URIBE KOSTA: LINE 1 OF THE BILBAO METRO HOLDS THE KEY

The coast that includes Metropolitan Bilbao, called Uribe Kosta, can be visited in its entirety using the Metro, which follows a coastal route and has a station at each beach. The much-frequented sandy beach of Sopelana is famous for being the Basque surfing nerve-centre par excellence. Here alone we can find half a dozen renowned surf schools and clubs. The ideal place both for complete beginners or for advanced surfers, as well as for lovers of the sea in general, as it is not dangerous and has multiple peaks offering something for everyone. It boasts well-developed infrastructures which make a visit to the beach even more comfortable: seafront bars, restaurants, hotels, camping facilities, surf camps, surf shops, and a shuttle bus that takes visitors from the Metro to the beach on more difficult days. It can carry surfboards, bicycles, prams, and so on.

The municipality of Sopelana is adjacent to Getxo, one of the area´s most important cities, with more than 10,000 residents and a full range of facilities. On the other hand, it is also adjacent to wilder spots such as those found in the municipality of Barrika. These in turn are near tourist destinations like Plentzia or Gorliz, which in the summer are much - frequented, mainly by visitors from Bilbao.

Barely 30 minutes on the Metro separate the capital of Bizkaia province, Bilbao, from the beaches.

LA ARENA, BIZKAIA'S MOST VISITED BEACH

On the other side of the Estuary of Bilbao, in an area known as Margen Izquierda (the Left Bank), is the fishing municipality of Zierbena, bordering on Muskiz and Somorrostro. Here is the only beach in this large area which in the past had deep-rooted associations with Basque industry. Its sand banks are adjacent to the Autonomous Community of Cantabria.

Being the only beach in the area, it is not surprising that it is one of the most frequently visited in Bizkaia, as the Margen Izquierda has a large number of residents. It has excellent infrastructures and facilities near the beach, as well as surf clubs and surf schools. In fact, the first surf club was set up here, which later led to the creation of the Surf Federation of Bizkaia.

As it has multiple peaks, it is ideal both for complete beginners or for those seeking to perfect their skills. It offers numerous alternatives and is very open to the sea. However, its orientation and the strong currents at certain times of the year mean that it is strongly advisable, as always, to pay attention to the flag colours on the beach and be accompanied by monitors. They are particularly well- trained in this area, as are the lifeguards. It is extremely well communicated, only 15 minutes from Bilbao by motorway or by bus. In addition, the bus service is stepped up in the summer.

Tiene excelentes comunicaciones; a tan solo 15 minutos de Bilbao por autopista o en autobús, cuyo servicio se incrementa notablemente en verano.

Line 2 of the Metro is also a very interesting route, as it is the one that covers the Margen Izquierda (Left Bank) of the Estuary of Bilbao. Fom Portugalete, there are shuttle buses directly to the beach in the summer, and numerous buses throughout the year.

From the Central Railway Station in Abando, in the centre of Bilbao, there is also a direct train service which covers this area. From any of the municipalities on the Margen Izquierda it is easy to reach La Arena Beach.

One point of interest is the view from this beach of the Margen Right-hander (or Right Bank) on the opposite side of the Estuary, and vice versa. By sea, the distance between Muskiz and Getxo, for example, is very small. One can also appreciate the topography of the river as it meets the sea in El Abra Bay, an area which itself has surf spots such as Punta Galea (Getxo). It is here that once again the perfect combination of sea and mountain can be admired, and the great sights which the coast of Bizkaia has to offer can be enjoyed.