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Urdaibai, what to see and do in one of the most important natural areas of Bizkaia.
Urdaibai, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1984, opens its doors to enjoy some of the most striking areas of the Basque Country. This area known internationally for its great wealth and natural beauty, has become in recent years one of the most visited destinations in our territory. And if we take as representatives of Urdaibai places as impressive as San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the cape of Ogoño, the cape of Matxitxako, the island of Izaro or the beaches of Laga and Laida, it is very easy to realize that we are facing one of those areas that leave a mark. An essential visit on any trip to the Basque Country. Although all the representatives that we have mentioned are on the coast, Urdaibai also has impressive places in its interior, an example of this are the Oiz mountain, the marshes of the Oka river or the Oma Valley. A luxurious environment, where the urban centers play a very important role. This fact can be perfectly verified by visiting some of the most picturesque villages in the area. We recommend visiting Gernika, Bermeo, Elantxobe or Mundaka among others. Spaces that we are sure you will love. 
Information about Urdaibai.
- Online reservations: Here.
- Attractions: Active tourism, bird watching, gastronomy, nature and history.
- Tourist offices: Bermeo, Ea, Gernika, Mendata and Mundaka.
- Contact telephone number: 946 255 892
- Location: Urdaibai, Bizkaia, Euskadi.
However, if Urdaibai stands out for anything, it is for being a paradise for bird and surf lovers, 2 totally different facets that attract thousands of people to its wetlands and beaches. Ornithologists do not hesitate to qualify Urdaibai as one of the most important areas for birdwatching, cataloging and banding birds. A place where rare species such as the osprey or the spoonbill can be seen. An aspect, which is put in value in Urdaibai Bird Center, a space created to show the natural wealth of this Basque enclave. On the other hand, professional surfers from all over the world have been full of praise for the most famous left wave in Europe, the Mundaka wave. Two aspects of Urdaibai, which, together with its gastronomy, nature and history, give us a dream space. A very complete destination. 
Urdaibai, what to see and do.
Urdaibai is one of the most important natural enclaves of Bizkaia, an area of great environmental value located in the region of Busturialdea, about 30 minutes from Bilbao. This region includes all those municipalities located in the valley of the Oka River and the Mundaka estuary. A coastal territory, which is largely occupied by the Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai, one of its most important and visited attractions. One of the jewels of the eastern coast of Bizkaia. 
Visits to fish canneries.
Fishing and canning represent one of the most traditional sectors of Bermeo. Also one of the most important economically speaking. For this reason, we encourage you to visit these factories located on the outskirts of the town. Until recently, these experiences were out of reach of the people who visited us. Fortunately, this has changed. If you are interested in this option, we encourage you to read the article we dedicate to the guided tours of the fish canneries of Bermeo. You can also use our contact form. 
Ferry to cross the Urdaibai estuary.
If you are planning to visit Urdaibai during the summer, you should know that there is the possibility of using the regular ferry service so that you can cross the Urdaibai estuary. A maritime transport that connects the towns of Mundaka and Sukarrieta with the beach of Laida. A fast, economical and fun option that allows us to enjoy 2 of the best beaches in the Basque Country (Laida and Laga). You can book your place directly from here. If you want more information about this service, we recommend you to read the article we have dedicated to the Urdaibai Ferry. 
Villages of Urdaibai.
The different urban centers that we find scattered around Urdaibai, provide us with a nice route to get to know all of them. Although most people who visit us only know towns like Bermeo, Ea, Elantxobe, Gernika or Mundaka, we must remember that this region is made up of 20 municipalities (Ajangiz, Arratzu, Bermeo, Busturia, Ea, Elantxobe, Ereño, Errigoiti, Forua, Gautegiz Arteaga, Gernika – Lumo, Ibarrangelu, Kortezubi, Mendata, Morga, Mundaka, Murueta, Muxika, Nabarniz and Sukarrieta). Some villages that give us such striking spaces as those that we present to you below. Among all these urban centers, places like Gernika, Ea, Bermeo or Elantxobe are of special interest. This last one is one of the most curious towns of the Biscayan coast. An urban center that has come to be described as “a handful of fishermen’s houses on the edge of the sea”. An informal way of describing a town where the narrow and steep streets around the fishing port give this enclave a special charm. Here is a small list of what we consider to be the most beautiful villages in the Urdaibai region.
