“Desde a Santurce a Bilbao” (“From Santurce to Bilbao”) famous couplet acquires a new meaning these days being Santurce now the one welcoming people from all places. A town nurtured by the sea; a full live dedicated to the brine with plenty of traces everywhere. Sardiners, ships, boats and whales, nothing is left in this sea postcard.

Santurtzi or Santurce (in Spanish) has a strong relationship to the sea/with the sea; the fishing port is its soul. Saltpetre scent joins the smell of sardines roasted in the coals of the restaurant of the Fishermen´s Guild (Cofradía de Pescadores). Inside the Fishermen´s guild you will find ancient sardiner´s setting for selling sardines, the fish auction. This practice is still alive nowadays in several ports where the fish of the day is sold by auction.

Sardine sellers are one of the flagships of this town; these women brought their basket on their head, barefoot and the skirt rolled up they came to the auction. “Desde Santurce a Bilbao” traditional song is based on these women’s´ day-to-day basis. Moreover, the sculptor from Bilbao J. Lucarini created the monument to the sardine, a copper sculpture that we can see in this town since 1964.

Salpetre in the veins

Hundreds of coloured boats await for a new fishing day laying on the calm waters of the port. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the trainera (small boat) was the essential tool for inshore fishing but lately ships powered by steam or explosion engines displaced them. Agurtza is a vivid example of these ships, our heritage´s treasure. Bonito, sardines, txitxarros and anchovies have known its wooden entrails; now is the time for you to discover the world of our arrantzales (fishermen in basque) by entering into this ship.

Face to the sea you will also find the monument to the Virgin of El Carmen. This is the patron saint of Santurtzi since 1907 and its festivity is the great event of the year. A pleasant festive atmosphere fills the streets with hundreds of events organised for young and old alike. These popular festivities begin with the free tasting of various tonnes of grilled sardines in the Sardine day, green light for 10 days of celebration.

The Sea Procession is the big moment in Santurtzi. It starts at 6 p.m. every 16^th July when the arrantzales of the village take on their shoulders the image of the Virgin from the church of Saint George. With the figure on their back, they headed to the sea where placed on a vessel it is taken onto Abra Bay´s waters. There, all fishermen lost at the sea are honoured with a floral offering.

For nature and sea animal’s lovers there is the chance to enjoy one of the most unforgettable experiences ever: whale spotting. A unique experience in life that you can live in your visit to Santurtzi.

Routes

Santurtzi fishing port and Bizkaia Bridge (World Heritage by UNESCO since 2006) are linked by a 20-minute seafront promenade called Reina Victoria. This pleasant walk provides a great panoramic view of the Abra Bay. Once you held to Bizkaia Bridge, cross to the other margin to Las Arenas, a town with a special charm.

Learn about sardine sellers living or climbing Serantes to greet those undertaking St. James way, in Santurtzi you will find your perfect route

On the other hand, there is an open-air museum all through Santurtzi´s streets. Sculptures Museum is formed by 15 pieces spread over a nice walkabout. There are 14 official ports in the St. James Way by the sea, and Santurtzi is one of them.

You can sail along the pilgrim´s route docking at any port you want. At the Tourist Information office, you will get your pilgrim credentials and plenty of useful information for your trip. 

If you love hiking, you cannot leave Santurtzi without climbing to mount Serantes. The views from the top are special, with the sublime panoramic of the Abra Bay. You have many different routes starting over from Santurtzi centre.