Discover Portugalete

Portugalete combines striking landmarks with an old town, museums and recurring festivals. The Bizkaia Bridge spans the mouth of the Ibaizabal estuary, connecting Portugalete with Getxo. Other buildings reflect a range of architectural and historical influences: from the Muelle de Hierro to the Basilica of Santa María and the Torre Salazar. If you want to focus your stay on culture, you’ll find a variety of distinct themes to explore here.

The Bridge, Muelle and Old Town

The Bizkaia Bridge is a defining feature of the crossing over the estuary. A visit includes ascending to a pedestrian walkway 45 metres above the ground, reached by panoramic lift. It also includes crossing the estuary in the transporter gondola. As operating conditions may change, check the latest visitor information before your visit.

Another striking structure is the Muelle de Hierro de Portugalete. It is 800 metres long in total: the first 600 metres consist of an iron framework, while the remaining 200 metres are made of stone. The change in materials divides the structure into two clearly measured sections. As an asset of special cultural interest (Bien de Interés Cultural in Spanish), the Muelle also has protected cultural status.

Three steeply rising main streets form the basic layout of the old town. Distinctive cobblestones and connecting cantones (passageways) complete the streetscape. This allows you to experience the town centre not only through its individual buildings, but also through the interplay of its streets, paving and connecting passageways. This urban layout creates a distinct contrast with the large structures by the water.

Architecture and Museums

The Basilica of Santa María features a Gothic-Renaissance style dating from the late 15th century. Its main altarpiece is considered an interesting example of Basque Renaissance art. The Convent of Santa Clara provides a different architectural accent: its bell tower is designed in the Renaissance and Plateresque styles. Those interested in architecture can compare two distinct features: the basilica’s style and altarpiece, and the design of Santa Clara’s bell tower.

The Torre Salazar houses a museum with exhibits and documents about the history of Portugalete and Salazar. It also has a space for temporary exhibitions and an annual exhibition programme; the exhibitions themselves may change. The Rialia Museum of Industry takes a different focus: its permanent exhibition is based on the historical and artistic collection of Altos Hornos de Vizcaya. The museums therefore explore different subjects: the history of Portugalete and Salazar on the one hand, and the collection of Altos Hornos de Vizcaya on the other.

Festivals and Local Offerings

The International Folklore Festival of Portugalete has been held for more than 40 years at the same time as the Santiago festival. Dancers from around the world come together for the event. The Virgen de la Guía festival has maritime origins and takes place on 1 July in the old town, specifically on Calle Coscojales. These two traditions are a reason to check the dates of each festival when planning your visit.

A weekly farmers’ market featuring local produce is held near the music pavilion; it is one of the oldest in Bizkaia. A visit to the market therefore complements the buildings and museums with a selection of regional products. As exact schedules may change, check them before your visit.

Getting to the Bridge

The metro station for travelling to the Bizkaia Bridge is called “Areeta/Portugalete”. Check the latest transport information before setting off. Along with the bridge’s visitor information, this will help you plan your journey and the visit to the bridge.

Discover more destinations: Ziortza-Bolibar, Valle De Trápaga, Traslaviña, Alonsotegi, Gaztelu-Elexabeitia, Arrieta, Ermua, Muskiz.

For the broader travel overview: Bizkaia.