Route map

Stages of the route

• Stage 1 Loizaga Tower

  The route begins with a visit to Loizaga Tower in a spectacular location surrounding by beautiful vineyards.

  The tower is an impressive medieval fortress that hides very special treasures: a magnificent collection of antique and classic cars. Most surprising is the most complete Rolls-Royce collection in all of Europe, with all models produced between 1910 and 1990.

  For car enthusiasts, there’s an exhibition on Sundays and public holidays

  

• Stage 2 Visit to a Txakoli winery (Multiple options to choose from)

  Nearby there is a bodega that produces a txakoli bearing the tower’s name, Bodegas Galdames. This is one of the bodegas you can visit today, and makes for perfect stop after visiting the Loizaga Tower. You can take a guided tour and enjoy a tasting of various wines with an aperitif. They often offer meals as well, so we recommend you visit their website to browse their options. More info: https://www.vinasulibarria.com/

  Another bodega option is Bodegas Virgen de Lorea in Zalla. This history-rich bodega dates back to the late 17th century, and is located in an indiano house among breathtaking surroundings, with the Basque Country’s largest txakoli vineyard. More info: https://www.bodegasvirgendelorea.com/

  You can also discover Txakoli Txurruta, which comes from the vineyards in Sopuerta. There, you’ll find an open-air lounge and two indoor rooms for those rainy days. Discover the winery’s history, sample its txakoli and vermouth paired with delicious pintxos (bites served on small skewers), and stroll through the vineyards—an oasis in nature, just a stone’s throw from Bilbao. https://www.txurrutvermut.com/catas.php

  

• Stage 3 Balmaseda - lunch

  After tasting txakoli flavours, head towards Balmaseda for a delicious lunch.

  Balmaseda also has a deep-rooted txakolinera tradition. In the 15th century, nearly 50% of its cultivated land was vineyards.

  We recommend you try the most noteworthy dish of the local gastronomy: the "Putxeras". This satisfying, traditional stew made from beans, bacon, blood sausage, and chorizo dates back to the 19th century, when Bilbao-La Robla railway engine drivers cooked it in a metal pot using the heat of the train’s coal furnace. There is a decades-old, popular Putxeras competition that is held on 23 October.

• Stage 4 Balmaseda - Historic Quarter

  After lunch, take a moment to explore Balmaseda. The first town founded in Bizkaia.

  Take a walk through its old town, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. Wandering its narrow streets, you’ll be captivated by the beauty of San Severino Square, the iconic Old Bridge, several charming palaces, the Convent of Santa Clara and even the ruins of its ancient castle. Stroll through the historic district of this charming medieval town, which was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. While exploring its streets, marvel at the town’s beautiful churches, palazzos, the Santa Clara Monastery and the emblematic Old Bridge.

  Balmaseda celebrates numerous traditions and festivities that reflect its rich historical and cultural legacy, including the lively medieval market, the striking Living Passion at Easter, and festivities in honour of San Severino.

  If you want to dive even deeper into Balmaseda’s medieval atmosphere, we recommend you try out a virtual reality experience. This fascinating experience will take you back in time to see what the city was like in the past. You can check this out by downloading the App, or add to the experience by a reserving a virtual reality headset from the Tourism Office. More info: https://www.visitenkarterri.com/ver-hacer/realidad-virtual/cerro-del-castillo.html

  

• Stage 5 La Encartada Fabrika-Museoa

  While in Balmaseda, don’t miss a visit to La Encartada Fabrika-Museoa at less than 2 km from the Historic District. This is an old textile factory from the 19th century that produced different wool products for a century, with its best-selling product being the traditional Basque beret.

  Today, the factory serves as an interesting Museum where you can travel back to the early days of Basque Country industrialisation during your visit.

  In addition to the traditional Basque berets, called boinas, the factory owners were also known to produce txakoli. A testament to this is the old press found in the area.

  https://bizkaikoa.bizkaia.eus/detalleContenido.asp?id=65&t=1&idioma=IN

• Stage 6 Indianos’ house in Gordexola

  To close out the route, we suggest discovering the civil architecture of the local emigrants known as Indianos.

  The mansions of these emigrants are found throughout the entire region, but on this occasion we suggest visiting the houses in Gordexola, quite close to Balmaseda.

  These impressive residencies are a living testament to the history and influence of the local Indianos, which were emigrants from Bizkaia that returned to their homeland after having made their fortunes in the Americas, leaving behind a unique architectural legacy in the region.

  Their colourful façades, ornamental details, and beautiful gardens will transport you to another era and let you appreciate the opulence and taste for luxury that was typical of these wealthy emigrants.

Alternatives

Head to Karrantza and Lanestosa if you would like to see more Indiano homes. In Karrantza, you can join the “el sueño indiano” guided tour.

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