Bilbao: surrounding area and province
Bilbao is an unforgettable city, but if we really want to get to know Basque culture, the province of Biscay, which has some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Basque Country, is a must-visit. Under an hour away from Bilbao by car are several places recognised by UNESCO for their uniqueness and beauty, as well as extraordinary cliffs, coastal villages that have preserved the Basque people’s seafarer spirit, enchanting forests and historical towns such as Gernika.
Very close to Bilbao, almost where the Nervión river meets the Cantabrian Sea, is the Bizkaia bridge, recognised as the first transporter bridge to be built from metal in the world. Opened in 1893, the imposing structure transports vehicles and passengers between Portugalete and Getxo, and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006. The views of the bay from up high on the bridge are truly amazing.
In Bermeo, Biscay’s coastline provides us with a work of art carved in part by the sea’s erosion and in part by the human hand: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. This small isle ringed by cliffs, which is only connected to the mainland by a small bridge, has withstood the pounding waves of the Cantabrian Sea for centuries, much like the hermitage dedicated to San Juan that stands on its summit and dates back to the tenth century. A magical place that didn’t go unnoticed by the producers of the Game of Thrones series, who chose it as one of the scenes for the seventh season.
Biscay’s coastline is full of picturesque fishing villages, where you can get a taste of the area’s seafaring tradition. Traditional fishermen (arrantzales) houses in typical colours can be seen in Bermeo, Mundaka and Lekeitio, a tradition that contrasts with the surfer atmosphere that these towns also boast. Perhaps the most impressive of all the fishing villages is Elantxobe, which, due to its geographical position hemmed in along the coast between the water and the steep slopes of a hill, seems like it is always about to be devoured by the sea.
If natural landscapes are your thing, the Urdaibai estuary can be visited without moving far from the coastline. An area of great ecological value at the mouth of the Oka river, it was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1984 and is a perfect place for hiking, kayaking and bird watching. For the latter, the Urdaibai Bird Centre was built in 2012. Nearby is another interesting place in which nature has been turned into a work of art: the Painted (or Enchanted) Forest of Oma, situated in the municipality of Kortezubi. The Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola painted diverse geometric shapes and figures onto the bark of the pine trees, creating a living canvas that changes according to the perspective with which we look at it.
If you’re after deep-rooted Basque traditions, the Gorbeia Natural Park, situated in the largest national park in the whole of the Basque Country, is still home to old dairies where the famous Idiazábal cheese is created, as well as other traditional trades such as beekeepers and potters. It is also a great place for hiking with spectacular views of the whole region from the summit of Mount Gorbeia.
Our tour of Biscay would not be complete without a visit to Gernika, the town that was a symbol of the brutality perpetrated by the German-Italian bombardment, which almost completely destroyed it in 1937 during the Civil War, and which Picasso portrayed in his famous painting. Today, however, the city is a symbol of hope, as it has risen from the ashes and is home to symbolic places such as the Casa de Juntas and the famous Tree of Guernica, under whose branches the Basque Country gained its jurisdiction in the Middle Ages.
Related plans
Conoce San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, un lugar fuera de serie
Aunque parezca un lugar sacado directamente de un libro de aventuras, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe se encuentra dentro de España. Es cierto que el País Vasco tiene muchos lugares de ensueño, pero son muchos los que coinciden en que como este, no hay ninguno.
Qué ver en Gernika, el pueblo que renació de sus cenizas
La ciudad que sobrevivió al cruel bombardeo de 1937, centro de la historia y la autonomía política del pueblo vasco, es hoy un símbolo de paz.
Reserva de Urdaibai, la joya natural del País Vasco
El entorno de la desembocadura del río Oka es un paraíso de marismas llenas de aves migratorias, bosques “encantados”, playas salvajes, acantilados imposibles y pueblos marineros.