Areeta (''Las Arenas'' in Spanish) is a neighbourhood of

Getxo Getxo () is a town located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in Spain. It is part of Greater Bilbao, and has 77,946 inhabitants (2019). Getxo is mostly an affluent residential area, as well as being the ...

(

Biscay Biscay (; eu, Bizkaia ; es, Vizcaya ) is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lordship of Biscay, lying on the south shore of the eponymous bay. The capital and largest city is Bilbao. B ...

Basque Country Basque Country may refer to: * Basque Country (autonomous community), as used in Spain ( es, País Vasco, link=no), also called , an Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Spain (shown in pink on the map) * French Basque Country o ...

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

). It is an affluent residential area that was built over the sands of a beach where the Gobela Creek died into a diffuse delta at the mouth of the

Estuary of Bilbao The Estuary of Bilbao (Spanish: ''Ría de Bilbao'' / Basque: ''Bilboko Itsasadarra'') lies at the common mouth of the rivers Nervion, Ibaizabal and Cadagua, which drain most of Biscay and part of Alava in the Basque Country, Spain. In this insta ...

in the early 20th century. It is connected to Portugalete at the other side of the firth by the '' Vizcaya Bridge''

transporter bridge A transporter bridge, also known as a ferry bridge or aerial transfer bridge, is a type of movable bridge that carries a segment of roadway across a river. The gondola is slung from a tall span by wires or a metal frame. The design has been use ...

and offers a marina, a small beach that can unfortunately be polluted, and a monument to Evaristo Churruca, who planned and directed the channelization of the estuary. The '' Vizcaya Bridge'' is now a

tourist attraction A tourist attraction is a place of interest that tourists visit, typically for its inherent or an exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure and amusement. Types Places of natural b ...

with visitors able to go by lift to the top of the bridge (from where it was originally operated).

Neighbourhoods

It can be divided in three neighbourhoods: *Central Areeta, 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

Neguri Neguri 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 neighbouring district of Erromo is also included in Areeta but this is surely a misuse, as Erromo was built for the working classes and was separated by the suburban

railroad Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...

until it was recycled by the Metro Bilbao in its

subway Subway, Subways, The Subway, or The Subways may refer to: Transportation * Subway, a term for underground rapid transit rail systems * Subway (underpass), a type of walkway that passes underneath an obstacle * Subway (George Bush Interconti ...

system and by the canalized Gobela creek.

Public transport

Public transport to and from the area is provided by Metro Bilbao, with Areeta (Las Arenas) station in the centre of the area flanked by Lamiako (a mainly industrial district) and Gobela (a wealthy residential area), and

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 green (until 2009 yellow) livery. The bus network is i ...

, whose yellow buses provide services throughout

. The

Barik card Barik () is rechargeable contactless smart card, electronic money used for public transport in Biscay (Spain). It was launched on 2012 as successor of Creditrans travel card. Is available as a credit-card-sized card. Companies accepting Barik ...

can be used on the metro, the bus system, and also to cross the Vizcaya Bridge. A small passenger

ferry A ferry is a ship, watercraft or amphibious vehicle used to carry passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo, across a body of water. A passenger ferry with many stops, such as in Venice, Italy, is sometimes called a water bus or water taxi ...

also operates across the river between Areeta and Portugalete.

Places and buildings of interest

Vizcaya Bridge was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006 for being one of the most outstanding buildings made of iron during the Industrial Revolution. It was opened to the public in 1893 as the first mechanic bridge in the world, and it is still working at present. {{DEFAULTSORT:Arenas, Las Neighbourhoods in Spain Populated places in Biscay Getxo