URDAIBAI BIOSPHERE RESERVE URDAIBAI Biosphere Reserve Total Area: 230 Km2 2 5 GPS Location: Bermeo 2 9 43º18´47,49´´ N2º 40´45,96´´ W (Gernika-Lumo) Mundaka Elantxobe Access from Bilbao: Sukarrieta 8 6 Ibarrangelu · Road directions: Busturia 10 7 Ea N-634 / A-8 to Amorebieta-Etxano / BI-635 to Gautegiz Arteaga Gernika-Lumo (Autzagane). Murueta BI-631 to Bermeo (Sollube), Mungia-Bermeo. Ereño Forua 4 · Public transport: Euskotren / Bizkaibus. Kortezubi Errigoiti 3 Nabarniz Gernika-Lumo Ajangiz Arratzu Morga Londres Mendata Muxika Bourdeaux Biarritz Bilbao Vitoria- Donostia-San Gasteiz Sebastián Madrid Reproduction of this publication in whole or in part without URREMENDI’s authorization is expressly prohibited. Lisboa Cover photo SRB Urdaibai EJ-GV © URREMENDI Index LOCATion 02 Urdaibai 04 THE villaGES of BusTurialdea-Urdaibai 06 THE 10 essenTials 10 6 RouTes TO disCover Urdaibai 12 ACTive and NATure Tourism 18 SurfinG AND WATER ACTIVITIES 20 GasTronomiC and ENO-Tourism 22 ENO-TOURISM ACTIVITIES 24 ENO-GasTronOMICS EXPERIENCES.fisH preserves Companies 26 UrdaibaI TourisT MAP 28 INTERPREATION CENTERS AND BirdinG 30 viewpoinTS. biospHere rouTes 32 CulTure and HeriTAGE 34 ExperienCias de HisToria, CulTura Y PaisaJE 36 sainT James waY. fesTivals and CulTural evenTS 38 WHere TO eaT 40 ACCommodaTionS 44 OTHer Leisure Companies 50 ProduCTS and Souvenirs of Urdaibai 52 Useful TelepHone numbers 54 Busturialdea - URDAIBAI Urdaibai Busturialdea-Urdaibai awakens to tourism. The restlessness and initiative of people to learn about our vital space and the venture of institutions and its inhabitants to value the resources of the territory, make us aware of our natural and cultural heritage. The beauty of the place is also an ingredient that is implicit in everyday life. The Tree of Gernika, the Oka river estuary with the wave of Mundaka ahead, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the Cantabrian Holm-Oak Groves, Gernika Jai Alai, the polychrome wood vault of San Andrés de Ibarrangelu, even the Urdaibai Bird Center observatories or Matxitxako; these are just some of the important resources that the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve and Busturialdea have to offer. Along with the small and picturesque towns that humanize the landscape, these values and resources are remnants of the elements that differentiate Urdaibai. The international dimension of the place generates interest by a certain type of tourist; one that travels for the desire to learn about other cultures, other customs, other flavours and other landscapes. This Guide provides key information that will help you plan your stay: resources, towns, museums, restaurants, accommodation, tourist and active leisure services that will undoubtedly contribute to making getting to know Urdaibai an unforgettable experience. 4 URDAIBAI, Biosphere Reserve 5 The Villages of Busturialdea - Urdaibai 1 AJANGIZ A natural watchtower overlooking the Oka valley; it is eminently rural. Among its cultural heritage stands out the Neoclassical style Church of the Ascension and Auzokoa Farmhouse (XIX century) and the Mentzeta Tower House in Kanpantxu. www.ajangiz.eus ARRATZU 2 A passageway for pilgrims, it houses a rich historical legacy. To highlight are the monumental Church of Santo Tomás and the Castro de Arrola, an indigenous hill fort from the Iron Age (IV BC- I AD), recreated at Arrolagune Interpretation Center. www.arratzu.com 3 BERMEO This seafaring village, capital of Biscay in the XIII century, grew closely linked to fishing. Its old town still preserves the flavor of its medieval past. Torre Ercilla (XVI century), which houses the Arrantzaleen Museoa, or Fisherman’s Museum, and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe are essential references. www.bermeo.eus BUSTURIA 4 Located between the salt marsh and the Cantabrian Holm-oak groves, in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, to its natural wealth we must add valuable assets such as the impressive Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (XIV century) in Axpe, the Royal path and Txirapozu Palace. Ekoetxea Urdaibai (Torre Madariaga) houses the Euskadi Biodiversity Centre. www.busturia.org 5 EA The estuary, which separates its picturesque town centre, joined by small bridges, leads to the port and an almost familiar beach. It is historically linked to water wealth, the Urtubiaga foundry and the rocky intertidal beach of Ogella. www.eakoudala.net 6 URDAIBAI, Biosphere Reserve 6 ELANTXOBE Perched high on the slopes of Ogoño, overlooking the port, this small fishing village has evolved into a marina, without losing a bit of its authenticity. Some highlights are the Church of San Nicolás de Bari (XIX century) and neoclassical buildings such as the Consistorio or Town Hall. www.elantxobe.eu EREÑO 7 Located at the foot of San Miguel de Ereñozar; a spectacular natural watchtower, where a medieval castle once stood. The houses in the town centre are all built with the local red stone, exploited as early as by Roman stonemasons. Attention