Urdaibai UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Estuaries, wetlands, and coastal landscapes in the Basque Country

The Urdaibai UNESCO Biosphere Reserve sits on the coast of the Basque Country, where estuaries, wetlands, forests, beaches, and coastal habitats create one of northern Spain's most important natural environments. Centred on the Oka Estuary, the reserve protects a diverse landscape shaped by rivers, tides, wildlife, and traditional land use.

Located within the wider landscapes of the Basque Country and connected to routes across the coast and surrounding countryside, the reserve forms part of a network of routes, landscapes, and places that define this section of northern Spain. Urdaibai links wetlands, coastal scenery, and protected habitats across one of the region's most significant designated landscapes.