Ondarroa

Ondarroa is a fishing port municipality in Vizcaya that stretches along the Artibai River and is linked by five bridges across different districts. The buildings vary greatly in height and nestle tightly against the steep slopes that line the riverbank.

The town was founded in 1327 and quickly grew into an important fishing and trading port. The local maritime fleet reached its peak size during the reign of Felipe II.

The people here speak Euskara alongside Spanish in their daily lives, keeping their Basque roots alive throughout the town. This language use shapes how the community connects with each other and with the wider region.

The best time to visit is in the morning when the fishing auctions happen and the town feels most active. There are many restaurants serving fresh fish and regular bus services connect to major Basque cities.

A distinctive feature is the varying house heights in the historic center, ranging from about 6 to 20 feet (2 to 6 meters). These differences came about because buildings had to adapt to the river's natural curves and the steep surrounding slopes.

Location: Lea-Artibai

Inception: 1327

Capital city: Ondarroa

Elevation above the sea: 6 m

Part of: Mancomunidade de Municipios de Lea Artibai, UEMA - Udalerri Euskaldunen Mankumunitatea

Shares border with: Berriatua

Address: 48700 Ondarroa, Biscay, Spain

Website: http://ondarroa.eus

GPS coordinates: 43.32194,-2.41944

Latest update: December 20, 2025 14:33