Discover Bermeo: Nature Watching and Fishing History

Bermeo combines fishing history, historic buildings and nature watching. When choosing a destination for your stay, it helps to distinguish between the main highlights: the Old Port and the churches tell the story of the town and its architecture, Cape Matxitxako is known for wildlife watching and lighthouse history, while circular routes and the GR38 appeal to those interested in specific routes. If you are looking for hotels in Bermeo, this can help you decide which themes you want to shape your stay.

Nature Watching and Outdoor Activities

Bermeo is located in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, which covers Bermeo and 22 other municipalities. Cape Matxitxako is used for watching seabirds and marine mammals. Conditions for this can vary depending on the season. Akatx Island, also known as Aketx, is also home to European storm petrels (Hydrobates pelagicus).

Bermeo has three mountain biking loops of varying difficulty. They pass through coastal areas and lead to Cape Matxitxako, as well as through the more mountainous landscapes of the Sollube massif. Check locally which routes are available and what the conditions are like. The Wine and Fish Route, known as the GR38, runs over seven stages and ends in Bermeo on the Cantabrian Sea.

The climb to the summit of Gaztelugatxe includes 241 steps. A free ticket is required for visits during peak season, as well as on weekends, public holidays and long weekends in the shoulder season. Check the current requirements before planning your visit.

Fishing History and Historic Buildings

Portuzarra, Bermeo’s Old Port, is the town’s traditional fishing harbour. The fishermen’s houses retain their medieval layout and structure. The Arrantzaleen Museoa focuses on the lives, work and techniques of fishermen. Guided tours must be arranged in advance.

Ways to learn about the world of fishing include finding out how a fish auction works, mending nets, learning about different fishing seasons and tasting tinned fish. Confirm specific programme details with the tourist office. A boat trip from Bermeo described by Turismo Euskadi lasts one hour; check the timetables in advance.

The history of the buildings can also be explored in different places. The Lords of Bizkaia swore the Fueros in the Church of Santa Eufemia. The Church of Santa María is one of the most significant works of neoclassical architecture in Bizkaia. The Monastery of San Francisco is considered the oldest monastery in Bizkaia and was founded on 30 January 1357.

Lighthouse at Cape Matxitxako

There are two lighthouses at Cape Matxitxako. The old lighthouse was inaugurated in 1852 and operated until 1909. The lighthouse can be reached from Bermeo via the BI 3101 road. Park near the gas facility; from there, a descending path leads to the lighthouse. Allow for a significantly steeper climb on the return journey. Check local conditions before your visit.

When planning, you can distinguish between activities by their nature: the boat trip is listed as lasting one hour, museum tours must be arranged in advance, and the steep climb back is part of the lighthouse route. For mountain biking routes and a visit to Gaztelugatxe, check the relevant conditions and requirements.

Discover more destinations: Arakaldo, Traslaviña, Areatza, Ermua, Gaztelu-Elexabeitia, Trucios-Turtzioz, Morga, Mungia.

For the main travel overview: Bizkaia.