is drawn to its monumental Church of San Miguel (XV century) which truly stands out. ww.ereno.org 8 ERRIGOITI Rural and agricultural, its rich religious heritage reveals a mystical past and legendary history. To highlight: the Parochial Church of Santa Maria de Idibalzaga and the baroque shrine of San Antonio. www.errigoiti.net FORUA 9 In its Roman settlement and beneath the ground of the monumental Church of San Martín de Tours, is preserved a great part of the historical legacy of the region. We should also emphasize the natural charm of this rural landscape and its paths within the salt marsh. www.forua.net 10 GAUTEGIZ ARTEAGA Its history of mills and foundries becomes glamorous when Napoleon III builds a castle for his wife Eugenia de Montijo, near the salt marsh. Urdaibai Bird Center is close by; it’s a living museum for the sighting, diffusion and investigation of migratory birds. www.gautegizarteaga.com 7 Busturialdea - URDAIBAI GERNIka-LUMO 11 The roots of the rights and freedoms of the Basque people surface in the emblematic Tree of Gernika, under which the Lord ships were sworn and where today the “Lehendakari”, the president of the Basque government, takes his oath of office. Other highlights are the Peace Museum, Euskal Herria Museoa, the Park of the Peoples of Europe, and the traditional farmers market on Mondays. www.gernika-lumo.net 12 IbaRRANGELU It possesses a wealth of treasures, among which stand out: a magnificent panoramic view of Urdaibai from San Pedro Atxarre, the exclusive XVI century polychrome wood vault of the church of San Andrés and the renowned beaches of Laida and Laga. www.ibarrangelu.eus KORTEZUBI 13 A landscape exposed to the salt marsh and an intimate atmosphere in the valley of Oma, known for its “Painted Forest”. On horseback between both is the cave of Santimamiñe, a prehistoric legacy, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. www.kortezubi.eus 14 MENDATA It is immersed in a mountainous landscape, on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The Tower of Montalbán (XVI century), the gothic- Renaissance Church of San Miguel Arcángel, and the hermitage of San Juan and San Lorenzo are some of the highlights. www.mendata.eus MORGA 15 On the Jacobean Route, seated on a mountainous massiff, it offers a pastoral interior landscape that houses historic areas such as Meakaur, with its Renaissance church of San Martín and the shrine. In Andra Mari, Palacio Zorroza (XVIII century) stands out. www.morga.eus 8 URDAIBAI, Biosphere Reserve 16 MUNdaka On the mouth of the estuary, from a vantage point, presided over by the Church of Santa Maria, we discover a charming port, the beauty of the hermitage of Santa Catalina and the comings-and-goings of the surfers that, just a few meters away, defy the waves. This coastal village preserves its seafaring spirit, its rural culture and pampers its traditions. www.mundaka.org 17 MURUETA The chimney of the old Tejera, a vestige of an industrial past, stands on the edge of the salt marsh, where we can also highlight the old wharf area, now modernized, and Maiukitza mill. It’s monumental Church of Santa Maria (XIX century) crowns the town center. www.murueta.es 18 MUXIka Traditionally agricultural, it is the most extensive town of the region (50km2). Its recondite villages, with well-preserved farmhouses, enjoy a rich heritage, such as the Tower House of Muxika, the hermitage of San Roman and the gothic hermitage of San Pedro and San Pablo. www.muxikakoudala.eus NabaRNIZ 19 At the foot of mount Iluntzar, it offers spectacular landscapes, trekking, mountain trails and excellent local gastronomy. Important farmhouses of great historical value grant it personality. Among its religious heritage to mention, there’s the Church of Santa Maria de Gorostiza or the hermitage of Santiago Apóstol in Lekerika. www.nabarniz.eus 20 SUkaRRIETA Its personality emerges from its tradition as a ‘summer’ spot. The island of Txatxarramendi is a botanical garden that captivates visitors with the spell of its dense vegetation and spectacular viewpoint, at sea level, which surprises at the end of the trail. www.sukarrieta-pedernales.com 9 The 10 Essentials 3 TREE OF GERNIka AND ASSEMBLY HOUSE The General Assemblies of Biscay since the Middle Ages and a symbol of the rights and fundamental freedoms of the Basque people. 2 MUNdaka AND ITS LEFT WAVE An international reference on the surfing circuit, it maintains its seafaring spirit and a vibrant town centre surrounding its small sea port. 5 BERMEO’S PORT AND OLD TOWN 7 URdaIbaI BIRD Important inshore fishing port of the CENTER Exceptional bird observatory located Cantabrian Coast; the fishing spirit in the salt marsh, the heart of the emanates from every corner of its old town. Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, in Gautegiz Arteaga. 10 1 SaN JUAN “Land-Art” in the recondite valley of DE GAZTELUGATXE Oma; on the foothills of the prehistoric Myths, legends and traditions adhere to this natural wonder site declared a UNESCO World Heritage (Protected Biotope).