Lejona Between Culture and Nature

Lejona lies at the mouth of the Nervión, close to Bilbao and the sea. Several themes come together as you plan your trip: collections on the history of medicine and science, buildings from several centuries, txakoli, and green spaces. The key differences lie mainly in the collection themes, the history of the buildings, and the size or function of the natural areas.

Culture, Architectural History, and Txakoli

The Basque Museum of the History of Medicine and Science preserves and displays more than 6,000 medical and scientific objects from the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection thus brings together two fields and includes objects from two centuries. If you are interested in medical or scientific objects, this collection offers a clearly defined thematic focus.

Mendibile Txokoa is dedicated to txakoli. As an interpretation center, it divides the history and development of the wine into five exhibition areas: viticulture, production, aromas and tasting, and the designation of origin. The focus therefore ranges from cultivation and production to tasting and origin. Mendibile Jauregia organizes tastings and other events to promote txakoli; the program may change. If a specific date is important for your trip, check the event schedule in advance.

The buildings also reflect different historical periods. Artatza Jauregia Palace was built in 1914 by the architect Manuel María Smith in the English Queen Anne style. Ondiz Tower, by contrast, was built at the beginning of the 16th century as a modest palace tower. It was restored between 2010 and 2013: its original structure was preserved, while a space for sociocultural activities was created.

Elexalde Mill was built in the 18th century and remained in operation until 1969. It is within walking distance of Kultur Leioa. This lets you combine its history with a walk from Kultur Leioa, without specifying a walking time.

Green Spaces and Nature Watching

The green spaces differ both in size and in their natural character. The Arboretum is a 19-hectare protected botanical park that includes the Lertutza Reservoir. Pinosolo is a 7-hectare nature reserve. Native and exotic plant species there provide a habitat for diverse flora and fauna. The difference in size is clear; at the same time, the Arboretum focuses on the botanical park and reservoir, while Pinosolo focuses on plant diversity as a habitat.

Artatza Park comprises 15 hectares of natural landscape in the heart of Lejona. The Lamiako floodplain has a different character: it is listed in the Basque Country’s Wetlands Inventory and provides a habitat for waders and migratory birds. Part of the floodplain has been transformed into a recreation area around a recovering ecosystem. Here, you can explore the landscape, birdlife, and the changes described as interconnected themes.

Parque del Horóscopo combines nature with its own interpretive approach: its tree horoscope garden includes 21 tree species and links Celtic symbolism with references to Basque culture. Arriena Park, by contrast, focuses on practical park facilities. It offers recreation areas and children’s playgrounds, a picnic area, a dog agility course, several walking paths, and a space for festive and cultural events.

Planning Your Trip

A straightforward route runs through the lower part of Lejona, partly along the estuary and around the Lamiako floodplain. This offers a different perspective from the individual buildings or botanical parks. If you choose places according to their main focus, you can distinguish between cultural history, landscaped green spaces, and landscapes with bird habitats.

Lejona has two metro stations. The metro journey from Bilbao takes 16 minutes. As timetable information may change, check the current schedule for your travel date. The places and themes mentioned offer different points of reference when choosing where to stay, without requiring you to combine all your interests into a single excursion.

Discover more destinations: Barakaldo, Ortuella, Bilbao, Gordejuela, Gaztelu-Elexabeitia, Ondarroa, Amorebieta-Etxano, Orduña

For the main travel overview: Bizkaia.