05 · The estuary
“Where the estuary embraces the land, our identity blooms”
Greater Bilbao is the ring of towns around the city that shared in its industrial boom. On the left bank, Barakaldo, Sestao and Portugalete grew with heavy industry.
In contrast, the right bank was home to wealthy families. Visiting both is the key to understanding Bilbao.
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We start at the Kobetamendi viewpoint, overlooking all of Bilbao and much of our route. Then we visit La Arboleda, heart of the mining activity that shaped Bizkaia, where the old pits are now lakes.
From there we drive down to the mouth of the Nervión estuary, where the river meets the sea.
In Sestao we see what remains of the Altos Hornos de Bizkaia blast furnaces, a symbol of the province’s industrial past, and a viewpoint with a superb view of the Bizkaia Bridge.
We continue to Santurtzi to stroll around its harbour, famous for its seafaring tradition, and learn about the history of fishing here.
After lunch we return to Portugalete to admire the Hanging Bridge. Opened in 1893 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006, it links Portugalete and Getxo with its suspended gondola.
It is the oldest transporter bridge still in service in the world — and if you dare, you can walk across its top walkway, 61 metres above the water.
We cross on the transporter bridge to Las Arenas and climb the steep lanes of Algorta’s Old Port. We finish at Punta Galea, walking along the cliffs by the Aixerrota windmill (1727).
As an old song says, Bilbao, nestled in its “botxo” (hollow), draws its character from all the towns of Bizkaia around it.
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Coast Route
“Where the green meets the blue”
