Just 5 minutes’ walk away stands the PUENTE BIZKAIA transporter bridge, known locally as the “Puente Colgante” or “hanging bridge”.

Hundreds of vessels have sailed under this 61 m high bridge over the years. It links the banks of the river estuary via a car suspended on cables that runs on rails along the gantry at its top.

It carries around six million passengers per year.

It was the world’s first transporter bridge and is an icon of industry in Bizkaia. It opened in 1893. The reasons that led UNESCO to declare it a Human Heritage Site included its perfect combination of beauty, aesthetics and functionality and the influence of its technology on the construction of other bridges.

It is fitted with glass lifts to take visitors to the walkway 50 metres up, from where there are extraordinary views over the whole mouth of the Nervión River estuary.

The Old Town district of Portugalete near the bridge is worth visiting. In the Middle Ages the town basically comprised the three streets now called Calle Coscojales, Calle Víctor Chávarri (popularly known as “Calle del Medio” or “Middle Street”) and Calle Santa María. On this last street you will find the Torre Salazar tower and the basilica of Santa María, built in a Gothic style with Renaissance influence. Both these buildings date from the 15th century. The basilica is home to a museum of sacred art featuring silverwork, vestments, a 17th century choir book and a 19th century abat-son.

There are fine views of the river estuary and the Puente Bizkaia transporter bridge from outside the church.

Now walk back down to the promenade to visit the Rialia Museum of Industry. The remit of this museum is to recover and publicise what remains of the area’s industrial past.

You can cross the river on the transporter bridge, which runs 24 hours a day.
We recommend taking the lift up to the walkway for matchless views and more information on the history of this iron colossus.