caracas and Soconusco during the Christmas period.
The Origins of Martina de Zuricalday Bilbao
The patisserie owes its existence to an extraordinary woman, María Ramona Martina de Zuricalday Eguidazu. Of five siblings, she was the only one interested in continuing the family confectionery and chocolate-making business. Together with her husband, José Bayo, she transformed the enterprise into a pastry shop that would eventually bear her name.
Despite raising eleven children and facing the social constraints of the nineteenth century, Martina successfully managed and expanded the business. Following the death of her husband, she was obliged by the customs of the time to place the business in her son’s name, yet she continued to direct every aspect of the company herself. Under her leadership, the pastry shop became a popular meeting place in Bilbao during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Martina de Zuricalday Bilbao Today
Today, six generations later, Martina de Zuricalday Bilbao remains a family-run business. The company operates four centrally located pastry shops in Bilbao’s Abando and Indautxu districts, where customers can find the traditional pastries and confectionery that have defined the bakery for nearly two centuries.
Martina de Zuricalday Bilbao’s is an important part of the city’s culinary heritage and one of the city’s longest-standing commercial establishments. Its long history, unwavering commitment to quality and range of traditional pastries make it a noteworthy stop for anyone interested in the gastronomic traditions of the Basque Country.
More information: https://www.martinazuricalday.com/
Posted on June 12, 2026
