Small, intimate, and surrounded by holm oak groves, Asarta is one of the districts that make up the municipality of Mendaza. It lies at an elevation of 680 meters in a stunning natural setting, with sweeping views of the Codés, Costalera, and Lóquiz mountain ranges. It’s the perfect place to reconnect with the rural, authentic side of Navarre.
The town center is organized around the Church of San Juan Bautista, a 16th-century Gothic-Renaissance building. The surrounding houses are built of light-colored stone, featuring Baroque and Rococo coats of arms and well-preserved traditional architecture.
Beyond the town center, Asarta serves as a starting point for easy walks and longer hiking trails. Traditional paths lead to natural viewpoints such as El Balconillo, holm oak forests, and trails that connect to Acedo and the Basque-Navarre Railway Greenway, as well as to the Lana Valley and the nearby mountain ranges. It is an ideal setting for leisurely hiking, taking in the scenery, and enjoying the natural environment far from mass tourism.
Asarta’s patron saint festivities are held on the third weekend of September in honor of St. John the Baptist and serve as the main occasion for community gatherings throughout the year. Additionally, there are pilgrimages shared with other villages in the valley, particularly to San Gregorio Ostiense and the Codés sanctuary.