Euskadi Biodiversity Centre
Bo. San Bartolomé, 35, Basque Country, Bizkaia, 48350
Located in Busturia, the Ekoetxea Urdaibai Biodiversity Centre celebrates and educates visitors about the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve: a tract of land that has been protected by UNESCO since 1984. Comprised of sand dunes and marshes, floodplains and forests, this scenic estuary region is among the most biodiverse in the Basque Country.
The basics
The Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve is one of the Basque Country’s essential destinations for nature lovers. Spanning 54,000 acres (21,850 hectares) from the Basque coast to its inland habitats along the Mundakako Itsasadarra river, the region teems with life and biodiversity. Home to rare bird species like spoonbills and fish eagles, the reserve also encompasses destination-worthy beaches, medieval towns, and cultural attractions. The Ekoetea Urdaibai Biodiversity Centre offers the perfect overview of all that the region has to offer, with a particular focus on ecology and environmental preservation, hosting a range of exhibitions, educational programming, and family activities.
Things to know before you go
If you’re looking for a bite, head to the Madaixagane Restaurant for a taste of Basque cooking.
For panoramic views of the surrounding scenery, ascend to the top of the center’s 15th-century Madariaga Tower.
Entrance to the Ekoetea Urdaibai Biodiversity Centre is free for all visitors.
How to get there
The Ekoetxea Urdaibai Biodiversity Centre is located in Busturia, at Bo. San Bartolomé, 35, 48350. It is roughly 23 miles (37 kilometers) from Bilbao, and can be reached by car via the BI-631 and BI-3123. If using public transit, take a direct train from Bilbao to the nearby Axpe-Busturia Station, or use the A3515 bus line.
When to get there
The Ekoetxea Urdaibai Biodiversity Centre is open every day except Monday. From September to June, it’s open from morning until early evening, and from July to August, it closes 1 hour later in the evening.
Key Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve highlights
The Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve doesn’t just offer incredible biodiversity—it’s home to some major cultural hubs, too. A few of its landmarks include the Urdaibai Bird Centre, a museum and observation point; Gernika (an important Basque town that suffered heavy bombing during the Spanish Civil War); Laida and Laga Beaches; and the Santimamiñe Caves, home to ancient cave paintings.
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