These municipalities share many of their characteristics, villages of great identity, which faithfully represent the Biscayan fishing village. Spaces of great beauty that we recommend you to visit with your eyes closed. 
What to see in Urdaibai.
Urdaibai has many places to see and enjoy. Unique spaces that we recommend you to visit with your eyes closed. As you can understand, we have not included all of them in this list of what to see in Urdaibai, but only the most significant ones. We hope you like them. As usual, we encourage you to use the comment system that you will find at the end of this article to ask us any questions related to Urdaibai. 
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: Located on the coast of Bizkaia, this jewel of our coastline is sheltered between the towns of Bakio and Bermeo, two towns with similar characteristics but very different from each other. Bermeo, a fishing village par excellence, is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in Bizkaia, while Bakio, a more touristy town, is home to one of the most visited beaches by the people of Bilbao. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and the hermitage that stands on its summit are one of the most visited places in Euskadi along with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. A unique place in the world, which surprises us with a different charm from the rest of the tourist references of Euskadi.
If the perspective of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe from land does not attract you too much, we recommend you to visit this Basque enclave from the sea, by boat. A maritime route that starts from the port of Bermeo and takes us to the vicinity of this colossus of our coast. If you want to enjoy this experience you can book online from our website just by clicking here. Undoubtedly one of the most demanded experiences when it comes to see Urdaibai. 
- Cape Matxitxako: Cape Matxitxako is the most prominent point of the Cantabrian coast, a space from where you get stunning views of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. In addition, Matxitxako is one of the best places for the observation of marine birds and cetaceans. Some facts, that make the lighthouse that we find in its dependencies one of the most crowded of the zone. In our humble opinion, it is worth enjoying the views it offers from land, making it one of the best viewpoints in Urdaibai. As we have already told you in previous publications, Matxitxako can also be visited from the sea, from one of the boats that make boat trips in Bizkaia.
- Cape Ogoño: Visiting Cape Ogoño is one of the routes that we recommend you to do during your stay in Urdaibai. This huge massif is another of the natural viewpoints with which this area of Bizkaia surprises us. We recommend you to visit Ogoño from all possible perspectives, from its summit, from the beach of Laga and from the sea. It is spectacular no matter how you look at it. Undoubtedly another of the jewels of Urdaibai. We recommend that you go with your camera, the panoramic views that we find from this point are worth immortalizing.
- Arteaga Castle: This fortress in the heart of Urdaibai has been converted into a hotel. An establishment that, thanks to the aesthetics and history of the building on which it is located, is considered one of the most charming hotels in Bizkaia. Its restaurant also has a good reputation, being among the best in the area. In any case, whether you want to use its services or not, this architectural element is one of those that you cannot overlook in Urdaibai. A visit is a must.
- Urdaibai Bird Center: As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, Urdaibai and its marshes are home to thousands of birds. A fact that makes the presence of a bird watching center and the enhancement of the ecosystem where they settle, practically indispensable. Thus, Urdaibai Bird Center is presented to us as the best place to learn about the fauna and flora of Urdaibai. After the guided visit to this space, we recommend walking along the different paths that the marshes offer us. A perfect complement.
- Biodiversity Center of Euskadi: Torre Madariaga, also known as the Biodiversity Center of Euskadi or Ekoetxea, highlights the importance of the ecosystem that surrounds us. Its objective is to promote the dissemination of nature and biodiversity in the Basque Country. A space where we have the opportunity to learn how important biodiversity is for human beings. All the species that make up the flora and fauna of the planet are important. We all contribute something. Respect.
