Las Arenas
Encyclopedia
Las Arenas is a neighbourhood of Getxo
(Biscay
, Basque Country
, Spain
). It is an affluent residential area that was built over the sands of a beach where the Gobela creek died in a diffuse delta at the mouth of the Estuary of Bilbao
in the early 20th century.
It is connected to Portugalete
, at the other side of the firth by the Puente Colgante
and offers a marina, a small beach that can unfortunately be polluted, and a monument to Evaristo Churruca
, who planned and directed the canalization of the estuary. The Puente Colgante
is now a tourist attraction
with visitors able to go by lift to the top of the bridge (from where it was originally operated).
It can be divided in three neighbourhoods:
Sometimes the neighbour district of Romo is also included in the use of Areeta but this is surely a misuse, as Romo was built for the working classes and was separated by the suburban railroad until it was recycled by the Metro Bilbao
in its subway
system and by the canalized Gobela creek.
Public transport to and from the area is provided by Metro Bilbao
, with Areeta station in the centre of the area flanked by Lamiako (a mainly industrial district) and Gobela (a wealthy residential area), and BizkaiBus
, whose yellow buses provide services throughout Biscay
. The creditrans
payment card system can be used on the metro, the bus system, and also to cross the Vizcaya Bridge. A small passenger ferry
also operates across the river between Areeta and Portugalete.
Getxo
Getxo is a town located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in the north of Spain.It is part of the metropolitan area of Bilbao , and has about 83,000 inhabitants...
(Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
, Basque Country
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
). It is an affluent residential area that was built over the sands of a beach where the Gobela creek died in a diffuse delta at the mouth of the Estuary of Bilbao
Estuary of Bilbao
The Estuary of Bilbao lies at the common mouth of the rivers Nervion, Ibaizabal and Cadagua, that drain most of Biscay and part of Alava in the Basque Country, Spain. It is a large estuary long that extends from Bilbao to the Bilbao Abra bay, a widening that makes the final transition between...
in the early 20th century.
It is connected to Portugalete
Portugalete
Portugalete is a town lying to the west of Bilbao in the province of Biscay in the Autonomous Community of Basque Country, northern Spain.The town has 51,066 inhabitants and is part of Bilbao's metropolitan area. It is located at the mouth of the Estuary of Bilbao, on the left bank...
, at the other side of the firth by the Puente Colgante
Puente Colgante
The Vizcaya Bridge , is a transporter bridge that links the towns of Portugalete and Las Arenas in the Biscay province of Spain, crossing the mouth of the Nervion River....
and offers a marina, a small beach that can unfortunately be polluted, and a monument to Evaristo Churruca
Evaristo de Churruca y Brunet
Evaristo de Churruca y Brunet Spanish Engineer. He directed diverse construction work in Murcia and Biscay and subsequently was transferred to Puerto Rico, where was in charge of the installation of the telegraphic network of the island and carried out a study for the improvement of the port of...
, who planned and directed the canalization of the estuary. The Puente Colgante
Puente Colgante
The Vizcaya Bridge , is a transporter bridge that links the towns of Portugalete and Las Arenas in the Biscay province of Spain, crossing the mouth of the Nervion River....
is now a tourist attraction
Tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....
with visitors able to go by lift to the top of the bridge (from where it was originally operated).
- Central Las Arenas, around the Main Street, location of many shops, restaurants and bars.
- Santa Ana, a quiet residential area, named after the small church located in the eponymous plaza.
- Zugazarte, an area of more affluent homes along a road and park, looking to the sea and neighbouring NeguriNeguriNeguri is an affluent district of Getxo, in Biscay, Basque Country. It is traditionally regarded as the residence of the prosperous Basque industrial bourgeoisie. Its name, coined in the 19th century, means Winter Town in Basque language....
.
Sometimes the neighbour district of Romo is also included in the use of Areeta but this is surely a misuse, as Romo was built for the working classes and was separated by the suburban railroad until it was recycled by the Metro Bilbao
Metro Bilbao
Metro Bilbao is a rapid transit system serving the city of Bilbao and the region of Greater Bilbao. Its lines have a "Y" shape, with two lines that transit both banks of the Nervión river and then combine to form one line that ends in the south of Bilbao...
in its subway
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
system and by the canalized Gobela creek.
Public transport to and from the area is provided by Metro Bilbao
Metro Bilbao
Metro Bilbao is a rapid transit system serving the city of Bilbao and the region of Greater Bilbao. Its lines have a "Y" shape, with two lines that transit both banks of the Nervión river and then combine to form one line that ends in the south of Bilbao...
, with Areeta station in the centre of the area flanked by Lamiako (a mainly industrial district) and Gobela (a wealthy residential area), and BizkaiBus
BizkaiBus
BizkaiBus is the name for bus services serving the province of Biscay, Spain. It is named after the Basque name of the province, Bizkaia. The buses can be identified by their distinctive yellow colour scheme....
, whose yellow buses provide services throughout Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
. The creditrans
Creditrans
Creditrans is a travel card used to travel around Biscay, in the Basque Country . The card is the most popular ticket in the area, used by over 100 million passengers in 2007.-History:...
payment card system can be used on the metro, the bus system, and also to cross the Vizcaya Bridge. A small passenger ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
also operates across the river between Areeta and Portugalete.