Castro Urdiales, with about 33,000 inhabitants, is a seaside town at the eastern end of Cantabria, on the border with the Basque Country. Being half an hour from Bilbao, it is also home to many Basque families.
History
It was the Roman colony of Flaviobriga, founded in the 1st century AD. In the Middle Ages it became one of the ports of the Hermandad de las Marismas, the league of Cantabrian sea towns trading wool and iron with England and Flanders. In 1813 it was sacked by Napoleon's troops. In the 19th century it grew rich from iron mines and fishing.
What to see
- The 13th-century church of Santa María de la Asunción, one of the finest Gothic churches on the Cantabrian coast, overlooking the sea.
- Santa Ana castle, a medieval fortress turned lighthouse.
- The medieval bridge and the ruined chapel of San Pedro, on the headland.
- The port, with fishing boats and houses with glazed balconies, galerías.
- The old town, with Plaza del Ayuntamiento and Parque de Amestoy.
- 19th-century buildings such as the neo-Gothic Ocharan castle and La Ballena cemetery, with modernista monuments.
Beaches
- Brazomar, the main town beach.
- Ostende, below the cliffs, with a promenade.
- Oriñón and Dícido, nearby and wilder.
Festivals and food
The Coso Blanco, on the first Friday of July, is a night parade of flower-decked floats with a battle of flowers and fireworks, of tourist interest. In late June the town celebrates San Pedro, patron of fishermen. Food: Cantabrian anchovies, bonito, sorropotún, the fishermen's tuna and potato stew, and sweets such as sobaos and quesada pasiega.
Getting there
Castro Urdiales is about 35 km from Bilbao, with its airport, and 70 km from Santander. Frequent buses run to Bilbao.