On a clifftop 1.8km north of the centre, the working Santa Catalina lighthouse has an adjacent interpretation centre that gives a lively overview of coastal navigation and challenges for Basque fishermen on a one-hour immersive experience (English-language audio guide included). One room even features a simulator that puts you in a fishing boat during (mildly) rough weather, complete with breezes and misting rain, while another gives the perspective of a fisherman's wife labouring behind the scenes.
Faro de Santa Catalina
The Central Basque Coast
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
22.65 MILES
Shimmering titanium Museo Guggenheim Bilbao is one of modern architecture's most iconic buildings. It played a major role in helping to lift Bilbao out of…
23.27 MILES
On the waterfront, this interactive maritime museum brings the watery depths of Bilbao and Basque maritime history to life. Start with a 10-minute video…
22.91 MILES
The Museo de Bellas Artes houses a compelling collection that includes everything from Gothic sculptures to 20th-century pop art. There are three main…
16.21 MILES
Although Getaria is mainly about sun, sand and seafood, don't miss a visit to the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa. Local boy Cristóbal became a giant in the…
26.48 MILES
Fulfilling almost every idea of how a perfect city beach should be formed, Playa de la Concha (and its westerly extension, Playa de Ondarreta) is easily…
26.35 MILES
Fear for your life as huge sharks bear down behind glass panes, or gaze at otherworldly jellyfish. The highlights of a visit to the city's excellent…
27.17 MILES
Stretching 800m in front of Gros, from the Kursaal to Monte Ulía, 'Zurri', as it's known locally, has some excellent waves that draw surfers from near and…
14.58 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…
Nearby The Central Basque Coast attractions
1. Basílica de la Asunción de Santa María
1.01 MILES
Looming high over the old centre, this grand late-Gothic church, complete with flying buttresses topped with pinnacles, offers a vision of grandeur…
1.02 MILES
One of the great attractions of Lekeitio is the rocky island, known in Basque as Garraitz, sitting just offshore of the main beach (Playa Isuntza). When…
1.2 MILES
For a pleasant panoramic view over Lekeitio, take the short trail that leads up to the top of this 115m high peak. To get there head around the backside…
6.76 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…
6.84 MILES
The artist Agustín Ibarrola has created an unusual work of art by painting striking designs on a swath of trees inside the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. A…
7.69 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…
7.76 MILES
This small museum displays some of the astonishing geological finds in the area, including fossils dating back 120 million years. It gives an eye-opening…
8.97 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…