Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve

Urdaibai

A UNESCO-designated estuary and wetland teeming with birdlife, marshes, and forested hills between Gernika and Mundaka. It offers excellent hiking, birdwatching, and access to unspoiled beaches and cliffs.

Things to do

• Urdaibai Bird Center — Observe herons, spoonbills, and migratory waders from elevated hides overlooking the marshes near Gautegiz Arteaga.
• Surf at Mundaka — Watch or ride the legendary left-hand river-mouth wave, one of the best in Europe for experienced surfers.
• Explore Gernika town — Visit the Peace Museum, the Casa de Juntas, and the famous oak tree symbolizing Basque self-governance.
• Santimamiñe Cave — Tour a UNESCO-listed cave near Kortezubi with Paleolithic paintings and engravings dating back 14,000 years.
• Walk Laida Beach and dunes — Stroll a wide sandy beach at the estuary mouth with views across to Mundaka and the wooded hills.
• Boat trip on the Urdaibai estuary — Take a small guided boat ride through the tidal marshes to spot herons, cormorants, and shifting sandbanks.
• Hike to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe — Climb the dramatic stone stairway to the islet chapel perched on a rocky outcrop just west of the reserve.
• Cliffside walk at Ogoño headland — Follow coastal paths above sheer cliffs between Elantxobe and Ibarrangelu for sweeping Bay of Biscay views.

Food to try

• Marmitako — A hearty Basque tuna and potato stew traditionally made by fishermen along this coast.
• Txakoli wine — Try the crisp, slightly sparkling local white wine, often poured from height in nearby bodegas and pintxo bars.
• Bacalao al pil-pil — Salt cod slow-cooked in olive oil and garlic until it forms a natural emulsified sauce, a Basque classic.
• Pintxos in Gernika's market square — Sample small bites like anchovies, tortilla, and cheese at bars around Gernika, especially lively on market Mondays.
• Talo con txistorra — A grilled corn-flour flatbread folded around spicy txistorra sausage, a popular festival snack.
• Fresh estuary seafood — Look for grilled sardines, elvers, or spider crab served at restaurants overlooking the Mundaka or Bermeo harbor.

Local customs & good to know

• Gernika's Monday market — Every Monday the town hosts a large traditional market with local produce, cheese, and crafts, a centuries-old tradition.
• Basque language signage — Euskera is widely used alongside Spanish on signs and menus, reflecting strong regional identity.
• Respect surf localism at Mundaka — The wave break has a strong local surf culture, so newcomers should observe lineup etiquette carefully.
• Check tide times for estuary visits — Much of Urdaibai's beauty depends on tides, so plan beach or boat visits around local tide charts.