Best attractions and places to see around Ea include its unique coastal setting within the Basque Country of Spain. This municipality is characterized by its narrow estuary where the Ea river meets the Bay of Biscay, dividing the town into two parts. Ea is known for its white houses, colored windows, and numerous bridges, contributing to its distinctive ambiance. The area is situated within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, offering a blend of maritime tradition, historic architecture, and natural surroundings.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
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Picturesque old town with a relaxed surfer vibe
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The Oma Forest - Omako basoa in Basque - is also known as the painted forest, the enchanted forest or even the Ibarrola Forest. Its most common name - Oma Forest - refers to the district in which it is located, which belongs to the municipality of Kortezubi. This original work of art was created between 1982 and 1985, when the Basque painter and sculptor Agustín Ibarrola used the trunks of trees as a kind of canvas for a total of 47 images. On them he painted animals, geometric figures and people, or just parts of them, such as eyes and lips. In addition, many of the compositions do not consist of a single tree, but must be viewed in the context of several tree trunks. To do this, you must pay attention to the signs on the ground that tell the viewer where to stand in order to enjoy the whole image.
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When the Condor attacked, the residents of Guernica tried to protect the tree with their bodies because it is sacred to the Basques. Even today, elected politicians have to swear their loyalty to the Basque Country at an oak tree that stands a few meters away.
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The legend that attributes the name of Mundaca to the Latin expression munda aqua (clean water). This legend appears in the Chronicle of Vizcaya written by Lope García de Salazar in the 15th century. According to this story, a ship from Scotland arrived on the coast of Mundaca carrying a princess who had been banished from her land. The Scots called the place Munda aqua in their Latin language (sic) since they found a very clean source of water that contrasted with the murky waters of the Urdaibai estuary.
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In 1982, artist Agustín Ibarrola began painting the pine trees in the forest near his homestead with the intention of using the landscape as a canvas to give continuity to his artistic expression. It is at this moment when he decides to break the law of perspective and transgress the three-dimensionality of a white line until it becomes two-dimensional. From then on, he explored the possibilities offered by the arrangement of the forest trees, playing with the different planes of depth and creating artistic sets composed of human figures, curves or straight lines, and circles of intense colors. The ideas and concepts that it develops become more complex and advances in various directions as the painted forest expands. With the help of two students from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the UPV/EHU, he carried out a large part of the work that was open to the public until 2018, at which time the biological cycle of the forest came to an end. Given the importance that the work had acquired, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia began the process of making the Forest last, for which it had from the first moment the support of the artist who had made clear his desire for the forest to survive. In this way and in order to preserve El Bosque de Oma, the Ibarrola work has been moved to a new location, also recovering original artistic ensembles lost due to felling, attacks and natural tree falls. Today we can enjoy El Bosque de Oma more complete and more faithful to the artist's original idea.
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The Forest of Oma is one of the best-known works of the Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola and is an expression of the artistic movement known as Art and Nature, which emerged in the late sixties of the 20th century and whose purpose is to convey artistic work to the natural environment, using the landscape as a framework, support and raw material for the artist. The work, located in the town of Kortezubi (Bizkaia), is made up of several sets of geometric motifs and figures painted on the trunk of radiata pine trees. The use of natural living supports, the play of two-three-dimensionality and the experience of placing the visitor at the center of the work of art through his discovery, as well as the diversity of responses it proposes, make this work a reference of the Art and Nature movement and of Basque Art in particular.
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Wall reproduction of Picasso's painting "Guernica" exhibited at the Reina Sofía Museum in Paris.
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Gernikako Arbola is an oak tree in the Basque city of Gernika.
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Ea is often called the 'Venice of the Basque Country' due to its picturesque setting along a narrow estuary where the Ea river meets the Bay of Biscay. The town is characterized by its white houses, colored windows, and numerous bridges, creating a distinctive ambiance. It blends maritime tradition, historic architecture, and natural surroundings, all within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
Beyond the scenic Ea River and Estuary, you can visit Views over the Urdaibai marsh, which offers incredible landscapes that change with the tides. Ea Beach is a small, beautiful spot at the river's mouth, expanding significantly at low tide. For panoramic views of the sea and fishing boats, head to the Atalaya Lookout. The area also features other beaches like Lapatza and the Paleontological Deposit of Asurtoki near the river's mouth.
Yes, Ea boasts several historical landmarks. The Artzubi Bridge is a well-preserved Romanesque bridge from the 16th century. Within the town, you'll find the historic Medieval Bridge, a symbol of Ea, and the unique wooden structure of Belletxe, traditionally used to protect fishing gear. The Urtubiaga Foundry and Mill, dating back to the 15th century, also offers a glimpse into the area's industrial past.
Ea and its surroundings are rich in cultural sites. You can visit the Parish Church of Our Lady of Consolation in Natxitua, the Parish Renaissance-style Church of Santa María de Jesús with its admired lateral chapel, and the Church of San Juan Bautista. The Hermitage Talako Ama or Atalaya, located on a watchtower, also holds historical significance. Further afield, the Guernica Mural in Gernika is a powerful reproduction commemorating the bombing of the city during the Spanish Civil War.
Absolutely! The Oma Forest, also known as the painted forest, is a unique and enchanting experience for families, featuring trees painted with geometric motifs and figures. The Views over the Urdaibai marsh also offer an accessible and engaging natural landscape for all ages to enjoy.
The region around Ea is excellent for outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for road cycling, mountain biking, and running. For instance, there are challenging road cycling routes like the 'Lekeitio Old Town and Basilica – Roman Bridge of Ea loop' and various running trails, including the 'Litanies Trail'. For more options, explore the Road Cycling Routes around Ea, MTB Trails around Ea, and Running Trails around Ea guides.
Yes, many of Ea's attractions are integrated into scenic walking and hiking routes. The Artzubi Bridge, for example, is part of the Camino de Santiago route. You can also find trails leading to the Urtubiaga Foundry and Mill, offering a blend of history and nature. The Oma Forest is designed for walking exploration, allowing visitors to discover its painted trees. For specific running trails, check the Running Trails around Ea guide.
Visitors particularly appreciate the blend of natural beauty and historical significance. The Santa Catalina Hermitage and Mundaka Harbor is loved for its picturesque coastal town setting and stunning sea views. The Oma Forest is celebrated for its unique artistic expression within a natural environment. The Artzubi Bridge is admired for its historical preservation and integration into the natural surroundings, making it a beautiful hiking highlight.
Absolutely. The Atalaya Lookout (Ermita de la Concepción), situated past the port at the estuary's mouth, provides wonderful panoramic views of the area, the sea, and fishing boats. Additionally, the Views over the Urdaibai marsh offer incredible landscapes of the estuary, where the configuration changes dynamically with the tides.
Yes, Ea is situated within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-declared area of 22,000 hectares. This reserve is rich in diverse flora and fauna, encompassing beaches, cliffs, rivers, and underground waters, making it a significant ecological and natural heritage site.
Ea is known for its traditional Basque architecture. Throughout the town, especially around the port and in the neighborhoods of Natxitua and Bedarona, you can observe noteworthy examples of traditional Basque houses and farmhouses. These buildings, often with white facades and colored windows, contribute significantly to the town's charming and distinctive character.
Ea itself has a small but beautiful beach at the river's mouth, which expands considerably at low tide. In addition to Ea Beach, the town offers other coastal spots like the rocky Lapatza from Ea beach and the Lapatza beach located in Natxitua. The nearby Santa Catalina Hermitage and Mundaka Harbor also provides access to a picturesque coastal town and views of the sea and cliffs.


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