Getxo

Getxo is a coastal municipality in the Greater Bilbao area, stretching along the Bay of Biscay. The town includes several neighborhoods with sandy beaches, cliffs, and green spaces spread across both hilly and flat terrain.

The area shifted during the 19th century from a fishing village into a residential town when wealthy businessmen from Bilbao built summer homes here. This development shaped its built structure and led to the expansion of infrastructure along the coast.

The town sits at the mouth of the Ría de Bilbao and served for decades as a summer retreat for wealthy families from the industrial belt. Grand villas and mansions from the late 1800s line the coast, shaping the townscape and reflecting that era of prosperity.

Regular metro connections run to central Bilbao, making it easier to explore the wider region. The beaches and promenades suit leisurely walks, while the hills require some climbing.

The Puente Colgante, a bridge structure from 1893, connects both banks of the estuary and has been a World Heritage Site since 2006. Passengers cross the water in a hanging gondola without disrupting ship traffic.

Location: Biscay

Elevation above the sea: 50 m

Shares border with: Sopela, Berango, Erandio, Leioa, Portugalete

Website: http://getxo.net

GPS coordinates: 43.34417,-3.00639

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:57