Train Route 1. The banks of the Estuary BUS The bridge that connects us Bizkaia Bridge

Algorta Aiboa Santurtzi Bizkaia Bridge closes the opening inflicted Bizkaia by the river Nervión on the Greater area. The huge iron structure, a testimo- Bridge ny from the past and the present of the Las Arenas importance of this metal in the history of Bizkaia, connects the two banks togeth- er, joining two worlds, giving meaning to 1 everything before flowing into the sea. C1

This trip starts at Abando station in Bilbao, on the C1 line of the Renfe lo- cal rail network towards Santurtzi. It takes 22 minutes to reach the fish- Bilbao 10 ing village. The fishing port is just Abando 11 a few metres from the station ex- it. Here we can visit the fish market, You will disembark on Las Arenas Portugalete Santurtzi Itsasoa Museoa maritime Wharf (Getxo), an excellent area for museum or the auction room where wandering around the palatial ar- dramatised auctions regularly take Once in Portugalete, it is worth vis- chitecture from the end of the 19th place. But you have probably heard and early 20th century, a period of of Santurtzi because of its famous iting the medieval old quarter next to the Ría de Bilbao (the Basilica of great social and economic splen- roast sardines, or maybe from the dour. Architects of renown integrat- folk song “Desde Santurce a Bilbao” Santa María, Salazar Tower and the Plaza del Solar) and of course “Biz- ed impressive constructions into the (From Santurce to Bilbao): “sardinas spectacular coastal landscape includ- freskue…” (fresh sardines). kaia Bridge” or “The Hanging Bridge”. This is the first in ing Bidearte, Cisco House, Kai-Alde the world, an authentic wonder of in- Palace, Cristina Etxea or the Church dustrial engineering opened in 1893 of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, and declared a World Heritage Site and locations such as Churruca in 2006. Wharf. Continuing along the promenade you Old Harbour of Algorta, reached by a will reach the Marina, fully equipped walk along the edge of the beach. Let It joins two river banks, two worlds, for recreational sailing and vessels yourself be carried away and climb the former working zone of the left Santurtzi in transit. It has a leisure-commercial the steps, you will fall in love with bank and the bourgeois zone of the zone and a technical area for water the fishermen's huts which, irregu- right bank. Without disrupting naviga- sports. Next to this is the cruise ship lar and colourful, stretch along the The next town is Portugalete, tion along the estuary, the iron giant terminal and Ereaga beach. narrow lanes of this fishing quarter. reached in a short stroll. Just 10 is an essential part of Bizkaia history, minutes away is the Agurtza Fishing and will take you to Getxo. Cross the On looking up you will see the ele- You can get back to Bilbao by Met- Boat, one of the last traditional wood- estuary in the gondola or along the Getxo gant stately homes looking down on- ro, from the stations of Algorta or en fishing vessels, open for visits all upper walkway, from where you have to the see and offering shelter to the ­Neguri, depending on where you are. year round. spectacular views of the Abra.