- Oma Forest: The painted forest of Urdaibai. A work of art under the open sky that gives us the possibility to enjoy the Oma Valley while we contemplate the different shapes drawn by the trees. The Oma Forest is undoubtedly the most famous work of the Biscayan sculptor and painter Agustín Ibarrola. A forest that is filled with color and animation thanks to the paintings on the trunks of the trees. The figures will appear before us after placing us in the indicated points, and it is that, depending on the perspective that each visitor adopts, a perfect or incomplete figure can be seen.
- Fisherman’s Museum: The Fisherman’s Museum is located in the port of Bermeo, one of the most important fishing villages in Biscay. It is here, where you can understand the evolution of this sector from its beginnings, when our ancestors fished whales in the Basque coast, to the present day, where the fishing industry is still very important. The town of Bermeo is the perfect place to house this museum, and both its coat of arms and the different canneries that we find in its domains are proof of how important this industry is for its inhabitants.
- Izaro Island: The island of Izaro is one of the best known of all Urdaibai. And not only because it once housed a chapel and a convent, but also because of the different legends and stories that are told about it. Among all of them, it is worth mentioning the one that concerns the towns of Bermeo and Mundaka. A story in which they say that on the day of the Magdalena, both municipalities bet the property of the island in a regatta. It is said that the judge of such a crazy bet was the neighboring town of Elantxobe. This adventure would begin with the crowing of the rooster, with the first rays of sunshine and would end when the first of the boats would reach the island of Izaro. The final winner, Bermeo. Of course, depending on the version of the story, there may be variations in which traps of all kinds are included.
- Peace Museum: The Urdaibai Peace Museum is one of the most important museums in the region. It is located in Gernika, a town that unfortunately knows very well what violence and suffering are. Gernika was one of the urban centers most damaged by the different bombardments that the German and Italian troops carried out on Bizkaia on April 26, 1937. A museum that invites us to forgive without forgetting. A goal for which it has enabled a beautiful permanent collection. You can book your tickets to the museum from here.
- Caves of Santimamiñe: Santimamiñe is considered by experts as one of the most important archaeological sites in the province of Bizkaia. A cavity, in which remains of settlements from more than 14,000 years ago are preserved. As if this were not enough, in its interior we find cave paintings representing bison, horses, deer or bears. Paintings of great value, which contributed to the cave of Santimamiñe being declared a World Heritage Site in 2008. Its location, next to the famous Oma Forest, encourages us to visit the two sites without wasting time traveling.
- Aita Guria Whaler: Unfortunately, what was once a wonderful recreation of a Basque whaler is not in the best of conditions. For this reason, we do not recommend this visit. If you want to know in detail everything related to the Basque whalers and shipyards, we recommend a visit to Albaola, one of the most important cultural projects in the Basque Country.
- San Pedro de Atxarre: San Pedro de Atxarre is the viewpoint par excellence of Urdaibai. A place that everyone who travels to this corner of Euskadi should visit. Unfortunately, we must point out that although the route that leads us to this viewpoint has a medium difficulty, familiar, it is not suitable for the elderly or people with mobility problems. We invite you to discover all the secrets hidden in this place through our article on San Pedro de Atxarre.
- San Miguel de Ereñozar: San Miguel de Ereñozar is very similar to San Pedro de Atxarre. A place where, in addition to enjoying incredible views of Urdaibai, we also have the opportunity to learn about the history of one of the fortresses of Bizkaia. And is that according to the different studies carried out on the ground, at the top of Mount Ereñozar was the castle that withstood the onslaught of the troops of Alfonso XI. If you want to know more information about this place we encourage you to read our article“San Miguel de Ereñozar, the viewpoint of Urdaibai“.
What to do in Urdaibai.
Urdaibai offers a wide range of possibilities. And in this small corner of Euskadi we find plenty of proposals for families, couples or independent travelers who want to know Urdaibai by the hand of local companies. Here are the most outstanding plans to do in Urdaibai. We hope you like them. 
- Guided tours in Gernika: Gernika, historical town of Urdaibai, offers us the possibility of knowing its history through different guided tours. Activities that meet all the requirements demanded by the travelers. And is that, in addition to having local guides and varied themes, these routes also have one of the most competitive prices of all Urdaibai and Euskadi (3 €). A great option for all those people who want to know Gernika from the proximity of a local guide. In case you want to book these guided tours in Gernika, you can do it from our own website, from here. Fast, safe and at the best price.
