Explore Getxo through the history and routes around Algorta. In Puerto Viejo, memories of a former fishing village, historic buildings and a traditional pintxos route come together. There are also coastal routes with viewpoints and rest areas, a beach with a clearly defined location, and opportunities for water sports. If you’re looking for a hotel in Getxo, you can first consider whether you’d like your stay to focus more on the harbour district and culture, on routes by the water, or on both.

Puerto Viejo: History and Everyday Food Culture

Puerto Viejo de Algorta was once a fishing village and was transformed into a leisure and recreation area for locals and visitors. At the same time, it forms part of a protected heritage ensemble designated as a cultural asset by the cultural administration of the Basque Government. Etxetxu adds to this historical context: the Cofradía de Mareantes built it in the 18th century as a meeting place. A pintxos route through the squares and bars is a typical culinary activity in the district. It combines exploring the area with a distinctive perspective on its food culture, without requiring a set itinerary.

The Fiestas del Puerto Viejo de Algorta also provide an annual cultural focal point for the district. The programme includes, among other things, a marmitako competition and various competitions between the cuadrillas. Individual activities may change from year to year. The former Ermita de San Nicolás is another historic site: it was first documented in 1634 as a place for religious services and gatherings of Algorta’s sailors.

Further traces of history can be found in Algorta itself. Fuerte de la Galea, also known as Castillo del Príncipe, was built in the mid-18th century to protect the entrance to the Abra. The Gorrondatxe–Azkorri promenade also passes the ruins of Fuerte de la Galea along a route that leads to a lighthouse. Molino de Aixerrota is one of the few surviving windmills in Bizkaia. At Punta Begoña, a mural created in 1972 by Ángel Cañada commemorates the so-called Titan crane and the work of the dockworkers.

Coastal Routes and Different Itineraries

The developed Gorrondatxe–Azkorri promenade has rest areas and viewpoints. Its stated destinations are the lighthouse and the ruins of Fuerte de la Galea. Another route description starts at Aixerrota: from there, the route descends to Arrigunaga beach, climbs to Usategi Park and continues to Puerto Viejo de Algorta. The routes therefore differ mainly in their described stops and endpoints. If you include both in your travel plans, you can use these place names as a guide without assuming an unspecified walking time or difficulty level.

Playa de Ereaga is also a notable landmark along this stretch of coast. It lies between Puerto Viejo de Algorta and the Arriluze breakwater and is 882 metres long. The sports facilities on Algorta’s waterfront are suitable for diving, sailing and canoeing. In the Bizkaia section, the European long-distance path E9 follows the same route as the GR 123, the Vuelta a Bizkaia. This applies to the section in Bizkaia and does not refer to a particular connection between the routes mentioned above.

Getting There and Planning Your Stay

The closest metro station to Puerto Viejo de Algorta is Algorta on line L1. It is about one kilometre away on foot. Check current schedules and any changes to metro services before travelling. The approximate distance is a guide for getting there, not an estimated walking time.

The Oficina de Turismo de Getxo has proposed a guided, theatrical tour of Puerto Viejo as an activity. Check for current dates before making plans. This lets you consider two different ways to explore the district: visiting its historic sites and routes independently, or taking a tour if one is available. For a stay that combines several interests, the coastal routes, water sports and history of the harbour district offer different focuses that you can bring together according to your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Elantxobe, Arakaldo, Urriola, Orozko, Laukiz, Muskiz, Sanfuentes, Elexalde.

For the main travel overview: Bizkaia.