Nature Escapes Near Bilbao: Mountains, Beaches, And Coastal Beauty

Mar 26, 2024

Last Updated on: Aug 12, 2025

Destinations

Famous for the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art and for being the center of the semiautonomous Basque country, Bilbao is a major cultural hub and one of the most underrated cities in Spain to explore.

Along with fascinating Basque culture, including its unique language, you’ll encounter excellent art galleries, Europe’s largest covered market, unique food, and a revitalized urban core that has received the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize. Also called the Nobel Prize for Urbanism, it was awarded for the urban transformation this former manufacturing city has been able to achieve.

All of these factors make Bilbao a fantastic city to explore. But that’s not all it has to offer. Even from the redeveloped heart of Bilbao, you can see the fertile green mountains that are characteristic of the Basque country. And with the wild beauty of the Atlantic Ocean just a short drive away, Bilbao makes a fantastic gateway to explore more of the countryside of northern Spain.

Far from the arid landscapes of the south of the country, Bilbao sits in a region of high mountains, dense forests, and regular rain sweeping in from the sea. And if you want to explore this natural environment further, you’re in luck.

Leave your heavy bags behind at a luggage storage facility in Bilbao and check out some of these great natural escapes for yourself. Along the way, you’ll gain a new appreciation for the natural beauty of the Basque country.

Elorritxueta / Vivero

Elorritxueta / Vivero

 

If your time in Bilbao is limited or you just don’t want to stray too far from the city, this hilltop park is a great place to get away from it all without having to go on a long journey. Located just outside central Bilbao itself, this wooded park offers incredible views over the city and the surrounding mountains, and the picnic tables and barbecue facilities make it the ideal place for a picnic.

You’ll also find plenty of walking trails both in and around this park that can lead you to other points of interest in the region. For example, there’s an old bunker and system of tunnels dating back to the Spanish Civil War just a short walk away from the park and a scenic spot that provides one of the very best views of Bilbao from above at Ganguren Mendiaren Gailurra. Easy to reach from the city itself with a drive of less than half an hour, this is a popular spot with locals that is not well-known to travelers but provides a great natural escape close to the city.

Atxabiribil Beach

Bilbao isn’t technically coastal itself, but it’s not at all far from the wild Atlantic, and in the summer, the beautiful beaches overlooking the Bay of Biscay become some of the most popular places in the area to hang out and enjoy nature.

This beach nicknamed the Wild One for its unspoiled scenery, is a beautiful example. Huge waves roll in from the ocean, and it’s rumored that this was the first place anyone ever surfed in the Basque country. That’s a tradition that’s kept alive today, with surfers traveling here from across Spain to enjoy some of the best waves anywhere in the country.

Reachable via Bilbao’s Metro system, this isn’t a place where you can expect to have the sand all to yourself, especially on a sunny day in summer. It’s also one of the most accessible beaches in the area, making it popular with families with kids. Still, if you want a beautiful beach that’s easy to reach and big enough that you can usually find some space even on the hottest day, this is a great option.

Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve

Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve

Just a little to the east of Bilbao, this sprawling nature reserve is the perfect place to get away from it all. Covering 22,000 hectares surrounding a coastal estuary, this park offers dense forests, towering cliffs, and secluded beaches that feel like the middle of nowhere.

The park is perhaps best known for its marshlands, which provide a crucially important habitat for shorebirds and other wildlife in this ocean area. That makes this a fantastic place for birdwatching. You’ll also find tons of hiking trails in the area leading you to spectacular views over the sea. If you want to get away from it all in the Basque country, there aren’t many better places to come than this.

Faro Del Caballo

For a stunning encounter with the rugged coast of the Bay of Biscay, head to this lighthouse outside Bilbao. An hour’s drive from the city, the astonishing views of the bright blue ocean and the frowning cliffs above it make it worth a special trip.

The lighthouse itself isn’t all that impressive, but with the surroundings, it doesn’t need to be. There is a long coastal trail that will take you up over the cliffs and reward you with exceptional views, and there are even places where you can jump into the water from the cliffs to cool off on a hot summer’s day.

Gorbeia Natural Park

Around an hour’s drive from the city, this natural park protects Gorbeia, the highest peak in the area and a mountain of deep significance to Basque people. Rising to 1482 meters above sea level, the mountain provides unrivaled views over the Basque country and beyond. It’s also a popular place for hiking and climbing, with a variety of trails offering everything from an easy stroll to a challenging multi-day adventure.

Don’t miss the beautiful Gujuli waterfall, and if you have the stamina for it, attempt the mountain peak. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful natural areas in the area, this is a place any outdoor lover will cherish.

Enjoy Basque Country

Enjoy Basque Country

Along with its artistic and cultural treasures, Bilbao is blessed with some truly exceptional scenery. Leave your bags behind and allow yourself to explore this rich natural environment on your next trip to northern Spain.

