In the Basque Country, different traces lead to different questions: contemporary art can be explored through museums, routes tell stories of pilgrimages and historic trade, while the coast and landscape reveal geological or ecological features. When planning your trip, you can choose what to focus on: collections, route history or nature each offer a distinct perspective.
Art at Different Scales
The Guggenheim Bilbao presents a dynamic programme of temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. The Artium Museoa has a different focus: its collection spans Basque and Spanish contemporary art from the 1950s to the present day. Families can take part in activities there and use designated areas. As details of the family programme may change, check what is on offer before your visit.
Chillida-Leku can be viewed through two specific measures: the collection comprises 391 sculptures and more than 300 works on paper; the Museo Chillida-Leku displays almost 40 of the artist’s original sculptures across a 11-hectare site. This makes tangible the difference between the scope of the collection and the original works on display at the museum.
Coast, Geology and Protected Landscapes
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is designated as a protected biotope on the Basque coast. Between the coastal towns of Bakio and Bermeo, a stone bridge and a staircase with 241 steps connect the site to the coast. If you are planning a visit, take this staircase into account. The Vizcaya Bridge offers a technical contrast: it retains all the essential elements of its original construction that define it as a functioning transporter bridge.
Urdaibai was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1984. Ekoetxea Urdaibai has a viewpoint with a 360° view, from which the marsh can be seen; check access rules before you travel. On the Flysch Route, traces of events such as the great extinction of the dinosaurs can be seen in the rocks. Here, geological traces are the focus, while Urdaibai’s designation draws attention to another aspect of the landscape.
Routes Through History and Movement
The UNESCO World Heritage extension includes two named pilgrimage routes: the Coastal Route and the Inland Route through the Basque Country and La Rioja. The GR 38 has a different focus. It is 166 kilometres long in total and follows a historic trade route: fish was transported inland, and grain, salt, vinegar and wine were carried back. This sequence of goods gives the route a specific historical context. Gorbeia, in turn, offers opportunities for hiking, cycling and horse riding. While the GR 38 focuses on length and trade history, Gorbeia is associated with these three activities.
Experience Salt and Wine
Salt has been produced continuously for more than 7,000 years in the Valle Salado de Salinas de Añana. Wine experiences offer a choice of different activities: the Txakoli de Bakio experience includes visits to the vineyards, winery and distillery, as well as a tasting of two txakolis with an aperitif. The details may change; confirm them before booking. Bodega Berroja offers wine tourism activities, tastings and gastronomy. These offers may also change, so check them before booking.
Getting to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
For public transport, line A3527 runs from Bilbao bus station (Termibus) towards Bermeo, stopping at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Line A3518 runs via Mungia towards Bakio and may be supplemented by a seasonal bus service; in winter, a taxi-bus is also available on weekdays. As transport connections may change, check the details locally before departure.
Discover more destinations: Abaltzisketa, Llodio, Zarautz, Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, Alava, Larraul, Condado De Treviño.
For the overview of the wider region: Spain.
