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Route 4. The Grand Villas of Getxo

Two Banks... Two Worlds

The industrial revolution didn't just change the appearance of Bilbao and the working-class towns along the estuary and the mining area, it also brought great wealth with it. The bourgeoisie searched for a new place to live and flaunt their power. So, in the late 19th century, the right bank became one of the most important residential areas on the Iberian Peninsula: the Las Arenas and Neguri neighbourhoods in Getxo. There, numerous villas and palaces were built with large gardens. The bourgeoisie and the working class: two sides of the same world.

We recommend going by

  • andar

  • metro

If you're coming from Bilbao, take metro line 1 to the Areeta stop.

Start your visit at the foot of the Vizcaya Bridge and then take Evaristo Churruca promenade to Las Arenas beach, where the beautiful wharf begins, which connects with the Marqués de Arriluce promenade as you gaze at the Grand Villas until you reach the Punta Begoña.

Here you can stop at the Getxo Marina for some refreshments. Next, you’ll take the metro at Neguri station, or, if you’ve reached the Old Port of Algorta, go up to the town to get the metro at the Algorta stop.

Points of interest

  • Evaristo de Churruca: the engineer who ‘tamed’ the estuary

    Bilbao, Bizkaia and the Basque Country as a whole owe a great debt to the engineer Evaristo de Churruca. As the head of the Bilbao Port Works Board starting ...

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  • Getxo grand villa promenade

    Named a Cultural Asset and classified as a Monumental Ensemble in 2001, the Grand Villa Promenadeinvites visitors to discover some of the buildings that ...

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  • Punta Begoña Galleries

    The Punta Begoña Galleries belonged to the enterprising Horacio Echevarrieta, whose presence was such that from them, he could enjoy views of Neguri, the ...

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Good Idea

A Good Idea

Old Port of Algorta

As a purely marine structure, it offers a set of traditional homes full of bars, restaurants and great ambiance not to be missed. You can't say no to a pintxo or a txakoli at sunset.

Guide in pdf format

Download the Iron River guide.

DownloadGuide in pdf format