- Boat routes: The location of Urdaibai, in the middle of the Basque coast, invites everyone who visits us to enjoy the sea. Whether on its beaches, in its ports or in the open sea. In the latter case, we recommend you to enjoy the different regular routes based in Bermeo. We recommend you to book these routes online, without waiting in line, fast and easy. The maritime routes vary in duration and price depending on the destination of each one of them. The most demanded are those that show us San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Urdaibai from the sea.
- TopaBermeo: If you are part of that large group of restless people who seek to enjoy the places they visit through dynamic and exciting activities, you are in luck. We present TopaBermeo, an outdoor escape game that invites us to walk through the historic center of Bermeo while enjoying the mystery that this experience entails. This type of gymkhanas are known worldwide through the Anglo-Saxon term “Village scape”, a concept that is booming. Undoubtedly, a different and original proposal that provides a point of view from which to know Urdaibai. If you are interested in this experience, we recommend you to book it at the best price here.
- Swimming with sharks: Sharks, one of the most striking animals of the oceans, are also present on the coast of Euskadi. In this sense, Urdaibai offers the possibility of swimming with them. A unique experience that surprises all those who decide to visit our land. If you are curious to know all the details of this activity, we recommend you to read our article about swimming with sharks in Euskadi.
- Routes through Urdaibai: The reserve where we are is full of routes to do. Routes of great beauty, which invite us to know the most beautiful places of Urdaibai while we stretch our legs. In our humble opinion, the route through the Urdaibai marshes or the route through Ogoño are some of the most beautiful and simple of the environment. If you want to do more routes, we recommend you to read our article about the best routes in Euskadi to do with children. Surely some of them meet all your requirements for an excursion of this type.
- Canneries of Urdaibai: The visit to the canneries of Urdaibai is a perfect complement to other activities in the area. A good opportunity to buy local products, zero kilometer, at a good price. We recommend that you enjoy this type of experience after visiting the fisherman’s museum.
- Whale and dolphin watching: Urdaibai has become the perfect place for whale and dolphin watching, both from land and from the sea. If on land we highlight natural watchtowers such as Matxitxako and Ogoño, from the sea we recommend using the service known as cetaceans at 10 o’clock. A maritime experience, organized by Torre Madariaga, the Biodiversity Center of Euskadi, brings the beauty of the sea to all those who want to enjoy and learn from each of its elements.
- Urdaibai Wineries: Txakoli is the wine par excellence of Urdaibai. Its climatology, together with its geographical location, makes the vineyards that we find in the surroundings some of the best in the province. We recommend you to read our article on the best txakoli wineries, surely more than one will catch your attention. Otherwise, if you do not want to search through our short list, we recommend a visit to the Itsasmendi winery, one of the best wineries in Urdaibai.
- Active tourism: Urdaibai is one of the most appropriate enclaves to practice active tourism in the Basque Country. Both water and land sports have perfect spaces in Urdaibai. If you are looking for some adventure, we recommend you to contact Sustraiak Natura, a family business, managed by the descendants of one of the first Basques to summit Everest, which takes us to know all the charms of Urdaibai by the hand of adrenaline. In addition, if you are looking for accommodation near Urdaibai, Sustraiak Natura also manages a charming hotel in the village of Etxebarria, the Hotel Antsotegi. A 2 in 1 with a lot of character and charm. A Basque experience written in capital letters. Do not forget the famous left wave of Mundaka, the mecca of surfing in Urdaibai.
- Gastronomy of Urdaibai: The natural wealth of Urdaibai positively affects the gastronomy of the area. An environment in which we find several restaurants in which the gastronomic culture of the Basque people is shown in a masterful way. We encourage you to enjoy our culinary creations, either through pintxos, menu of the day or the menu of a glamorous restaurant. The choice is yours.
These are some of our suggestions on what to do in Urdaibai, in case you want to do any other activity, we encourage you to leave us a comment. We will try to respond as soon as possible.
