The Bay of El Abra is made up of the municipalities of Santurtzi, Portugalete and Getxo.

Start your day in Santurtzi. Head to the Santurtzi fishing port to discover its seafaring essence and taste its famous sardines. The colourful boats and the fresh scent of the sea will transport you to a world where the fishing tradition comes alive with true passion. Inside the fishermen’s guild, the Sea Museum showcases the maritime history of this beautiful town.

Continue on foot along the seafront and discover life on board an authentic fishing boat at the Agurtza Boat Museum which stands close to Portugalete’s Iron Pier.

We continue towards Portugalete along the Churruca Pier, which will leave you at the foot of the Bizkaia Bridge. It is home to the tide gauge installed in 1883 to measure the depth of the channel along its promenade.

Once in Portugalete, lose yourself in the Historic Quarter, full of history, colour and a great atmosphere where you’ll find the Basilica of Santa María. It combines medieval charm with the industrial heritage on show at Rialia, the Museum of Industry.

Also, we mustn’t forget that Portugalete is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Bizkaia Bridge and the Northern Way of Saint James which, as it passes through its streets, adds to the medieval and pilgrim atmosphere.

Once we’ve visited Portugalete, we’ll cross the Bizkaia Bridge in its gondola, or if you prefer, on foot along its panoramic walkway that stands 50 metres high. The Bizkaia Bridge is a work of iron-forged engineering that was the first transporter bridge in the world, and was declared a Historical Artistic Monument.

In addition to being awarded with other distinctions and recognitions, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006. This iron giant symbolises industrial innovation.

Getxo awaits on the other side.

Getxo, with its bourgeois and stately character, is located on the right bank of the estuary. Relive Getxo’s golden years along the Promenade of the Grand Villas, classified in 2001 as a Cultural Asset in the Monumental Complex category. The promenade ends at the Punta Begoña galleries, the former mansion of businessman Horacio Echevarrieta, now open to visitors.

At that very point Ereaga Beach begins, stretching practically to the Old Port of Algorta, with its seafaring charm and lively bars where you can enjoy pintxos (Basque tapas) with a nice glass of txakoli.