The sandy area of the Bay of Plentzia is the quintessential beach getaway for the people of Bilbao. The reasons are obvious. On the one hand, its calm waves, as the force of the Bay of Biscay is appeased by two rocky spurs that create the silhouette of a gigantic shell for the bay. And on the other, the marine atmosphere of the town of Plentzia together with the somewhat wild nature of Gorliz are a perfect and complementary pairing.
As if that were not enough, the proximity to the Biscayan capital also influences. Barely 25 kilometers separate the gray asphalt of Bilbao from the golden sand of the beach. A distance that the Bilbao metro saves economically and ecologically, thanks to the fact that its line 1 has Plentzia station as its last stop.
Public transport stops on the banks of the estuary. So no matter how many times you arrive at Plentzia, it always welcomes you with a different appearance, thanks to the contrasts caused by the tides. And that you still can't see the sea. The saltpeter is breathed in and the waves are intuited, but the truth is that there is still no visual trace of the sea. You only guess the way to reach it.
To achieve this, the first step is to cross the estuary through the white double-arch footbridge devised by Javier Manterola in the 90s. Its contemporary design, the maritime aroma, the popular architecture on the other side and the green surroundings no matter where you look. It is the welcome and the summary of what awaits.
On the sides of the bridge, upstream, you can see the Txipio marshes, as well as the Gazteluondo mill, which once ground corn with the force of the tides. And looking downstream you can appreciate the spirit of that natural energy, since the estuary is continuously and tirelessly transformed to the rhythm of the sea flow. As soon as it is a quagmire with stranded boats as a navigable channel towards the blue of the bay.
So to get to the sea, all you have to do is follow the path that runs along the curve of the estuary. It is true that the most impatient shorten in a straight line through the streets of Plentzia. But that may mean that you have to climb some tiring slope and even take more turns than desired by the intricate street. Which would not be bad either, since it will be the way to discover treasures such as the Gothic church of Santa María de la Magdalena, the Barri tower with one of the oldest epigraphic inscriptions in Basque or the Plasentia de Butrón Museum that occupies the first Town Hall of Plentzia.
However, the current Town Hall is located in the Plaza del Astillero, an obligatory stop on the traditional route to the beach. And although it is undeniable that the walk along the estuary is longer than through the center of the town, it is no less true that it is possible to take a breather in this square or contemplating the views from the parapet of the promenade. And better if it is done by having a skewer (or two) from the many bars scattered along the itinerary.
Almost accidentally you arrive at the port, known as La Gallarda, and after skirting its moorings for pleasure boats and some fishing boats, you appear in front of the beach. Now it is understood that the chosen route is worth it. Even more so if you arrive at low tide, when the beach is shown in all its dimensions.
At low tide it is a pleasure to walk all of it. Although with the high tide it is appreciated that there are several beaches in one. The first section belongs to Plentzia. But after passing the marine station of the University of the Basque Country it is already Gorliz sand. Although owning the arena is relative. Here they know it well. Tides and winds move it at will, as long as the works of man do not prevent it. This is claimed on Gorliz beach where the formation of natural dunes has been favored in recent years.
At the same time that the habitat is recovered, the accesses have also been renovated with people with reduced mobility in mind. The result is a family beach where children play on the shore coexist with those who go a little further away to swim peacefully. And not only that, Gorliz and Plentzia are the ideal date to take the first paddles in a kayak or start surfing the waves.
In other words, the influx is very high in summer. Even on days when the sun does not stop shining and bathing in the Cantabrian waters is not very appetizing. For those days, the walk following the Plentzia estuary and the Gorliz promenade may not end on the sand. It is possible to continue to the large white building located near the Astondo breakwater.
It is a huge block of reinforced concrete, the first built in Spain, dating from 1919. It was built as a marine sanatorium for children with tuberculosis and today it continues to serve as a hospital. But beyond its historical and health value, it is interesting to go there to start the path that leads to the Gorliz lighthouse.
It is a route of just over half an hour that reaches the highest lighthouse in the province and also brings you closer to the bunkers that Franco had placed to defend the country from a possible European attack. Today only one of the old cannons remains, but you can still enjoy a spectacular panorama.
What more can you ask for in a single day? Good tapas, touring an attractive fishing village, enjoying the beach, some hiking, a pinch of history and the impressive views of the Vizcaya coastline.
