Etxezarre, en Ajangiz (Urdaibai)

Wrapped in the marshland of the Urdaibai biosphere reserve, Etxezarre occupies a restored farmhouse in Ajangiz's Barrio Kanpantxu, roughly 30 minutes east of Bilbao by road. A quiet base for travellers touring the Basque coast without staying in the city, it works equally for birdwatchers drawn to the estuary and drivers passing through to Gernika or Mundaka.

The three-star property keeps its stone walls and timber beams, with free parking a genuine advantage in a village with no public transport hub. All rooms are non-smoking, and free WiFi covers the building.

Gernika's Monday market and the Guggenheim in Bilbao both sit within a short drive.