Beaches of Urdaibai.
The most famous beaches of Urdaibai coincide with the beaches near Bilbao that receive more visits in summer. Examples of this are the beaches of Laida and Laga, two of the most popular beaches in Bizkaia. And it is not surprising, since they are located in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, they provide a wild side that we do not find in the rest of the beaches of Bizkaia. As a curiosity, Laida beach varies in length and shape with the coming and going of the tides, while Laga, under the watchful eye of Cape Ogoño, gives us a paradisiacal view. Although there are about a dozen, we wanted to show you some of the most striking beaches of Urdaibai.
- Laga.
- Laida.
- Aritzatxu.
- Ea.
Where to sleep.
In Urdaibai we find a reference in Euskadi as far as rural houses are concerned. And the houses of Ea Astei provide us with a film space. This complex consists of 5 rural houses of different capacities and decorations, is one of the most demanded of Urdaibai. 
No wonder. And it is that both its common areas and its rural houses offer us a luxurious rest. A space where they pamper even the smallest detail. A lodging, in which they give us a personalized attention, of dream. Rural houses to recommend. In case you are interested in these rural houses of Urdaibai we recommend you to book your stay as soon as possible, because in high season, it is usual that all the places of this lodging are full. You can make your reservation from here, from our reservation section, easy, fast, secure and without commissions. 
How to get there.
Urdaibai is located in the region of Busturialdea, an area of Bizkaia in which we find multiple public transport in operation. However, nowadays, most of the people who visit this enclave do it by private transport. And it is not surprising, the incredible landscape that surrounds us and the rural roads that we find along the way, make the delights of motor lovers. Anyway, in case you want to use public transport, remember that you can opt for the train or the bus, that is, for the services of the public companies Euskotren or Bizkaibus. Here is a brief summary of your options when it comes to getting to Urdaibai. 
Regular bus lines in Urdaibai.
- Bilbao – Gernika (A3514)
- Gernika – Mungia (13519)
- Bilbao – Bermeo by highway (A3527)
- Bermeo – Bakio (A3515)
- Bermeo-Bakio, in summer Bermeo-Bakio-Mungia-Bilbao (A3528 )
- Bilbao Lekeitio (A3513 / A3523)
- Bermeo Crossing (A3522)
- Gernika – UPV /EHU (A3525)
Regular train lines in Urdaibai.
- EuskoTren Bilbao – Gernika – Bermeo Line
- Renfe commuter train lines that connect Urdaibai with the rest of Bizkaia.
For more information we recommend that you visit the websites of Bizkaibus, Euskotren and Renfe, where you will find schedules, frequencies, stops and other practical information. As you can see, although the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve is located in one of the many rural areas of Bizkaia, it has several options when it comes to moving around its territory. 
Planning a visit to Urdaibai.
From TurismoVasco.com we suggest you to spend between 2 and 5 days to enjoy all the spaces that we recommend you to see Urdaibai. We must remember that Urdaibai covers an area of more than 220 km² in which we find more than 20 towns. A very extensive territory with many charms that is difficult to cover in just one weekend. If you do not have enough time, we recommend you to enjoy guided routes that allow us to know several areas in a short time. An example of this is the boat route to Elantxobe or the guided tours of Gernika. Anyway, if you have any questions when planning your trip to Urdaibai we recommend you to leave us a comment in this article, we will try to help you as much as we can. 
Video of Urdaibai.
Urdaibai stands out from the rest of the destinations in Euskadi for its great natural and cultural wealth. A very complete area to take into account in any trip to Euskadi. As usual, we wanted to accompany the photos and words of this article with a short video so you can check more truthfully, the beauty of this Basque enclave. In case you like the video, we encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube channel, we are sure you will find many videos that catch your attention.
The spaces we have proposed are just a representation of what to see and do in Urdaibai, a sample that makes clear the beauty of this earthly paradise. If you have any questions or suggestions, we encourage you to use the comment system below these lines to let us know. We will try to respond as soon as possible. Ondo pasa!
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