BARCO MUSEO AGURTZA

The Agurtza Museum Boat

Fishing Technique Interpretation Center

Located in Santurtzi, just 20 minutes by train or metro from Bilbao, the Agurtza Museum Boat is one of the last remaining wooden vessels dedicated to traditional fishing along our coasts, and an important part of our heritage.

For many years, Santurtzi was one of the most important inshore fishing ports in Biscay. Until the early 20th century, fishing was carried out using traineras, traditional rowing boats, which were gradually replaced—first by steam- or combustion-engine boats with greater capacity and requiring less manual labor, and later by motorboats, initially made of wood and later replaced by iron vessels.

At the height of its fishing activity, Santurtzi had around fifty of these wooden vessels, crewed by nearly 200 men. To preserve and share this history with future generations, the Agurtza has been conserved and transformed into a museum ship.

Now a Museum Ship and Fishing Interpretation Center, guided tours reveal the art of catching bonito del norte (albacore tuna) and preserving this prized fish. Visitors also learn about life on board for the hardworking arrantzales (Basque fishermen), the tasks of the txos or cabin boys (children who worked on the boats), the demanding job of the engineers, the vital role of women in the selling, unloading and net-repair processes, and can even step into the wheelhouse where the captain steered the vessel.

The Agurtza is part of the Basque Coast Museum Network and the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) — www.erih.net

We recommend combining this visit with the Santurtzi Itsas Museoa, located just a 10-minute walk away in the fishing port. A combined ticket for both museums is just €2.50.

Regular visits

No reservation required, but we recommend booking in advance. Book here.

Opening hours

September – June
Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays: 11:00, 12:30

Easter Week / July – August
Every day: 11:00, 12:30

Group visits by appointment

Choose your preferred date and time.