The route from Punta Galea to Sopelana is one of the most attractive plans in Bilbao. It combines active tourism with a route of several kilometers along cliffs, views of the Bay of Abra and the Bay of Biscay, and adventure activities for all tastes.
The route takes about three hours at a normal pace, although it will take longer if you stop at key points and go down to the beaches. It is about 7 km to Sopelana and 10 km to Larrabasterra. Undoubtedly a route to clear your minnd, breathe fresh air and admire the views. 100% recommended!
Why don’t miss the plan?
- It is only a few minutes away from the center of Bilbao.
- It offers a day in the middle of nature, breathing the sea breeze.
- You can walk or ride a bike, as you like.
- It is ideal to do with children; it even has several parks at the beginning.
- There is a picnic area where you can stop for lunch.
- You can easily get there by metro or by car.
Content index
Where is Punta Galea and how to get there?
Punta Galea is located on the coast of Getxo and the route to Sopelana goes along it from Aixerrota. It is 18 km from Bilbao, in the province of Biscay, a few kilometres north of Getxo and a few steps north of Algorta.
There are several ways to get to the starting point of the Punta Galea route from the center of Bilbao. To get into the specifics, I recommend you check Google Maps to find the most appropriate option depending on your accommodation or location.
Take the metro to Bidezábal
To get from the city center to Punta Galea by metro, take line 1 Etxebarri – Plentzia or Etxebarri – Larrabasterra, direction Plentzia, and get off at the Bidezábal stop. When you get off, walk towards Carretera de la Galea and continue straight until you reach the promenade. It takes two minutes and is very chep with the Barik public transport card.
By train with transfer at Abando
If you are in an area that is better connected to the center of Bilbao by train, I recommend you take this means of transportation to Abando and then transfer to the metro line 1 at the same station and then follow the previous instructions.
Bizkaibus to Getxo
You can travel by bus (the green buses, not the red ones) from Bilbao by taking the A3411 line to Getxo (get off at the Av. del Angel 18 stop) or the A3414 (Maidagan – La Venta stop; this one takes you a little further than the A3411 line). The trip takes between 45 and 50 minutes (half an hour longer than the metro, more or less).
By car with or without toll
From Bilbao, take the N-637 (later BI-637) heading north. You do not have to take detours or join other roads until the Getxo/Berango exit. You can also take the BI-637 road only, but keep in mind that this road has tolls.
Parking in the area
If you are going by car, you are probably wondering where to park in Punta Galea and surroundings, and here you will be happy with the answer, because there are several public parking lots both at the beginning and along the route.
At the beginning of the Punta Galea route there is a free parking lot, the Aixerrota parking, with space for about 50 cars. It also has free public toilets and a Bizkaibizi station, where you can rent municipal bicycles to make the route on wheels.
This is the ideal parking to park and start the route although there are also others along the route, such as Parking Galea Lurmuturra, Parking Piscinas La Galea, Parking Calle Juan Vallejo Real de Asua Kalea, Parking Acanrilado Azkorri, Parking Azkorri or Parking Playa Sopela.
You may be interested in doing the route starting in Sopelana if you are staying there, you want to go to the picnic area and walk around the area but not make a round trip, or just look at one of the beaches; in this case, one of these parking lots will come in handy. In this map you can see their location:
The route to Punta Galea – step by step
As soon as you pass the Aixerrota area, you will see the left bank of the estuary and the Serantes mountain, where the so-called Abra del Nervión, the point where the estaury enters the Cantabrian Sea, is located.
On the other side, before continuing towards Punta Galea, you can also see the towns of Santurtzi, Portugalete, Las Arenas and, of course, Getxo.
At the beginning of the walk you will find some of the highlights of the route. To the left is the Arrigunaga beach and to the right the Aixerrota mill, one of the few of its kind in Biscay, dating from 1727 and built as a windmill to grind wheat without the need of water.
Cycle to Punta Galea:
You can take the Bidegorri, the Basque cycle path, although the official road ends near the lighthouse and the terrain is more uneven, sharing the road with pedestrians.
Continuing along the wooded and asphalted area of this first section of the route, you will see the 18th century fort of La Galea, also known as La Atalaya. It is one of the best-preserved fortresses in the Basque Country and the best in Biscay.
In this enclave you can go back to the 18th century, when this bastion was used as a lookout point over the coast, or even to the 16th century, when there was a watchtower from which the fishermen followed the whales.
Also known as the Prince’s Castle, it not only offers incredible views of the sea, but it is located right where the Abra leaves, giving it an impressive view of the Bay of Biscay.
Along the way there are fountains and public baths, but not much shade.
In its surroundings you can enjoy the views and, from the outside, its ruins can be very well appreciated, but access is not allowed. A gate prevents access to the interior, and it has no use; it has been copletely abandoned since 1975, when the restaurant that operated inside closed its doors.
After visiting the fort, the route continues to Punta Galea. The Cantabrian Sea is now in front of our eyes.
Once we reach this part of the route to Punta Galea, the incredible area of the cliffs begins. This is where the flysch appears, a unique geological formation that can also be found in other parts of the Basque coast, such as Zumaia, and which gives the rocks a unique personality.
From here, a walk awaits you in which the beaches and the sea are the protagonists. You will pass by different points such as Gorrondatxe beach, with dark sand, not crowded and perfect for relaxing.
The walk along Punta Galea is pet-friendly, with wide paths and open areas for playing and running. Remember that there are pedestrians, children, bikes and other pets, and always respect others, but take your pet with you without worries so that he/she can enjoy as you do this great for you to enjoy as much as you do this great outdoor plan in Bilbao.