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Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

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BY  Ankita May 23, 2024

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READ MORE Turkey Transit Visa Information & Hong Kong Visa Processing Time

Your Visa Guide: Turkey Transit Visa Information & Hong Kong Visa Processing Time

BY  Ankita Mar 7, 2024

Traveling to different countries often involves obtaining the necessary visas, which can sometimes be a complex and time-consuming process. Whether you're planning a transit through turkey sticker visa to Hong Kong, understanding the requirements of visa and time of processing is essential for a smooth and hassle-free journey. In this guide, we'll provide you with all the information you need to have the know-how about extracting a Turkey transit visa and the time of processing for a Hong Kong visa. By the end of this guide, you'll be Hong kong visa processing time well-prepared to navigate the visa procedures for your upcoming travel plans. Turkey Transit Visa Information Overview Turkey, with its unique geographical location bridging Europe and Asia, serves as a popular transit hub for travelers around the world. Understanding the transit visa requirements is crucial for those planning a layover or stopover in Turkey. 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Proof of Onward Travel: If Travelling by land or sea, provide documentation of your onward journey from Turkey. Processing Time Turkey transit visa’s processing time can differ depending on the volume of applications and other factors. You are advised to apply well before the planned travel dates to allow for sufficient processing time. Tips For A Successful Application Plan Ahead: Research the visa requirements and application process well before your travel dates to avoid any last-minute issues. Double-Check Documents: Ensure all documents are accurate, complete, and up-to-date before submitting your visa application. Follow Instructions: Read and follow the instructions provided on the portal of visa application carefully to avoid any errors or delays. Hong Kong Visa Processing Time Overview Hong Kong is a vibrant and dynamic destination, arresting the attention of visitors from all over the world for tourism, business, and other purposes. 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READ MORE Studying In Manhattan

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BY  Abdul Aziz Mar 31, 2022

If you are among the few who are able to study in Manhattan, great! Then you should consider yourself lucky because not everyone is able to afford it! It is one of the biggest cities in which, if you are able to make it on your own, your life is set. That will only start with a good education. However, when you are in Manhattan, it all can’t be about the university and the studies! What if you want to look around? It is a marvelous city after all! Plus, if this is a place you are finally deciding to settle, there are certain things that you should be aware of. In this excerpt below, we will be discussing the top five places which you can visit in your free days. Aka, the weekends once you are done with all your assignments! But, before that, let us discuss a little about everything that you need to know before moving to Manhattan. Everything You Need To Know Before Moving To Manhattan So, you are moving to Manhattan for further studies. Great! Here is everything that you need to know in order to make a smooth transition from anywhere to Manhattan. - Finding an affordable living space is very important before you decide upon anything. Click hericoll to find affordable studio apartments for your first move. - New York City is very expensive, including food which is the second necessity in your stay. Thus, you should be prepared for this. - Know the subway by heart. Cab fares are skyrocketing, and you wouldn’t be able to drive your car on the busy streets of Manhattan. Therefore, subways are the best thing you can do. - It has one of the highest taxes in the United States Of America. Thus, if you are planning to find a job after your education, you must be aware of this. Places To Visit In Your Off Time During your off times, when you have nothing else to do! You are caught up with all your studies and have some spare time then visit these places. They are great for some alone time or with a group of university friends. 1. Central Park If you are in New York, why are you not visiting Central Park? Then what have you done! It is the best place for a stroll alone or with your favorite group of people. Plus, I swear every season has its own charm on Central park, but it is the best in Fall. Some of the attractions here are Central park zoo, the Lake, and Strawberry Fields. 2. Metropolitan Museum Of Art Not just one of the oldest and one of the pioneer museums in New York City, but it is also the place for the - ‘Met Gala!’ This is the best place to visit for anyone who is a fashion and art enthusiast. It has an interesting number of American & Egyptian art. 3. Broadway Watching a Broadway show should be on your bucket list! Now that you are in the city of Broadway take up each opportunity to go watch a Broadway show. It could be the latest show which is the talk of the town, or a long-running classic which you have heard about all the time. 4. Empire State Building Again another legendary site that you absolutely cannot miss. Whenever I think about the Empire State Building, all I can think about is the climax of ‘Sleepless In Seattle.’ This 120 storeyed, 381-meter tall building is one of the tallest points in the city, and nothing can match that surreal feeling of getting a bird's eye view of the entire city. Especially at night! 5. Times Square It's busy! It's chaotic! It is the best attraction in New York! Manhattan is Times Square! With the two-storeyed billboards and the neon lights, there is always something new to see in Times Square. New York! New York! New York! The city that never sleeps! A city where you always have something new to do! This city will keep you busy. So, you made an excellent decision to choose this for your further studies. Keep hustling, and New York will be your own! Read Also: Things To Do In Maryland – Free Places To Visit In Maryland Best Time To Visit New York – Know All About New York Weather