Next to the perfectly flat shore on which the village of Orio lies, the Igeldo – Mendizorrotz coastal range emerges. The contour of these hills is so steep that they form a barrier along the entire length of this part of the coast. The old path from San Sebastián crossed this entire range, as does today's route. Walking down towards Orio, pilgrims will be surprised to find extensive, well-preserved sections of the old road.Frente a una ribera perfectamente plana donde se asienta Orio emerge el cordal costero de Igeldo - Mendizorrotz, que con su relieve tan marcado ejerce de barrera en todo este tramo costero. El antiguo camino que provenía de San Sebastián discurría a lo largo de este cordal, trazado que sigue el Camino de Santiago de la Costa Actualmente. Sorprenderá al peregrino encontrar, en el descenso a Orio, amplios tramos de la antigua calzada bien conservados.

A beautiful, ancient chapel, situated on the outskirts of the village of Orio, in a splendid location, at the top of a hill with views of the Oria Estuary and the sea, in an area named after the chapel. The current building probably dates back to 16th century, built on top of and enlarging an earlier construction. The chapel contains three altarpieces depicting figures of Saint Martin, Saint Sebastian, Christ and Saint Anne.

The Way of the Cross in Orio shares the same route as the Way of Saint James through the village, and also links its two main religious buildings, the Ermita de San Martin (Chapel of Saint Martin) and the Iglesia Parroquial de San Nicolás (Parish Church of Saint Nicholas). Most of the crosses are visible and accompany us along the way towards the town centre, through a rural area in which we find 16th century buildings with a clearly naval influence.El vía crucis de Orio transcurre por el Camino de Santiago a su paso por la población, y enlaza además sus dos edificios religiosos principales, como son la ermita de San Martin y la parroquia de San Nicolás. La mayor parte de las cruces son visibles y nos acompañarán en el camino de llegada al núcleo, por una zona rural en la que hallaremos edificios del siglo XVI de claro gusto marinero.

The Way of Saint James goes through the mediaeval centre of Orio, thus giving rise to its "Kale Nagusia" or "Main Street". The other main road from San Sebastián also helped shape the old part of the village of Orio. Its route passes alongside numerous ancestral homes, including examples of buildings from the 15th, 16th century as well as more recent ones. One of these buildings, the Palacio Iturriaga (Iturriaga Palace), has been renovated and turned into the Way of Saint James Interpretation Centre.

The village's former pilgrims' hospital (devoted to Our Lady of Piety) was located in Orio's "Kale Nagusia" (Main Street). For centuries, this building took in pilgrims, travellers and poor people in need of shelter. According to texts from the 16th century, at that time it had a hospitalero (volunteer warden who had walked the Way of Saint James) and around twenty beds. Today only traces of this building remain.La Calle Mayor o "Kale Nagusia" de Orio albergó también el antiguo hospital de peregrinos de Orio, adscrito a la advocación de Nuestra Señora de la Piedad. Este edificio acogió durante siglos a peregrinos, viajeros o a pobres necesitados de cobijo. Según relatan testimonios del siglo XVI en aquella época contaba con un hospitalero y una veintena de camas. Hoy día quedan solamente los vestigios de aquella construcción.

Walking down the Kale Nagusia, we reach the large, impressive Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari (Church of Saint Nicholas of Bari). It is a Renaissance building from the 16th and 17th centuries, constructed on top of a previous church from the 13th century. It stands on an extensive platform and is partially supported by powerful arches that rest on large pillars. Worthy of note is the large perimeter vestibule, encircling the temple like a covered walkway. The works of art worthy of note inside include the altar dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Bari, the patron saint of travellers and fishermen.En nuestro descenso por Kale Nagusia llegaremos hasta la imponente mole de la parroquia de San Nikolas. Se trata de una obra renacentista de los siglos XVI y XVII, construida sobre una iglesia anterior del siglo XIII. Se asienta en una amplia plataforma sostenida en parte por poderosos arcos que descansan sobre grandes pilares. Llama la atención como alrededor del templo se conforma un importante atrio perimetral, a la manera de un paso de ronda, y cubierto en toda su extensión. Respecto a la riqueza artística del interior cabe citar el altar dedicado a San Nicolás de Bari, patrón protector de viajeros y pescadores.

Until recently, Orio's main street stretched as far as the Orio Estuary. In the past there was a pier here, from which a passenger boat service used to leave. The ferryboat was the only link between the two banks of the river, and the passengers, due to the lack of bridges, had to use this service in order to cross the estuary. However, pilgrims enjoyed a royal privilege and were exempted from paying the maravedí (Spanish coin) fare. This shows how important the Way of Saint James was at that time.