A different kind of beginning
January feels different in Urdaibai. When the intense rhythm of December fades away, the landscape regains its natural pulse and things that are scarce during the rest of the year begin to appear: silence, space, and time.
It is the perfect moment to discover the Biosphere Reserve from a different perspective—more calmly, with fewer rushes—staying at the Casas de Ea Astei, created to enjoy winter with complete comfort.
This is not a place to fill your agenda.
It is a place to breathe, to walk slowly, and to start the year in a different way.
Urdaibai in winter: the beauty of what truly matters
In winter, Urdaibai shows itself just as it is. The paths grow quieter, the marshlands fall silent, and villages return to their everyday life, free from crowds and hurry.
The light is softer, the colours more restrained. Everything invites you to look calmly and enjoy the surroundings without demands.
It is a season that needs no embellishment. Simply being there is enough.
Gentle walks for January days
January does not ask for great physical challenges. It calls for gentle movement, fresh air, and open landscapes.
A walk among farmhouses in the surroundings of Ea.
A coastal path by the sea, with the Cantabrian coastline stretching out before you.
A stroll through the marshlands, even on cloudy days, when the landscape becomes intimate and quiet.
These are short outings, perfect for waking up without an alarm clock and returning home early, when the body starts to ask for warmth and rest.
A good time for culture too
With fewer visitors around, January allows you to rediscover Urdaibai from a closer perspective.
Gernika and its historical heritage can be explored without queues.
Ports like Bermeo or Mundaka feel more authentic, more connected to local life.
Museums, small chapels, and hidden corners are visited almost in silence.
Winter invites you to get to know the area without filters, just as it is.
Winter cooking: comforting flavours
The first months of the year are also enjoyed at the table. It is a time for slow cooking, local produce, and dishes that warm you up after a day outdoors.
Legumes, stews, and winter vegetables.
Fish and seafood from the Cantabrian Sea.
Cheeses, preserves, and artisan bread from the area.
Staying at Astei means shopping at nearby markets and cooking at your own pace, turning gastronomy into part of the journey rather than an obligation.
Coming home and feeling at ease
After a day out, the houses are especially enjoyable in winter.
Underfloor heating keeps the temperature pleasant at any time of day.
The fireplace accompanies long, peaceful afternoons.
Spacious interiors, thoughtful design, and views of the natural surroundings invite you to stay.
And the silence—real silence that cannot be improvised—wraps everything around you.
Here, January is not a struggle. It is a refuge.
Starting the year at Astei
January is a good month to return to the essentials.
Urdaibai is a good place to do so.
And Astei, the best home to start the year well.
Discover the Casas de Ea Astei and plan your winter getaway!
