Sestao’s industrial history can be explored through two very different themes: the 80-metre-high Horno Alto Nº1 and the workers’ route “El Laberinto del Hierro” (The Iron Labyrinth). The town also has buildings with their own architectural character. This gives you a choice when planning your trip: visit a preserved industrial monument, follow a themed route, or explore the town’s architecture.
A preserved testament to industrial history
Horno Alto Nº1 was inaugurated in November 1959 and is now the only surviving blast furnace of Altos Hornos de Vizcaya. Its height of 80 metres brings the scale of the industry to life. The workers’ route focuses on another side of the story: housing problems and new developments, labour disputes, factories and urban social spaces. Together, these themes showcase both the industrial site and questions of housing and work, without equating the two perspectives.
Workers’ history as a route and guided tour
The five-kilometre route is called “El Laberinto del Hierro: 5 kilómetros de historia obrera” (The Iron Labyrinth: 5 kilometres of workers’ history). Its broad range of themes makes it a distinctive way to explore the emergence of industrial Sestao: in addition to factories, its story includes housing issues, labour disputes and social spaces. The route therefore has a different focus from the blast furnace itself. As route details may change, check the destination’s latest information before setting out.
The Sestao Tourist Office offers free guided tours on one Saturday each month, covering the town’s history and main sights. If you would like to include a tour in your stay, check the specific date before travelling. The tour differs from the workers’ route: it covers the town’s history and main sights, while the route focuses specifically on workers’ history.
Architectural forms at different scales
On the outside of the Parroquia de Santa María is a Neoclassical portico. Its rounded arches rest on columns, making the arch forms, supports and Neoclassical design the defining features of this architectural example. Casa La Galana offers a different scale: the building was constructed in 1892 to a design by Francisco Berriozabal. Its rectangular floor plan measures 38 metres long and 9.5 metres deep. These dimensions describe an elongated building and offer a clear contrast with the height of the blast furnace. Architecture enthusiasts will therefore find specific forms and measurements here, rather than just a stylistic label.
Routes along the Río Galindo and arrival at the estuary
The Camino de la Costa leads from the Barakaldo area along the right bank of the Río Galindo to Sestao. It crosses an old iron bridge over the Río Galindo and continues through Sestao to the town hall. For wayfinding, it is worth following the latest signs and checking the current route, as these may change.
There is a new pier at the Dársena de La Benedicta. The latest improvements there were completed in June 2026. The pier is intended to restore Sestao’s historic landing place on the estuary and encourage visitors to arrive by water. If you are considering travelling by water, check the available connections in advance.
Route or guided overview?
When planning your day, the main difference between the workers’ route and the guided tour is their focus: the route is five kilometres long and centres on workers’ history, while the free guided tour takes place on one Saturday each month and covers Sestao’s history and main sights. You can decide whether to make the route your main activity or plan around a specific tour date. If you are looking for a hotel in Sestao, you can factor this preference into your stay planning.
Discover more destinations: Balmaseda, Barakaldo, Derio, Markina-Xemein, Zierbena, Ibarrangelu, Ziortza-Bolibar, Amorebieta-Etxano
For the broader travel overview: Bizkaia.
