Route 1. Bilbao, Port Before City

Information about accessibility Guggenheim Bilbao Museum

A port and industrial past and a transformative present

After the great industrial crisis of the 1980s and 1990s, Bilbao shed its industrial and port skin to become a modern service-oriented city. Despite the urban and economic transformation that Bilbao underwent, with the Guggenheim Museum exemplifying this, the areas around the estuary maintained their port and industrial essence, with the presence of heritage components passed on from that period.

We recommend going by

  • andar
  • bicicleta
  • tranvia

We highly recommend walking along the estuary from the San Antónbridge, the start of the estuary flow, to the Olabeaga neighbourhood.
The estuary was Bilbao’s High Street, the major thoroughfare toward which its most important buildings’ doors open: Arriaga Theatre, the City Hall, the University of Deusto and more. You can cross from one side to the other using one of the various bridges.
If you prefer, you can do the same route by bike or tram. You can visit all the old port's loading docks, which are now friendly public spaces.

Points of interest

  • The estuary, the backbone of Bizkaia

    The estuary, the backbone of Bizkaia

    The estuary was Bilbao’s High Street, the major thoroughfare toward which its most important buildings’ doors open: Arriaga Theatre, the City Hall, the ...

  • Miribilla district mines

    Miribilla district mines

    The modern neighbourhood of Miribilla is located on top of what was once an underground and open-pit mining operation.

  • La Ribera market

    La Ribera market

    La Ribera Market, Bilbao’s shopping area since the 15th century.

  • La Ceres flour factory

    La Ceres flour factory

    The first building with a concrete structure in Spain.

  • Train stations in Bilbao

    Train stations in Bilbao

    In the early 20th century, travellers could choose from seven stations in Bilbao to start or end their rail journey.

  • Bilbao docks

    Bilbao docks

    The current loading docks of Urazurrutia, Marzana, La Merced, Ripa, Arenal, Uribitarte, Olabeaga now converted into friendly public spaces, commemorate the ...

  • Bilbao paving stones

    Bilbao paving stones

    An icon of Bilbao and Bizkaia, made with iron shavings from Altos Hornos de Vizcaya.

  • Compañía de Maderas lumber company

    Compañía de Maderas lumber company

    In our stroll along the estuary toward Abandoibarra, we’ll reach what is now an icon of Bilbao-Bizkaia and all of the Basque Country, the Guggenheim Bilbao ...

  • Bridges of Bilbao

    Bridges of Bilbao

    It’s impossible to imagine the Nervión-Ibaizabal estuary without its bridges. Today, 14 bridges cross the estuary and another three are slated to open in ...

  • The Deusto tiger

    The Deusto tiger

    An industrial building converted for residential use with an imposing 9 metre tiger sculpture on its tower.

  • Euskalduna shipyard - itsas sea museum

    Euskalduna shipyard - itsas sea museum

    The seagoing and port past of the Nervión-Ibaizabal estuary at the Itsas Sea Museum, nestled in aport setting that recalls the importance shipbuilding had ...

  • Zorrotzaurre: the channel and the Deusto riverside

    Zorrotzaurre: the channel and the Deusto riverside

    In 2018, the area known as Zorrotzaurre was converted into an island with its focus on urban regeneration for new uses, attempting to maintain its ...

  • Punta Zorrotza

    Punta Zorrotza

    Along with the Burtzeña area of Barakaldo, Punta Zorrotza is home to one of the largest concentrations of protected industrial monuments in Spain.

Good Idea

A Good Idea

Stroll, food and drink on the Olabeaga dock

On today’s updated Olabeaga dock, there are some renovated bars and establishments where you can enjoy fish and seafood or have a drink in an unbeatable ambiance.

Guide in pdf format

Download the Iron River guide.