Authentic Experiences in Bizkaia

From intimate dining to ecotourism in Urdaibai, Bizkaia is promoting a sustainable tourism model based on memorable experiences that generate local wealth, protect the environment and reveal the authenticity of the region to visitors.

Ahantz

Among the most exclusive and mysterious experiences in Bizkaia, Ahantz is beginning to make a name for itself: a gastronomic and sensory project in Ugao-Miraballes that has spread almost exclusively by word of mouth. It is not easy to find information about the venue, nor does there seem to be any particular interest in making it accessible to the general public. On the contrary: those behind the project embrace precisely this almost secretive nature, reserved for those who see gastronomy as something deeper than a mere meal. Ahantz does not seek volume or exposure; it seeks time, a willingness to engage, and a certain sensitivity towards authenticity.

Led by Basque chef Jon Gil Zárate, Ahantz offers an intimate journey into Basque culinary heritage, seasonal produce and the emotional connection to the region. But the experience is not limited to the food itself.

Lastoetxe

There’s more. Nestled in the heart of rural Bizkaia, surrounded by nature and tranquillity, Lastoetxe has become one of those places that embody a different approach to tourism: more human, more unhurried and deeply connected to the local area. Situated in Meñaka, on the site of the former Andikoetxe farmhouse, this holiday cottage—built entirely from wood, adobe and straw, without a single brick—embraces sustainability not as a label, but as a way of living, welcoming and sharing.

At Lastoetxe, gastronomy, culture and local life come together naturally. The experiences stem from a sense of community: txakoli tastings, food pairings with local producers, acoustic concerts at sunset, show cooking sessions, talo-making workshops and gastronomic gatherings that showcase local produce and support local businesses. Everything happens without pretence, almost as if you were stepping into the home of friends who know the very soul of Bizkaia inside out.

Izkira

One can discover Urdaibai in ways that aren’t featured in traditional guidebooks. Experiences that encourage you to slow down, see things differently and realise that this landscape isn’t best appreciated simply from the perspective of the land. That’s where Izkira comes in: a small boat captained by Cristina Krug Zulueta, which has become one of the most authentic and unique ecotourism experiences on the coast of Bizkaia.

From Mundaka, Laida and Sukarrieta, the Izkira sails through one of the most valuable natural areas on the Cantabrian coast: the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. With the movement of the tides forming an essential part of the journey, the trips provide an opportunity to discover salt marshes, islets, cliffs and small harbours from a completely different perspective. But beyond the landscape, the project offers a different way of engaging with the environment: one that is more intimate, inclusive and mindful.

But perhaps one of the most original initiatives is its Queer Birding Tour, a birdwatching event aimed at the LGBTIQ+ community that promotes nature as a space for inclusion, diversity and connection. Set against a backdrop of migratory birds, salt marshes and ecosystems of immense ecological richness, Izkira presents birding not only as an educational activity, but also as a community experience and a celebration of the diversity found in nature itself.

Ekobideak

Understanding Bizkaia also means learning to read the landscape. Discovering that the cliffs, rocks and tides are not merely a natural backdrop, but millions of years of history etched into the land. That is precisely the philosophy behind Ekobideak, a pioneering geotourism company based in Bizkaia which, for years, has been bringing geology to the general public through interpretative trails through some of Bizkaia’s most spectacular natural areas, such as the Flysch and the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.

The project is led by geologists Imanol López and Bárbara Casas, who decided to transform a discipline traditionally perceived as complex and technical into an informative, accessible experience deeply connected to the local area. Moving away from the usual academic language, Ekobideak adopts a friendly and engaging approach to explaining how the landscape that now defines the Basque coast was formed.

The aim is not merely to teach about geology, but to spark curiosity and offer a new way of observing the environment. And it works.