From here, the terrain becomes a little more uneven, which does not prevent you from continuinng the route comfortably, but can make it difficult to access for people with pushchairs or wheelchairs. Although this is one of the most recommended plans with children in Bilbao, it is important to know the limitations.
This beach also has a beach bar, where you can make a first stop – if you do not go in a hurry – to enjoy the visual spectacle that the surroundings offer. Did you know that on days when the sky is clear and the visibility is ideal, you can see the mountains of Triano and Castro Urdiales, in the neighboring region of Cantabria?
Then, after a short walk along the path, you will find the beach of Barinatxe, known by the locals as La Salvaje (The Wild). It has a large area for relaxing and swimming, as well as a nudist area.
Continuing along the cliffs of Punta Galea, the next beach is Arrietera. Here, the beach bar gives it a surf and summer touch that you cannot miss. Take the opportunity to sit and enjoy the music, the relaxed rhythm and the atmosphere.
The route continues to the end of the beach, where the Peñón de Sopelana awaits you to witness a unique sunset; because yes, the route to Punta Galea is worthwhile at any time, but specially at sunset. This is without a doubt one of my favorite places to watch the sunset in Bilbao.
Punta Galea is part of the Biscay flysch route and has the Punta Galea-Tunelboca site, rich in “numulites”, fossils of single-celled coin-shaped organisms from the Upper Paleocene.
The route ends in Sopelana, where you can take the metro back to Bilbao, although you can end a little earlier, in Larrabasterra. If you are brave enough, you can also do the route in the opposite direction and finish in Bidezábal, but to do this I recommend that you leave in the morning.
Three plans according to your tastes
- If you like walking, you can go in the morning, eat something in the area of Sopelana and return quietly after lunch.
- If you prefer adrenaline, organize the plan around some activities in the area.
- If you like sunsets, go in the afternoon, enjoy the sunset in Sopelana and return by metro.
Activities and cultural plans along Punta Galea route
Whether you are a sport enthusiast or you are coming to Punta Galea with your children, there are plenty of opportunities to have fun, get your adrenaline pumping and stay active. Right at the beginning, in Aixerrota, there is a gymnastics area, ideal for athletes.
Without going too far, you will see a sculpture by Mikel Lertxundi, El Libro de la Memoria, which since 2011 pays tribute to the victims of the Civil War and Franco’s regime.
Continuing along the route, you will see another gymnastics park. If you like golf, the Real Sociedad de Golf de Neguri is right next door, although you need to be a member or someone invite you to enjoy the course.
Nearby, the picnic area next to the Azkorri park is a must for the little ones in the house, so they can play in peace. The Azkorri Forest, very close by, has some trails through the trees that pets will enjoy to the fullest.
There are three paragliding schools in the area: the Basque Paragliding School, Sopela Airetik and Paragliding in Sopelana. If you prefer to stay on solid ground, there is a skateboard area. And, of course, surfing is not lacking in the area, as you can participate in surfing lessons – as long as the schools are active – for example with Pukas Peña Txuri Surf Eskola.
Punta Galea Big Wave Challenge
If there is a place near Bilbao where you can find waves between 5 and 7 meters high, this is it. So it is not surprising that one the most important big wave competitions is held here.
It is an international championship, the longest running in Europe, where the best surfers in the world compete every year. It has been held since 2006 and 24 surfers compete. Each edition attracts around 20,000 fans to the Getxo coast to enjoy a unique sports event from the cliffs of Punta Galea.
Where to enjoy the views from the cliffs?
Needless to say that each of the viewpoints of Punta Galea, the route of the cliffs, offers a different but unique visual spectacle. Although the route runs along the coast and is therefore a viewpoint in itself, there are areas that have been prepared as such.
At the very beginning, the Molino de Aixerrota offers views of the nearest towns on the left bank of the Nervión estuary and of Abra Bay, overlooking Arrigunaga beach. A little further on, the western viewpoint of Punta Galea allows you to see the Serantes mountain, the unloading dock of the oil tankers and, when the Punta Galea Challenge takes place, the athletes catching the waves. Only a few steps away, the Lighthouse of Punta Galea offers further points to stop and enjoy the surroundings.
Turning to the right – the terrain ends at this viewpoint on the cliff – you will find the Mirador Punta Galea. After following the path and leaving the Neguri golf course on your right, we arrive at the Azkorri beach, which offers a spectacular view of the beach and the sea from the top.
Between the beaches of Sopelana and Arrietara, a cliff separates the two beaches: there, the viewpoint of the beaches of Arrietara and Basatia offers the best views of La Salvaje and its surroundings. Finally, a reward at the end of this route of Punta Galea: the Peñón de Sopelana.
Restaurants and places to eat in the area
Although there are no restaurants along the Punta Galea route, it is possible to eat by making a small detour along the route or in the surrounding area.
If you do not want to leave the marked trail, there are options for lunch along the route, such as the picnic area next to the Azkorri park, a variety of benches where you can sit and eat your sandwich, or some of the large green areas along the route. Throw a picnic blanket in your backpack and you’re ready to go!
If you are interested in discovering local cuisine, here are a few places near Punta Galea where you can dine:
- Fangaloka Style – Getxo
- Bar La Triangu – Sopelana
- Artadi Brewery- Sopelana
- Solito Restaurant – Sopelana
- El Peñón de Sopelana – Sopelana
To sum up, if you want to spend a few days in Bilbao and take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy some outdoor activities, this is one of the most popular itineraries among locals, as the route takes you along the coast of Getxo, enjoying the views from the top of the cliff.
Dare to do it alone, as a couple or with the family, as it is suitable for all audiences. And don’t forget, after you the Punta Galea route, a fantastic sunset awaits you in Sopelana!
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