La Tala de Bermeo

The Central Basque Coast


Once a lookout for spotting whales off the coast, this small leafy park has recently been decorated with massive murals depicting the whale hunt. Artists Luis Olaso and Óscar Martín painted the ten black-and-white murals in 2016 as a homage to the age-old Basque tradition, and their works join a host of other intriguing public art installations scattered around Bermeo.

A few steps from the murals, kids can clamber about on the playground, while adults can nurse a craft brew at Talako Kantina.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Central Basque Coast attractions

1. Arrantzaleen Museoa

0.2 MILES

Small but absorbing, the Arrantzaleen Museoa has model ships, shipbuilding tools and implements such as harpoons that provide an overview of the history…

2. Aita Guria

0.31 MILES

This replica of a whaling ship (not quite full size) gives a taste of what life was like for the 60 or so sailors aboard this triple-masted vessel of the…

3. Ermita de Santa Catalina

1.48 MILES

A short walk northeast of town takes you on a path out to this striking stone church, which dates from 1879 but looks much older. Although it's often…

4. Playa de Laida

2.43 MILES

Located just across the estuary, the lovely golden sands of Laida Beach make a fine setting for a fun day out. Where the water meets the shore, it's…

5. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

3.51 MILES

One of the most photographed features of the Basque coast, 10km to Bermeo's northwest, is the small, rocky isle of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Accessed from…

6. Ermita de San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

3.61 MILES

A few kilometres beyond Bermeo, this historic chapel is perched high atop the islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, which is connected to the mainland by a…

7. Urdaibai Bird Center

6.18 MILES

The Urdaibai estuary snakes north of Gernika to kiss the sea at Mundaka, covering around 220 sq km of constantly evolving water flows, mud banks, marshes…

8. Cuevas de Santimamiñe

6.85 MILES

The walls of this cave system, 6.5km northeast of Gernika, are decorated with around 50 different Neolithic paintings depicting bison, horses, rhinos and…