Heritage
With the estuary as its most outstanding feature and its beach having become a tourist attraction, Plentzia is a pleasant, homely coastal town located some 25 kilometres from Bilbao, alongside a beautiful bay facing the sea, which it shares with its neighbour Gorliz.
Founded in 1299, this village still preserves part of its historical heritage. Its picturesque medieval old quarter is a superb combination of popular maritime architecture and more refined and palatial buildings. It is worthwhile to wander through its narrow streets and contemplate authentic gems such as the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, with its attractive 16th century tower, or the old Town Hall, built of stone. This building houses the Plasentia de Butrón Musem, where visitors can see a collection of historical items belonging to this coastal town.
Like many other towns, Plentzia was also surrounded by a wall in the past. The only remains of that defensive structure nowadays is St. James’ Arch. Another interesting building is Torre Barri, a tower house which belonged to the Butrón family and stands out for the stone coat of arms carved on the façade.
Estuary and beach
A pleasant walk along the estuary, dotted with small boats, will take us to the peaceful Plentzia beach, one of the town’s main attractions. This large sand extension and its calm waters are frequently visited by beachgoers in summer, given the exceptional conditions it offers to practice water sports such as kayaking, SUP and surf. The boardwalk extends all the way to the neighbouring Gorliz.
For those with energy to spare, Plentzia also offers an extensive calendar of feast days. The most important celebrations are held at the beginning of September in honour of Saint Antolin, including a wide range of events for all tastes.
Any visit to Plentzia must include a walk through the narrow streets of its Old Quarter, which still preserves the charm typical of historical locations, despite the significant changes undergone over the last century.
It was built between 1991 and 1992 to replace the old bridge, whose foundations had been damaged as a result of the flood of August 1983.
A family-owned pharmacy founded in 1888 that is now also a museum. It boasts an exhibition that occupies the original spaces of the apothecary’s shop, and the former laboratory and back room.
Recreation area with access to the estuary where you can practice kayaking or SUP
Isuskiza, also known as the Abanico de Plentzia (Plentzia fan), is one of the secret corners of the municipality.
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Cualquier visita al municipio de Plentzia requiere inevitablemente de un paseo por entre las estrechas calles de su casco antiguo, que pese a las profundas transformaciones sufridas por el municipio durante el último siglo, conserva aún ese encanto propio de los lugares históricos.
The origins of the town of Plentzia date from the 13th century, when Lope Díaz de Haro, Lord of Vizcaya, marked off the coastal boundaries of the Gorliz churchyard, whose economy was based on whale hunting.
