This charming town in Bizkaia, 40 kilometres from Bilbao, seems tailor-made for those who appreciate beauty, peace and quiet and good taste. With plenty of tourist attractions, it’s the perfect spot for relaxation and enjoyment. Situated on the banks of the Gernika or Urdaibai estuary, its most iconic building is Arteaga Castle, a medieval structure restored in the 19th century at the request of none other than the French Empress Eugenie de Montijo. The town’s name comes from the Arteaga Tower and an older one, Gautegiz, of which there are no remains.
A village rich in heritage
Besides its rich historical heritage, Gautegiz Arteaga enjoys a wonderful location in the midst of an enchanting natural environment. For instance, near Arteaga Castle or Tower is the Urdaibai Bird Centre, an ornithological museum and research centre recognised across Europe. This visitor-friendly site offers insights into the world of birds and their migratory journeys.
Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve
Just a 30-minute drive from Bilbao, Urdaibai is a spectacular natural space, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1984, and is one of the main attractions on a tourist getaway to the Basque Country. The Urdaibai Reserve is home to spectacular spots like San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Ogoño Cape, Matxitxako Cape, Izaro Island, Oma Valley and the beaches of Laga and Laida. It’s also a paradise for bird lovers, offering sightings of rare species like ospreys, spoonbills and bitterns. Surfers also flock here for Mundaka’s wave, regarded as the “most famous left-hand wave in Europe”.
What to See in Gautegiz Arteaga
Wandering through this small town of just under 1,000 residents is a real delight. Its most remarkable cultural attractions are Arteaga Castle, built with marble from the local quarries and the parish church of Santa María, rebuilt in the 16th century after its original 12th-century construction. San Pedro de Atxarre hermitage is also well worth a visit, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Urdaibai estuary.
What to see near Gautegiz Arteaga
Thanks to the stunning natural surroundings of Gautegiz Arteaga, there are many tourist attractions to enjoy in this part of the Basque Country. For example, it’s worth visiting Laida Beach, with nearly a kilometre of fine golden sand, where visitors can enjoy windsurfing, canoeing and sailing. There’s also the lesser-known Txatxarramendi Island, with a botanical garden of diverse species and an outstanding Cantabrian oak forest, as well as the charming Sandinere Irla, a small oak-covered island in Busturia. Other fascinating spots include San Pedro de Atxarre, with a famous hermitage, regarded as Urdaibai’s viewpoint, or the Urdaibai marshes, a beautiful place brimming with life and birds, located near Mundaka. This is the Basque Country’s most important wetland.
In the region around Gautegiz Arteaga, there’s a picturesque route featuring charming villages like Bermeo, Gernika, Mundaka, Murueta and Elantxobe, and the latter is described by locals as “a handful of fishermen’s houses by the sea”. They are all very beautiful and well worth a visit.
Where to eat in Gautegiz Arteaga
As in any part of the Basque Country, Gautegiz Arteaga offers exquisite traditional dishes made with outstanding ingredients. Gastronomy is practically a religion here, so don’t hesitate to step into any restaurant you come across. You’ll eat well everywhere. That said, we’ve picked out a few highlights:
Arteaga Castle
The restaurant at Arteaga Castle seats 40 and serves delicious Basque and international cuisine in a unique historical setting. Its signature menu is named after Eugenia de Montijo and includes dishes such as chargrilled black monkfish in its own juices or mushroom with duck liver and a truffled egg cooked at low temperature. You can also enjoy an aperitif or coffee in the charming lounge before entering the dining room.
Restaurante Kanala (Barrio Kanala, 26. Gautegiz Arteaga)
Specialising in rice and chops, this restaurant is synonymous with homemade food and quality. It’s only a kilometre from the beach and has two dining rooms, two terraces and a playground for children.
Baiserra Maitea (Barrio Atxondoa, Forua)
Situated close to Gautegiz Arteaga, this grill is set in a stunning 17th-century convent in Forua, right in the Urdaibai Natural Reserve. Its specialities include croquettes and chargrilled dishes. Its owner and chef, Juan Antonio Zaldua, is a former Athletic Club footballer who had to retire from professional sport due to a knee injury. The Basque Country lost an athlete but gained a great chef.
Lezika (Basondo, 8. Kortezubi)
Another spacious and traditional grill where you can enjoy excellent Gernika red beans, all sorts of chargrilled meats and fish and other local dishes made with produce sourced in the Urdaibai area. You can also take the chance to visit the nearby Forest of Oma or the Santimamiñe cave. The prices are very reasonable and it has some large terraces.
Bernaretxe (Enderika Auzoa, 4. Kortezubi)
Good food, quality ingredients and friendly service. This place has it all, where you can enjoy generous portions of delicious food. Alongside traditional Basque meat and fish dishes (don’t miss out on the tuna), there’s also a tasty vegetarian option.
