There are many places near Bilbao that can make an ideal day or half-day trip. At the mouth of the Nervión river, we find the impressive Bizkaia transporter bridge, and the villages around the bay, full of history and interest. Travelling slightly further away, we can choose between a coastal or an in-land route. The coast of Bizkaia has beautiful beaches and traditional fishing villages; their fishermen were capturing whales from rowing boats a thousand years ago. The in-land is an abrupt landscape, with well-preserved natural enclaves in deep valleys surrounded by steep mountains.
On the 16th of July 2006 the Unesco World Heritage Committee declared it a World Heritage Monument. The Bizkaia's Transporter Bridge was the first bridge-ferry in the world and the only one in service at present. The bridge has become the leading cultural asset of the Basque Country and it is the first monument in Spain included in Unesco's Industrial Heritage category. The Bizkaia Transporter Bridge is a colossal iron stucture accross the Nervión river that joins the towns of Getxo and Portugalete in just before the Abra bay. Deisgned by Alberto de Palacio in 1893, this first-in-its-kind bridge solved the problem of communicating the two sides of the river without affecting the merchant ships traffic. Today, a lift takes you to a viewing platform at the top, with magnificent views of the area.
Portugalete - founded in 1322 by María Díaz de Haro "La Buena” (the Good one), Lady of Bizkaia has been instrumental in the economic development of the area. Built as a fortress by the river, in XVI C. it initiated an economic and demographic growth that continues today. But it was during the XIX C. when the town experienced its major growth with the construction of the railway, the bridge, and many other buildings. During these years it became a popular Summer destination for its beach and spa, and the town acquired the character that still defines it today. The second half of the XX C. gave it its final demographic push, with the industrialization of the neighbouring mining towns. Its historical centre offers several interesting sites: The Santa Clara convent, the Plaza de la Ranchería, the medieval village, the Basilica of Santa María, the sculpture of Don Lope García de Salazar, the Salazar tower, the Wall gate, Calle Salcedo, Casa de Bustamante, the City Hall, the monument to Víctor Chavarri, etc.
The next town is Santurtzi, although the borders between the two are often unclear, and often they may seem one city to the visitor. Although documented as a settlement since the XI century, Santurtzi only became officially a town in 1983. Its uniqueness comes from the two contrasting and co-existing characters of the village, that of a heavy industry port, and of an authentic fishing village. Do try the grilled sardines at the fishing port, and enjoy the the XIX C. bourgeois villas in the promenade between the nautical college and the bridge.
The Abra bay was adapted for large merchant ships by engineer Evaristo Churruca at the beginning of the XX century. The walk dedicated to him initiates a pleasant promenade along the eastern side of the bay, starting at the bridge and finishing at the Puerto Viejo Here we find the high bourgeoisie mansions, the private yacht clubs, and the beaches of Las Arenas and Algorta (sunbathing only). At the initial part of the walk, there are several interesting mansions built towards the end of XIX C. and the beginning of the XX: Palacio Kai-Alde, Palacio Luis Allende, Casa Cisco (all three by Manuel María Smith), the Hotel Embarcadero and the Club Marítimo de Vela yachting club. As the walk makes a sharp left-turn, we find the Palacio Lezama-Legizamon (with one of the best private libraries in the country), the Harriluze searchlight, and the quay, followed by the Puerto Deportivo marina complex, and the hotels Tamarises and Igeretxe in front of the Ereaga beach, and the unusual Casa-Faro de los Náufragos (a farm-like construction built over arches). Past Ereaga beach we find Puerto Viejo, the old Algorta fishing village. This is a charming group of traditional fishermen's houses built on a steep hill, and is an ideal place to just hang around or enjoy one of its fish restaurants at the top, or the printxos in one of its old taverns.
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